| Steven
Ehrhart wasn't prominently mentioned in the 1983 USFL
media guide, and doesn't ring many bells in those who
fondly remember the league outside of Memphis, but its
safe to say that without him, the USFL wouldn't have
been the same.
An
attorney and former player agent, Ehrhart joined the
USFL in its early stages as a consultant, then later
became Chet Simmons' right-hand man, with the title of
"Director of Administration and Counsel to the
Commissioner." A former quarterback at
Colorado College and an assistant coach at the
University of Colorado, Ehrhardt had the kind of
combination of football, business and legal experience
that the fledgling league needed.
In
his role Ehrhart was involved in a wide array of the
USFL's operations behind the scenes, helping to
coordinate the 1983 player draft, and took part in the
initial telephone call that ultimately led to the New
Jersey Generals blockbuster signing of Herschel Walker.
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STEVEN
EHRHART
USFL Director of Administration
and later
President, Memphis Showboats |
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As the USFL progressed however, Ehrhart saw the writing
on the wall - his USFL benefactor, Simmons, was about to
be ousted from the Commissioner's chair. He
decided in 1984 to leave the league office to join the
expansion Memphis Showboats as its President and General
Manager. In that role he and head coach Pepper
Rodgers helped craft a team that improved from a 7-11-0
finish in its maiden season to a playoff contender that
came just one victory away from the 1985 USFL
Championship Game.
Unlike most who were involved in the USFL's early stages
at the higher levels, Ehrhart wasn't soured on football
as a business, going on to serve as executive director
of the Liberty Bowl, a position he holds today. He
even took part in another pro football start-up venture,
heading up the Memphis Maniax of the ill-fated XFL in
2001.
Ehrhart also holds perhaps the most sought-after piece
of USFL memorabilia of all-time: the famed check
for $ 3.76, paid by the National Football League in
settlement of its anti-trust case with the USFL from
1986. Ehrhart says he will someday donate the
check to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but for now it
rests with him, the last, great custodian of the United
States Football League. |
