By Darin From the end of a legendary 29-year dynasty in Dallas to the birth of some of the most versatile athletes to ever step onto the gridiron, February 26 is a massive day in football history. Whether it’s the bittersweet departure of the iconic Tom Landry, the emergence of multi-sport phenoms like Vic Janowicz, or the record-shattering dominance of Marshall Faulk, this date bridges the gap between the leather-helmet era and the modern powerhouse NFL. Join us as we look back at the Hall of Fame legacies and coaching milestones that defined this day in sports history.
Let’s take in a bit of football art with an Ohio State theme today, as a couple of our subject stories revolve around the school.
Richard M. Green illustrated the cover. Published by the Ohio State University athletic department.
February 26 American Football History Timeline
- On February 26, 1989, the Dallas Cowboys fired coach Tom Landry after 29 years. Tom Landry received his first glimpse of coaching as a Giant when Head Coach Steve Owen asked the young Landry to explain the 6-1-4 defense to his teammates when he was still a player in New York. In 1954 and 1955, with Steve Owen out as coach, Landry served as a player/assistant coach under the new head man, Jim Lee Howell. Landry was the defensive coordinator, while Vince Lombardi was in charge of the Giants’ offense. Early in 1960, before they even officially existed, Tom Landry was hired as the Dallas Cowboys’ Head Coach. The first-year coach had some tough sledding as his team went 0-11-1. The Cowboys’ owner, Clint Murchison Jr., had faith in Landry, though, as he promptly signed him to a 10-year extension. The patience paid off as the team improved, and in 1966, it won 10 games and earned the right to play Lombardi’s Packers in the NFL Championship game. Landry coached teams in Dallas that made the Super Bowl 5 times, winning 2 of them, and he was a Bart Starr QB sneak in the Ice Bowl away from a sixth. In 1990, Coach Landry was selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- On February 26, 1991, the World League of American Football teams opened up Training Camps just days after the league’s first draft had completed!
February 26 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- Bill Hollenback
- Gomer Jones
- Vic Janowicz
- Marshall Faulk
Conclusion
February 26 stands as a testament to the longevity and grit required to reach football immortality. We remember the stoic leadership of Tom Landry, whose 29-year tenure set the standard for coaching excellence, and celebrate the incredible individual achievements of legends like Bill Hollenbeck, Gomer Jones, and Marshall Faulk. These icons didn’t just play the game; they redefined their positions and left an indelible mark on both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Their stories remind us that while seasons end and coaches move on, the legacies forged on the field are timeless.
