By Darin December 19 has seen the NFL showcase resilience and achievement. This date marks two early championships: the Frankford Yellow Jackets’ record-setting 1926 title and the New York Giants’ dominant 1927 crown. Notable events include the freezing 1948 ‘Philly Blizzard’ game, the unusual 1976 stadium plane crash, and the birthdays of Hall of Famers Reggie White, Bobby Layne, and Warren Sapp. The date reflects the sport’s history, from snow-covered championship fields to record-breaking careers.
December 19 Football History Timeline
- December 19, 1926, National Football League Championship Game: The Frankford Yellow Jackets claimed the title with a 14-1-2 record. In the League’s first dozen years, the best record at season’s end determined the champs. The Frankford franchise dates back to 1899. After a couple of decades, the Jackets became a top independent squad. Frankford officially joined the NFL in 1924 and posted an impressive 11-2-1 record that first year, according to a Penn State Research article. The 1926 season posed challenges, as Pennsylvania law banned Sunday games. The Yellow Jackets often played at home on Saturdays, then away on Sundays. Signing Guy Chamberlain, formerly of the Canton Bulldogs, as player-coach in 1925 made a big difference. Guy led Frankford to a 12-1-1 record before the season’s biggest game, a clash with the undefeated Chicago Bears and their star Red Grange. Philadelphia’s press labeled this the game for the NFL Title, though both teams had two other games remaining. Most of the first half was a defensive stalemate. Chicago broke the tie with a touchdown in the third quarter, but Guy Chamberlain blocked the Bears’ extra point. The Yellow Jackets drove late in the game, facing a critical fourth-and-3 deep in Bear territory. The only choice: go for it. Houston Stockton completed a clutch touchdown pass to “Two Bits” Homan, tying the score. Frankford made the extra point, earning victory and the top NFL spot. Frankford won its last two games. The Bears tied the Packers and beat Pottsville to finish second. Frankford’s 14 victories in 1926 remained an NFL record for 58 years until the 1984 San Francisco 49ers posted 15 wins.
- 1927: The New York Giants Earn Their First NFL Championship. On December 19, with an 11-1-1 record in only their third League year, the Giants claimed the franchise’s first NFL title. They shut out 10 opponents and allowed only three touchdowns all season, outscoring opponents 197-20.
- 1947: Washington Redskins Select Harry Gilmer First Overall. At the Fort Pitt Hotel in Pittsburgh on December 19, the Redskins chose Harry Gilmer with the top 1948 NFL Draft pick. He had a strong 9-year career. However, players picked later, including Bobby Layne (3rd) and Y.A. Tittle (6th), arguably had more productive careers. The Redskins also picked Lowell Tew fourth overall.
- 1948 (AAFC): Cleveland Browns Win the AAFC Championship. OnDecember 19 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, the Browns demolished the Buffalo Bills 49-7, as per Pro-Football-Reference.
- December 19, 1948 – Shibe Park, Philadelphia – Interestingly, the AAFC held its title game on the same day as the NFL championship game. The NFL Championship also kicked off, with the Chicago Cardinals facing the Philadelphia Eagles. According to PFRA’s Ken Crippen, who wrote a detailed article on the game, the kickoff temperature was a chilly 27 degrees. Field workers removed nearly five inches of snow from the tarp, but heavy snow and strong winds kept falling. Stadium lights stayed on for the whole game. The snow was so bad that officials had to guess where the goal line and sidelines were. As someone who has officiated on a grass field in a snowstorm, finding white lines in white snow is tough! The defenses controlled the game. The only score came in the third quarter. Cardinal Ray Moulof fumbled at his own 17, and the Eagles recovered. A few plays later, Steve Van Buren scored for Philly. The Eagles blanked the Cardinals 7-0 in “the Philly Blizzard.”
- December 19, 1976: Baltimore Memorial Stadium Airplane Incident. On December 19, just minutes after the Colts-Steelers game ended, a Piper Cherokee crashed into the stands at Baltimore Memorial Stadium. No one was seriously hurt, though an officer was hit by the aircraft. In the game, the Colts lost 40-14 to Pittsburgh.
December 19 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- Frank “Nordy” Hoffman
- Bobby Layne
- Reggie White
- Randall McDaniel
- Jake Plummer
Conclusion
From the defensive struggles of the 1920s to the legendary careers forged in the latter half of the century, December 19 is an indelible date in football drama. Whether it was the Frankford Yellow Jackets setting a win record that stood for 58 years, or the Philadelphia Eagles fighting through a blizzard for a title, this day captures the essence of perseverance. With the births of iconic Hall of Famers like Reggie White, Bobby Layne, Randall McDaniel, and Warren Sapp, December 19th shines as a nexus of championship history and individual brilliance.
