TURN BACK THE CLOCK
How professional football in Houston just got a lot more interesting
Nov 23, 2021, 4:58 pm
The '80s football team is back. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport/Getty Images.
How Texans fans could have something new and different to root for
Back in the '80s, Houstonians were in pro football bliss, with the Houston Oilers and bruising future Hall of Fame running back/human train Earl Campbell, and the high-flying run-and-shoot Houston Gamblers, led by Jim Kelly (also a future Hall of Famer).
Now, fans of that super-short Gamblers era (three seasons) can don their red and black jerseys, as the Gamblers are back as part of a return of the United States Football League. The USFL announced the Gamblers and seven other teams across the U.S. will kick off a new season in April 2022.
USFL organizers plan to launch the league in the spring that promises "high-quality, innovative professional football to fans," per an announcement.
No word yet on where the Gamblers will play home games, but ABC13 notes that published reports point to all first-season games being played in Birmingham, Alabama. Broadcast partners currently considered are USA Network, Fox Sports, Fox, and NBC.
Other teams in the USFL are the New Jersey Generals, Michigan Panthers, Philadelphia Stars, Pittsburgh Maulers, Birmingham Stallions, New Orleans Breakers, and Tampa Bay Bandits.
Continue on CultureMap to learn more.
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How Astros just put league on notice with dominant pitching, clutch hitting
Jun 26, 2025, 7:08 pm
Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
CAM SMITH COMES THROUGH! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/Y6dtPpXF9J
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.
Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.
Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.
FULL THROTTLE.
Hunter Brown now leads the MLB in lowest ERA (1.74). #BuiltForFuel pic.twitter.com/nkwT2MpgJQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.
Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!
🧹🧹🧹
After the @Astros completed their sweep of the Phillies, @JuliaMorales visited with Bryan Abreu!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/UeOOSNDKwW
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) June 26, 2025
Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.
Key moment
Smith’s RBI.
Key stat
Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.
Up next
The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.
The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).