National Gridiron League delaying initial season

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Football fans in Southeast Texas eager to see the new indoor team coming to Beaumont will have to wait longer than expected.

National Gridiron League president Joe McClendon said on Wednesday the league's initial season will be postponed, not starting next month as originally scheduled. The Texas Bighorns, who signed a three-year lease to play home games at Ford Arena, were set to begin their season on April 6 in Albany, Georgia.

McClendon declined to expand on how long the delay will last, but said he will disclose that decision "very soon."

"This is not something where it's a problem with one specific city," McClendon said. "The current date was putting us in a crunch as far as promotional time. We just wanted to make sure that as a league, we were completely prepared and not rushing into this."

The Bighorns are the eighth professional sports team to try its luck in Southeast Texas dating back to the 1920s. The previous indoor football team to play at Ford Arena — the Beaumont Drillers — lasted six seasons and eventually failed because of financial problems.

McClendon said he hopes the delay doesn't lead fans in Beaumont to believe the Bighorns are next to fold.

"This is not because of a problem with Beaumont or anything like that," McCledon said. "They've had some bad experiences with teams, and we want to get it right."

A sign with the Texas Bighorns and National Gridiron League's logo during a press conference Tuesday at Ford Park about the National Gridiron League, a new professional football league starting this spring in with a team in Beaumont. Photo taken on Tuesday, 02/19/19. Ryan Welch/The Enterprise less A sign with the Texas Bighorns and National Gridiron League's logo during a press conference Tuesday at Ford Park about the National Gridiron League, a new professional football league starting this spring in ... more Photo: Ryan Welch, The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Welch, The Enterprise Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close National Gridiron League delaying initial season 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

The Bighorns do not practice at Ford Park, according to complex officials.

Attempts to reach coach Joshua Bush were unsuccessful.

MFaye@BeaumontEnterprise.com | Twitter.com/mattGfaye