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In 1983 and 1984, Washington, D.C. was represented in the spring-season United States
Football League by the Washington Federals. The Feds won only seven of their thirty-six
regular season games before being sold. The team was relocated to Orlando
for the USFL's final season in 1985.
While they were in town, the Federals forged a bond with their fans and provided
some exciting and memorable moments. It seemed like the Federals could never catch
a break. For example, it rained during fifteen of their eighteen home games. One
USFL highlight video refers to Federals fans as having been "impervious to the obvious."
Yes, their owner really did compare them to "Muppets" and "untrained gerbils." But
they were our team, and we loved them.
Were the Federals really as awful as their reputation says they were?
No, they WERE NOT! In fact they weren't even the worst team in USFL history!
The Federals lost eleven games on the last play or by a touchdown
or less. Had those games gone the other way -- if they'd held on and not allowed
last-second miracle field goals, if a quarterback sneak had gained one more foot,
if a desperation heave from the opposite end zone hadn't gone for 98 and a touchdown
with zeros on the clock, a snap on a last-second field goal of their own wasn't
dropped, the saga of the Federals would have been entirely different.
Site designed with retro 1980s style for 1024x768 resolutions.
If the Feds had a Web site in 1984 it'd probably look like this one.
Best viewed with Internet Explorer 7 or higher.