1977 NAFL season (Jayverse)

The 1977 North American Football League Season was the 58th Regular Season of the North American Football League

Major Rule Changes

 * The head slap is outlawed. This change is referred to as the "Deacon Jones Rule"; the Los Angeles (now Cincinnati) Chargers' defensive end frequently used this technique.
 * Any shoe worn by a player with an artificial limb must have a kicking surface that conforms to that of a normal kicking shoe. Informally referred to as the "Tom Dempsey Rule." Dempsey is a record-breaking placekicker whose modified shoe (having a flattened and enlarged toe area) on his deformed kicking foot generated controversy during his career.
 * Defenders are only permitted to make contact with receivers once.
 * Defenders are not allowed to make contact with an opponent above the shoulders with the palms of their hands, except to ward him off the line.
 * Offensive linemen are not allowed to thrust their hands to a defender’s neck, face, or head.
 * Wide receivers are not allowed to clip defenders.
 * This was the first season when the statistic for time of possession began to be recorded.

New Referees
Tommy Bell retired after the 1976 season. His line judge, Jerry Markbreit, was named his successor. Bell worked two Super Bowls, III and VII. Markbreit would work four Super Bowls, and is (as of 2019) the only referee to achieve this.

Draft
The 1977 NAFL Draft saw the Mexico City Diablos getting their first pick to select WR Stanley Morgan from Tennessee, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got their 2nd pick to draft USC RB Ricky Bell

Other Selections in the Rookie Draft

Boston Patriots draft Raymond Clayborn (FS)

Miami Dolphins draft A.J. Duhe (LB)

Oakland Raiders draft Wesley Walker (WR)

San Francisco 49ers draft Tony Hill (WR)

Los Angeles Rams draft Bob Brudzinski (LB)

Baltimore Colts draft Blanchard Carter (T)

Cleveland Browns draft Oliver Davis (FS)

Saskatchewan Roughriders draft Preston Young (FS)

Chicago Bears draft Ted Albrecht (T)

Montreal Beavers draft Hector Pothier (T)

Minnesota Vikings draft Tommy Kramer (QB)

Detroit Lions draft Walt Williams (CB)

Pittsburgh Steelers draft Robin Cole (LB)

Edmonton Elks draft Leon Lyszkiewicz (DT)

Buffalo Bills draft Phil Dokes (DT)

St. Louis Gunners draft Steve Pisarkiewicz (QB)

Final Standings
NFC East: Washington Redskins (12-6), Philadelphia Eagles (9-9), Baltimore Colts (9-9), New York Giants (6-12), Montreal Alouettes (3-15)

NFC Central: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-7), Chicago Bears (8-10), Green Bay Packers (8-10), Cleveland Browns (8-10), Minnesota Vikings (5-13)

NFC Mountain: Saskatchewan Roughriders (15-3), Denver Broncos (9-9), Calgary Stampeders (8-10), Edmonton Eskimos (6-12), Salt Lake City Pioneers (3-15)

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers (15-3), Los Angeles Rams (15-3), Portland Loggers (9-9), Las Vegas Gambers (8-10), Dallas Cowboys (7-11)

CFC East: Halifax Schooners (14-4), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (13-5), Ottawa Northmen (13-5), Boston Patriots (6-12), New York Empire (4-14)

CFC Central: Toronto Argonauts (14-4), Detroit Lions (11-7), Buffalo Bills (10-8), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-10), Cincinnati Bengals (3-15)

CFC South: Miami Dolphins (13-5), Memphis Grizzlies (10-8), Birmingham Vulcans (9-9), Atlanta Falcons (9-9), Houston Oilers (5-13)

CFC West: Seattle Jets (15-3), Los Angeles Chargers (10-8), British Columbia Cardinals (8-10), Phoenix Firebirds (6-12), Sacramento Raiders (5-13)

Playoffs
Halas Cup Quarterfinals

Washington Redskins 48, Portland Loggers 34

San Francisco 49ers 33, Pittsburgh Steelers 21

Grey Cup Quarterfinals

Ottawa Northmen 31, Halifax Schooners 28

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30, Miami Dolphins 27

Halas Cup Semi-Finals

Washington Redskins 30, Saskatchewan Roughriders 27

San Francisco 49ers 31, Los Angeles Rams 24

Grey Cup Semi-Finals

Ottawa Northmen 35, Toronto Argonauts 33

Seattle Jets 45, Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31

Halas Cup Final

Washington Redskins 28, San Francisco 49ers 21

Grey Cup Final

Seattle Jets 48, Ottawa Northmen 28

18th World Series of Football (at the Kingdome in Seattle, WA)

Seattle Jets 23, Washington Redskins 17

NAFL All-Star Game (at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA)

Continental All-Stars 35, National All-Stars 26

Awards
League MVP: Bob Griese (QB - San Francisco 49ers)

Playoff MVP: Derek Jackson (QB - Seattle Jets)

Offensive POTY: Bob Griese (QB - San Francisco 49ers)

Defensive POTY: Richie Cromer (FS - Sacramento Raiders)

Offensive ROTY: Pete Johnson (RB - Washington Redskins)

Defensive POTY: Robin Cole (LB - Pittsburgh Steelers)