San Antonio Gunslingers

San Antonio Gunslingers. The San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football franchise that competed in the United States Football League (USFL) for two seasons from 1984 to 1985. Owned by controversial Texas oilman and banker Clinton Manges, the team played its home games at historic Alamo Stadium and was part of the league's Western Conference. Despite a brief existence, the Gunslingers are remembered for their financial struggles and role in the turbulent final years of the spring football league.

History

The franchise was awarded in 1983 as part of the USFL's ambitious expansion, with ownership granted to Clinton Manges, a figure known for his legal battles and political connections in South Texas. The team's creation was part of a wave of new teams, including the Memphis Showboats and Jacksonville Bulls, aiming to solidify the league's national footprint. The Gunslingers' operations were immediately hampered by Manges's erratic financial management, leading to persistent issues with meeting payroll and paying league dues. Their on-field leadership began with head coach Gil Steinke, a respected figure from the collegiate ranks at Texas A&I University, but the organization was plagued by instability. The team's struggles occurred against the backdrop of the league's contentious decision to move to a fall schedule in 1986, a shift championed by owners like Donald Trump of the New Jersey Generals.

Season-by-season results

In their inaugural 1984 season under coach Gil Steinke, the Gunslingers finished with a record of 7–11, placing third in the Western Conference's Central Division behind the Houston Gamblers and Los Angeles Express. Key players included quarterback Rick Neuheisel and running back George Works. The 1985 season saw greater turmoil, with Jim Bates taking over as head coach early in the year. The team compiled a 5–13 record, again finishing near the bottom of their division. Financial chaos culminated in the team forfeiting its final two games against the Denver Gold and Arizona Outlaws after players refused to take the field due to unpaid wages, an unprecedented event in professional football.

Players and personnel

Notable players for the Gunslingers included quarterback Rick Neuheisel, who later became a head coach at Colorado and Washington, and running back George Works. The defensive unit featured linebacker Jeff Leiding, a former star at the University of Texas at Austin. The front office and coaching staff experienced significant turnover, with initial head coach Gil Steinke being replaced by Jim Bates, who later had a long career as a NFL defensive coordinator. The cheerleading squad, known as the Gunslinger Girls, was a notable feature of game days at Alamo Stadium. The organization's difficulties were epitomized by owner Clinton Manges, whose financial failures directly impacted all team operations.

Stadium and facilities

The Gunslingers played their home games at Alamo Stadium, a historic WPA-era venue located near Downtown San Antonio. The stadium, also home to the San Antonio Independent School District's high school football games, provided a classic but limited environment for professional football. The team's practice facilities were considered substandard, often consisting of public parks, which contrasted sharply with the modern complexes used by USFL rivals like the Tampa Bay Bandits. This lack of infrastructure was a constant source of player complaint and reflected the overarching financial constraints imposed by ownership.

Legacy and impact

The Gunslingers are primarily remembered as a case study in professional sports mismanagement and the financial instability that plagued the USFL. Their abrupt forfeiture of games in 1985 was a stark symbol of the league's deepening crises. The franchise's collapse contributed to the weakening of the USFL's overall stability ahead of its ill-fated antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, USFL v. NFL. While the team had a small but loyal fan base in San Antonio, its legacy is overshadowed by the chaos of its operations. The city would later host other professional football teams, including the CFL's San Antonio Texans and the AAF's San Antonio Commanders, but the Gunslingers remain a poignant chapter in the history of spring football.

Category:United States Football League teams Category:Defunct American football teams in Texas Category:Sports in San Antonio Category:American football teams established in 1983 Category:American football teams disestablished in 1985