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 Birmingham
Americans
vs.
 Southern
California Sun
Wednesday July 10th,
1974
Attendance 53,231
Legion Field
Birmingham
The World
Football League’s Birmingham Americans and Southern California Sun kicked off
their inaugural seasons in Birmingham, aptly named “Football Capital of the
South”. With WFL Commissioner Gary Davidson in attendance, the Americans won a
hard fought, exciting 11-7 decision over the visiting Sun.
Birmingham owner Bill Putnam, Birmingham
Mayor George Siebels, and WFL Commissioner Davidson, along with American’s
President Carol Stallworth and other dignitaries took part in pre-game
ceremonies, then gave way to the players. 53,231 roared and cheered so loudly
that during the opening introductions, the players could not hear the public
address announcer and had to file onto the field without the benefit of knowing
when their cue had arrived. The Reverend Hugh Agricola, Rector of the Church of
the Advent, delivered the pre-game invocation summoning God’s favor upon both
teams, however, letting his allegiance known with his petition that “…may the
Sun of California not go down on the wrath of the Americans…”
The Kickoff time was delayed almost half an
hour due to the overwhelming walk-up crowd just prior to the game, with more
than 10,000 tickets being sold just before kickoff. The attendance set a record
for a first year pro football team, breaking the AFL’s Dallas Texan’s record of
just over 42,000 for its inaugural game. Unfortunately an erroneous report was
generated that no more tickets were available, turning more fans away. The
report was actually only for one ticket window and scores of fans went home
needlessly. Legion Field hosted the largest crowd of the WFL’s curtain raiser,
and Gary Davidson simply said, “I’m overwhelmed by the crowd, I’m awed” in his
describing his feelings for such a large turnout.The Americans Head Coach Jack Gotta showed
early that he was not afraid to open up the offense, but the Am’s ground attack
did most of the damage. Veteran QB George Mira led the Ams offense on several
drives, only to see them stall or end with turnovers. Mira and reserve QB
Matthew Reed, a big rookie from Grambling, combined for 97 yards passing and
four interceptions. The rushing attack was lead by NFL veterans Paul Robinson
and Charley Harraway. Jimmy Edwards, Art Cantrelle, and Carl Bartles also were
available for ball-carrying duties. The Ams also featured two outstanding
receivers, Dennis Homan, the former Alabama All-American and hometown favorite,
and rookie speedster Alfred Jenkins from Morris-Brown.
Captains for the game were center John
Matlock and linebacker Ross Brupbacher. Both NFL veterans had been duly elected
by their teammates. Brupbacher led a linebacking corp than included rookies
Warren Capone from LSU, Mike Truax from Tulane, and Steve Manstedt from
Nebraska. The defense also featured John “Tiny” Andrews, former Auburn
All-American Larry Willingham, former Alabama All-American Steve Williams, Cecil
Leonard, and Butch Brezina.
The first quarter was a contest of back and
forth between the two teams and ended scoreless. In the second period, Sun QB
Tony Adams hit a 70-yard pass to RB James McAlsiter who rambles to the Ams’
one-yard line. Kermit Alexander scored from there. The action point was no good,
and from there both offenses sputtered from there and the teams trotted to the
locker rooms at the half with the Sun holding to the 7-0 lead.
The second half started out in similar
fashion, with both defenses dominating, not allowing any points in the third
quarter. The Sun had a modest drive going when the third quarter ended. However,
on the second play of the fourth quarter, Adams threw to the left side, but
Birmingham’s Steve Williams stepped in from of intended receiver Dave Williams
at midfield, made the interception, then sprinted 50 yards down the far sideline
for the first ever Birmingham touchdown. Williams was so elated that he tried to
hold the ball aloft as he circled the back of the end zone but the slippery ball
simply would not allow it. Mira threw to Robinson for the AP and the Americans
held their first lead, 8-7.
Late in the game, the Sun trying desperately
to regain the lead, failed on a 4th down attempt deep in its own
territory. Birmingham took over at the 15-yard line. 3 plays and 7 yards later,
Earl Sark kicked a 26-yard field goal, advancing Birmingham’s advantage to 11-7.
Southern Cal brought in reserve QB Gary
Valbuena to try to lead to Sun offense. He took his team to the Birmingham 28,
but the Ams defense held and the exciting victory belonged to
Birmingham.
Robinson was the leading Birmingham rusher
with 79 yards on 21 carries, while Kermit Johnson gained 88 yards on 24 carries
for the Sun. Defensively, Brupbacher, Capone, Leonard,
Willingham, and Williams all had big nights, with Williams turning in the lone
interception.Coach Jack Gotta stated afterward that he was
“never more pleased with a win”. “It’s a long season, 19 more to go, but we got
a good start”.
Opening night, July 10th 1974
Here come the Americans!!!
Captain Matlock shakes hands with Sun captains
Matlock & Brupbacher bow for pre-game invocation
George “The Matador” Mira calling signals for the Ams
Dennis Homan caught the first pass completion for
Birmingham
Guard Joe O’Donnell “pancakes” a Sun defender
The Sun scored first on Kermit Alexander’s 1-yard run
LB Mike Truax forces Sun QB Tony Adams to scramble
He’s gone! CB Steve Williams scores the very first
Americans TD
Paul Robinson caught Mira’s pass for the AP
Mike Mullen and Warren Capone sack Sun reserve
QB Gary Valbuena late in the game
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