The Hartford Knights were a professional American football team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They began play in 1968 as a member of the Atlantic Coast Football League, replacing the Hartford Charter Oaks.[2] For the 1969 season, they became the affiliate for the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League. One of the best minor-league football teams of its era, the Knights never finished below second place in their league, won every division title they contested, and had a winning record every season they played (including a 17-win perfect season in 1972).
 | |
| Founded | 1968 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 1973 |
| League | Atlantic Coast Football League Seaboard Football League |
| Based in | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Arena | Dillon Stadium |
| Championships | 1968,[1] 1972 |
| Division titles | 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 |
| Affiliation | Buffalo Bills |
The Knights' most prominent alumnus was fullback Marv Hubbard, who played his first professional season with the team in 1968 before appearing in multiple Pro Bowls as a member of the Oakland Raiders.[3] Other notable players included Manch Wheeler, the team's first starting quarterback who had previously played for the Bills; and Mel Meeks, a power-runner who was one of the league's best running backs.
Season-by-season results
edit| Year | League | W | L | T | Finish | Head Coach | Res. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Atlantic Coast Football League | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1st | Fred Wallner | [1] |
| 1969 | ACFL | 13 | 3 | 0 | 2nd | [4] | |
| 1970 | ACFL | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2nd | [5] | |
| 1971 | ACFL | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2nd | [6] | |
| 1972 | Seaboard Football League | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1st | Nick Cutro | [7] |
| 1973 | ACFL | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2nd | [8] |
References
edit- ^ a b "1968 Hartford Knights - The Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com.
- ^ "1968-1973 Hartford Knights • Fun While It Lasted". 27 October 2012.
- ^ Canfield, Owen (August 16, 1992). "ON COURSE FOR SEVERAL HAPPY RETURNS". Hartford Courant.
- ^ "1969 Hartford Knights - The Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com.
- ^ "1970 Hartford Knights - The Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com.
- ^ "1971 Hartford Knights - The Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com.
- ^ Steven Brainerd (2010). Minor league football records - Winning streaks.
- ^ "1973 Hartford Knights - The Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com.
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