By Darin Imagine a time when a field goal was worth more than a touchdown, and games ended simply because the sun went down. On February 19, 1897, the foundational strategy of American football changed forever when Walter Camp and fellow visionaries officially elevated the touchdown’s value, forever shifting the game toward the end zone. From these early rule-making sessions to the birth of “Four Horsemen” legend Elmer Layden and the barrier-breaking brilliance of Michigan State’s Don Coleman, May 4th and its surrounding anniversaries offer a masterclass in the evolution of the gridiron.
May 4 American Football History Timeline
- May 4, 2013 – International Promotion: A professional American football game was scheduled in Beijing, China, as part of the NFL Players Association‘s international promotional efforts (announced March 7, 2013). Ultimately, the game was not held as planned.
May 4 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these legendary figures! Since it is May 4, it’s the perfect time to celebrate these College Football Hall of Famers who left an indelible mark on the gridiron. Here is the list ordered by their year of birth:
- Elmer Layden [1903] A cornerstone of Notre Dame’s legendary “Four Horsemen,” Layden was a versatile fullback known for his “straight-line dive” and defensive brilliance. In the 1925 Rose Bowl, he accounted for three touchdowns—including two pick-sixes—to secure the Irish’s first undisputed national championship before later serving as Notre Dame’s head coach and the Commissioner of the NFL.
- Barry Wood [1910] A rare ten-letter athlete at Harvard, Wood was a premier quarterback and drop-kicker who earned first-team All-America honors in 1931. His “clutch” gene was best displayed in the Harvard-Yale rivalry, where his passing and kicking consistently led the Crimson to victory over the Bulldogs.
- Don Coleman [1928] Michigan State’s first unanimous All-American and the program’s first African-American All-American, Coleman was a dominant tackle who anchored the Spartans’ 1951 National Championship team. During his tenure, he helped MSU achieve a 23-4 record and played a vital role in their historic 28-game winning streak.
- Wayne Harris [1938] Nicknamed “Thumper” for his bone-jarring hits, Harris was a fierce two-way center and linebacker for Arkansas who set a school record with 174 tackles in 1960. A 2004 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, his legacy lives on through the “Thumper Award,” given annually to the Razorbacks’ best defensive player.
Conclusion
Whether it was Elmer Layden’s two “pick-sixes” in the 1925 Rose Bowl or Wayne “Thumper” Harris setting tackling records at Arkansas, the history celebrated today highlights the relentless pursuit of excellence. These milestones remind us that football is a living game—one that evolved from 19th-century scoring debates into a national spectacle defined by All-Americans like Barry Wood and Don Coleman. As we look back on these legends and the rules that shaped them, we see the blueprint of the modern game we love today.