Pittsburgh Colts Join GDFL

Pittsburgh,PA-The Gridiron Developmental Football League is proud to announce the addition of The Pittsburgh Colts who are the oldest minor-league professional football team, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that is still in existence. The team was founded in 1979 by head coach Edward G. Brosky, a member of the Pittsburgh Panthers1976 national championship team.

The Colts initial run lasted from 1979 until 1987, when the team took a four-year hiatus. In 1981, the team advanced to the national championship game located in San Francisco, to play against the Twin City Cougars, who later became the Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League.^[1] 

The team also briefly disbanded after the 2000 season due its board of directors and coaching staff have become the ownership group of the Pittsburgh Ironmen, a new professional indoor football team set to begin competing in February 2001.

Brosky also played as a semi-pro football player while playing college football, until then-Panthers coach Johnny Majors found out and ended Brosky's moonlighting. When he left Pitt, Brosky continued to play for semi-pro teams in the area.

He started the Colts when other teams folded in the area.^[2] Since 1979, Brosky has either played for or coached the Colts.^[3] In 2004 Lisa Horton became the first woman to throw a touchdown pass in a North America Football League game ^[4]

The Colts enter the The Gridiron Developmental Football League and expect to continue their long history as minor developmental football team. And look forward to competing for a true National Championship 2022 and beyond.

Ed Brodsky stated, “that he was excited to get things moving for the upcoming 2022 season, After running into Mr.Thompson at last week’s GDFL National Championship game,Gridiron Bowl XII. Which was an unexpected and having a brief conversation,I knew that this was the league for my organization. It doesn’t get any better then joining a league. That produces a high level of quality football entertainment”.

“We are super excited about adding a team that has a lot tradition and history as we look to continue to expand and build with owners. That understand our philosophy and goals. We welcome the Colts organization and wish them nothing but success”.stated  Charles Thompson, GDFL Commissioner.