Hello all. It will still be a couple of days before I can kick off the 1996 season, but there is something I can announce, and a way you can participate. Below we have 12 nominees for consideration for the 1996 class of the USFL Hall of Fame. Only 5 can be selected for entry this year, so we have some tough decisions to make. All candidates must have retired from the game no later than December 1, 1991, prior to the 1992 season. All are strong contenders, but only 5 can enter the Hall this year. The others will remain eligible for voting in future years.
So, what is your role? Review the 12 semifinalists and use the comment section to offer up to 5 nominees you believe should make it into the USFL HOF (within the Pro Football HOF in Canton, Ohio). It is just that simple. Here are your semifinalists:
QB Chuck Fusina: 1983-1991. Philadelphia Stars
The 2-time USFL Champion QB retired with 3056 completions for 31,334 yards, a career QB Rating of 91.1 and 200 TDs to 116 Interceptions. He was named to the All-USFL team twice in his 9 USFL seasons. Known for his steady leadership and clutch performances, Fusina was never considered a physical marvel, but was regarded as one of the best field marshals, able to use his wits and steady hand to guide the Stars offense to two titles.
QB Doug Williams: 1984-1990. Jacksonville Bulls, Oklahoma Outlaws, Texas Outlaws
Doug Williams was one of the early gunslingers at QB in the USFL. Named the Offensive Player of the Year in 1989, Williams's deep ball and ability to extend plays made him a force to be reckoned with and one of the league's early stars. Williams was named to 5 All-USFL teams in his 7 USFL seasons before returning to the NFL in 1991. He finished his USFL career with 2017 completions for 23,889 yards, with 182 touchdowns and 80 interceptions. His career QB rating was 95.3
HB Craig James: 1983-1989. Washington Federals
One of the two legendary Pony Express members of the SMU backfield, James joined the USFL in 1983 and for 7 seasons was the engine behind the Washington Federals' offense. He went over 1,000 yards in all 7 of his USFL seasons before injuries shortened his career. He finished his career with 8,908 yards on 2238 carries, a 4.0 YPC average. He also contributed 53 TDs to Washington's cause. James was named an All-USFL player twice in his 7-year USFL career.
HB John Williams: 1983-1990. Michigan Panthers
Williams was not a big name when signed by the Panthers for the league's inaugural season, but quickly became a player known throughout the league for his slashing runs and ability to take on defenders. Williams rushed for 8,291 yards and 55 TDs in 8 seasons, a 4.2 YPC average for his career. He reached the 1,000 yard mark 6 times in those 8 years and was named to 4 All-USFL squads. Williams was a key member of the 1984 and 1986 league champion Michigan Panther squads.
HB Gary Anderson: 1983-1989. Tampa Bay Bandits
A dual threat, Anderson joined the Bandits from the NFL in 1983 and in his 6 seasons with the team helped them to the league's first championship in 1983, and played a major role in the defining years of "Bandit Ball" as a wide open, multifaceted offense. Anderson returned briefly to the NFL in 1990, but his best years were his 6 USFL years, where he rushed for 7,557 yards, 54 TDs and a 4.3 YPC average. He went over the 1,000 yard mark 5 of his 7 seasons for Tampa Bay and was also one of the first true dual threat backs, as deadly in the passing game as rushing the ball.
WR Nolan Franz: 1983-1990: Boston/New Orleans Breakers.
A prolific receiver, known for tough catches in traffic and in the Red Zone, Nolan Franz was one of the stars of the Breakers during their run of playoff years that extended from 1984 into the 1990's. Franz, while not the flashiest player in the league, put up some flashy numbers, finishing his career in New Orleans with 559 receptions for 9,305 yards, an average of 16.6 yards per catch. He was on the receiving end of 76 TD passes over his 8 year career. While never on a championship team, Franz's four 1,000 yard seasons and four All-USFL nods are testament to his place among the league's early receiving stars.
WR Mel Gray: 1984-1990: Memphis Showboats
Mel Gray, already an established name after several NFL seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, came to the USFL with the expansion roster of the Memphis Showboats and immediately became one of the new club's premiere players. Gray was simply uncoverable, leading the league in receptions 3 times in 7 years. Gray still holds the league record for catches in a season with the 143 he hauled in during the 1987 season. He retired from football after 7 years in Memphis with 764 receptions, going for 8,924 yards and 44 TDs. He was a 5-time All-USFL awardee, and will forever be known as "the old man who's always open".
TE Raymond Chester: 1983-1991. Oakland Invaders
Raymond Chester was exactly what every QB hopes to have, a big man, with good hands, who knew how to find a hole in a zone. The Invaders' top TE and one of its leading receivers for 9 seasons, Chester left the game in 1991 with 581 receptions, 6,007 yards, and 37 TDs. His steady presence provided Oakland QB's from Fred Besana through Brian Sipe and Gale Gilbert, with a safety valve when pressure mounted. Named All-USFL 4 times, Chester helped Oakland appear in the playoffs six times, capped off by the league title in his final season, 1991.
LB John Corker: 1983-1990. Michigan Panthers
The undisputed leader of the Panthers defense in the 80's, John Corker helped galvanize the team's defensive squad and lead Michigan to two league titles in the early years of the league. Corker retired in 1990 with 782 tackles over 8 seasons, including 130 in his first season to set the stage for his entire career. He was named an All-USFL defender 5x and was the league's first Defensive Player of the Year in 1983. In addition to his tackle total, Williams added 25 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and 96 tackles for loss, along with a reputation as a leader which no stats can quantify.
CB Raphel Cherry: 1985-1991. Los Angeles Express
For 7 seasons Raphel Cherry defined the position of shutdown corner for the LA Express. A perennial interceptions leader, Cherry always took on the best receiver the opposition had, and often came out on top. When he retired from the game in 1991, Cherry had amassed 38 picks, including 8 that he returned for scores. He also added 692 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, and 158 passes defended. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1987, a season in which he led the league with 7 picks, and also forced 5 fumbles. Cherry appeared on five All-USFL teams in 7 years.
DT Jumpy Geathers: 1983-1990. Boston Breakers, Michigan Panthers, Philadelphia Stars
The "Big Man in the Middle", Gaethers came to the USFL when the league began, spent a few years moving around and eventually found a home in Philadelphia. In his first year with the Stars he made a huge impression in the Jim Mora defense, recording 11 sacks from the Nose Tackle position. Geathers would finish his USFL career in Philadelphia, with 43 career sacks, 368 tackles, and 9 forced fumbles. He was a member of the 1987 title team for the Stars and was named All-USFL 6 times.
DT Laval Short: 1983-1990. Denver Gold
Denver's mountain of a man, Laval Short compiled 276 tackles, 32 sacks and 9 forced fumbles in his 8 years of play at Mile High Stadium. Short was the key to Denver's run defense for his entire USFL career, named All-USFL 6 times in 8 seasons. Appearing in the first USFL Title Game, Short and the Gold never reached the mountaintop, but his outstanding play in the center of the d-line was recognized around the league.
So there you have them, the 12 semi-finalists for the USFL Hall of Fame Class of 1996. Only 5 can be enshrined this year, and your vote is a big piece of the puzzle. Just use the comments section below to nominate up to 5 of these stellar USFL performers for the greatest recognition in the USFL, induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.