Synopsis
In 1983, after years of aspiring to an NFL franchise and a brief flirtation with the World Football League in the 1970s, the city of Memphis secured a team in the upstart United States Football League. Initially owned by Logan Young and soon taken over by local cotton magnate William Dunavant, the Memphis Showboats quickly drew attention with charismatic head coach Pepper Rodgers, future Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White from the University of Tennessee, and exciting quarterback Walter Lewis from the University of Alabama, whose dual-threat style foreshadowed modern NFL play.
The team's first season proved uneven, but Dunavant strengthened the front office by recruiting top USFL executive Steve Ehrhart as general manager, who assembled a more talented roster. This led to a strong 1985 campaign that carried the Showboats deep into the playoffs, marking one of the proudest stretches in the Bluff City's often-frustrating history of professional sports teams. Fans embraced the riverboat-themed "Showboats" moniker, which perfectly suited the league's rogue, springtime spirit and the city's colorful identity.
Keith B. Wood's book delivers the complete history of the franchise across its two seasons, from training camps and on-field battles to the broader story of Memphis's determined push for major-league recognition. It culminates in the USFL's collapse after its ill-fated antitrust lawsuit against the NFL resulted in only a token $1 award, dashing the city's hopes and leaving it without a top-tier football team. Through detailed accounts of key figures, games, and community support, the narrative captures a fleeting but memorable era of optimism and local pride in professional football.