Gridiron Developmental Football League
The Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL) is a low-level minor professional football league based in Memphis, Tennessee using the franchise model.[1][2] The league has a partnering agreement with the EFLI for player development.[3]
Current season, competition or edition: | |
Sport | American football |
---|---|
Founded | 2010 |
No. of teams | 46 |
Countries | United States |
Official website | www.gdfl.org |
As of January 2020, the league has 46 teams, including two former indoor teams: The Tampa Bay Warriors (formerly the Florida Scorpions) and the Myrtle Beach Sharks (previously from the Arena Pro Football).[4]
History of GDFL
The league was founded in 2009 and formed in 2010, with Charles Thompson as the founder and first president, as representatives of several Regional Minor Pro Football teams.[1][5][6]
GDFL Inaugural Teams
Memphis Blast, Arkansas Pirates, Carolina Warriors, Mississippi Raiders, Huntsville Hurricanes, Derby City Thunder, Hopkinsville Marauders, River City Raptors, Kentucky Wolverines, Ohio Browns, Columbus Gladiators ,Tristate Sharks, Goshen Rampage, North Carolina Bengals, Lumberton Razorbacks, Carolina Cougars, Carolina Lions, Carolina Warhawks, Carolina Warriors, Port City Snipers, Beaufort Broncos, Palmetto Havoc, Palmetto State Spartans, CSRA Cobras, Georgia Crush, Rock Hill Scorpions, Lake Norman Fear, Ashville Grizzlies.
GDFL National Champions
- 2010 Gridiron Bowl I (Carolina Warriors 13-0)
- 2011 Gridiron Bowl II (Chambersburg Cardinals 13-0)
- 2012 Gridiron Bowl III (Central Penn Piranha 13-0)
- 2013 Gridiron Bowl IV (Oklahoma Thunder 13-0)
- 2014 Gridiron Bowl V (Central Penn Piranha 12-0) - *Vacated by League due to team leaving league after season was over.
- 2015 Gridiron Bowl VI (Nashville Storm 11-0)
- 2016 Gridiron Bowl VII (Oklahoma Thunder 11-0)
- 2017 Gridiron Bowl VIII (Oklahoma Thunder 11-0)
- 2018 Gridiron Bowl IX (Oklahoma Thunder 11-0)
- 2019 Gridiron Bowl X (Oklahoma Thunder 10-1)
GDFL Commissioners
George Burch (2017-)
Devin Richardson (2015- 2017)
Steven Roper (2014-2015)
Charles Thompson (2010-2014)
Notable players
- Delvin Breaux
- De'Mon Glanton
- Tyron Carrier
- Keon Lattimore
References
- "Gridiron Developmental Football League - About". Gridiron Developmental Football League. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- "Joplin Crusaders add second team".
- "Oklahoma Thunder Football agrees to foreign exchange player program".
- "Pro Arena Team Joins GDFL".
- "When it comes to football D-leagues, resources are crucial, but locality may be the real key". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- Wallace, Scott (January 23, 2018). "Bulldawgs Join Gridiron Developmental Football League". The Tennessee Tribune. Retrieved December 14, 2018.