By Darin From the courtroom to the gridiron, May 7th is a day that reshaped the geography and legacy of American football. Imagine a landmark antitrust ruling in 1982 that cleared the path for Al Davis and his “Silver and Black” to march into Los Angeles, forever altering the NFL’s power structure. Beyond the legal battles, today celebrates the birth of icons like Kentucky’s “Sweet Kentucky Babe” Parilli and the indomitable Paul Bunker. Join us as we dive into a day filled with franchise-moving verdicts and the legendary players who defined the game’s early toughness and modern versatility.
First, celebrate a piece of Gridiron artwork for a moment.
May 7 American Football History Timeline
- On May 7, 1982, a California federal jury ruled the NFL violated antitrust laws by blocking the Oakland Raiders’ move to Los Angeles. Owner Al Davis wanted to relocate his franchise, but Commissioner Pete Rozelle and the League sought to keep the team in Oakland. The six-woman jury unanimously sided with Davis, enabling the Raiders’ move to the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Raiders played in Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994, then returned to Oakland through 2019. (San Francisco Examiner)
May Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these gridiron legends! Since today is May 7, 2026, we celebrate a lineup of versatile Hall of Famers who mastered multiple positions and revolutionized the game’s strategy.
Here is your list, organized by year of birth:
- Paul Bunker [1881] A true “battering ram” for Army at the turn of the century, Bunker was a rare talent who earned All-America honors as both a tackle and a halfback. Known for punishing rivals like Navy, he was a dominant force on both sides of the ball and was posthumously inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
- Belford West [1896] A cornerstone of the “feared” Colgate teams of the 1910s, West was a model of endurance who missed only one play in three varsity seasons while leading a defense that recorded 19 shutouts. Beyond his defensive prowess, he was a prolific kicker and punter, once booting a 52-yard field goal and famously throwing 70-yard passes from punt formation.
- Babe Parilli [1930] The “Kentucky Colonel” was a master of the “T” formation under Bear Bryant, setting then-NCAA records for passing touchdowns and yards. After his legendary collegiate career, he played 18 professional seasons, notably serving as the backup quarterback to Joe Namath during the New York Jets’ historic Super Bowl III victory.
- Pat McInally [1953] A brilliant dual-threat at Harvard, McInally led the nation in receptions while simultaneously serving as the team’s primary punter. He remains the only player in NFL history to record a perfect score on the Wonderlic Personnel Test, a feat that complemented his 10-year professional career as a Pro Bowl punter and wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Conclusion
The milestones of May 7th highlight the unique blend of business and grit that defines football history. Whether it was Al Davis fighting for his team’s independence in federal court or Belford West anchoring one of the most feared defenses in Colgate history, these stories illustrate the relentless pursuit of excellence. From the scholarly brilliance of Pat McInally to the record-breaking passes of Babe Parilli, today’s anniversaries remind us that the game is built as much on strategic vision as it is on the legendary performers who left it all on the field.