Memphis Showboats Get Fresh Start in UFL
The Memphis Showboats were one of the four USFL teams to make the cut in the league's merger with the XFL, which starts play in 2024.
The Showboats join the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Roughnecks and Michigan Panthers in the USFL Conference.
The four XFL teams, who will play in the XFL Conference are the Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas and St. Louis Battlehawks.
John DeFilippo, who coached the New Orleans Breakers last season, has been hired to guide the Showboats this season.
Below is a recap of how the Showboats did last season and its history in the USFL.
Memphis in 2023
Memphis finished 5-5 in the South Division last season and out of the playoff picture. Birmingham and New Orleans finished first and second, respectively, in the division and advanced to the South Division title game.
Memphis had one of the most productive offensive players in the USFL last season in Derrick Dillon. He led the league in all-purpose yards with 1,108 yards in nine games — 753 kick return yards, 340 receiving yards and 15 rushing yards. He returned one of those kickoffs for a touchdown.
Linebacker Greg Reaves was the Showboats’ top defensive performer last season, finishing with 33 tackles, two interceptions and four sacks.
Modern USFL History
The Showboats joined the new USFL in 2023 to take the place of the Tampa Bay Bandits after the USFL's first season in 2022. Todd Haley was named the head coach.
Cornerback Nehemiah Shelton made it to the NFL after the season with the New York Jets.
A player with NFL experience, running back Alex Collins, played for the Showboats in 2023. Collins died in a traffic accident in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., on Aug. 13, 2023.
Legacy USFL History
The Memphis Showboats were part of the wave of expansion in 1984, when the league went from 12 to 18 teams. In their first season the Showboats were 7-11. But they improved in 1985, going 11-7 and making the playoffs. Memphis reached the semifinals before losing to Oakland.
Running back Tim Spencer was a three-year USFL veteran who played for the Showboats in 1985, after stints with the Chicago Blitz (1983) and Arizona Wranglers (1984). With the Showboats he became their top single-season rusher with 789 yards.
After the USFL, Spencer carved out a six-year career with the NFL’s San Diego Chargers and transitioned into coaching running backs for his alma mater Ohio State, along with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
UFL Provides Last Hope For Long-Term Viability
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Matthew Postins writes about baseball for Fan Nation/SI and covers Big 12 basketball for Heartland College Sports. He formerly covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and USports football for the College Football America Yearbook.