By Darin From the roaring crowd of 76,000 at Soldier Field in 1936 to a jaw-dropping, franchise-opening kickoff return in the Orange Bowl, September 2 is a cornerstone date in football history. Imagine a squad of college upstarts holding the reigning NFL Champion Detroit Lions to a gritty tie, or the legendary Terry Bradshaw taking his first breaths on this day before launching a four-ring dynasty with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Grab your gear as we dive into a day marked by historic franchise debuts, massive exhibition thrillers, and the birthdays of gridiron royalty.
September 2 American Football History Timeline
- September 2, 1936 – the third Chicago Charities All-Star Game pitted the defending NFL champion Detroit Lions against the best players from the college ranks. The Lions defeated the New York Giants in a 1935 title game, only the third time the title game was played in the league’s fairly new history, by the score of 26 to 7. But the game with the upstart college players was a whole lot tougher matchup, as the exhibition ended in a 7-to-7 tie. The 76,000 paid attendance at Soldier Field watched a defensive thriller, and I’m sure it was a great game all the way around.
- September 2, 1966 – The Miami Dolphins play their very first game ever against the Oakland Raiders. First regular season game, that is. It was in front of 26,776 fans at the Orange Bowl.
Joe Auer of the Dolphins starts the franchise off right by returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a Miami touchdown. What a way to start a franchise. But the Raiders would come back to defeat the Dolphins 23-14.
The Dolphins had a pretty rough inaugural season, finishing 3-11 under head coach George Wilson. Their only wins that year were against the Denver Broncos once and against the Houston Oilers twice.
September 2 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these gridiron icons! Here is the list for September 2, ordered by their year of birth:
- Eddie Price [1925] A standout fullback for Tulane University and a College Football Hall of Famer, Price went on to have a stellar six-year NFL career with the New York Giants. He led the entire league in rushing during the 1951 season and earned Pro Bowl honors in three of his six professional campaigns.
- Terry Bradshaw [1948], known as the “Blonde Bomber,” is a rare “double dipper” enshrined in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Selected first overall in 1970 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, his powerful arm guided the franchise to four Super Bowl victories, including consecutive Super Bowl MVP performances.
- Leonard Smith [1960] An elite defensive back from McNeese State, Smith was a dominant collegiate force who earned a well-deserved induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. His exceptional skills in the secondary paved the way for a successful nine-year NFL career, primarily with the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills.
Conclusion
Whether celebrating the explosive birth of the Miami Dolphins franchise or honoring the legacies of Hall of Famers like Terry Bradshaw, Eddie Price, and Leonard Smith, September 2 stands as a testament to the sport’s evolution. These milestones showcase how the gridiron bridges generations—from the defensive battles of the 1930s to the high-flying excitement of modern expansions. As another football season builds momentum, looking back at these monumental anniversaries reminds us why the game remains America’s ultimate weekend obsession.