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USFL New Orleans Breakers

A Brief History of the New Orleans Breakers

by Paul Reeths
December 5, 2021 - United States Football League (USFL)
New Orleans Breakers


Original New Orleans Breakers logo
Original New Orleans Breakers logo
(New Orleans Breakers)

On November 22, the FOX television network unveiled the teams which will comprise the new United States Football League when the circuit hits the field in 2022. Though FOX's USFL is a completely new entity, all its team names were initially used in the original USFL which played from 1983 to 1985.

Below is a brief history of the first New Orleans Breakers franchise.

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The nomads of the USFL, the Breakers saw the United States Football League from sea to shining sea. Beginning in Boston at tiny Nickerson Field, coach Dick Coury molded a tough, competitive club. Veteran quarterback John Walton's 3,772 yards and 20 touchdowns led the third-best offense in the league to within a game of the playoffs. Richard Crump ran for 990 yards, Nolan Franz gathered 62 passes for 848 yards, and Charlie Smith caught 54 balls for 1,009 yards. Linebacker Marcus Marek headed up a solid defense.

Unable to secure a better field in Boston, the Breakers bolted for New Orleans the following year under new owner Joe Canizaro, a local real estate developer. Celebrated college running back Marcus Dupree joined the roster as the Breakers began their year in the Superdome with a 7-2 mark. The squad stumbled badly over the last half of the season to finish with an 8-10 mark. Both the offense and defense finished in the middle of the pack. Buford Jordan led the team in rushing with 1,276 yards, good for fourth in the league, and Walton threw for 3,554 yards. Tight end Dan Ross, lured from the Cincinnati Bengals, paced the team with 65 receptions, and Frank Lockett caught 56 passes for 1,199 yards.

Breakers attendance more than doubled from their year in Boston, landing over 30,000 per game in the Crescent City.

Once the USFL announced its move the fall, the Breakers had to leave their new home and continued their trek westward, landing in Portland, Oregon. With Walton retired, the offense slid to last in the league with just 275 points. Following a horrific injury to Dupree early in the year, Jordan led the way with 817 yards, but the passing game struggled under Matt Robinson and Doug Woodward. It was a testament to the team's character and Coury's determination that the team made it as far as it did.

Their Finest Hour (in New Orleans): In the 1984 campaign, the Breakers played a high-scoring game against the visiting Chicago Blitz. New Orleans held a 28-17 lead heading into the fourth when all the fireworks began. The Blitz stormed out to a 32-28 advantage early in the quarter on a 92-yard fumble return (and two-point conversion) and a 50-yard Vince Evans scoring toss. The Breakers jumped back on top when Walton hit Charles Smith with a nine-yard scoring strike with under two minutes remaining. The Blitz, however, battled back again and kicked a 23-yard field goal to tie the game at 35-35 as time expired. In the overtime session, the Breakers didn't take long to get into Chicago territory. From the Blitz 44, Walton faded back and threw a perfect bomb to the speeding Frank Lockett for a 41-35 Breakers' win. Walton finished the game with 440 yards passing and four touchdowns.

Years of existence: 1983-1985
Owner: George Matthews, Randy Vataha (1983), Joseph Canizaro (1984-85)
Stadium: Nickerson Field (20,535) 1983, Superdome (69,658) 1984, Civic Stadium (32,500) 1985
Colors: Ocean blue, Breaker blue, silver and white
Overall Regular Season Record: 25-29 (.463)
Overall Playoff Record: 0-0

Yearly Standings and Average Home Attendances
1983: 11-7 (12,817)
1984: 8-10 (30,557)
1985: 6-12 (19,919)

Adapted from USFLsite.com.

Interested in learning more about the United States Football League? Buy The United States Football League, 1982-1986.

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