September 30: A Date That Changed Football Forever
Did you know one calendar date launched the television era of American Football while also setting some of the most bizarre and unbreakable records? September 30 is a landmark date in gridiron history, spanning from the game’s earliest broadcasts to its most unforgettable modern plays.
It all started in 1939 with the first-ever televised college game: Waynesburg College vs. Fordham University, a broadcast experiment that paved the way for the multibillion-dollar spectacle we know today. But the records didn’t stop there. September 30th also saw Mel Gray begin his incredible 121-game reception streak and witnessed the longest play in NFL history, a spectacular 107-yard missed field goal return by Chris McAllister in 2002. From the brilliance of Army’s pioneering “Lonely End” Bill Carpenter (who later became a decorated war hero) to the College Football Hall of Fame career of safety Greg Myers, this date captures the enduring innovation and heroism of football. Dive in to explore the historic broadcasts, the record-breaking returns, and the legacies forged on September 30.
September 30 American Football History Timeline
- September 30, 1939 – The first college football game aired on TV was between Waynesburg College and Fordham University on W2XBS, NBC’s flagship station. A convoy of cars carried 42 players and coaches almost 400 miles to Randall’s Island, New York, to face powerhouse Fordham. Fordham’s head coach was Sleepy Jim Crowley, one of Notre Dame’s famed Four Horsemen. Crowley was worried that his team might overlook an inferior Waynesburg squad, according to an NCAA.com article. Crowley’s worry grew a bit as Waynesburg struck first blood, taking a 7-0 lead. The Fordham Rams came back, though, rattling off 34 unanswered points for the 34-7 win. The gameplay was relayed to the Empire State Building and then broadcast by the World’s Fair experimental station, W2XBS, operated by RCA and NBC. Reportedly, it reached only about 500 to 5,000 home viewers, far fewer than the 9,000 in paid attendance who watched the game live. The experiment opened up the possibility of broadcasting football on TV, though, and what a perfect fit it was. Later that same year, NBC started televising NFL games.
- September 30, 1973 – St Louis Cardinals receiver Mel Gray starts his streak of 121 straight NFL games with a reception. Who would have known that the game in which Gray had only 2 receptions for 35 yards in a 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys would be part of something much larger, 120 games in the future?
- September 30, 2002 – The longest play in NFL history occurs. Per an ESPN.com article, Baltimore Ravens DB Chris McAllister returns a missed field goal attempt of Denver Broncos Kicker Jason Elam’s that fell short of the uprights 107 yards to paydirt for the NFL record. The previous long-play League record was 106 yards, achieved three times in NFL history.
September 30 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
The last day of September holds a special place in football lore, celebrating the birth of multiple gridiron legends who made their mark in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. These players, whose careers spanned defensive dominance and offensive excellence, truly embody the spirit of the game. Get ready to explore the incredible legacies of the Hall of Fame talent born on September 30.
- Bill Nunn [1924] – A pioneering sportswriter and trailblazing scout for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nunn built the foundation of the franchise’s 1970s dynasty by uncovering elite, overlooked talent at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)—including legends like Mel Blount, John Stallworth, Donnie Shell, and L.C. Greenwood. Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 as a contributor, his scouting eye helped deliver six Super Bowl rings to the Steel City.
- Bill Carpenter [1937] – Renowned in college football lore as Army’s famous “Lonesome End,” Carpenter lined up wide near the sideline and never entered the offensive huddle, using hand signals from the quarterback to revolutionize spacing and tactical alignment. A consensus All-American in 1959 and 1982 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, he later became a highly decorated U.S. Army Lieutenant General, earning the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism in Vietnam.
- Greg Myers [1972] – A ball-hawking safety and lethal punt returner for Colorado State, Myers earned consensus All-American honors and won the 1995 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top collegiate defensive back. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012, he went on to play five seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys before pursuing a career in medicine as an anesthesiologist.
September 30: A Date of Gridiron Evolution
From historic clashes to the ascent of modern football legends, September 30th has consistently delivered pivotal moments across the decades of American football history. This single date captures the essence of the game’s evolution, marking the anniversaries of key team milestones, individual record-breaking performances, and the birthdays of players who shaped the sport’s character. As we look back on these events, it’s clear that September 30th is more than just a date; it’s a small but significant chapter in the enduring saga of the NFL and the memories created on the gridiron.
