Alabama Blackbirds: Difference between revisions
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The '''Alabama Blackbirds''' (formerly called the '''Alabama Dragons''') | The '''Alabama Blackbirds''' (formerly called the '''Alabama Dragons''') were a planned minor-league football team, part of the 8 franchises of the unrealized United National Gridiron League (formerly called the United National Football League). The league was headed by CEO Marvin Tomlin and commissioner [[Joe Cribbs]]. Originally hoping to begin play in January [[2009]], then in May of that year, the UNGL made plans to debut in [[2010]] before folding. | ||
[[Woody Widenhofer]] was hired as the team's coach, with former Troy University athletic director [[Jimmy Williams]] as general manager. An on-line draft was held in advance of the planned 2009 season, with [[UAB Blazers football|UAB]]'s [[Dan Burks]], [[Larry McSwain]], and [[Norris Drinkard]], [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]]'s [[Eric Gray]], [[Alabama State University|Alabama State]]'s [[Alvance Robinson]], [[Alabama A&M University|Alabama A&M]]'s [[Curtis Blake]] and [[Fernandez Shaw]], North Alabama's [[Marcus Avies]], and Troy's [[Omar Haugabook]] and [[Henry Tells]] all being picked for Alabama. | [[Woody Widenhofer]] was hired as the team's coach, with former Troy University athletic director [[Jimmy Williams]] as general manager. An on-line draft was held in advance of the planned 2009 season, with [[UAB Blazers football|UAB]]'s [[Dan Burks]], [[Larry McSwain]], and [[Norris Drinkard]], [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]]'s [[Eric Gray]], [[Alabama State University|Alabama State]]'s [[Alvance Robinson]], [[Alabama A&M University|Alabama A&M]]'s [[Curtis Blake]] and [[Fernandez Shaw]], North Alabama's [[Marcus Avies]], and Troy's [[Omar Haugabook]] and [[Henry Tells]] all being picked for Alabama. | ||
The league folded due to a lack of funding. Widenhofer relocated to Destin, Florida. | |||
==UNGL teams== | ==UNGL teams== | ||
* '''Alabama Blackbirds''' | * '''Alabama Blackbirds''' | ||
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* [http://www.ungleague.com/teams.php teams page] at ungleague.com | * [http://www.ungleague.com/teams.php teams page] at ungleague.com | ||
* [http://www.birminghamprosports.com/otherteamsunfl.htm UNFL] at birminghamprosports.com | * [http://www.birminghamprosports.com/otherteamsunfl.htm UNFL] at birminghamprosports.com | ||
* Sketo, Tosha (January 10, 2010) "Heart of Steel: Four-time Super Bowl winner turns Destinite." ''Destin Log'' | |||
[[Category:Football teams]] | [[Category:Football teams]] | ||
[[Category:Legion Field]] | [[Category:Legion Field]] | ||
Revision as of 16:28, 10 January 2010
The Alabama Blackbirds (formerly called the Alabama Dragons) were a planned minor-league football team, part of the 8 franchises of the unrealized United National Gridiron League (formerly called the United National Football League). The league was headed by CEO Marvin Tomlin and commissioner Joe Cribbs. Originally hoping to begin play in January 2009, then in May of that year, the UNGL made plans to debut in 2010 before folding.
Woody Widenhofer was hired as the team's coach, with former Troy University athletic director Jimmy Williams as general manager. An on-line draft was held in advance of the planned 2009 season, with UAB's Dan Burks, Larry McSwain, and Norris Drinkard, Alabama's Eric Gray, Alabama State's Alvance Robinson, Alabama A&M's Curtis Blake and Fernandez Shaw, North Alabama's Marcus Avies, and Troy's Omar Haugabook and Henry Tells all being picked for Alabama.
The league folded due to a lack of funding. Widenhofer relocated to Destin, Florida.
UNGL teams
- Alabama Blackbirds
- Georgia Slashers (Columbus, Georgia)
- Louisiana
- Miami Scorchers
- North Carolina Comets
- Ohio Marauders (Akron/Cleveland, Ohio)
- Texas
- Virginia Swarm (Salem, Virginia)
References
- teams page at ungleague.com
- UNFL at birminghamprosports.com
- Sketo, Tosha (January 10, 2010) "Heart of Steel: Four-time Super Bowl winner turns Destinite." Destin Log