By Darin March 22 marks a seismic shift in football history, bookended by the end of an era and the birth of gridiron giants. In 1989, the legendary Pete Rozelle stunned the sports world by announcing his retirement after 29 years of transforming the NFL into a global powerhouse. But the day’s legacy stretches even further back, celebrating the birthdays of Heisman winner Billy Vessels, “poetry in motion” Art Poe, and Super Bowl champions like Jimbo Covert and Russell Maryland. From the halls of Princeton to the modern dynasties of the Dallas Cowboys, discover the icons who made March 22nd a Hall of Fame date.
First some nostalgic program cove art to enjoy..
March 22 American Football History Timeline
- March 22, 1961: The Browns Change Hands On March 22, 1961, one of the most significant ownership shifts in NFL history occurred when Arthur B. “Art” Modell led a group to purchase the Cleveland Browns from Dave R. Jones. Modell’s tenure would eventually lead to the team’s controversial move to Baltimore in 1996.
- March 22, 1989 – Pete Rozelle announced his retirement as NFL commissioner after 29 years. Rozelle, a surprise pick to replace the legendary Bert Bell—who passed away suddenly during a Steelers-Eagles game—was then working in the Los Angeles Rams’ front office. He had just completed major deals, like bringing back Ollie Matson to the Rams from the Cardinals for 11 players. Rozelle was succeeded by Paul Tagliabue.
League Milestones & “On This Day”
- March 22, 1994: The Two-Point Conversion is Adopted During the league meetings in Orlando on March 22, 1994, NFL owners officially voted to adopt the two-point conversion. While the rival AFL had used the rule throughout the 1960s, this was a massive shift for the NFL, adding a new layer of strategy to late-game scoring.
- March 22, 2026: The “New Year” Finalized Since today is the first Sunday of the 2026 league year, the wire is buzzing with major moves—most notably the Jacksonville Jaguars signing Seahawks WR Jake Bobo to an offer sheet to bolster their special teams.
March 22 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these gridiron legends! Since today is March 22, it’s the perfect time to celebrate these Hall of Fame careers. Here is the list in order of birth:
- Art Poe [1879] A legendary end for Princeton and nephew of Edgar Allan Poe, Art was known for his late-game heroics against rival Yale, including a 95-yard fumble return and a game-winning drop-kick. A two-time All-American, he led the Tigers to near-perfection in the late 1890s and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
- Billy Vessels [1931] The first Heisman Trophy winner in Oklahoma history, Vessels was a dynamic halfback who spearheaded the Sooners’ 1950 National Championship run. He amassed over 2,000 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns in his career, earning a place in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974 for his role in defining the early Bud Wilkinson era.
- Ross Browner [1954] One of the most decorated defensive linemen in NCAA history, Browner was a force for Notre Dame, winning the Outland, Lombardi, and Maxwell awards. A two-time unanimous All-American with a school-record 340 tackles, he anchored the Irish defense during their 1973 and 1977 championship seasons before a successful NFL career with the Bengals.
- Jimbo Covert [1960] After switching from defensive line to tackle at Pitt, Covert became a dominant protector who allowed zero sacks during his senior season despite a heavy passing attack. A member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, he was a cornerstone of the 1985 Chicago Bears’ legendary offensive line during their Super Bowl XX victory.
- Russell Maryland [1969] A transformative talent at Miami, Maryland shed 50 pounds to become a high-motor defensive tackle who led the Hurricanes to two national titles and a 44-4 record. The former #1 overall NFL draft pick became a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Additional Birthdays
- J.J. Watt [1989]Born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Watt became one of only three players in NFL history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award three times (joining Lawrence Taylor and Aaron Donald). A five-time First-team All-Pro, he was also the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his massive relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey.
- Barney Chavous [1951]A staple of the Denver Broncos’ “Orange Crush” defense, Chavous played his entire 13-year career in Denver. He was a key part of the 1977 AFC Championship team and remains one of the franchise’s all-time leaders in sacks (unofficially, as he played before they became an official stat in 1982).
Conclusion
From Pete Rozelle’s visionary leadership to the raw physical dominance of Ross Browner and Jimbo Covert, March 22 serves as a timeline of football’s evolution. We see the game transition from the drop-kicks of the 19th century to the sophisticated, multi-billion-dollar league Rozelle left behind. Each of these men—whether by winning a Heisman, a Super Bowl, or a seat at the commissioner’s desk—contributed a vital chapter to the story of American football. Their records may be challenged, but their impact on the sport’s culture remains permanent.
Meta Statement
Relive football history on March 22: Pete Rozelle’s retirement, Billy Vessels’ Heisman journey, and the birthdays of Hall of Famers Jimbo Covert and Russell Maryland.
Did you miss a day of gridiron history? No fear, check out our March 21 page.
Big thanks to our sources mentioned above, Newspapers.com, and Pro-Football-Reference.com.
