'75 Chronology-Broadway Joe

Event Date: July 30th, 1975

Event Description: Namath Gets Raise

Source: Ellensburg Daily Journal

'75 Chronology-Pro Transactions #5

Event Date: June 26th-July 25th

Event Description: Pro Football Transactions 

Source: New York Times

Atlanta Falcons (NFL)-Signed WR Wallace Francis (NFL-Buffalo ’74), K Alexander Brand and FB Tom Smith; placed OT Bill Sandeman on Reserve-Retired List.

Baltimore Colts (NFL)-Signed QB Al Nelville (Maryland); acquired LB Jim Cheyunski from Buffalo for a future draft choice; claimed LB Vic Koegel off of waivers from New York Giants.

Birmingham Vulcans (WFL)-Signed DT Bob Taterak and DE Harry Gooden; waived QB Leo Gasienica; placed LB Mike Truax on Reserve-Retired List.

Buffalo Bills (NFL)-Signed DE Pat Toomay (NFL-Dallas ’74); traded LB Dave Washington to San Francisco for a future draft choice; waived RB Lucian Moss.

Charlotte Hornets (WFL)-Signed QB Chris Kupec (North Carolina), OT Jerome Gantt, OL Bob Thornton, OT Jim Washburn, DB’s Ken Ladd, Willie Bailey and DL Tom Frazier; waived RB Chuck Smith, FB Mike Haggard, WR Charlton Houston, CB Charles Phifer and PK Bill Coleman; placed TE David Corley on Reserve-Retired List; waived QB Andy LeHeup; hired Lindy Infante, Herb Paterra and Jim Vechiarella assistant coaches.

Chicago Bears (NFL)-Waived TE Joe Carter, WR Charles McDaniel, RB’s Tom Boatwright and Walter Harifield.

Chicago Fire (WFL)-Signed WR John Gilliam, RB Mark Kellar, LB Rich Brewer; acquired rights to QB Gary Danielson from Charlotte for an undisclosed draft choice and a player to be named later.

Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)-Traded QB Greg Cook to Kansas City for an undisclosed draft choice.

Denver Broncos (NFL)-Acquired LB Rob Spicer from the New York Giants for an undisclosed draft choice.

Detroit Lions (NFL)-Awarded rights to RB Cullen Bryant from Los Angeles for signing WR Ron Jessie.

Florida Sharks (WFL)-Signed RB Tommy Reamon, DE Don Brumm and LB Fred Abbott; placed WR Bubba Thornton on Reserve-Retired List.

Green Bay Packers (NFL)-Traded RB MacArthur Lane to Kansas City for a future draft choice; signed DE Rudy Sims, waived OC John Schmitt; placed OG Gale Gillingham on Reserve-Retired List.

Houston Oilers (NFL)-Traded DE Al Cowlings to Baltimore for a future draft choice.

Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)-Waived LB Tom Evans and DT Walt Williamson.

Los Angeles Rams (NFL)-Signed WR’s Ron Jessie, Otto Stowe and P Mike Fryer.

Memphis Southmen (WFL)-Traded LB Emery Hicks and OT Chris Morris to San Antonio for future considerations; traded DB Sonny Hicks to Charlotte Hornets for 1976 draft choices; signed DB Rickie Harris.

Miami Dolphins (NFL)-Traded LB Bruce Bannon to San Diego for DE Pete Lazetich.

Minnesota Vikings (NFL)-Signed DE Mark Mullaney (Colordao); placed P Mike Eischeid on Reserve-Retired List.

New England Patriots (NFL)-Signed LB Steve Zabel; claimed TE Rick Levin off of waivers from San Francisco.

New Orleans Saints (NFL)-Signed QB Archie Manning to a five-year contract; waived RB Jack DerGranler.

New York Giants (NFL)-Traded DB Earle Thomas to Buffalo for a future draft choice; waived DT Carl Wafer.

New York Jets (NFL)-Waived RB’s Wayne Jones and Carlos Matthews.

Oakland Raiders (NFL)-Signed RB Clarence Davis.

Philadelphia Bell (WFL)-Signed PK Dennis Griggs, QB’s Bob Davis and Bill Hatty, LB’s Ron Porter and Mike Mahoney, WR’s Chuck Dreisbach, Ben Hawkins and Bob Bucola and RB’s Leroy Keyes and Mark Falzone.

Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)-Traded RB Norm Bulaich to Miami for a future draft choice; acquired rights to OC Nick Nighswander from Hamilton Tiger Cats (CFL).

Portland Storm (WFL)-Signed QB Pete Beathard, DE Bruce Bergey, DT Dave Costa, WR Jim Thorpe, DB’s Denny Draper and Tom Oberg and TE Bob Christiansen; traded DB Alvin Wyatt to Florida in exchange for OT Gene Ferguson; hired Dale Lindsey assistant coach.

San Antonio Wings (WFL)-Signed WR Rick Eber and PK Charlie Durkee.

San Diego Chargers (NFL)-Waived WR John Carroll, DT Chip Salvestrini and OT Allyn Hayes; acquired TE Ron Mayo from Baltimore for an undisclosed draft choice; placed LB Bruce Bannon on Reserve-Retired List.

San Francisco 49ers (NFL)-Traded WR Robert West to Oakland for an undisclosed draft choice.

Southern California Sun (WFL)-Signed QB Pat Haden, WR J.K. McKay, OT Joe Carollo, RB Greg Herd, PK Steve Schroder, and WR Cephus Weatherspoon; waived TE Eugene Jones, and OG Mike Bellew.

St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)-Released PK Steve Lindgren, LB John Hirt and TE Bob Grana.

The Hawaiians (WFL)-Signed QB’s Norris Weese and Sonny Sixkiller.

Washington Redskins (NFL)-Placed DB Roosevelt Taylor on Reserve-Retired List.

World Football League-Formed a corporation known as WFL Properties, Inc. to handle licensing and publications for WFL clubs.

*Note-Some transactions modified from the WFL Encyclopedia (Speck-Maher-Gardner-Franklin)

'75 Chronology-For Whom The Bell Tolls

Event Date: June 25th, 1975

Event Description: Bell Sign Kwalick

Source: Gettysburg Times

'75 Chronology-Mad Men

Event Date: June 25th, 1975

Event Description: Hendricks Enters Free Agency

Source: New York Times

The N.F.L. has cleared Ted Hendricks, the all‐pro linebacker, to negotiate with the Green Bay Packers or any other club. 

Hendricks, who had signed with the now defunct Jacksonville Sharks of the W.F.L. and is a free agent, said by phone from Miami yesterday, “I don't think I'm going to have any problems signing with the Packers. I think Green Bay would have traded me if they didn't want my services.” 

The Jacksonville Sharks have now merged their operations with another W.F.L. club.

'75 Chronology-Pro Transactions #4

Event Date: May 15th-June 25th

Event Description: Pro Football Transactions

Source: New York Times

Atlanta Falcons (NFL)-Signed QB Steve Bartkowski (California).

Birmingham Vulcans (WFL)-Signed RB Johnny Musso after obtaining rights from the British Columbia Lions (CFL) and LB Jim Teal; traded QB George Mira to Florida Sharks for DT Bob Taterak and the negotiating rights to OG Eddie Foster and PK Grant Guthrie.

Charlotte Hornets (WFL)-Named Bob Gibson head coach; sgned QB Tom Sherman, OG-OT Tom Frazier, OG-OC Bob Thornton, OT Jim Washburn, OT Jerome Gantt, OG Bob Troupe, DB Ken Ladd, RB Willie Bailey, and WR Kyle West (Ball State); waived LB George Bell.

Chicago Bears (NFL)-Signed RB Walter Payton (Jackson State), QB Bob Avellini (Maryland), DB Doug Plank (Ohio State), OT Jeff Sevy, LB Larry Ely and DE Roger Stilwell; claimed OT Grady Alderman off waivers (NFL-Minnesota).

Chicago Fire (WFL)-Signed RB Cyril Pinder, QB Curt Krull, TE Terry Broadnax, KR Marlene Adkins, and OL Doug Lowery.

Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)-Placed DE Mike Reid on Reserve-Retired List; traded K Horst Muhlmann to Philadelphia for an undisclosed draft choice; signed OT Al Krevis (Boston College).

Dallas Cowboys (NFL)-Signed OG Burton Lawless (Florida) and P Mitch Hoopes (Arizona).

Detroit Lions (NFL)-Signed OG Bob Kowalkowski and KR Bobby Thompson (CFL-Saskatchewan ’74).

Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)-Signed WR Gerald Taylor (Texas A&M).

Florida Sharks (WFL)-Signed WR’s Witt Beckman and Jeff Day, DB Ron Coppenbarger, DT Charles Hall (Tulane), LB Rich Thomann, QB David Fowler, RB's Jeff Davis and Ricky Lake; agreed to terms with QB George Mira.

Hamilton Tiger Cats (CFL)-Signed DE Joseph Judge (Temple).

Hawaiians (WFL)-Signed WR’s Tim Delaney and Tim Boyer.

Memphis Southmen (WFL)-Traded RB J.J. Jennings to Philadelphia for an undisclosed draft choice; signed OG Tim Nichols and DB Rich Kutcher.

Miami Dolphins (NFL)-Traded TE Marv Fleming to Washington for the rights to RB Charlie Harraway and a future draft choice.

Montreal Alouettes (CFL)-Signed DB Charles Hinton.

New England Patriots (NFL)-Signed TE Russ Francis (Oregon); claimed TE John Beasley off waivers (New Orleans).

New Orleans Saints (NFL)-Signed WR Larne Burton (Purdue), RB Chuck Heater (Michigan), and OC Lee Gross

New York Jets (NFL)-Claimed OG Milt Sunge off waivers (Minnesota).

Oakland Raiders (NFL)-Agreed to terms on a new contract with QB Ken Stabler.

Ottawa Rough Riders (CFL)-Signed QB Tom Clements (Notre Dame) and QB Condrege Holloway (Tennessee).

Philadelphia Bell (WFL)-Signed TE Ted Kwalick to a two-year deal after acquiring rights from the Hawaiians.

Portland Storm (WFL)-Signed RB Rufus Ferguson, QB Don Horn, WR’s Steve Barnes and Earl McCullough, LB's Mike McConnell and Larry Brame and FB Jim Evenson.

San Antonio Wings (WFL)-Signed QB Edd Hargett, DE Robert Barber, OG Glen Holloway (NFL-Chicago ’74).

San Diego Chargers (NFL)-Signed OC Ed Flanagan (NFL-Detroit ’74), DB Mike Williams (LSU); waived LB’s Jeff Staggs, Fred Fosberg and Chip Myrtle.

San Francisco 49ers (NFL)-waived WR Danny Abramowicz.

Southern California (WFL)-Signed RB-KR Anthony Davis (Southern California), QB Gary Valbuena, RB Keith Denson, OT Tim Guy, WR's Dave Williams,  Jack Connors, DE Neil Skarin, DT Greg Marderian, LB Jim Baker, OC Mike Ryan, DT Charles DeJurnett and P Norm Hainlen.

St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)-Signed DE Willie Holman.

Washington Redskins (NFL)-Signed LB Pete Wysocki; placed OT Jim Tyrer on Reserve-Retired List.

*Note-Some transactions modified from the WFL Encyclopedia (Speck-Maher-Gardner-Franklin)

'75 Chronology-Namath Mulls WFL Offer

Event Date: May 21st, 1975

Event Description: Namath Withholds Decision

Source: The Bulletin

'75 Chronology-NFL News

Event Date: May 20th, 1975

Event Description: Jets Ink Galigher

Source: New York Times

This Week In Pro Football

'75 Chronology-WFL Schedule Released

Event Date: May 20th, 1975

Event Description: WFL Unveils Schedule

Source: The Bulletin

'75 Chronology-Pro Transactions #3

Event Date: May 15th, 1975

Event Description: Pro Transactions

Source: The Morning Record

April-May 15th

Atlanta Falcons (NFL)-Signed WR Alfred Jenkins.

Baltimore Colts (NFL)-Signed DT John Bushong (Western Kentucky).

Birmingham Vulcans (WFL)-Signed QB Matthew Reed (WFL-Birmingham ’74); traded rights to QB Craig Morton to San Antonio for future considerations.

Chicago Bears (NFL)-Signed OC Dan Pfeiffer (WFL-Florida ’74).

Chicago Fire (WFL)-Named Abe Gibron head coach, signed DT Ron Curl (WFL-Shreveport ’74).

Cleveland Browns (NFL)-Traded LB Billy Andrews to Denver for CB Lonnie Hepburn.

Dallas Cowboys (NFL)-Signed DB Mick Busch, and LB Ted Robert.

Denver Broncos (NFL)-Released LB Ed Simone.

Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)-Signed QB Dennis Morrison.

Houston Oilers (NFL)-Acquired TE Morris Stroud from Kansas City for a future draft choice.

Minnesota Vikings (NFL)-Signed P Neil Clabo.

Montreal Alouettes (CFL)-Signed head coach Marv Levy to a three-year extension; signed DE Gordon Judges, DT Cornelius Walker, DB Dave Elliott.

New York Giants (NFL)-Signed QB Craig Morton.

Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)-Signed DE Carter Campbell (WFL’74), DL Rich Glover, traded OT Steve Smith to Atlanta for RB Art Malone.

Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)-Traded negotiating rights to Ed George (CFL-Montreal ’74) to Baltimore for an undisclosed draft choice.

San Antonio Wings (WFL)-Signed RB Warren McVea.

San Diego Chargers (NFL)-Signed DE Fred Dean (Louisiana Tech), WR Dwight McDonald and DB Bill Stitz.

St.Louis Cardinals (NFL)-Acquired OC Ken Inman from the Los Angeles Rams for an undisclosed draft choice.

Toronto Argonauts-Signed DT Garrett Hunsperger.

WFL-League Office approves Income Sharing Plan to be implemented for the 1975 season.

*Note-Some transactions modified from the WFL Encyclopedia (Speck-Maher-Gardner-Franklin)

'75 Chronology-Pro Transactions #2

Event Date: March 10th, 1975 

Event Description: Pro Transactions

Source: The Morning Record

Pro Football

WFL-Announced that the league would take control of the Birmingham franchise. Team will be re-branded as the Birmingham Vulcans.

WFL-Announced that the Philadelphia Bell will play their home games at Franklin Field.

Charlotte Hornets (WFL)-Named Babe Parilli head coach; signed LB Carter Campbell (NFL-NY Giants ’74).

Chicago Bears (NFL)-Signed QB Bobby Douglass.

Cleveland Browns (NFL)-Signed LB Dave Graf (Penn State).

Florida Sharks (WFL)-Signed RB Harmon Wages (NFL-Atlanta ’74), WR Fair Hooker (NFL-Cleveland ’74), TE Chip Glass (NFL-Cleveland ’74), LB Ray Nettles (CFL-British Columbia ’74), RB Larry Smith (NFL-Washington ’74), signed C-G Guy Dennis (NFL-Detroit) to a futures contract for the 1976 season, agreed to terms with the following players as part of the merger with Florida Blazers; RB Tommy Reamon, G-T Rich Buzin, DT Mike McBath, OG Billy Yoest; waived WR Cecil Turner, 

Hawaiians (WFL)-Signed RB Vince Clements (NFL-NY Giants ’74), LB John Douglas (NFL-NY Giants ’74), WR John Isenbarger (NFL-San Francisco ’74), LB Jim Sniadecki (NFL-San Francisco ’74), OG John Wilbur (NFL-Washington ’74), agreed to terms with OC Ed Flanagan (NFL-Detroit) to a futures contract for the 1977 season, rescinded rights to QB Randy Johnson.

Memphis Southmen (WFL)-Confirmed that the team would remain in Memphis and not relocate to Connecticut.

Montreal Alouettes (CFL)-Signed QB-P Dave Lewis.

New England Patriots (NFL)-Signed P Bernie Ruoff (Syracuse).

Philadelphia Bell (WFL)-Signed LB Steve Chomyszak (NFL-Cincinnati ’74), RB-WR Ron Holliday (NFL-San Diego ’74), acquired rights to Qb Bob Davis from Florida.

Portland Storm (WFL)-Named Dick Coury head coach; signed DT Ron Billingsley (NFL-New Orleans ’74), OT Levert Carr (NFL-Houston ’74), agreed to terms with OG Rocky Rasley (NFL-Detroit) to a futures contract for the 1977 season, signed DL Ben Davidson.

San Antonio Wings (WFL)-Named Perry Moss head coach; agreed to terms with the following players as part of the merger with Shreveport; K Charlie Durkee, LB Bob Creech, WR Rick Eber, DB Richmond Flowers, QB Edd Hargett, OT Sam Holden, DB John Mallory, RB Jim Nance, P Dave Strock,   C-LB Cleo Walker, C-G Clyde Williams; acquired rights to RB Mike Montgomery from Birmingham; cquired rights to DB W.K. Hicks and P Dave Strock, RB Jim Strong, DT Paul Vellano,  from Florida; 

Southern California Sun (WFL)-Rescinded contract offers to Curley Culp, and TE Dick Witcher.

Toronto Argonauts (CFL)-Signed QB Bob Mangione (C.W. Post).

*Note some info taken from Speck, Maher, Gardner & Franklin

'75 Chronology-Shark Pursuit

Event Date: February 16th, 1975

Event Description: Sharks Lure Buoniconti

Source: Miami Herald