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The World Bowl
December 5th, 1974 Attendance 32,376Legion Field Birmingham
The Birmingham Americans captured the WFL’s first championship, by winning a thriller over the never-say-die Florida Blazers, 22-21. The World Bowl, a game that almost didn’t happen, saw the Ams sprint to a 22-0 lead, only to see the blazers fight their way back to life, with issue in doubt until the end.
Quarterback George Mira was named the games MVP for his steady guidance of the explosive Birmingham offense. Mira, though completing only 5 passes on the evening, did have one TD pass to TE Bob Brown. Mira constantly kept the Blazer defense off balance with his grit and heady play calling in unleashing the Birmingham ground attack, which wore the Blazer defense down as the game wore on. The Americans defense kept WFL Co-MVP Tommy Reamon bottled up for most of the game, allowing him only 83 yards on the night, although Reamon did score on his only pass reception.
The first quarter saw no scoring, but The Ams got on the board in the 2nd quarter with a 15 play drive that covered 58 yards, with Joe Profit carrying the final yard for the score. The action point failed and Birmingham led 7-0. On their next possession, Birmingham rolled 66 yards in 7 plays with Art Cantrelle doing most of the damage, first on a 30 yards bolt and then by finishing it off with a 5 yards blast up the middle for the TD. Matthew Reed came on and rolled around right end for the AP, and the Ams were up 15-0. That’s the way things stood at intermission.
The 3rd quarter saw Birmingham take the kickoff and Mira direct a 74-yard 11-play drive for 7 more points. Mira found TE Bob Brown alone in the right flat and Brown scored from 26 yards. The AP was no good and Birmingham seemed in control 22-0 as the 4th quarter got underway.
However, the Blazers had no intentions of going away quietly. On the first play of the final period, Blazer QB Bob Davis threw to Reamon who scampered 39 yards for the TD. The AP failed and the score now stood 22-7 Davis then directed a quick 83 yards in 7 plays to score, Davis going to TE Greg Latta for 40 yards for the TD.
The Americans offense could get nothing going and punted. Blazer return man Rod Foster zigged and zagged his was 76 yards with the punt all the way to the end zone, and suddenly the Ams lead stood at one point. Reamon got the call for the AP, but Warren Capone met him head on at the goal line to preserve the lead. Birmingham then had to run out the remaining time on the clock. Reed had a clutch 12 yard run with Blazer defenders hanging all over him for a crucial first down. Charley Harraway delivered a big 10 yard run for the game’s final first down, to allow the Ams to run out the clock at the Blazer’s one yard line. Birmingham wasn’t trying to score, as Head Coach Jack Gotta said, “One point was just perfect”.
As the clock wound down, a Blazer defender scooped up the ball and ran away with it, only to be taken down by a group of Birmingham players, who wanted the game ball. A scuffle followed with a Birmingham player successfully securing the ball. In the locker room, champagne flowed everywhere, drenching anyone who dared set foot inside. Gotta smiled and said “It’s a great feeling. We had to beat a good football team. It’s great for the players. I had hoped everything would end on a positive not, and I feel out league benefited by tonight”
The win meant that Birmingham had won 13 straight home games with no losses, completing a wondrous 17-5 run. After the players filed into the locker room, defensive captain LB Ross Brupbacher presented the game ball to “The City of Birmingham-and I hope they bring us back next year to play here”. Meanwhile Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies were standing by, not to secure the celebration, but to confiscate the winner’s uniforms and equipment as a result of unpaid bills. To add to the ignominy even trainer Drew Ferguson’s shoes were repossessed. But the spirit of the victors was not dampened, when the World Bowl trophy was hoisted in the room. All got to see and touch the large trophy, rightly deserved after a hard fought win.
The Birmingham ground attack was led by Joe Profit with 58 yards, Paul Robinson gained 44 yards while Cantrelle picked up 44 yards despite an injured ankle. Harraway carried for 25 yards while Mira added 27 yards on 4 surprise runs. Brown, Alfred Jenkins and Dennis Homan had key receptions, with Gerard Williams and Willie Smith turning in timely interceptions. Brupbacher, Warren Capone, Steve Manstedt, Jesse Wolf, Larry Estes, Bob Tatarek , John Baker, and Larry Willingham all were defensive stand-outs for the evening.
The pregame coin toss
QB George Mira was named Word Bowl MVP
Joe Profit scores the first World Bowl TD
Jim Kregel, Charley Harraway, Art Cantrelle, and William Bryant take a breather
Art Cantrelle scores from five yards
QB Matthew Reed delivers the clutch AP that proved to be the difference in the game
TVS color analyst Alex Hawkins presents the WFL MVP award to one of the Tri-MVPs Sun QB Tony Adams. Miss Florida is actress Delta Burke. Notice the cash, its all one-dollar bills.
TE Bob Brown caught a 26-yard TD pass from Mira
The Ams defense comes up with a big fumble recovery
Blazer QB Bob Davis hands off to another of the WFL Tri MVPs RB Tommy Reamon
FB Charley Harraway keeps a late drive alive with clutch running
Players scuffle for the game ball in the closing seconds
Coach Gotta gets a well-deserved victory ride
Birmingham players celebrate with the World Bowl Trophy
Joe Profit holding the World Bowl trophy |
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