Philadelphia Stars (2022)


The Philadelphia Stars were a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Stars competed in the United States Football League as a member club of the league's North division. The team played its home games at Protective Stadium and Legion Field, both in Alabama, in 2022, and Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, in 2023. Ultimately, the team would never play a game in Philadelphia. The Stars appeared in the playoffs once, won the division championship game once, and appeared in one USFL Championship Game.
On December 19, 2023, the USFL informed its players union that the Stars would not be among four USFL teams to be contracted as part of the league's upcoming merger with the XFL.

History

The Philadelphia Stars were one of eight teams that were officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021. On January 6, 2022, It was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former CFL Head coach Bart Andrus was named the head coach and general manager of the Stars. Andrus later announced most of his staff on January 28, 2022, on the Dan Sileo Show.
During the 2022 USFL draft, the Stars selected quarterback Bryan Scott with the 3rd overall pick, and selected highly touted cornberback, Channing Stribling.
After training camp, Scott was officially named the Stars' starting quarterback for the 2022 season by head coach Andrus. After starting the season 2–3, the Stars went 4–1 in their last five games, clinching a playoff berth in week 8 after a victory over the Michigan Panthers. They went on to beat the New Jersey Generals 19–14 in the North Division Championship game, earning them their first USFL Championship Game appearance. However, despite erasing a halftime 11-point deficit, they ultimately lost on a late touchdown to the Birmingham Stallions, 33–30.
On December 19, 2023, the USFL informed its players union that the Stars would not be among the four USFL teams to be contracted as part of the league's upcoming merger with the XFL.

Coach history

Head coach history

''*Andrus also served as the team offensive coordinator''

Statistics and records

Season-by-season record

Note: The finish, wins, losses, and ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play.
USFL championsDivision champions^Wild Card berth#

Mascot

On April 11, 2022, the Stars unveiled their mascot, a monstrous red creature that drew comparisons to other Philadelphia sports mascots Gritty and the Phillie Phanatic. The Stars then held a Twitter poll asking fans whether the mascot should be named "Astro", "Cosmo", or "Blob". "Blob" took 65 percent of the vote, and the name was confirmed on April 15. The Stars have offered few details about Blob besides describing him as "out of this world" and noting that he enjoys dancing.

Rivalries

Key Stone State Battle

The Philadelphia Stars shared a rivalry with their cross-state foes the Pittsburgh Maulers called the Key Stone State Battle. The Stars went 3–1 against Pittsburgh during both USFL seasons.