By Darin Few dates in football history contain the sheer volume of record-breaking moments and unforgettable upsets as December 2. This single day features the origin of one of the game’s most essential safety tools—the first-ever leather helmet—and an NFL record that cemented Dan Marino‘s legend. However, the day is most famous for monumental college football moments: Ohio State running back Archie Griffin captured his second consecutive Heisman Trophy, a feat still unmatched, and the Iron Bowl delivered one of its most legendary outcomes when Auburn famously blocked two punts for touchdowns to defeat Alabama in the “Punt Bama Punt!” game. Dive into the archives to relive these and many more incredible moments.
December 2 Football History Headlines: The Day Archie Griffin Made History, and Auburn Shouted “Punt Bama Punt!”
- December 2, 1893: Many claim the leather helmet first appeared in football on this date. Admiral Joseph Mason Reeve, fearing “instant insanity” from another head injury, commissioned an Annapolis shoemaker to fashion a protective moleskin hat with earflaps. Reeve wore this first version during the annual Army-Navy game.
- December 2, 1901: George Owen, a swift Harvard halfback and a standout hockey and baseball athlete, was born. His brilliant collegiate career earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
- December 2, 1922: Queen’s University won the first of three consecutive titles, defeating the Edmonton Elks 13-1 at Richardson Stadium in Kingston during the 10th Grey Cup.
- December 2, 1940: Willie Brown, the great Oakland Raiders cornerback, was born. He intercepted 54 passes over his 16-year AFL/NFL career, including a 75-yard pick-six in Super Bowl XI, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined him in 1984.
- December 2, 1944: Ohio State halfback/quarterback Les Horvath won the 10th Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Buckeye recipient. Horvath, who returned for a special fourth year due to World War II eligibility rules, led the 9-0 Buckeyes to a Big Ten title and a No. 2 national ranking.
- December 2, 1947: Notre Dame quarterback Johnny Lujack claimed the 13th Heisman Trophy, becoming the school’s second winner. Lujack helped the Fighting Irish secure the national title with a 9-0 record.
- December 2, 1950 – Navy Upsets Army to end a long-lasting win streak.
- December 2, 1950: The Alabama Crimson Tide dominated Auburn 34-0 in the 15th Iron Bowl at Legion Field in Birmingham.
- 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 2, 1952: Oklahoma halfback Billy Vessels won the 18th Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Sooner and the first Heisman winner to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
- December 2, 1953: Randy Rhino, a great defensive back from Georgia Tech and the school’s first three-time All-America selection, was born. The National Football Foundation inducted him into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
- December 2, 1957: The Chicago Cardinals selected Rice University quarterback King Hill as the top choice in the NFL Draft.
- December 2, 1958: Army halfback Pete Dawkins, a dual-threat runner and southpaw passer, won the 24th Heisman Trophy after leading the Black Knights to an undefeated 1958 season.
- December 2, 1958: The Green Bay Packers used the first pick of the 1959 NFL Draft on Iowa quarterback Randy Duncan, the Heisman runner-up who famously received a kiss from Jayne Mansfield at Bob Hope’s request.
- December 2, 1961: Alabama dominated the 26th Iron Bowl in Birmingham, shutting out rival Auburn 34-0.
- December 2, 1961: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers claimed their sixth title, defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 21-14 in the 49th CFL Grey Cup at CNE Stadium in Toronto.
- December 2, 1962: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers narrowly edged the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 28-27 in the 50th Grey Cup, completing the game on a Sunday after dense fog suspended the contest the previous day.
- December 2, 1963: The San Francisco 49ers used the first pick of the 1964 NFL Draft to select Texas Tech wide receiver Dave Parks.
- December 2, 1967: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 24-1 in the 55th CFL Grey Cup at Landsdowne Park in Ottawa.
- December 2, 1967: In the “Run in the Mud” game, Alabama Quarterback Kenny Stabler busted loose for a 47-yard touchdown scramble, giving the #8 Crimson Tide a tight 7-3 victory in the 32nd Iron Bowl.
- December 2, 1972: The 37th Iron Bowl became famous for the “Punt Bama Punt!” game. Auburn defensive back Bill Newton blocked two Alabama punts in the fourth quarter, and David Langner returned both for touchdowns, allowing Auburn to edge the Tide 17-16.
- December 2, 1974: Pat Fitzgerald, a former standout linebacker and current successful head coach for the Northwestern Wildcats, was born. The National Football Foundation inducted him into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
- December 2, 1975: Ohio State running back Archie Griffin made history by becoming the first—and still only—player to win the Heisman Trophy in two consecutive seasons.
- December 2, 1978: Alabama defeated Auburn 34-16 in the 43rd Iron Bowl at Birmingham’s Legion Field.
- December 2, 1984: Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino broke the NFL single-season touchdown pass record with his 37th scoring strike, though his team lost 45-34 to the Oakland Raiders.
- December 2, 1985: During the Chicago Bears’ only loss of their historic 1985 season, head coach Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan nearly fought in the halftime locker room as the out-of-sync Bears suffered a 38-24 defeat against the Miami Dolphins.
- December 2, 1989: University of Houston quarterback Andre Ware won the 55th Heisman Trophy Award.
- December 2, 1989: Auburn took care of business in the 54th Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium, handing the Crimson Tide a 30-20 loss.
- December 2, 1995: The #2 Florida Gators cruised past the #23 Arkansas Razorbacks 34-3 in the 4th SEC Championship Game.
- December 2, 2000: In the 9th SEC Championship Game, the #7 Florida Gators cruised past the #18 Auburn Tigers 28-6.
- December 2, 2000: The #1 Oklahoma Sooners outlasted the #8 Kansas State Wildcats 27-24 to win the 5th Big 12 Championship Game.
- December 2, 2006: The #4 Florida Gators triumphed over the #8 Arkansas Razorbacks 38-28 in the 15th SEC Championship Game.
- December 2, 2006: The #16 Wake Forest Demon Deacons edged the #23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 9-6 in a nail-biter at the 2nd ACC Championship Game.
- December 2, 2006: The #8 Oklahoma Sooners outlasted the #19 Nebraska Huskers 21-7 in the 11th Big 12 Championship Game.
December 2 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- George Owen
- Willie Brown
- Randy Rhino
- Pat Fitzgerald
Conclusion
From the invention of the moleskin helmet to the record-setting dominance of Archie Griffin, December 2 serves as a powerful microcosm of football’s rich history. This single date encapsulates legendary Iron Bowl moments like “Punt Bama Punt!” and the “Run in the Mud,” as well as key NFL milestones, including the retirement of Don Hutson’s jersey and Dan Marino’s record-setting season. December 2 proves that whether the stage is the Heisman Trophy ceremony or the CFL’s Grey Cup, this time of year always delivers defining moments of gridiron greatness.