THE DETROIT WHEELS World Football League (1974 - 1975)

The Wheels were founded December 13, 1973 by ten investors, whose number eventually grew to 33, including singer Marvin Gaye, Motown Records vice-president Esther Edwards, and pizza maker (and future Red Wings and Tigers owner) Mike Ilitch.

A slew of problems plagued the Wheels. After being shot down by Tiger Stadium (home of the Lions at the time) and the University of Michigan, the Wheels signed a deal to play at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti - 37 miles from downtown Detroit!

Things weren't encouraging on the field, either. The Wheels had a decent quarterback in Bubba Wyche (brother of NFL quarterback and later coach Sam Wyche), but little in the way of protection (he was sacked eleven times in one game) or receivers. Only 10,631 people attended their first home game, and their final home game drew only 6,351 fans.

After losing their first ten games (half the projected twenty-game season), the Wheels got their only win, 15-14 over the Florida Blazers at Orlando. On September 24, the Wheels faced the New York Stars in Downing Stadium, losing 37-7 in what proved to be the Stars' last game before moving to Charlotte. After a 14-11 loss to the Shreveport Steamers, the Wheels cancelled their remaining 6 games and folded for good.

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