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{{Infobox sports team
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[[File:Orange AC 1894.jpg|thumb|300px|right]]
  
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| color1 = #FF8000
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| color2 = #3B170B
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The '''Orange Tornadoes''' and '''Newark Tornadoes''' were two manifestations of a long-lived professional American football franchise that existed in some form from 1887 to 1971, having played in the [[National Football League]] from 1929 to 1930, the [[American Association (football)|American Association]] from 1936 to 1941, the [[Atlantic Coast Football League]] from 1963 to 1964 and 1970 to 1971, and the [[Continental Football League]] from 1965 to 1969. The team was based for most of its history in [[Orange, New Jersey]], with many of its later years in [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]. Its last five years of existence were as the '''Orlando Panthers''', when the team was based in [[Orlando, Florida]]. The franchise was sold back to the NFL in October 1930. The team had four head coaches in its two years in the NFL - [[Jack Depler]] in Orange, and [[Jack Fish]], [[Al McGall]] and [[Andy Salata]] in Newark.
  
  +
| logo =
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| pixels =
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| founded = 1958
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| dissolved = 1971
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| league = *Eastern Football Conference
  ⚫
*[[Atlantic Coast Football League]]
  ⚫
*[[Continental Football League]]
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| history = *Franklin Miners (1958—61)
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*Paterson Miners (1962)
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*Newark Bears (1963–65)
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*Orlando Panthers (1965–71)
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| arena = [[Tangerine Bowl (stadium)|Tangerine Bowl]]
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| city = [[Orlando, Florida]]
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| colors =
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| championships = *2 (ACFL)
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* 2 (CFL)
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| titles = none
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| mascot =
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}}
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The '''Orlando Panthers''' were a professional [[American football]] team based in [[Orlando, Florida]]. Founded in 1958 as the Franklin Miners, the team spent its first four years in the Eastern Football Conference, then three further years in the [[Atlantic Coast Football League]] before moving to the [[Continental Football League]] in 1965. The franchise moved from Newark, New Jersey to Orlando in 1966 and found success on the field as the Panthers. But while the team won the CFL championship twice they were plagued by financial difficulties. The team jumped back to the ACFL in 1970 but were suspended by the league after the season.
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
−
===Early years===
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===New Jersey===
  +
The Franklin Miners were originally established in 1958 as a member of the Eastern Football Conference; their head coach was eventual Hall of Famer [[Steve Van Buren]].<ref name=Nissenson>{{cite news|last1=Nissenson|first1=Herschel|title=Steve Van Buren Cites Football Defense Changes|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19630823&id=GxUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hJwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6730,3056871&hl=en|accessdate=July 21, 2016|work=Reading Eagle|agency=Associated Press|date=August 23, 1963|page=16}}</ref> The Miners were charter members of the [[Atlantic Coast Football League]] upon its founding in 1962, relocating to [[Hinchliffe Stadium]] in [[Paterson, New Jersey]] in the process. In their first season in Paterson, the Miners won the ACFL championship against the Providence Steam Roller in front of 2,000 spectators at the indoor [[Atlantic City Convention Hall]].<ref>{{cite news|title=untitled sports news summaries|work=Bristol Daily Courier|date=December 19, 1962}}</ref> The following summer the Miners moved to [[Newark Schools Stadium]] in nearby [[Newark, New Jersey]] and were renamed as the Newark Bears.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Football Club Shifted|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=June 27, 1963}}</ref> The Bears took their name from a team in the [[American Association (American football)|American Association]] football league in the late 1930s through 1941, itself a direct descendant from the [[Orange/Newark Tornadoes]], a football club with roots dating to the 19th century and that had played two seasons in the [[National Football League|NFL]]. (The ACFL had several ties to the old AA, including teams in Paterson and Newark, and the same President, [[Joe Rosentover]].)
−
The Orange Tornadoes can trace their roots back to the '''Orange Athletic Club'''. The Orange A.C. was originally an amateur football team that began play in 1887. The team's first ever game was a 36-0 loss to [[Seton Hall University]] football team. By the 1890s the Orange became a [[semi-professional|semi-pro]] team. In 1892, the team practiced under electric lights at night to prepare for an October 8 game against [[Rutgers College]]. The Orange A. C. would go on to win that game 22-10. In 1893, the team went on to win the mythical American Football Union Championship, after posting an 8-2 record. In 1902 the Orange A. C. played against [[Philadelphia Phillies (NFL)|Philadelphia Phillies]] and the [[Philadelphia Athletics (NFL)|Philadelphia Athletics]] of the [[National Football League (1902)|first National Football League]]. The team also played in [[World Series of Football (1902)|World Series of Football]] in that year, at [[Madison Square Garden (1890)|Madison Square Garden]]. These games were the first indoor football games. In 1902 Orange lost to [[Syracuse Pros|All-Syracuse]] team, 36-0. However the team returned to the World Series of Football in 1903 where the played the [[Watertown Red & Black]] and, the eventual champion, the [[Franklin Athletic Club]]. Orange lost to Watertown, 11-0, and to Franklin, 12-0. However they did manage to defeat the [[Oreos Athletic Club|Oreo Athletic Club of Asbury Park]], 22-0, during the 1903 contest.
  
   
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The Bears won the Southern Division and claimed the 1963 ACFL title by defeating the Springfield Acorns, 23-6.<ref>{{cite news|title=Newark Bears Take Atlantic Grid Title|work=Democrat and Chronicle|agency=Associated Press|date=November 25, 1963}}</ref> A few months later the team announced its interest in joining the [[American Football League]];<ref>{{cite news|title=Bears Seek Data on AFL|work=Asbury Park Press|agency=Associated Press|date=January 12, 1964}}</ref> at the time, the New York metro area's existing AFL franchise, recently rechristened the [[New York Jets|Jets]], was still on uncertain financial footing, but the Jets survived and the AFL ultimately rejected the Newark bid. Newark had another strong season in 1964, advancing to their third straight league championship. This time, however, they were defeated by the Boston Sweepers, 14-10.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boston Sweepers Grab Grid Title|work=The Progress|agency=Associated Press|date=December 7, 1964}}</ref>
⚫
===Pre-NFL===
  
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The Orange team became an extablished independent pro team from 1919 until 1928, under the nickname the '''Orange AC Golden Tornadoes'''. During this time, Orange defeated the [[New York Brickley Giants]] of the NFL. They also played pre-NFL versions of the [[Frankford Yellow Jackets]] and the [[Staten Island Stapletons]]. They also played against the [[Atlantic City Roses]] and the [[Millville Big Blue]], two of the top independent teams of the 1920s. By 1928, Orange held the [[New York Giants]] and Frankford Yellow Jackets to close scores. On September 16, 1928 Orange held the 1927 NFL Champion New York Giants to just a 7-0 victory. While a week earlier the NFL's previous champions, the Frankford Yellow Jackets, were held to a 12-0 victory. Orange showed that their team could compete in the NFL.
  
   
  +
In 1965 the Bears joined two other ACFL teams in a minor-league merger that led to the formation of the [[Continental Football League]]. Newark struggled during its first CFL season, placed fourth in their division and finished with a record of 5-9.
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==1929 season==
  
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[[File:Orange AC 1894.jpg|280px|thumb|right|Orange Athletic Club in 1894. This team evolved into the Orange Tornadoes of the NFL]]
  
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In 1929 [[Ole Haugsrud]], the owner of [[Duluth Kelleys/Eskimos|Duluth Eskimos]], sold his defunct franchise rights to [[Piggy Simandl]], a wholesale meat salesman and sports promotor from Orange, who named his franchise the Orange Tornadoes. The Tornadoes played their home games at [[Knights of Columbus Stadium]]. The first game for the new team was a scoreless tie against the New York Giants on September 29, 1929. A week later the team recorded their first ever NFL win by defeating the [[Boston Bulldogs (NFL)|Boston Bulldogs]] 7-0. The victory can off a short [[George Pease]] pass to [[Paul Longua]] who ran 60 yards for a [[touchdown]]. However the following week, Orange experienced its first NFL loss during a 7-0 defeat to the, 1928 NFL Champions, the [[Providence Steamroller]]. The team regrouped on October 19, 1929, and the Tornandoes held the Frankford Yellow Jackets to a 6-6 tie at [[Frankford Stadium]]. A week later the team rallied from a 13-0 deficit to defeat the Boston Bulldogs, 19-13.
 
   
  ⚫
===Orlando===
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On October 29, 1929, the Bulldogs and Tornadoes met again to play. This time in [[Pottsville, Pennsylvania]]. Prior to 1929, the Bulldogs played as the [[Pottsville Maroons]] and the teams played for their still loyal fans at the Maroons' [[Minersville Park]]. This time however, the Tornadoes lost 6-0 by way of a 4 yard touchdown run from Boston's [[Tony Latone]]. On October 3, the Tornadoes held the [[Staten Island Stapletons]] to a scoreless tie at [[Thompson Stadium (Staten Island)|Thompson Stadium]]. During that game the Stapletons were within scoring distance three times, but to no avail. Meanwhile the Tornadoes only penatrated the Staten Island 20-yard line once.
  
  +
During the subsequent offseason, team owner Sol Rosen sold his franchise to Tom Granatell, who moved the Bears to [[Orlando, Florida]] and renamed them as the Orlando Panthers. They signed a 10-year lease to play their home games at the [[Tangerine Bowl (stadium)|Tangerine Bowl]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Orlando Signs 10-Year Pact|work=Kingsport News|agency=UPI|date=April 28, 1966}}</ref> The move to Orlando was somewhat of a coup, as there was already a team named the Orlando Panthers that had played in the Southern Professional Football League the year prior (having played as the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds from 1962 to 1964) and, due to the Southern league's folding, was seeking to join the Continental league; the Newark ownership group managed to secure the lease, and the previous Orlando owner died, apparently of a rage-induced apoplexy, immediately after the meeting.<ref name=tbirdsleft>{{cite news|last=Kahn|first=Bernard|title=Minor league football: T Birds Left, DB Won|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q4gfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lcsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2416,5840811&dq=continental-football-league&hl=en|work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|date=July 25, 1970}}</ref> Van Buren was promoted to vice president and replaced as head coach by Perry Moss, who led the [[Charleston Rockets]] to the 1965 CFL title.<ref>{{cite news|title=Moss Named Orlando Coach|work=Manitowoc Herald-Times|agency=Associated Press|date=May 18, 1966}}</ref>
   
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Over the next four seasons the Panthers were consistent winners, never finishing with fewer than 10 wins. The team, led by quarterback [[Don Jonas]], appeared in the CFL championship game three seasons in a row starting in 1966, winning two titles during that span. In 1966, the team lost the championship to the [[Philadelphia Bulldogs]] in sudden-death overtime, 20–17. In 1967, the Panthers won the title with a 38–14 win over the [[Orange County Ramblers]]. In 1968, they repeated the feat by defeating the Ramblers 30–23, though they had to enter the game by winning a playoff with the [[Indianapolis Capitols]] (which Orlando won 28–14). In 1969, however, Orlando and Indianapolis rematched in the semifinals, with the Capitols prevailing 27–7. Such was the team's prestige that in the 1969 offseason, the Panthers entered into a deal with the Florida Citrus Commission to put up $400,000 in salary if [[O. J. Simpson]] agreed to sign with the team; with his negotiations with the team that drafted him, the [[Buffalo Bills]], stalled at the time, and the institution of the Common Draft prohibiting him from negotiating with other teams in the AFL or NFL, the Panthers were the highest-profile team able to give Simpson a counteroffer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qukrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tgUGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3093,6207410&dq=continental-football-league&hl=en|work=Kentucky New Era|via=Google News Archive Search|publisher=|accessdate=December 21, 2014}}</ref> Simpson ultimately achieved a contract agreement with the Bills.
−
The Orange then lost a rematch against the New York Giants, 22-0 a week later. But after a scoreless tie against Frankford, the Orange defeated the Staten Island Stapletons 3-0, due to a [[Felix McCormick]] [[Field goal (American and Canadian football)|field goal]]. However the next game, against the [[Chicago Cardinals]] resulted in a 26-0 Tornadoes loss. The Cardinals, led by [[Ernie Nevers]] put up 20 points in the second quarter of the game. The Tornadoes then ended their 1929 season with a 10-0 loss to Frankford. They finished with a 3-4-4 record, scoring 35 points, while giving up 80.
  
   
  +
With the future of the CFL in doubt after the 1969 season, Panthers general manager and president Elmer Cook announced his intention to found a new football league based in Florida, the Sunshine League.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sargent|first1=Bill|title=Panthers Find Ray of Hope in Sunshine|work=Florida Today|date=February 22, 1970}}</ref> Within weeks of that announcement, the Panthers applied and were accepted for membership in the franchise original home, the ACFL.<ref>{{cite news |title=Three CFL Teams Join Atlantic League |agency=United Press International |work=The Tipton (Indiana) Daily Tribune |page=4 |date=April 6, 1970 }}</ref> The team was in major financial trouble at the time, fueled by massive overspending, and a new consortium took over the money-bleeding franchise in the offseason. The new owners, who originally planned to rechristen the team as the '''Orlando Oranges''' but never did, planned to run the team on a much tighter financial budget.<ref name=tbirdsleft/>
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==1930==
  
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[[File:Newark Tornadoes.png|200px|right|thumb|1930 Newark Tornadoes logo]]
  
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The team's fortune in the NFL changed for the worse after it moved to Newark in 1930. During the team's time in Newark, they played their home games at [[Newark Schools Stadium]]. Head coach [[Jack Depler]] defected to buy the [[Dayton Triangles]], moving that team to [[Brooklyn, New York|Brooklyn]] and transforming that team into the [[Brooklyn Tigers|Brooklyn Dodgers]]. He took most of the members of the 1929 Tornadoes with him. Meanwhile, the Tornadoes went through three coaches during the 1930 season, and the team's only victory during the [[1930 NFL season|1930 season]] was against the Frankford Yellow Jackets.
 
   
  +
The Panthers made headlines in 1970 with the signing of a [[holder (American football)|holder]] named [[Patricia Palinkas]], the first woman to play on a men's professional football team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gal Plays Pro Football|work=News Journal|agency=UPI|date=August 1, 1970}}</ref> Palinkas originally served as holder for her husband, Steve Palinkas, but he was cut prior to the regular season. Patricia made the team but was immediately suspended after missing an entire week of team activities due to her full-time teaching job and personal appearances.<ref>{{cite news|title=She's Suspended, He's Cut|work=Democrat and Chronicle|agency=Associated Press|date=September 4, 1970}}</ref>
−
The last game for the Newark Tornadoes was also against the New York Giants, a 34-7 loss on October 29, 1930. The franchise ended league play after the 1930 season and was sold back to the NFL. The league ordered the franchise sold to the highest bidder prior to the 1931 season, but there were no takers.
  
   
  +
Financial difficulties continued to plague the Panthers in 1970, culminating in players (including Palinkas) quitting over unpaid wages and a lawsuit from the ACFL over unpaid dues.<ref>{{cite news|title=League May Sue Panthers|work=(Florida) Today|agency=Associated Press|date=December 16, 1970}}</ref> The Panthers were suspended by the ACFL for the 1971 season and never played again. The rights to Orlando's players were granted to the Roanoke Buckskins in June.<ref>{{cite news|title=ACFL Conducts Draft of Teams|work=Pottstown Mercury|agency=Associated Press|date=June 16, 1971}}</ref>
−
In 1932, a [[Boston]]-based group won a new NFL franchise and was awarded the remains of the failed Newark organization. The new team would be named the Boston Braves, now the [[Washington Redskins]]. However, the NFL does not consider the Redskins to be a continuation of the Tornadoes, just as it does not consider the Tornadoes to be a continuation of the Duluth Eskimoes.
  
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==The Tornadoes and Bears in the American Association==
  
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Though the NFL franchise had moved to Newark, owner Edwin Simandl had kept a barebones organization back in Orange, just in case the NFL Tornadoes failed. When they did, he moved as many players as he could from the Newark squad back to Orange. The minor league Tornadoes played in various leagues, including the [[American Association (football)|American Association]], of which it was a charter member. The Orange Tornadoes moved back to Newark in 1937 and were eventually bought by the [[Chicago Bears]]. Playing under the name '''Newark Bears''' (a name previously used by the [[Newark Bears (AFL)|Newark Bears]] of the [[American Football League (1926)|1926 American Football League]]), the team played in the AA through 1941.
 
−  
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The team did not return after World War II; instead, [[George Halas]] took what was left of the team and split it into the ''Newark Bombers'' and the ''Akron Bears''. The ''Bloomfield Cardinals'' replaced both teams in 1947. The NFL severed ties with all minor league teams in 1948.
  
−  
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==The Bears revived in the ACFL and Continental League==
  
−
The Newark Bears would return in 1963, when the [[Atlantic Coast Football League]] (a revival of sorts of the AA) revived the Newark Bears for two seasons. This version of the Bears was owned by [[Sol Rosen]]. In 1965, the team applied to the [[American Football League]] to join that league, but were turned down (as the [[New York metropolitan area]] already had both the [[New York Jets|Jets]] and NFL's [[New York Giants|Giants]], both of which counted North Jersey as their market and would eventually move to New Jersey in later years), and instead joined the upstart [[Continental Football League]], where it played one season in 1965 before moving to [[Orlando, Florida]] and becoming the '''Orlando Panthers'''. The Panthers played in the ContFL from 1966 to the league's dissolution in 1969. As the Panthers, and led by quarterback [[Don Jonas]], the team won two league titles and played in a third. In 1966, the team lost the championship to the [[Philadelphia Bulldogs]] in sudden-death overtime, 20-17. In 1967, the Panthers won the title with a 38-14 win over the [[Orange County Ramblers]]. In 1968, they repeated the feat by defeating the Ramblers 30-23, though they had to enter the game by winning a playoff with the [[Indianapolis Capitols]] (which Orlando won 28-14). In 1969, however, Orlando and Indianapolis rematched in the semifinals, with the Capitols prevailing 27-7. When the Continental Football League folded, the Bears returned to the ACFL, playing two more seasons in 1970 and 1971. During the 1970 season, the Panthers had on their roster a [[holder (American football)|holder]] named [[Patricia Palinkas]], the first woman to play on a men's professional football team.<ref>Associated Press (1970-08-13). "Neptunes worry how to tackle 'holder'. Retrieved 2010-12-25.</ref><ref>http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/22-01-837.pdf</ref> Palinkas originally served as holder for her husband, Steve Palinkas, but Steve Palinkas was cut prior to the regular season while Patricia made the team.<ref>Associated Press (1970-09-04). "First woman to earn place on pro grid team is also suspended." Retrieved 2010-12-25.</ref> The Panthers folded in 1971 along with most of the rest of the ACFL.
  
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Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the ACFL moved the former [[Charleston Rockets]] franchise to Newark in 1969, becoming the "Jersey Jays." The Jays played from 1969 to 1971.
  
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==Uniforms==
  
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In 1929, Orange experimented with using letters instead of numbers on player jerseys.
  
   
 
==Season-by-season==
  
==Season-by-season==
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|-
  
|-
 
!
  
!
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! League!!Year !! W !! L !! T !! Finish!!Coach
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! Year !! League !! W !! L !! T !! Finish!!Coach
 
|-
  
|-
  +
! Paterson Miners
−
!rowspan="43"| Orange Athletic Club
  
  +
| 1962 || ACFL || 8 || 1 || 0 || 1st, ACFL Champions || Sal Rosen
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
! Newark Bears
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1887|| 0 || 1 || 0 || ||
  
  +
| 1963 || ACFL || 11 || 1 || 0 || 1st, ACFL Champions || [[Steve Van Buren]]
 
|-
  
|-
  +
! Newark Bears
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1888|| 3 || 3 || 1 || ||
  
  +
| 1964 || ACFL || 12 || 1 || 1 || 1st, ACFL Southern, lost final || Steve Van Buren
 
|-
  
|-
  +
! Newark Bears
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1889|| 6 || 3 || 0 || ||
  
  +
| 1965 || CFL || 5 || 9 || 0 || 5th, CFL Atlantic || Steve Van Buren
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
! Orlando Panthers
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1890|| 5 || 4 || 0 || ||
  
  +
| 1966 || CFL || 12 || 2 || 0 || 2nd, CFL || [[Perry Moss]]
 
|-
  
|-
  +
! Orlando Panthers
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1891|| 3 || 5 || 0 || ||
  
  +
| 1967 || CFL || 11 || 3 || 0 || CFL Champions || Perry Moss
 
|-
  
|-
  +
! Orlando Panthers
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1892|| 4 || 4 || 1 || ||
  
  +
| 1968 || CFL || 10 || 2 || 0 || CFL Champions || [[Jim Garrett]]
 
|-
  
|-
  +
! Orlando Panthers
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1893|| 8 || 2 || 0 || ||
  
  ⚫
| 1969 || CFL || 10 || 2 || 0 || Lost in CFL semifinals || [[Dick Pesonen]]
 
|-
  
|-
  +
! Orlando Panthers
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1894|| 4 || 5 || 1 || ||
  
  +
| 1970 || ACFL || 4 || 8 || 0 || 5th place Southern Division || [[Paul Massey (American football)|Paul Massey]]
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1895|| 6 || 4 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1896|| 3 || 2 || 2 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1897|| 4 || 3 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1898|| 3 || 1 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1899|| 7 || 1 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1900|| 5 || 3 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1901|| 4 || 5 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1902|| 3 || 5 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1903|| 3 || 4 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1904|| 0 || 1 || 0 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1905|| 1 || 0 || 0 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1906|| || || || ||
  
−
|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1907|| || || || ||
  
−
|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1908|| || || || ||
  
−
|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1909|| 0 || 2 || 0 || ||
  
−
|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1910|| || || || ||
  
−
|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1911|| || || || ||
  
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|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1912|| || || || ||
  
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|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1913|| || || || ||
  
−
|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1914|| || || || ||
  
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|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1915|| || || || ||
  
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|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1916|| || || || ||
  
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|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1917|| || || || ||
  
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|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1918|| || || || ||
  
−
|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1919|| || || || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1920|| 3 || 1 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
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| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1921|| 3 || 0 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1922|| 3 || 1 || 0 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1923|| 5 || 3 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1924|| 8 || 2 || 0 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1925|| 7 || 4 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1926|| 3 || 5 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1927|| 8 || 1 || 3 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1928|| 9 || 5 || 0 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
!rowspan="8"| Orange Tornadoes
  
−
| [[National Football League season|NFL]]||[[1929 Orange Athletic Club season|1929]] || 6 || 5 || 5 || 6th ||[[Jack Depler]]
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[National Football League season|NFL]]||[[1930 Orange Athletic Club season|1930]] || 1 || 10 || 1 || 11th ||[[Jack Fish]], [[Al McGall]], [[Andy Salata]]
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1931|| 1 || 3 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1932|| 0 || 1 || 0 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1933|| 8 || 4 || 1 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1934|| 0 || 2 || 0 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Independent|Ind.]]|| 1935|| 0 || 6 || 0 || ||
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[American Association (football)|AA]]||1936 || 5 || 7 || 0 || 5th
  
−
|-
  
−
!rowspan="3"| Newark Tornadoes
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[American Association (football)|AA]]||1937 || 6 || 1 || 3 || T-1st
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[American Association (football)|AA]]||1938 || 2 || 5 || 0 || 6th
  
−
|-
  
⚫
!rowspan="6"| Newark Bears
  
−
| [[American Association (football)|AA]]||1939 || 6 || 2 || 1 || AA Champions
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[American Association (football)|AA]]||1940 || 5 || 5 || 1 || T-4th
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[American Association (football)|AA]]||1941 || 3 || 6 || 0 || 5th
  
−
|-
  
⚫
|[[Atlantic Coast Football League|ACFL]]|| 1963 || || || ||
 
−
|-
  
⚫
|[[Atlantic Coast Football League|ACFL]]|| 1964 || || || ||
 
−
|-
  
−
|[[Continental Football League|CFL]]|| 1965 || 5 || 9 || 0 || 5th, ContFL Atlantic
  
−
|-
  
⚫
!rowspan="7"| Orlando Panthers
  
⚫
|[[Continental Football League|CFL]] ||1966 || 12 || 2 || 0 || 2nd, ContFL
  
−
|-
  
−
|[[Continental Football League|CFL]] ||1967 || 11 || 3 || 0 || ContFL Champions
  
−
|-
  
−
|[[Continental Football League|CFL]] ||1968 || 10 || 2 || 0 || ContFL Champions
  
−
|-
  
⚫
|[[Continental Football League|CFL]]|| 1969 || 10 || 2 || 0 || Lost in semifinals
  
−
|-
  
⚫
| [[Atlantic Coast Football League|ACFL]]||1970 || || || ||
 
−
|-
  
−
| [[Atlantic Coast Football League|ACFL]]|| 1971 || || || ||
 
 
|}
  
|}
−  
−
*A complete game-by-game record to 1937 can be found [http://www.luckyshow.org/football/orangeac.htm here].
  
   
 
==References==
  
==References==
−
{{reflist}}
 +
{{Reflist}}
   
  ⚫
{{Atlantic Coast Football League}}
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==Sources==
  
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{{Continental Football League}}
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*[http://nflhistory.net/linescores/index.asp The NFL History Network]
  
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*[http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tor1930.htm Pro-Football Reference]
  
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*[http://www.hickoksports.com/history/orangenewarknfl.shtml HickokSports.com]
  
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*[http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Linescores/1929.pdf 1929 NFL season]
  
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*[http://www.luckyshow.org/football/orangeac.htm Orange Athletic Club of New Jersey: Complete Football Records]
  
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*[http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/10-04-342.pdf In the Same League]
  
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*[http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~maxymuk/home/ongoing/orange.html Uniform Numbers of the NFL]
  
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*[http://web.archive.org/web/20070927004210/http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=contlg Discussion of Newark and Orlando in the Continental Football League] from the [[Professional Football Researchers Association]]
  
   
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[[Category:Continental Football League teams]]
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==Orange Athletic Club seasons==
  
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[[Category:Atlantic Coast Football League teams]]
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[[Category:Defunct American football teams in New Jersey]]
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[[1887 Orange Athletic Club season|1887]] • [[1888 Orange Athletic Club season|1888]] • [[1889 Orange Athletic Club season|1889]] • [[1890 Orange Athletic Club season|1890]] • [[1891 Orange Athletic Club season|1891]] • [[1892 Orange Athletic Club season|1892]] • [[1893 Orange Athletic Club season|1893]] • [[1894 Orange Athletic Club season|1894]] • [[1895 Orange Athletic Club season|1895]] • [[1896 Orange Athletic Club season|1896]] • [[1897 Orange Athletic Club season|1897]] • [[1898 Orange Athletic Club season|1898]] • [[1900 Orange Athletic Club season|1900]] • [[1901 Orange Athletic Club season|1901]] • [[1902 Orange Athletic Club season|1902]] • [[1903 Orange Athletic Club season|1903]] • [[1904 Orange Athletic Club season|1904]] • [[1905 Orange Athletic Club season|1905]] • [[1906 Orange Athletic Club season|1906]] • [[1907 Orange Athletic Club season|1907]]
  
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[[Category:American football teams in Orlando, Florida]]
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• [[1908 Orange Athletic Club season|1908]] • [[1909 Orange Athletic Club season|1909]] • [[1910 Orange Athletic Club season|1910]] • [[1911 Orange Athletic Club season|1911]] • [[1912 Orange Athletic Club season|1912]] • [[1913 Orange Athletic Club season|1913]] • [[1914 Orange Athletic Club season|1914]] • [[1915 Orange Athletic Club season|1915]] • [[1916 Orange Athletic Club season|1917]] • [[1910 Orange Athletic Club season|1917]] • [[1918 Orange Athletic Club season|1918]] • [[1919 Orange Athletic Club season|1919]] • [[1920 Orange Athletic Club season|1920]] • [[1921 Orange Athletic Club season|1921]] • [[1922 Orange Athletic Club season|1922]] • [[1923 Orange Athletic Club season|1923]] • [[1924 Orange Athletic Club season|1924]] • [[1925 Orange Athletic Club season|1925]] • [[1926 Orange Athletic Club season|1926]] • [[1927 Orange Athletic Club season|1927]] • [[1928 Orange Athletic Club season|1928]] • [[1929 Orange Athletic Club season|1929]] • [[1930 Orange Athletic Club season|1930]] • [[1931 Orange Athletic Club season|1931]] • [[1932 Orange Athletic Club season|1932]] • [[1933 Orange Athletic Club season|1933]] • [[1934 Orange Athletic Club season|1934]] • [[1935 Orange Athletic Club season|1935]] • [[1936 Orange Athletic Club season|1936]] • [[1937 Orange Athletic Club season|1937]] • [[1938 Orange Athletic Club season|1938]] • [[1939 Orange Athletic Club season|1939]] • [[1940 Orange Athletic Club season|1940]] • [[1941 Orange Athletic Club season|1941]] • [[1963 Orange Athletic Club season|1963]] • [[1964 Orange Athletic Club season|1964]] • [[1965 Orange Athletic Club season|1965]] • [[1966 Orange Athletic Club season|1966]] • [[1967 Orange Athletic Club season|1967]] • [[1968 Orange Athletic Club season|1968]] • [[1969 Orange Athletic Club season|1969]] • [[1970 Orange Athletic Club season|1970]] • [[1971 Orange Athletic Club season|1971]]
  
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[[Category:1958 establishments in New Jersey]]
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[[Category:Orange Athletic Club seasons]]
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[[Category:Orange Athletic Club football players]]
  

Latest revision as of 18:12, 23 July 2019

Orlando Panthers
Founded1958
League*Eastern Football Conference
Team history*Franklin Miners (1958—61)
  • Paterson Miners (1962)
  • Newark Bears (1963–65)
  • Orlando Panthers (1965–71)
    • ArenaTangerine Bowl
    Based inOrlando, Florida
    Championships*2 (ACFL)
  • 2 (CFL)
    • Division titlesnone

    The Orlando Panthers were a professional American football team based in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1958 as the Franklin Miners, the team spent its first four years in the Eastern Football Conference, then three further years in the Atlantic Coast Football League before moving to the Continental Football League in 1965. The franchise moved from Newark, New Jersey to Orlando in 1966 and found success on the field as the Panthers. But while the team won the CFL championship twice they were plagued by financial difficulties. The team jumped back to the ACFL in 1970 but were suspended by the league after the season.

    History

    New Jersey

    The Franklin Miners were originally established in 1958 as a member of the Eastern Football Conference; their head coach was eventual Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren.[1] The Miners were charter members of the Atlantic Coast Football League upon its founding in 1962, relocating to Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey in the process. In their first season in Paterson, the Miners won the ACFL championship against the Providence Steam Roller in front of 2,000 spectators at the indoor Atlantic City Convention Hall.[2] The following summer the Miners moved to Newark Schools Stadium in nearby Newark, New Jersey and were renamed as the Newark Bears.[3] The Bears took their name from a team in the American Association football league in the late 1930s through 1941, itself a direct descendant from the Orange/Newark Tornadoes, a football club with roots dating to the 19th century and that had played two seasons in the NFL. (The ACFL had several ties to the old AA, including teams in Paterson and Newark, and the same President, Joe Rosentover.)

    The Bears won the Southern Division and claimed the 1963 ACFL title by defeating the Springfield Acorns, 23-6.[4] A few months later the team announced its interest in joining the American Football League;[5] at the time, the New York metro area's existing AFL franchise, recently rechristened the Jets, was still on uncertain financial footing, but the Jets survived and the AFL ultimately rejected the Newark bid. Newark had another strong season in 1964, advancing to their third straight league championship. This time, however, they were defeated by the Boston Sweepers, 14-10.[6]

    In 1965 the Bears joined two other ACFL teams in a minor-league merger that led to the formation of the Continental Football League. Newark struggled during its first CFL season, placed fourth in their division and finished with a record of 5-9.

    Orlando

    During the subsequent offseason, team owner Sol Rosen sold his franchise to Tom Granatell, who moved the Bears to Orlando, Florida and renamed them as the Orlando Panthers. They signed a 10-year lease to play their home games at the Tangerine Bowl.[7] The move to Orlando was somewhat of a coup, as there was already a team named the Orlando Panthers that had played in the Southern Professional Football League the year prior (having played as the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds from 1962 to 1964) and, due to the Southern league's folding, was seeking to join the Continental league; the Newark ownership group managed to secure the lease, and the previous Orlando owner died, apparently of a rage-induced apoplexy, immediately after the meeting.[8] Van Buren was promoted to vice president and replaced as head coach by Perry Moss, who led the Charleston Rockets to the 1965 CFL title.[9]

    Over the next four seasons the Panthers were consistent winners, never finishing with fewer than 10 wins. The team, led by quarterback Don Jonas, appeared in the CFL championship game three seasons in a row starting in 1966, winning two titles during that span. In 1966, the team lost the championship to the Philadelphia Bulldogs in sudden-death overtime, 20–17. In 1967, the Panthers won the title with a 38–14 win over the Orange County Ramblers. In 1968, they repeated the feat by defeating the Ramblers 30–23, though they had to enter the game by winning a playoff with the Indianapolis Capitols (which Orlando won 28–14). In 1969, however, Orlando and Indianapolis rematched in the semifinals, with the Capitols prevailing 27–7. Such was the team's prestige that in the 1969 offseason, the Panthers entered into a deal with the Florida Citrus Commission to put up $400,000 in salary if O. J. Simpson agreed to sign with the team; with his negotiations with the team that drafted him, the Buffalo Bills, stalled at the time, and the institution of the Common Draft prohibiting him from negotiating with other teams in the AFL or NFL, the Panthers were the highest-profile team able to give Simpson a counteroffer.[10] Simpson ultimately achieved a contract agreement with the Bills.

    With the future of the CFL in doubt after the 1969 season, Panthers general manager and president Elmer Cook announced his intention to found a new football league based in Florida, the Sunshine League.[11] Within weeks of that announcement, the Panthers applied and were accepted for membership in the franchise original home, the ACFL.[12] The team was in major financial trouble at the time, fueled by massive overspending, and a new consortium took over the money-bleeding franchise in the offseason. The new owners, who originally planned to rechristen the team as the Orlando Oranges but never did, planned to run the team on a much tighter financial budget.[8]

    The Panthers made headlines in 1970 with the signing of a holder named Patricia Palinkas, the first woman to play on a men's professional football team.[13] Palinkas originally served as holder for her husband, Steve Palinkas, but he was cut prior to the regular season. Patricia made the team but was immediately suspended after missing an entire week of team activities due to her full-time teaching job and personal appearances.[14]

    Financial difficulties continued to plague the Panthers in 1970, culminating in players (including Palinkas) quitting over unpaid wages and a lawsuit from the ACFL over unpaid dues.[15] The Panthers were suspended by the ACFL for the 1971 season and never played again. The rights to Orlando's players were granted to the Roanoke Buckskins in June.[16]

    Season-by-season

    Year League W L T Finish Coach
    Paterson Miners 1962 ACFL 8 1 0 1st, ACFL Champions Sal Rosen
    Newark Bears 1963 ACFL 11 1 0 1st, ACFL Champions Steve Van Buren
    Newark Bears 1964 ACFL 12 1 1 1st, ACFL Southern, lost final Steve Van Buren
    Newark Bears 1965 CFL 5 9 0 5th, CFL Atlantic Steve Van Buren
    Orlando Panthers 1966 CFL 12 2 0 2nd, CFL Perry Moss
    Orlando Panthers 1967 CFL 11 3 0 CFL Champions Perry Moss
    Orlando Panthers 1968 CFL 10 2 0 CFL Champions Jim Garrett
    Orlando Panthers 1969 CFL 10 2 0 Lost in CFL semifinals Dick Pesonen
    Orlando Panthers 1970 ACFL 4 8 0 5th place Southern Division Paul Massey

    References

    1. ↑ Nissenson, Herschel (August 23, 1963). "Steve Van Buren Cites Football Defense Changes". Reading Eagle. Associated Press: p. 16. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19630823&id=GxUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hJwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6730,3056871&hl=en. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
    2. ↑ "untitled sports news summaries". Bristol Daily Courier. December 19, 1962.
    3. ↑ "Pro Football Club Shifted". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 27, 1963.
    4. ↑ "Newark Bears Take Atlantic Grid Title". Democrat and Chronicle. Associated Press. November 25, 1963.
    5. ↑ "Bears Seek Data on AFL". Asbury Park Press. Associated Press. January 12, 1964.
    6. ↑ "Boston Sweepers Grab Grid Title". The Progress. Associated Press. December 7, 1964.
    7. ↑ "Orlando Signs 10-Year Pact". Kingsport News. UPI. April 28, 1966.
    8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kahn, Bernard (July 25, 1970). "Minor league football: T Birds Left, DB Won". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q4gfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lcsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2416,5840811&dq=continental-football-league&hl=en.
    9. ↑ "Moss Named Orlando Coach". Manitowoc Herald-Times. Associated Press. May 18, 1966.
    10. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". Kentucky New Era. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qukrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tgUGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3093,6207410&dq=continental-football-league&hl=en. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
    11. ↑ Sargent, Bill (February 22, 1970). "Panthers Find Ray of Hope in Sunshine". Florida Today.
    12. ↑ "Three CFL Teams Join Atlantic League". The Tipton (Indiana) Daily Tribune. United Press International: p. 4. April 6, 1970.
    13. ↑ "Gal Plays Pro Football". News Journal. UPI. August 1, 1970.
    14. ↑ "She's Suspended, He's Cut". Democrat and Chronicle. Associated Press. September 4, 1970.
    15. ↑ "League May Sue Panthers". (Florida) Today. Associated Press. December 16, 1970.
    16. ↑ "ACFL Conducts Draft of Teams". Pottstown Mercury. Associated Press. June 16, 1971.
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