"Pigskin Parade" would have offered a nostalgic journey for older readers who had witnessed some of these changes firsthand, while simultaneously educating newer fans about the rich heritage of the gridiron. The series likely highlighted key moments, rule changes, and perhaps even profiled influential figures who shaped the game. Through the combination of visuals and storytelling, the Cleveland Press aimed to make the history of American football both informative and entertaining for its local audience, fostering a deeper appreciation for the sport's roots.

College football was in it's golden era with players like Red Grange, Ernie Nevers, and the Four Horseman of Notre Dame running acorss the fields of America.

Iconic coaches such as Bob Zuppke, Knute Rockne and Andy Smith had their teams playing top notch football as the traditional powers of the East started to fade in comparison.

Birth of the NFL:

The 1920s saw the National Football League (NFL) take its first wobbly steps. Founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), it was a ragtag bunch of mostly Midwestern teams playing under college rules.

Leather Helmets and Mud:

Games were rough-and-tumble affairs, played on muddy fields with minimal padding and leather helmets. Stars like Red Grange and Ernie Nevers captivated fans with their daring runs and hard tackles.

The forward pass gained popularity, revolutionizing the game. The T-formation, a more balanced offensive scheme, began to emerge.

The NFL was far from stable. Teams folded and joined at will, and rival leagues like the American Football League (AFL) briefly challenged its dominance.

Join us in a year-by-year look at the decade of the 1920s in the following posts.

These early rules still strongly resembled rugby, but the foundation for a distinct American sport was being laid.

The Pigskin Parade image and information were published in the Cleveland Newspapers during the 1939 Football season. There were 35 episodes, each containing 3-5 frame cells. We salute the artist and author of this series and are reposting to honor their work. Timothy Brown of Football Archaeology recognizes the syndicated cartoon series' author as Jerry Brondfield (author) and an unknown but talented illustrator.

Tim says that this Pigskin Parade is the original series written by the same author and a different illustrator from the 1969 series called "100 Years Of Football," also released in book form., which was followed by 20-some tidbits in 2023.