The Toros Charge Back: San Antonio Rejoins the Continental Football League
- CoFL Staff
- Oct 22
- 5 min read
Born of the Alamo Spirit
The San Antonio Toros are back—and this time, their horns are aimed at the future. On Wednesday, the Continental Football League (CoFL) officially announced the return of the historic Texas franchise as part of its 2026 re-launch.
The Toros join the Texas Syndicate in the CoFL’s Southern Division, signaling a new era of professional summer football built around community pride, player development, and fan ownership.
“The San Antonio Toros were one of the most electric teams in the original Continental Football League,” said CoFL Commissioner Mike Kelly. “They represented everything this league stands for—tough football, community pride, and a relentless drive to compete. Bringing them back connects the legacy of the past with the opportunity of the future.”
A Legendary Past: The 1969 Toros' Run to Glory
In 1969, the original Continental Football League expanded into Texas—and the San Antonio Toros quickly became the state’s powerhouse. Led by quarterback Sal Olivas and receiver R.A. Johnson, the Toros stormed through the Texas Division, defeating rivals from Odessa-Midland, Texarkana, and Tulsa to claim the Texas Division Championship.
Their season culminated in one of the most unforgettable games in minor-league history—the 1969 Continental Football League Championship Game against the Indianapolis Capitols.The Toros rallied from a ten-point deficit in the final minute, tying the game and forcing overtime before ultimately falling 44–38 in sudden death.
“The 1969 Toros never quit,” wrote Pro Football Weekly at the time. “It was the most major-league game this minor league ever produced.”
That game marked both the high point of the original league and the start of a legend that would endure for generations.
A New Era Begins
Now, more than five decades later, the Toros charge back under the direction of Joshua Mair, Managing Partner & Team President of the San Antonio Toros.
“Our organization is built on legacy and opportunity,” said Mair. “The Toros were pioneers of professional football in Texas. We’re proud to bring them back for a new generation of players and fans who deserve a summer of hard-hitting football right here in San Antonio.”
The Toros’ 36-man active roster will draw heavily from Texas universities and South-Central regional talent. In keeping with CoFL roster policy, at least 25 players on each team’s training-camp roster will be between 18 and 25 years old, giving young athletes a professional development bridge rarely available in modern football.
The Toros’ official colors—Old Brick Red, Black, and Victory White—symbolize the team’s fierce strength, deep roots, and clean, modern identity. Their modernized logo unites past and present for this storied franchise, embodying the power and pride that made San Antonio a force in the original Continental Football League.
Check out the Toro's Leadership Team
Follow the Toros on Instagram: @CoFLToros & X: @CoFLToros
Texas Football, Reimagined
The Southern Division will serve as the beating heart of the league’s relaunch, pairing Texas’ historic football passion with a modern, community-first structure. Alongside the Toros and the Texas Syndicate, additional Southern teams are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The CoFL season will run from mid-May through July, offering fans professional football during the summer window—a time when the gridiron typically falls silent. By positioning itself between spring and fall football, the league gives athletes extended development time while offering families and fans a fresh, affordable, high-energy entertainment option.
Each franchise will host three home games and three road games, plus a non-league game to start the season, allowing cities like San Antonio to make their team a centerpiece of summer celebration.
“We’re not trying to compete with fall football—we’re creating a new season for fans,” said Commissioner Mike Kelly. “Summer belongs to the Continental.”
Built for the Digital Age
While the Toros’ name carries deep history, the league’s platform is built for the modern era. The CoFL is developing a digital broadcast network to stream every game and original programming through a subscription model similar to NFL+ and ELF Game Pass.
The network will feature live broadcasts, behind-the-scenes series, and shows like The Continental Shift—highlighting the league’s signature fourth-quarter rule that blends the American and Canadian codes of football for faster, more open play.
Each team, including the Toros, will contribute original media content—from training-camp documentaries to player features and local community programming—turning every franchise into its own media brand.
A League Built for the Fans, by the Fans
The CoFL is pioneering a fan-ownership model, giving supporters the chance to buy official ownership shares and vote on selected team initiatives. Inspired by the Green Bay Packers and Wrexham AFC, this model ensures that every franchise is deeply rooted in its local community.
“We want fans to feel like they truly belong,” said Mair. “When you wear the Toros logo, it’s more than fandom—it’s ownership, it’s pride, it’s family.”
This structure guarantees transparency and long-term stability—a league owned by the people who fill its seats.
From 1969 to 2026 — Bridging Eras
Few franchises embody the spirit of revival like the San Antonio Toros. Their 1969 championship run remains a benchmark of toughness and heart, and their rebirth in 2025 represents the perfect bridge between the Continental’s past and its future.
As the CoFL builds toward its 2026 inaugural season, San Antonio stands as a cornerstone franchise—one that captures the essence of both eras: grit, community, and continental pride.
The league’s cohesive design language—built around Continental Blue and accented by each team’s local colors, such as the Toros’ Old Brick Red, Black, and Victory White—connects teams from Wheeling to Austin, Indianapolis to San Antonio, under one timeless banner: Continental Football — forged from the heart of the game.
What’s Next
Over the coming months, the Toros will announce:
Open tryouts for local and regional players
Training-camp invitations for 2026
Coaching-staff appointments
Stadium partnership details
Merchandise and fan-gear launch dates
Game days will showcase a complete Texas football experience—live music, tailgating, youth clinics, and community festivals designed to make every home game a celebration of San Antonio pride.
A Legacy Reborn
The San Antonio Toros aren’t just returning to play football—they’re redefining what professional football means for the next generation.
“The Continental Football League has always been about second chances and new beginnings,” said Commissioner Kelly. “The Toros embody that. Their comeback is our comeback.”
From 1969 champions to 2026 contenders, the Toros’ journey mirrors the league itself—built from grit, forged in faith, and reborn through community. When the horns sound in 2026, a legacy will roar again deep in the heart of Texas.
Follow the Toros:
Instagram: @CoFLToros
X: @CoFLToros
🌐 Team Updates: www.cofltoros.com
🌐 League Updates: www.coflfootball.com
About the Continental Football League: Founded in 1965 and reborn in 2025, the Continental Football League (CoFL) is a fan-owned professional football league that honors the heritage of the game while creating new opportunities for players and communities. Headquartered in Wheeling, West Virginia, the CoFL launches its modern era in 2026 with eight inaugural franchises across the United States.