By Darin Every date on the calendar holds hidden gems of NFL history, but December 22nd stands out as a nexus of transformative moments spanning nearly eight decades. It is a day marked by the foundation of future dynasties, the birth of legends, and jaw-dropping individual performances that redefined what was possible on the gridiron. From the 1942 Draft, where “Bullet” Bill Dudley was first selected, to the championship grit of Otto Graham in the AAFC, and the record-setting brilliance of modern stars, this date encapsulates the rich, enduring narrative of professional football.
December 22 Football History Timeline
- On December 22, 1941, the 1942 NFL Draft took place, and “Bullet” Bill Dudley from the University of Virginia was the first pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bullet Bill ended up leading the NFL in rushing his rookie season with 696 yards with Pittsburgh. Dudley had a brilliant career and even earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his playing days were over. There was only one other player from this draft that made the HOF, and he was the 135th pick by the Detroit Lions, End Max Speedie, per the Pro-Football -Reference website.
- December 22, 1946 – Cleveland Municipal Stadium – The AAFC championship game was played as the New York Yankees Football club invaded Cleveland to face the Browns for the AAFC Title. The Browns came out victorious as they defeated the Yankees 14-9 in a close one. Pro-Football-Reference.com informs us that Cleveland Quarterback Otto Graham threw a 16-yard 4th quarter touchdown pass to receiver Dante Lavelli for the go-ahead score to lead the Browns to yet another championship.
- December 22, 1985 – Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Stephone Paige put up 309 yards of receiving against the San Diego Chargers defense, which was an NFL record. According to Bleacher Report, Stephone averaged 38 yards per catch in the game and had two different QBs throwing to him, as Todd Blackledge and Bill Kenney each were in as signal callers for the Chiefs! The record was broken in 1989 by Flipper Anderson of the Los Angeles Rams, who finished a game with 336 yards against the New Orleans Saints, but Anderson reached his lofty mark with some catches in overtime, whereas Paige earned all of his yardage in the regular 60 minutes. KC needed every bit of Paige’s efforts, too, as they overcame the Chargers 38-34 in the contest.
December 22, 1996 – Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina – Per a story on the SteelersDepot.On the website, Pittsburgh’s Kordell Stewart holds the NFL record for an 80-yard touchdown. “Slash” Stewart weaved his way through a stout Carolina Panthers defense to put the Steelers ahead in the low-scoring game. The score did not hold up, though, as the Panthers rallied to win 18-14 over Pittsburgh.- December 22, 2019 – New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas set an NFL record for most catches in a season, according to a NewOrleansSaints.com website story. Thomas, in the contest, raised his season total to 144 catches as the Saints knocked off the Tennessee Titans 38-28. Michael Thomas’ new milestone breaks a 17-year-old record once held by Indianapolis Colts Marvin Harrison when he posted a season total of 143.
December 22 Football Hall of Fame Birthday
Ray Guy once said,
“Working together and learning the responsibility of not only you with your inner self and your job and your responsibilities, but also working with other people next to you,”
Advising that teamwork and accountability in football and life are integral to success.
Conclusion
December 22nd truly encapsulates the rich, evolving tapestry of the NFL. It’s a day marked by the league’s constant progression—from the 1940s AAFC championship clinched by Otto Graham to the groundbreaking athleticism of Kordell Stewart and the statistical dominance of Michael Thomas. These milestones, coupled with the ongoing legacy of legends like Ray Guy, ensure that this date will forever be etched in the annals of football greatness, proving that history-making moments can erupt across every era and every position.
Special thanks to all of our above sources including Pro-Football-Reference.com
