WFL Jumpers

The following players were on active rosters in 1974 with either the NFL or CFL, and played out their options or were in the process of playing out their options to join the World Football League.

Ken Stabler discusses his Birmingham contract while Americans owner Bill Putnam and wife Debbie look on.

NFL All-Pro's Calvin Hill and Ted Kwalick signed contracts with the Hawaiians to play during the 1975 WFL season.

Richmond Flowers announcing he will sign with the Hawaiians for the 1975 season, but was cut by the New York Giants, and played for the Houston Texans during the 1974 season.

On March 31, 1974 the Toronto Northmen signed Paul Warfield, Jim Kiick, and Larry Csonka.

Stars owner Bob Schmertz signs former Jets DT John Elliott for the 1974 season. Gerry Philbin displays his Stars helmet after signing contract to jump to the WFL.

WFL Jumpers - Craig Morton Press Conference
Date - April 11, 1974
Location - Houston, Texas
NOTE: Video is courtesy of the G. Williams Jones Collection at SMU
Brief clip of Craig Morton announcing he is jumping to WFL.

QB Craig Morton announces he is leaving the Dallas Cowboys to sign with the Houston Texans as owner, R. Steven Arnold looks on.

WFL Jumpers - Daryle Lamonica Press Conference
Date - April 16, 1974
Location - Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, California
Brief clip of Daryle Lamonica announcing he is jumping to WFL.

QB Daryle Lamonica leaves the Oakland Raiders for the Sun as Curley Morrison and Marlin McKeever look on.

Commissioner Chris Hemmeter and his parade of WFL stars for the 1975 season. (L to R) Hemmeter, Paul Warfield, Calvin Hill, Jim Kiick, John Gilliam, and Larry Csonka. Bell owner John Bosacco welcomes Ted Kwalick after his contract with the Hawaiians was transferred to Philadelphia for 1975.

Below is a list of notable players who also jumped to the WFL from either the NFL or CFL. They were either released or played out their options or came out of retirement.

John Matuszak of the NFL's Houston Oilers signed with the WFL's Houston Texans during the 1974 season, but only played one game as the courts ordered him back to the NFL. Portland Thunder GM Bob Brodhead (third from left) and head coach Greg Barton (far right) introduce Don Horn (left) and Earl McCullouch to the Portland media on June 12, 1975.

Below is a list of some of the notable rookies who jumped to the WFL instead of signing with the NFL teams that drafted them in 1974. Some players were drafted by one WFL team, but played for a different team.

Memphis GM Leo Cahill with QB Danny White.

The World Football League did not hold a College Draft for the 1975 season, but the Southern California Sun did sign two of the biggest stars coming out of college for the '75 season. The Sun were able to land Running Back Anthony Davis who was the runner up for the 1974 Heisman trophy, and was drafted in the second round by the New York Jets. They also signed Quarterback Pat Haden who was a teammate of Davis' at USC, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in round seven of the 1975 NFL Draft.

Anthony Davis at a Sun press conference after signing contract. Pat Haden in a Sun uniform after signing with WFL instead of the NFL Rams.