The Omaha Mustangs were a professional American football team based in Omaha, Nebraska. They began as an independent, semi-pro team in the early 1960s before joining the Professional Football League of America, a newly formed league based on remnants of the United Football League, in 1965.[1] The Mustangs won the PFLA championship in their second season by defeating the Des Moines Warriors in a playoff game in front of 4,530 spectators.[2] The Mustangs were affiliated with the Kansas City Chiefs for the 1967 season (the Chiefs would later be affiliated with the Kansas City Steers).
| League | Independent Professional Football League of America Continental Football League Texas Football League Midwest Professional Football League |
|---|---|
| Based in | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Arena | Rosenblatt Stadium |
| Championships | 1 (1966) |
| Division titles | 1 (1966) |
Omaha moved to the Continental Football League for the 1968 season and finished 7–5 in the Central Division. In September 1968, Glen Hepburn, a two-way player for the Mustangs, died from injuries sustained in a game.[3]
On December 15, 1969, the COFL revoked Omaha's franchise for failure to meet the league's financial obligations.[4] The league itself quietly disbanded after the 1969 season and the Mustangs joined the Trans-American Football League for the 1970 season.
In February 1971 the Mustangs announced they would be joining the Midwest Professional Football League.[5] The Mustangs did not operate for the 1973 season. They were revived as a fully independent team in 1974.
Season-by-season
edit| Year | League | W | L | T | Finish | Coach | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha Mustangs | 1965 | Professional Football League of America | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3rd, PFLA | Bernie Berigan |
| 1966 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1st, PFLA | Bernie Berigan | ||
| 1967 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2nd, Eastern Division | Bernie Berigan, Walt Corey | ||
| 1968 | Continental Football League | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2nd, Central Division | Bernie Berigan | |
| 1969 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 2nd, Central Division | Don Fleming | ||
| 1970 | Texas Football League | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4th, TFL |
References
edit- ^ "UFL West Clubs Form Own Loop". The Indianapolis Star. Associated Press. February 7, 1965.
- ^ Moackler, Jim (November 14, 1966). "27-7 Loss To Warriors In Playoff". The Des Moines Register.
- ^ "Award Set Up in Memory of Player". Ironwood Daily Globe. Associated Press. May 21, 1969.
- ^ "Ironmen Franchise Revoked by CFL". Beckley Post-Herald. Associated Press. December 16, 1969. p. 2.
- ^ "Mustangs New Owners Announce Team Changes". The Lincoln Star. UPI. February 18, 1971.
External links
edit- Mustangs recall memorable ride: Omaha semipro football team found a special time, place by Rich Kaipust, Omaha World-Herald, December 25, 2017
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