By Darin Hayes Get ready to celebrate a date that forever changed the football landscape! October 20th isn’t just another day on the calendar; it’s the birth date of legends, most notably the colossal Roosevelt “Rosey” Brown.
A 27th-round pick who became a charter member of the NFL’s 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams, Brown’s journey with the New York Giants epitomizes Hall of Fame dedication. From 1956 to 1963, his dominant play anchored a Giants team that reached six division championships, including the 1956 NFL Championship. But the history doesn’t stop with this gridiron great! This day also marks milestones for rules, teams, and other unforgettable heroes who have shaped America’s favorite sport. Dive in to uncover all the football history made on October 20th!
October 20 Football History Headlines
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- The #3 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish decisively defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers on October 20, 1945, by a final score of 39-9 at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The game marked the fourth consecutive victory for the Irish under coach Hugh Devore, improving their record to 4-0 on the season. Notre Dame, a national power even during the war years, was simply overwhelming, with the large 57,542 spectators witnessing their offensive dominance. This contest was part of a major post-WWII restructuring of the Notre Dame team and preceded their infamous tie against #3 Navy and a brutal 48-0 loss to #1 Army later that season, ultimately finishing the year with a 7-2-1 record and a final ranking of #9 in the AP Poll. The 1945 matchup continued a run of lopsided victories for the Irish over their longtime rival, Pittsburgh.
- October 20, 1946 – Polo Grounds, New York City – Frank Seno returns kickoff 105 yards for the Chicago Cards vs NY Giants. T.J. Troupe wrote a nice piece on Frank Seno on the Pro Football Researchers website in which he writes: “The 1946 Cardinals were a team on the upswing, and on October 20 in the Polo Grounds against the contending Giants in one of the most thrilling contests of the year Frank Seno set an NFL record with his 105-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. His coast-to-coast return gave the Cardinals a short lived 24 to 21 lead.” Short lived indeed as the Giants stormed back with a Howie Livingston 5 yard scamper for a score to lift the New York squad to a 28-24 win over the Cards.
- October 20, 1963 – Philadelphia. Pennsylvania – Per an NFLFILMS.com article from 2012, Cleveland Browns’ running back Jim Brown became the all-time leading career rusher in the NFL. “First Down” Jim Brown – as many would call him – accomplished the historic feat on an 8-yard run in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles, propelling his way over Joe “The Jet” Perry’s record of 8,378 yards. The Browns won the game over the Eagles 37-7.
- October 20, 1973 – The White House. Washington D.C.- Proclamation 4209—Jim Thorpe Day. President Nixon proclaimed Jim Thorpe greatest athlete of the 1st -half of the Twentieth century in a written proclamation to the country.
October 20 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
October 20th holds a special significance in American football history, marking the birthdays of an extraordinary group of athletes who achieved Hall of Fame status across both the professional and collegiate levels. This date honors Pro Football Hall of Famer and New York Giants legend Roosevelt “Rosey” Brown, one of the greatest offensive tackles to ever play. He shares his birthday with defensive giants like the legendary Tampa Bay Buccaneer and NFL Defensive Player of the Year Lee Roy Selmon (Pro Football Hall of Fame) and Houston Oilers stalwart Ray Childress (College Football Hall of Fame). Adding to the list are College Football Hall of Famers, Outland Trophy winner Chad Hennings, two-time Sammy Baugh Award recipient Don Trull, and Appalachian State icon Dexter Coakley. Together, these birthdays celebrate dominance across different eras, positions, and leagues.
- Ray Childress
- Chad Hennings
- Dexter Coakley