Michigan Panthers

Facts and information about the Michigan Panthers

• The Michigan Panthers won the league championship in the USFL’s first year of existence.

• After the 1984 season, and upon the announcement of an upcoming move to a fall football schedule, the Panthers merged with the Oakland Invaders because the owner didn’t wish to compete with the Detroit Lions of the NFL.

• The Michigan Panthers defeated the Philadelphia Stars 24-22 in the USFL’s first championship game.

• The Michigan Panthers were one of only three USFL teams to play in domed stadiums, the other being the Houston Gamblers and the New Orleans Breakers.

• The Panthers used their first draft pick ever in taking the University of Wisconsin’s Safety David Greenwood with the 10^th overall pick.

• Michigan was allowed to claim Wide Receiver Anthony Carter because Carter attended the University of Michigan and that was within the Panthers territorial rights area.

• The first professional football game ever broadcast on ESPN was the Michigan Panthers season opening 1983 road victory over the Birmingham Stallions.

• Michigan Panthers Quarterback Bobby Hebert was the MVP of the first USFL championship game.

• Michigan Panthers Quarterback Bobby Hebert was the 1983 Sporting News Player of the Year.

• Quarterback Bobby Hebert played in two USFL Championship Games; in 1983 with the Michigan Panthers and in 1985 with the Oakland Invaders.