By Darin March 13th is a pivotal date in football, marking the Chicago Cardinals’ historic move to St. Louis and spotlighting the notable players born on this day. George McAfee, Joe Bellino, and Joe Hamilton left a lasting impact with their playmaking and speed, showing how March 13th consistently produces dynamic football talent.
Take a second to absorb some great gridiron art from over seven decades ago.
March 13 American Football History Timeline
- On March 13, 1960, the NFL’s Chicago Cardinals announced their move to St. Louis, per the When Football was Football Podcast, Host Joe Ziemba.
March 13 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Here is the order of birth for these gridiron greats born on March 13:
- George McAfee (1918) Nicknamed “One-Play McAfee,” this Hall of Fame halfback was a dual-threat star for Duke’s legendary 1938 unscored-upon team and later the Chicago Bears. He was so explosive that George Halas claimed he was the only player who could score from any point on the field, and he even pioneered the use of low-cut cleats in the NFL for better speed.
- Joe Bellino (1938) Known as the “Winchester Rifle,” Bellino was Navy’s first Heisman Trophy winner (1960) and a multi-sport star who famously helped defeat Army multiple times. After a distinguished 28-year career in the Navy and Naval Reserve, he played three seasons for the Boston Patriots, remaining a beloved figure whose No. 27 jersey was the first to be retired by the Naval Academy.
- Joe Hamilton (1977) A dynamic playmaker at Georgia Tech, Hamilton was the 1999 Heisman runner-up and won the Davey O’Brien Award after setting then-ACC records for total offense and passing efficiency. He led the Yellow Jackets to a share of the 1998 ACC title and later played professionally in the NFL and as a standout in the Arena Football League.
Conclusion
March 13th vividly illustrates football’s strategic shifts and individual brilliance. The Cardinals’ move expanded the NFL’s reach, while McAfee, Bellino, and Hamilton redefined expectations for backfields and quarterbacks. From the 1939 Rose Bowl mud to the modern ACC turf, their agility and grit left lasting marks on the sport, inspiring every “undersized” player to dream of a game-changing play.
Want more daily history, look back every day, or see March 12’s history here.
Special thanks to our sources for accuracy, including Pro-Football-Reference
