Author Description

Following the pattern set with Outsiders I (which covered 1923-1950), this volume covers the independent minor leagues of professional football from 1951 through 1985. Only semipro leagues existed after 1985, and so the two volumes of Outsiders cover the complete history of 20th century football below the National Football League. Many players in these leagues played in the hope that they might get a chance to move up to the NFL and many achieved that dream. This volume contains histories and yearly statistical summaries for the top minor leagues of the period, plus the World Football League, which has a claim to major league status, and the United States Football League, which was clearly a major league. It also includes yearly summaries for the best of the lesser leagues, which featured a good number of interesting players in their own right.