By Darin From the earliest innovations on the gridiron to the legendary figures who redefined positions, April 19 offers a journey through the evolution of football. This remarkable date witnessed the selection of 1943 Heisman winner Angelo Bertelli, celebrated Troy Polamalu’s impactful style, and marked the birth of Germany Schulz, the originator of the spiral snap. Events like the turbulent 1944 NFL Draft and the star-studded 1997 draft class, featuring Orlando Pace and Tony Gonzalez, reflect a timeline rich in innovation, resilience, and Hall of Fame achievement. April 19 stands as a reminder of football’s enduring spirit and transformation.
Here is some Grid Art to enjoy.
Artist not known, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
April 19 American Football History Timeline
- April 19, 1944, Angelo Bertelli from the University of Notre Dame was the first player selected in the 1944 NFL Draft by the Boston Yanks. Many other Pro Football legends were selected also. For a complete list, join our 1944 NFL Draft coverage.
- April 19, 1997 – During the 1997 NFL Draft, the first pick was made by the St. Louis Rams, who selected Ohio State offensive tackle Orlando Pace. That HOF pick was followed later in the Draft by T Walter Jones at number 6 to the Seahawks, other guys with a Gold Jacket, Tony Gonzalez at the thirteenth pick, and Jason Taylor. Join us for the full 1997 NFL Draft story.
April 19 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these gridiron legends! Since today is April 19, we are celebrating a powerhouse lineup of innovators, multi-sport stars, and Hall of Famers.
Here is your list in order of birth:
- Germany Schulz [1883] A true pioneer for the University of Michigan, Schulz is credited with inventing the spiral snap and essentially creating the linebacker position by dropping off the line to defend. Known as the “fastest giant in football,” he overcame financial hardships to become one of the first truly dominant centers in the sport’s history.
- Jack Cannon [1907] One of the last major collegiate players to refuse a helmet, Cannon was a fierce guard who helped lead Knute Rockne’s 1929 Notre Dame squad to a perfect 9-0 national championship season. Despite a habit of “taking his foot off the gas” during blowouts, his aggressive peaks earned him a place in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1965.
- Jack Pardee [1936] An original “Junction Boy” under Bear Bryant at Texas A&M, Pardee was a rugged two-way starter who survived a battle with cancer mid-career to play 15 seasons in the NFL. He later became a celebrated coach, becoming the only man to head a team in the NFL, USFL, WLAF, CFL, and the college ranks.
- Harris Barton [1964] A dominant tackle for North Carolina and a standout scholar-athlete, Barton was the 1986 ACC Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. He went on to spend his entire 12-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, protecting Joe Montana and Steve Young en route to three Super Bowl titles.
- Keith Jackson [1965] A rare unanimous All-American at tight end for Oklahoma, Jackson averaged a staggering 23.7 yards per catch during his collegiate career and helped the Sooners win the 1985 National Championship. He carried that success into the NFL, where he was a six-time Pro Bowler and a key piece of the Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI victory.
- Troy Polamalu [1981] Known as the “Tasmanian Devil” at USC and a defensive icon for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Polamalu’s instinctive playstyle redefined the safety position. A two-time Super Bowl champion and the 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Conclusion
The legacy of April 19th is woven through every era of the gridiron, proving that the game’s greatest icons are often its greatest pioneers. We see it in Jack Pardee’s triumph over cancer to play and coach, and in Germany Schulz’s move off the line to invent the linebacker position. From the academic excellence of Harris Barton to the defensive intensity of Keith Jackson and Troy Polamalu, these milestones remind us that football is built on a foundation of both physical grit and intellectual brilliance. As we celebrate these anniversaries, we honor the legends who didn’t just play the game—they changed it forever.
