- Shreveport Steamer
The Shreveport Steamer, who began their franchise as the Houston Texans, was a professional football team in the
World Football League . The franchise began the 1974 season located inHouston, Texas as the Texans, playing their home games at the HoustonAstrodome . During the end of their first season, the team relocated toShreveport, Louisiana and were renamed the Shreveport Steamer. The team played at the 30,000-seat State Fair Stadium, now named Independence Stadium.Larry King , ofCNN fame, was one of their broadcasters.It showcased a number of veterans and a few rookies. Among the green and gold were ambidextrous quarterback and former
University of Houston starD.C. Nobles , along with several formerAmerican Football League : quarterbacksMike Taliaferro ,Don Trull , fullbackJim Nance , wide receiversDon Maynard andRick Eber , tight endWillie Frazier , and defensive players linebackerGarland Boyette , defensive endAl Dotson ,defensive backsDaryl Johnson ,Richmond Flowers, Jr. ,John Mallory ,Art McMahon and rookie linebackerJohn Villapiano , brother of Oakland Raiders defenderPhil Villapiano .The WFL Texans survived in Houston for 11 games, going 3-7-1. Shreveport received the team on
September 18 1974 by inheriting the Houston Texans. OnSeptember 23 ,1974 , the old Houston Texans were rechristened the Shreveport Steamer. The franchise, according to the WFL, was operated on a "play now, pay later" basis. The team was coached by Marshall Taylor, a former star player atTennessee Tech . The Steamer made their debut two nights later, onSeptember 25 in their new home against theMemphis Southmen , the new Steamer played in front of just over 22,000 fans, and lost their opener, 17-3 to theMemphis Southmen . TheShreveport Steamer finished inLouisiana at 4-4, going 7-12-1 overall in the 1974 season.The Shreveport Steamer reappeared, as did the WFL, for the 1975 season. Right from the start both the boats and the resurrected league itself struggled. The second Chicago franchise died
September 2 , after five games. After going a mediocre 5-7 record with the franchise just about out of money, the Steamer and the WFL sank permanently onOctober 22 1975 . The second WFL ceased operations a little more than halfway through its campaign.ources
*Houston Texans 1974 WFL Media Guide
*Shreveport Steamer 1975 WFL Media Guide
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