World giants vie here: Fire vs. Birmingham

Chicago’s feisty Firemen will discover tonight just how un-American they can get.

It is the first genuine showdown of the World Football League: the Fire (6-1) versus the unbeaten Birmingham Americans at Soldier Field. Kickoff is at 8:10 pm, and the nationally-televised contest will be blocked out in the Chicago area.

Fire chiefs are also expecting their biggest crowd of the year, over 40,000, based on the demand for tickets in recent days.

All week the Fire has been trying to play down the importance of this game, but it can no longer. Not only does the confrontation determine superiority in the Central Division, but it represents the first leg of a demanding schedule of four games in 14 days.

“I hope our players are up for it,” said Fire Coach Jim Spavital.

Chicago’s opponent is regarded as the WFL’s showcase team – at the bank and on the field. The Americans are enormously popular in football hungry Birmingham and have established what they call a “blue collar” following. About 3,000 persons have been on hand to welcome the Americans home from victorious road trips, prompting Coach Jack Gotta to confess: “I feel like a rock and roll idol.”

Money as well as hope has been invested in this team, whose multi-faceted offense reflects Gotta’s tenure in the Canadian Football League. The American’s highest paid player is ex-Washington Running Back Charlie Harraway, and teaming with him in the backfield is Paul Robinson, a Rookie of the Year at Cincinnati in 1968.

Arriving for next year are Pittsburgh Defensive Tackle LC Greenwood, Atlanta Tight End Jim Mitchell and Detroit Wide Receiver Ron Jessie. Oakland Quarterback Ken Stabler, a former Alabama star, is due for 1976.

“This is the entertainment business,” says owner Bill Putnam, “and you have to spend money, money for advertising in order to make money.” That the Americans are doing, leading the WFL in attendance [only a trifle padded] and averaging 59,553 in 68,000-seat Legion Field.

Even so, the Americans are winning the hard way. They’ve had to come from behind in five of their seven games, winning by less than a touchdown in each of them. Their hero last week against Jacksonville was Matthew Reed, a 6-4 black quarterback from Grambling, who scored an action point with six seconds left to beat the Sharks, 15-14.

But, Spavital fears their explosiveness, nonetheless. “They’ll throw the bomb seven or eight times a game,” he said. Birmingham’s bombee is Alfred Jenkins, who’s gained 550 yards on only 18 catches. Their top receiver, Dennis Homan, separated his breast bone last week and is not expected to suit up.

Nor is the Fire’s free safety, Joe Womack. His left knee never improved to his or Spavital’s satisfaction and Harry Howard will be moved from his cornerback spot.

Chicago, of course, can boast an equally-potent attack. Virgil Carter is the WFL leader in completion percentage, and Running Backs Mark Kellar and Cyril Pinder are raked No. 2 and No. 4, respectively. James Scott is the second-leading receiver in the league.