By Darin On this day in gridiron history, the landscape of professional football changed forever. February 13 marks the pivotal 1937 decision that moved the Boston Redskins to Washington, D.C., launching one of the NFL’s most storied—and debated—franchise legacies. But the significance of this date doesn’t stop there. From the birth of legendary “freak” athlete Randy Moss to Peyton Manning’s Pro Bowl dominance and the induction of College Football Hall of Fame icons, we are diving deep into the milestones that define February 13 in football history.
Let us enjoy a bit of football history through some World War II-era program cover art.
Football History Timeline of February 13
- On February 13, 1937, the Boston Redskins received NFL approval to move to Washington, D.C., to share baseball’s Griffith Stadium with the Washington Senators of Major League Baseball’s American League. The franchise started in Boston as the Braves in 1932. In a July 5, 1933, Boston Globe article, franchise owner George Marshall announced publicly that he was changing the team’s nickname to the Redskins to avoid confusion with the Boston Braves of the American League. Marshall, interestingly enough, credited the name selection on his counsel with naming Native American Head Coach Lone Star Dietz and several players of Native American descent on the 1933 squad. It is speculated, though, that the motivation to change the moniker went further than that, as after a financially devastating and poorly attended season in 1932, Marshall really abandoned the Braves name in favor of the Redskins to try and find financial stability for his club. According to a piece on the Sports Team History website, the team also moved their home field to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Redsox baseball team, to further distance themselves from the Boston Braves and possibly rally fan support for the professional football team. After five frustrating seasons and poor support from the community and the press, Marshall asked for permission to move the team to the Nation’s Capital. After the League office’s approval, the franchise thrived in D.C., winning multiple championships as the Washington Redskins from 1937 through 2019. In 2020, out of respect for the degrading connotation of the Redskins name with Native Americans the franchise was referred to as the Washington Football Team, and all association by name and symbolism with the word redskin was dropped.
- February 13, 2005 – Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii – At the 2004 season’s NFL Pro Bowl, the AFC team of all-stars knocked off the NFC squad by the final score of 38-27. Legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, then with the Indianapolis Colts, was voted as the game’s Most Valuable Player.
February 13 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- Kenneth Dement
- Ruben Brown
- Randy Moss
Conclusion
From the organizational shifts of the 1930s to the record-breaking careers of modern-day legends, February 13 serves as a microcosm of football’s evolution. Whether it is the relocation of a cornerstone franchise, the birth of a transcendent talent like Randy Moss, or the decorated careers of linemen like Ruben Brown and Kenneth Dement, these moments remind us how the past continues to shape the game we love today. As the NFL continues to evolve, reflecting on these historical benchmarks provides essential context for every touchdown and tackle seen on Sundays.
