Houston Gamblers

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The Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985.

The team played its home games at the Astrodome.

The Gamblers were coached by former NFL head coach Jack Pardee in both their seasons.

The most notable player on the team was future Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.

Led by Kelly and employing the run-and-shoot offense, the Gamblers appeared in the playoffs in each of their two seasons, but suffered first-round defeats both times.

The team was to be merged with the New Jersey Generals for the 1986 season, but that season would never be played.

Houston native and famed country singer Kenny Rogers was signed to serve as the official mascot at all Gamblers home games due to his being known as "The Gambler." The original contract called for Rogers to sing during each half time show, but he pulled out of the deal after the Houston Sports Authority refused to allow him to open a Kenny Rogers Roasters franchise in the Astrodome. ("Rogers Folds'em and Walks Away" by Neil Holhfeld, Houston Chronicle, November 18, 1983)

Team colors were black, red, and white.

[edit] Single season leaders

  • Rushing Yards: 1009 (1984), Todd Fowler
  • Receiving Yards: 1445 (1984), Richard Johnson
  • Passing Yards: 5219 (1984), Jim Kelly (also league record)

[edit] Season-by-season

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties

Season W L T Finish Playoff results
1984 13 5 0 1st WC Central Lost Quarterfinal (Arizona)
1985 10 8 0 3rd WC Lost Quarterfinal (Birmingham)
Totals 23 15 0 (including playoffs)

[edit] External links

United States Football League
Coaches | Players | Radio coverage | Seasons | Television coverage | Venues
Arizona Wranglers (1983-84) | Birmingham Stallions (1983-85) | Boston/New Orleans/Portland Breakers (1983-85) | Chicago Blitz (1983-84) | Denver Gold (1983-85) | Los Angeles Express (1983-85) | Michigan Panthers (1983-84) | New Jersey Generals (1983-85) | Oakland Invaders (1983-85) | Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars (1983-85) | Tampa Bay Bandits (1983-85) | Washington Federals/Orlando Renegades (1983-85) | Houston Gamblers (1984-85) | Jacksonville Bulls (1984-85) | Memphis Showboats (1984-85) | Oklahoma/Arizona Outlaws (1984-85) | Pittsburgh Maulers (1984) | San Antonio Gunslingers (1984-85)
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