Steve Ehrhart: Inside the 1980s Memphis Showboats and His Career in Sports

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Sandy Adams sits down with Steve Ehrhart — former President and General Manager of the Memphis Showboats (1980s)— for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unforgettable eras in Memphis sports.

Recruited to Memphis by cotton industry titan Billy Dunavant — in what Steve calls an offer he “couldn’t refuse” — he helped build a team designed to compete at an NFL level, signing multiple first-round draft picks and assembling a roster that would leave a lasting mark on the game. 

In this conversation, Steve shares:

•  The real story behind how he was recruited to Memphis 
•  What it took to build a winning franchise almost overnight 
•  The moment he realized Reggie White was unlike anyone else 
•  Why the USFL was actually succeeding… and what led to its collapse 
•  And how close Memphis came to becoming an NFL city 

Now the longtime Executive Director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Steve reflects on a career that spans leagues, teams, and decades of leadership in sports.

📘 Want to dive deeper into the Showboats story?

 Check out "The Memphis Showboats: The USFL Team and the City's Fight for Major League Status" by Dr. Keith B. Wood
Available on Amazon and at keithbwoodauthor.com

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