Football History of February 27

Step back into the gridiron archives as we celebrate a day of legends and blockbuster deals in football history. From the monumental 1959 trade that sent Hall of Famer Ollie Matson to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for an unprecedented nine players, to the birthdays of defensive icons like Jim Ray Smith and Dana Howard, February 27 is a date etched in football lore. Joining us to peel back the layers of these historic moments is Joe Ziemba, an award-winning author and one of the nation’s leading authorities on the NFL’s birth. Whether you are a fan of the Chicago Cardinals, the Cleveland Browns, or the Fighting Illini, this deep dive into the Pigpen explores the trades and talents that shaped the game we love today.

Here is a vivid image of gridiron art to start your day.

February 27 American Football History Timeline

• Our guest has been a resource for sports media giants such as Sports Illustrated, the New York Times, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Daily Southtown, and NBC Sunday Night Football, and has appeared in the WGN documentary “Football in Chicago” and a Comcast Sports special on the Chicago Bears. He is recognized as one of the leading authorities on the history of professional football in the country. Joe Ziemba is the award-winning author of the books When Football Was Football: The Chicago Cardinals and the Birth of the NFL and Cadets, Cannons, and Legends: The Football History of Morgan Park Military Academy. Joe Ziemba, welcome to the Pigpen!
• On February 27, 1959, the Chicago Cardinals traded running back Ollie Matson to the LA Rams for 9 players. The Los Angeles Rams franchise, headed by General Manager Pete Rozelle, traded seven players, a 1959 second-round pick, and a player to be named later to the Chicago Cardinals for Matson.
• The year was 1959. The Los Angeles Rams, led by G.M. Pete Rozelle, traded seven players, a 1959 second-round pick, and a player to be named later to the Chicago Cardinals for Ollie Matson.
  Rozelle and the late Matson (second from left at right) had history together. Matson was a star fullback at the University of San Francisco, whose 1951 team went undefeated.

February 27 American Football Hall of Fame Birthdays

• Jim Ray Smith
• Dana Howard

Conclusion

From the “tackling machine” Dana Howard to the legendary versatility of Ollie Matson, February 27th serves as a powerful reminder of the rich heritage of professional and collegiate football. These stories of Hall of Fame careers and franchise-altering trades make the sport’s history so compelling. A special thanks to Joe Ziemba for sharing his unmatched expertise on the Chicago Cardinals and the early days of the NFL. To keep the spirit of the game alive, be sure to explore Joe’s books and continue honoring the legends who built the foundation of the gridiron.