By Darin The 1951 American football season was a landmark year that shaped the modern landscapes of both collegiate and professional gridiron history. It was characterized by the dominance of legendary teams, historic individual performances, and crucial rule evolutions.
College Football: The National Champion and the Heisman
In the collegiate ranks, the Tennessee Volunteers, coached by General Robert Neyland, were voted the national champions in the final AP Poll, concluding their regular season undefeated. Notably, the postseason bowls did not factor into the championship wrap-up at the time, resulting in a unique historical footnote when Tennessee later lost to Maryland in the Sugar Bowl.
On an individual level, Princeton running back Dick Kazmaier captured the Heisman Trophy in a landslide victory, showcasing the final golden era of the classic single-wing formation.
Professional Football: The NFL Championship
In the National Football League (NFL), the 1951 season culminated in a thrilling title rematch. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cleveland Browns 24–17 in the NFL Championship Game.
Led by a revolutionary, high-powered passing offense featuring quarterbacks Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin, alongside star receivers Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch and Tom Fears, the Rams became the first team to have their local home games televised, marking a massive milestone for the sport’s commercial broadcasting future.
A Deep Dive into 1951 Football History and Highlights
- January 1, 1951 – The 37th Rose Bowl Game was played as the Michigan Wolverines defeated the California Golden Bears, 14-6, on two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
- January 14, 1951 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – The very first NFL Pro Bowl game took place.
- January 18, 1951 – Rule revisions were adopted at the NFL Winter meetings. A rule was instituted that made guards, tackles, and centers ineligible to receive the forward pass, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This rule change led to making the game what it is today, as there can only be 6 eligible receivers on any given play, the widest player on each end of the line, and the four in the backfield. The NFL took control of the original failing Baltimore Colts franchise. Colts owner Abraham Watner returned the Baltimore franchise and its player contracts to the NFL for $50,000. These former Baltimore Colts players were made available in the upcoming 1951 NFL Draft, along with college players. The Colts were originally members of the AAFC, and when that league disbanded, they, along with the Browns and the 49ers, were absorbed into the NFL.
- January 18, 1951 – The 1951 NFL Draft took place right after the meeting above was completed. Kyle Rote from SMU was the first pick by the New York Giants. Future Hall of Famers that came out of this Draft were quarterback Y.A. Tittle as the 3rd overall pick by the 49ers, Dan Stanfel by the Lions at 19, and the Bears taking Bill George with the 23rd pick.
- September 28, 1951 – The Dutchman, Norm Van Brocklin of the LA Rams, threw for an NFL record 554 yards on opening day.
- October 14, 1951 – Detroit Lions return man, Jack Christiansen, takes 2 punts to the house for touchdowns against the LA Rams. Pro-football-reference.com recorded the game’s statistics, noting Jack’s first return as a 69-yarder in the second quarter of a Doak Walker punt. The second return for a score occurred in the final stanza as Christianson took another of Walker’s 4th Down field flippers 49 yards to paydirt. Though the returns helped the Lions on the scoreboard, they did not win the game as the Rams triumphed 27-21.
- November 4, 1951 – NYC, New York – The New York Football Giants and the New York Yanks score back-to-back touchdowns on kickoff returns.
- November 17, 1951 – The Notre Dame football program earns its 400th victory as the Irish outlast the Tarheels of the University of North Carolina 12-7.
- November 24, 1951 – Varsity Stadium, Toronto – The 39th Grey Cup Final for the CFL Championship was played. In the tight game, the Ottawa Rough Riders came out victorious, claiming their 4th Championship with a 21-14 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Roughriders scratched and clawed their way into the big game as they finished with a record of 8-6, not to be confused with the Champion Ottawa Rough Riders. That must have been a tough one to listen to on the radio broadcast when the Roughriders played the Rough Riders!
- November 25, 1951 – Cleveland Municipal Stadium – The Chicago Bears traveled to face the reigning champion Cleveland Browns, according to grayflannelsuit.com. It was a record-setting day. Cleveland halfback Dub Jones tied the NFL record for most touchdowns in a game as he punched through the Bears’ defense six times to find paydirt in the Browns’ 42-21 win versus the Bears. The most tired team on the field had to be the officials, who threw flags and handed out penalties like it was Halloween candy. The Cleveland Browns were penalized a record 209 yards on 21 offenses, while Chicago had 16 penalties for 165 yards.
- December 2, 1951 – The Philadelphia Eagles powered past the Washington Redskins 35-21 at Griffith Stadium, setting an NFL record by rushing for 25 first downs.
- December 2, 1951 – The Green Bay Packers retired jersey number 14, honoring future Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Don Hutson.
- December 2, 1951 – Alabama knocked off Auburn 25-7 in the 16th Iron Bowl, securing another victory for the Tide at Legion Field in Birmingham.
- December 23, 1951 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – The NFL Championship featured the Rams hosting the Browns in the first coast-to-coast televised title game. The DuMont Network paid $95,000 for broadcast rights. Earl Gillespie and Harry Wismer called the game. Legendary quarterbacks, Otto Graham and Norm Van Brocklin, led their teams. Pivotal moments included Graham’s third-quarter fumble, leading to an LA score. After the Browns tied it, they drove 70 yards for a Ken Carpenter touchdown, but the Rams answered. Tom Fears caught a Van Brocklin pass and ran 73 yards for the game-winning touchdown. The Rams beat the Browns 24-17.