Years of Operation: 1981-1983

Overall Record:  25-6

First Game: Aug 15, 1981 vs Pierce County Bengals

First Win: Aug 22, 1981 vs Puget Sound Kings

Final Game: Nov 6, 1983 vs Spokane Fury

League Affiliation:  

Northwest International Football Alliance (1982-1983)

Pacific Northwest Professional Football League (1981)

Team Headquarters: 2610 SE Gladstone, Portland, OR 97202

Owner: Florestine Williams (1981-1983); John Jelineo (May, 1983)

General Manager: Joe Johns

Coaches: Kim Johns, Ed Allen, Elton O'Bryant, Ed Semperboni (1983), Bob Lyons (1983)

Home Field(s): Portland Civic Stadium (1983)

Titles Won: 

1983 NIFA Championship

1981 Schedule/Results (5-4):

Honors

All-League

Geoff Steenson, QB - NIFA 1983

Harry Washington, WR - NIFA 1981

Dewey Brawley, FB - NIFA 1981

Daryl Tanner, DE - NIFA 1981

All-America

Players in 1981:

QB Reggie Ogburn (Oregon)

QB Geoff Steenson

WR Harry Washington (SF 49ers)

RB Seth Hill

WR Percy Grogans (Oregon State)

QB Steve Smith (Oregon State)

Drag racing star D.J. Januzzi signed with the Steelheads instead of going to college after playing as an All-American defensive tackle in high school.

Oct of 1981 former Duck QB Reggie Ogburn signed to play bolstering the team's lineup which already included former State QB Steve Smith and Geoff Steenson.  Steenson would QB cross-river rival Washington County in 1982 sparking a lot of heat between the teams that season.

1982 also marked the debut of father-son duo Cal McKinnis and Cal McKinnis Jr. playing together as a 38-year old noseguard, and 18-year old fullback.  Senior reportedly played for 17-years dating back to 1964 with 2 seasons of touch football during Portland's absence from the semi-pro circuits.

Steve Smith finished with 22 passing touchdowns while splitting time in the early part of the season with Reggie Ogburn and Mike Wells.  Les McCulley, formerly a Pierce County Bengal recorded 9 interceptions, a 100-yard missed field goal return for a TD as well as a touchdown reception on the season.

It was reported that the owners put in an estimated $80,000 to operate and recruit the best players.  Florestine Williams is one of the few black women to own a semi pro football team in the 80's.

Geoff Steenson returned to the Steelheads in 1983 and quarterbacked the team to the NFA Championship

The Steelheads won the 1983 NIFA Championship and promptly shut down prior to the 1984 season which played without an Oregon-based team for the first time since 1978.  Cross-river rival Washington County Grizzlies would become the Clark County Grizzlies, but could not match the firepower the Steelheads had finishing 3-6 as the upstart Auburn Panthers began their storied run of Northwest dominance.  Harry Washington, 1981 Steelhead MVP, turned in 3-Consecutive Northwest Player of the Year performances for the Panthers from 1984-1986.

 7-18

30-6

30-14

24-7

7-21

W

28-19

3-13

1983 Schedule/Results (11-1):

0-22

17-14

Photos

Melvin Barkum (Mississippi State) Dallas Cowboys

Kevin Oberstaller (Oregon State)

Billy Joe Winchester (Arizona State)

Tony Mims (Portland State)

News Releases