Portland Storm

The Portland Storm were an American football team based out of Portland, Oregon, playing in the World Football League. When the World Football League was created in October 1973, the Storm was the original New York franchise. When the Boston Bulls merged with New York to become the New York Stars, the original New York entry's draft picks were eventually relegated to Portland.

Related Topics:
American football - Portland, Oregon - World Football League - New York Stars

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Portland's original owner, a Houston accountant named John Rooney, soon dropped out of the picture. By March 1974, Bruce Gelker, a former football player and owner of several Saddleback Inns, was named the new owner of the fledgling Portland Storm. The Storm hired Ron Mix, an All-time AFL player, as General Manager and Dick Coury, an NFL assistant with the Denver Broncos, as head coach.

Related Topics:
Saddleback Inn - Denver Broncos

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The Storm had mostly rookies and rejects in its roster. Among the standouts was running back Rufus "Roadrunner" Ferguson, ex-CFL and Detroit Lion quarterback Greg Barton, and linebackers Marty Schottenheimer, who would be a successful head coach in the NFL and Bruce Bergey, brother of Cincinnati Bengals-Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey.

Related Topics:
Greg Barton - Marty Schottenheimer - Bill Bergey

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In the first half, Portland played poorly, going 1-8-1 in the process. The Storm didn't win its first game until they beat Detroit in the ninth week. Originally a Wheels home game, the contest was moved to London, Ontario. The team improved during the second half of the season, thanks in part to many NFL players cut in training camp that September. Among the new signings were "Big" Ben Davidson of the Oakland Raiders, and Pete Beathard, who had been cut by the Kansas City Chiefs. With the stock of veterans, the Storm improved to 6-4. Finishing overall tied with Houston-Shreveport at 7-12-1. Soon after, the IRS impounded the franchise and Portland wouldn't get another team until the 1975 Portland Thunder took its place.

Related Topics:
Ben Davidson - Pete Beathard - Portland Thunder

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Their home stadium for both the Portland Storm and Thunder was Civic Stadium, now renamed PGE Park.

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