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.  During the inaugural season of 1981, the Steelheads found themselves in an unexpected cross-border game, but not to the north, but to the south.  The University of Mexico Condors, three-time defending Mexican National Champions arrived in Oregon to take on the Oregon State University JV team.  However, University officials pulled out of the game and apparently forgot to tell the Mexican team, though Dee Andros, OSU Athletic Director claimed the Condors were informed "last summer" the game was off.  As luck would have it, the Seattle Cavaliers had cancelled the scheduled game with Oregon City and the Steelheads had an opening, and with little time to prepare for the 75-man team from Mexico City still got to play football in the states.  Oregon City won 24-7 in what some called an exhibition game, others called a practice, but however it was titled, the game was played under standard rules at Oregon City.  Later, on October 17th, the Steelheads defeated the British Columbia Blue Bombers 32-0 and laid claim to having defeated teams from three countries during the season (US, Canada, and Mexico).
 
October of 1981 former Duck QB Reggie Ogburn signed to play bolstering the team's lineup which already included former Oregon State QB Steve Smith and Geoff Steenson.  Steenson would QB for cross-river rival Washington County in 1982 sparking a lot of heat between the two 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 and would coach the Oregon Thunderbolts in the late 1990's and 2000's
 
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.

The Steelheads, though short-lived, boasted one of the few franchises owned by a woman in Ms. Williams and had a succesful 25-6 record over 3-seasons, making three-consecutive championship games before winning the 1983 NIFA Championship.

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