By Darin From the official founding of a legendary NFL franchise to the births of College Football Hall of Fame icons, February 12 is a cornerstone date in gridiron history. Whether it’s the Rams’ multi-city journey starting in 1937, Chan Gailey’s unique coaching legacy in Dallas, or the cinematic genius of Steve Sabol, this day has shaped the game we love. Dive into the archives as we revisit the milestones, Pro Bowl MVPs, and the elite players like Brent Jones and Lincoln Kennedy who were born on this historic day.
Football History Timeline of February 12
- February 12, 1937 – Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. The Los Angeles Rams franchise is officially approved to join the NFL. According to an article on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, the Rams franchise began its football life in Cleveland in 1937. They had a rough first 6 seasons, never quite reaching the .500 mark, and then abruptly disbanded for a year in 1943 due to World War II workforce shortages. In 1946, after businessman Dan Reeves purchased the franchise, the Cleveland Rams won the NFL championship game, 15-14, over the Washington Redskins, with guidance from a sensational rookie quarterback from UCLA, Bob Waterfield, who was the league’s Player of the Year. Just days after the Big win, Reeves announced that he was moving the team to Los Angeles, California. In 1972, the Baltimore Colts’ Carroll Rosenbloom traded the franchise to Bob Irsay, who then took control of the Rams. Then in 1995, the Rams moved to St. Louis, where they played in the Edward Jones Dome. Two years later, in 1999, the Rams became Super Bowl champions. Guided by quarterback Kurt Warner and running back Marshall Faulk, the team beat Tennessee 23-16 in a thrilling Super Bowl XXXIV. In 2016, the Rams moved to Los Angeles, where they play in the Los Angeles Coliseum.
- On February 12, 1998, the Dallas Cowboys signed Chan Gailey as their 4th head coach. In an odd twist of fate, Gaily was released by Dallas after only two seasons. Chan’s Cowboys team won the NFC East in 1998 and made the playoffs during his two years at the helm, though they failed to win a single playoff game. Chan Gailey is the only Cowboys coach to have never missed the playoffs while with the franchise.
- February 12, 2006 – Aloha Stadium, Honolulu – At the NFL Pro Bowl, the NFC squad outlasted the AFC, 23-17. The game’s MVP was Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker Derrick Brooks.
- February 12, 2013, at a ceremony in Philadelphia, the NFL pays tribute to the life of the late Steve Sabol and his many contributions to the league. An NFL.com article states that Steve Sabol won over 40 Emmy Awards and oversaw 107 Emmys for NFL Films. He was the Sporting News’ 2002 “Sports Executive of the Year.” He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
February 12 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Conclusion
From the transcontinental odyssey of the Rams franchise to the strategic coaching tenure of Chan Gailey in Dallas, February 12 stands as a testament to the NFL’s ever-evolving landscape. The day not only commemorates the championship DNA of teams and the cinematic artistry of Steve Sabol but also celebrates the elite individual talent of College Football Hall of Famers like Brent Jones, Scott Thomas, and Lincoln Kennedy. Whether through front-office shifts or on-field heroics, these milestones continue to echo through the halls of gridiron history.
