|
BREAKERS
TRIVIA |
| -- |
| In
1983 the Breakers were led by 35 year old
quarterback Johnnie Walton. |
| -- |
| Walton
had been something of a journeyman, having been
with the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, the WFL's
Chicago Fire, and then back to NFL with the
Philadelphia Eagles. |
| -- |
| Walton
also had played with the Indianapolis Capitols
of the Continental Football League, and the
Columbus Barons in the Midwest Football League. |
| -- |
| Prior
to signing with the Breakers on February 18,
1983, he hadn't played a down of pro football
since 1979. |
| -- |
| He
had instead become a coach at Elizabeth City
State college, where in three years (1980-82) he
had posted a 20-10-1 record in the CIAA. |
| -- |
| Walton's
rust came off early, throwing for 3,772 yards
and 20 touchdowns to lead the Breakers to a
surprising 11-7-0 record in the team's inaugural
year. |
| -- |
| Walton
would have another 3,500-plus yard passing
season with the Breakers in New Orleans in 1984. |
| -- |
| Among
Tim Mazzetti's 119 points in 1983 was a 30 yard
field goal against the Tampa Bay Bandits in the
season opener - the first points ever scored in
a USFL game. |
| -- |
| The
original punter for the Breakers was Mitch
Hoopes, whose football career today is perhaps
most noted for having a punt blocked in Super
Bowl X, resulting in a Pittsburgh safety that
made the score Dallas 10, Pittsburgh 9. |
| -- |
| Pittsburgh
would go on to win the game, 21-17. |
