World Football League

The World Football League was an American football league that played in 1974 and part of 1975.

1974 Playoffs

In the original WFL schedule, the three division champions plus one wild-card were to qualify, culminating in a "World Bowl" on the evening after Thanksgiving (at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.). Then, with financial problems mounting, it was announced that (1) the team with the best record would be declared the champion; (2) Three teams (Memphis, Birmingham, and Florida) would play-off (thus leaving West champ Southern California out); (3) Eight of the remaining 10 teams would qualify; and, finally, (4) the top two teams in each division would qualify, seeded entirely by won-lost record. This last format was followed, except that Charlotte said it couldn't participate due to a lack of funds, resulting in Philadelphia being selected as the East's second qualifier.

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QUARTERFINAL PLAYOFFS

( November 20, 1974 and November 21, 1974):

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Hawaiians defeated Southern California, 32-14 (@ Anaheim, Nov. 20th); Florida defeated Philadelphia, 18-3 (@ Orlando, Nov. 21st);

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SEMIFINAL PLAYOFFS

(November 27, 1974 and Friday, November 29, 1974):

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Birmingham defated Hawaiians, 22-19 (@ Birmingham, Nov. 27th); Florida defeated Memphis, 18-15 (@ Memphis, Nov. 29th).

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WORLD BOWL

(December 5, 1974, at Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.):

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Birmingham Americans 22, Florida Blazers 21

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