GRILLO: USFL didn't flourish in the end, but the league had stars

One of my fonder memories of the old USFL was an appearance by my daughter — Samantha and her Star Spangled Girls Patriots dance team from Homewood High School.

The SSGs were part of the halftime entertainment at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., one sunny, Sunday afternoon.

I don’t remember who the Stallions, the city’s entry in the United States Football League, was that day.

The SSGs have received national renown and have performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.

The USFL was the subject two weeks ago on ESPN’s superb 30 For 30 series. The league was set up to function during the spring and summer and lasted three years (1983-1985).

The league signed huge stars such as Heisman Trophy winners Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie and Mike Rozier and added others like Reggie White. The 30 For 30 show had some terrific highlights of former Tarboro/North Carolina star Kelvin Bryant, who excelled for the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars.

Bryant was a league MVP in 1983. Man, Bryant could play. Does anyone know if there’s video available of Bryant toting the ball at any level?

Quarterbacks Jim Kelly and Steve Young played for the four-letter league before moving on to the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The league also nurtured a well-known group of coaches, some young, some past their prime. Jim Mora coached the Stars; Steve Spurrier, Tampa Bay; Marv Levy, Chicago; and Lee Corso, Orlando. I remember interviewing George Allen of the Chicago Blitz one afternoon in a dingy hotel room.

One of the more unforgettable USFL characters was the guy who coached the Stallions, Rollie Dotsch. The Stallions got him away from the Pittsburgh Steelers where he was the offensive line coach. He had the thickest head of snow-white hair I’ve ever seen, and he always was puffing on a cigar.

As I’m writing this, I’m wearing a Rollie Dotsch cap from one of his golf tournaments, and I swear it smells like a cigar. The coach brought along some talented players from the Steelers.

Wide receiver Jim Smith holds most of the USFL career receiving records, and Cliff Stoudt, who has done color for East Carolina games, was the Stallions’ first quarterback. Scott Norwood, the man ridiculously demonized for missing a 47-yard field goal in a Super Bowl, kicked for the Stallions for two seasons.

It seemed as if every franchise in the league had lured at least one superstar from the NFL. The man the Stallions corralled was Buffalo running back and former Auburn star Joe Cribbs.

Birmingham was one of few franchises that could draw a decent crowd. I don’t think they’ll ever have an NFL team in the city, but it won’t be because of not trying.

I wish everyone could have experienced the USFL, known Rollie Dotsch and most of all, seen the Star Spangled Girls.