1984 Los Angeles Express

The year got off to an ominous start when head coach Hugh Campbell decided to resign two days before the USFL Draft in order to coach his old CFL QB Warren Moon (who was about to sign) with the Houston Oilers. Former Rams QB John Hadl was hired. The draft itself produced perhaps the most memorable moment in the league's history. The Express drafted BYU QB Steve Young with the 11th pick and eventually had him signed.

Young did not sign his 10-year, $40 million contract until after the sixth game of the season. He started all 12 of the remaining games for the Express as a rookie. On April 20 he became the first player in pro football history to rush for 100 yards and pass for 300 yards in the same game at Chicago.

The season ended on a very hot night in Sun Devil Stadium, where the Arizona Wranglers earned the right to take on Philadelphia for the USFL championship. It was a game delayed several hours by the heat (it was still 100 at game time) and was a game that should have been played in Los Angeles. The Express had won the tiebreaker with the Wranglers, but the '84 Summer Games forced the league to move the game out of Southern California.

1984 Los Angeles Express 1984 Los Angeles Express 1983/1985   LOS ANGELES EXPRESS     Week 1 DENVER L 27-10     Week 2 BIRMINGHAM L 21-14     Week 3 at Oakland W 10-0     Week 4 at San Antonio W 13-12     Week 5 JACKSONVILLE L 13-7     Week 6 NEW JERSEY L 26-10     Week 7 at Denver L 35-27     Week 8 MEMPHIS W 23-17 OT     Week 9 at Chicago L 49-29     Week 10 at Houston W 27-24 OT     Week 11 PITTSBURGH W 20-12     Week 12 at Philadelphia L 14-18     Week 13 MICHIGAN W 24-17     Week 14 ARIZONA W 24-17     Week 15 at Washington W 35-21     Week 16 at Oklahoma W 17-10     Week 17 OAKLAND W 24-19     Week 18 at Arizona L 35-10     REGULAR SEASON   1984 Record:  10-8 (tied 1st in Pacific) Head Coach: John Hadl Stadium: Los Angeles Coliseum Attendance: 15,361 #1 Draft Pick: Steve Young QB BYU Team Leaders Passing:    Rushing:   Receiving:   Interceptions:   Sacks:   Postseason Beat Michigan 27-20 in 3 overtimes  Lost to Arizona 35-23

USFL Bibliography
Books:
The $1 League: The Rise and Fall of the USFL by Jim Byrne
The Sporting News Official USFL Guide and Register, 1984
The Sporting News Official USFL Guide and Register, 1985
USFL Media Guides (each team published one each year)

Magazines:
Kickoff Magazine (published by league; 9 issues per year + playoffs; sold at games)
The Sporting News (regular coverage + special "preview" inserts)

These and many other USFL items can be found at eBay - check our links on the far right of this page!