Newton Nite Hawks The Newton Nite Hawks were a semi - pro American football team that played in Newton , Iowa from 1974 - 1978 . They were members of the Chicagoland Football League ( CFL ) and Northern States Football League ( NSFL ) . They were the first professional or semi - professional team to play American football on the European continent . History . Founded by local businessmen Jim Foster and Jim Williams in 1974 , the Newton Nite Hawks were coached by Tom Ross during their first season . The team earned their first ever franchise victory by defeating the Brighton Park Bengals 48 - 0 . After a slow start , the Nite Hawks went on to win 4 of their last 5 games and earned a spot in the CFL playoffs . They were the first team in CFL history to make the playoffs in their first year of operation . The Nite Hawks finished their inaugural season 5 - 5 - 1 . The 1975 season was a breakout year for the Nite Hawks . Jim Williams took over the head coaching duties as the team finished 10 - 2 , won the American Division Title and captured the CFL championship with a 17 - 7 win over the Niles Saints . Statistically , the Nite Hawks led the league many categories , including total offense and total defense . In their third year of existence , the 1976 Nite Hawks made the league playoffs for the third consecutive year under new coach Dick Altemeier . The team finished the season 6 - 5 after a loss to the Delavan ( Wisconsin ) Red Devils in the first round of the CFL playoffs . The Newton Nite Hawks made football history in 1977 . Through the entrepreneurial efforts of Jim Foster , the Newton Nite Hawks were chosen to play a 5 - game football tour in Europe ( see below ) with the Chicago Lions in early June . After winning all 5 games in Europe , the Nite Hawks posted a 7 - 3 record in the 1977 NSFL regular season . Additionally , the Nite Hawks became a member of the Northern States Football League and played all home games at H . A . Lynn Field after three previous seasons at Holland Patterson Field . In their final year in Newton , the Nite Hawks finished 5 - 5 in 1978 under coach Herb Taylor . European Championship . In an effort to establish and promote American football in Europe , the Nite Hawks were the first professional team ( pro or semi - pro ) at any level to play American football on the European continent . Organized by the Intercontinental Football League ( IFL ) , the Nite Hawks and league rival Chicago Lions played a 5 game tour in 3 countries during June , 1977 . Games were played in Versailles , France ; Lille , France ; Landstuhl , Germany ; Gratz Austria ; and Vienna , Austria . The games in Lille and Gratz drew 21 , 000 and 13 , 000 fans respectively . The Nite Hawks swept the Lions , winning all 5 contests and the first ( and only ) European Professional Football Championship . The IFL attempted to schedule additional games in Linz , Austria and Bucharest , Romania , but logistics and politics proved too difficult for the contests to take place . Nite Hawk running back Mark Fetter scored the first professional touchdown on European soil , a 6 yard run en route to the Nite Hawk ’ s victory in Versailles , France . Home Field . The Nite Hawks played their home games in Newton at Holland - Patterson Memorial Field ( 1974 – 1976 ) and H . A . Lynn Field ( 1977 – 1978 ) . The team often practiced at Industrial Park located in the north end of Newton . Colors . Black and Gold Uniforms . The Nite Hawks wore 3 uniform tops during their 5 year history : Road jerseys were white with black numerals and lettering . Pants : Gold with single black stripe on each side . Helmets : Gold shell with black center stripe . Circular black Nite Hawk insignia decals adorn each side of the helmet . Facemasks were grey . Players . Nite Hawks in the American Football Association ( AFA ) Minor League Pro Football Hall of Fame :