Shreveport Steamer

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The Shreveport Steamer, who began their franchise as the Houston Texans, was a professional football team in the World Football League. The franchise began the 1974 season located in Houston, Texas as the Texans, playing their home games at the Houston Astrodome. During the end of their first season, the team relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana and were renamed the Shreveport Steamer. The team played at the 30,000-seat State Fair Stadium, now named The Independence Stadium.

Larry King, of CNN fame, was one of their broadcasters.

It showcased a number of veterans and a few rookies. Among the green and gold were ambidextrous quarterback and former University of Houston star D.C. Nobles, along with several former American Football League: quarterbacks Mike Taliaferro, Don Trull, fullback Jim Nance, wide receivers Don Maynard and Rick Eber, tight end Willie Frazier, and defensive players Garland Boyette, Al Dotson, and rookie John Villapiano, brother of Oakland Raiders defender Phil Villapiano.

The WFL Texans survived in Houston for 11 games, going 3-7-1. Shreveport received the team on September 18, 1974 by inheriting the Houston Texans. On September 23, 1974, the old Houston Texans were rechristened the Shreveport Steamer. The franchise, according to the WFL, was operated on a "play now, pay later" basis. The team was coached by Marshall Taylor, a former star player at Tennessee Tech. The Steamer made their debut two nights later, on September 25 in their new home against the Memphis Southmen, the new Steamer played in front of just over 22,000 fans, and lost their opener, 17-3 to the Memphis Southmen. The Shreveport Steamer finished in Louisiana at 4-4, going 7-12-1 overall in the 1974 season.

The Shreveport Steamer reappeared, as did the WFL, for the 1975 season. Right from the start both the boats and the resurrected league itself struggled. The second Chicago franchise died September 2, after five games. After going a mediocre 5-7 record with the franchise just about out of money, the Steamer and the WFL sank permanently on October 22, 1975. The second WFL ceased operations a little more than halfway through its campaign.

Sources Houston Texans 1974 WFL Media Guide Shreveport Steamer 1975 WFL Media Guide

World Football League