Step onto the gridiron of history as we explore significant football moments occurring on this calendar date. From the foundational days of college play to crucial developments in the professional leagues, this date marks key milestones, player legacies, and pivotal events shaping the game we know today.
May 27
May 27 | This Day in American Football History
Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there!
Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch
Sports Jersey Dispatch
If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in othre team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch.
"May 27th in Football History: Coaching Legends, Player Greatness & League Futures"
On this date, the tapestry of American football history reveals compelling threads of change, ambition, and enduring legacies. Relive the day a legendary coach, George Halas, concluded his storied tenure, while a bold upstart league, the USFL, navigated a landscape of high hopes and financial uncertainties, featuring future stars like Steve Young and Herschel Walker. Simultaneously, the careers of Hall of Famers like the Rams' steadfast anchor, Jackie Slater, and college football icons such as Florida's celebrated quarterback Danny Wuerffel, highlight the individual brilliance that shapes the sport.
"Knowlton Ames - Football HOF Princeton Tiger"
Last updated 📅 2025-05-27
Born May 27, 1868, in Chicago, Illinois, was Knowlton Ames was the Princeton University fullback from 1886 to 1889. This man had some moves in the open field according to the National Football Foundation.
"The First Wave All-American: Lester Lautenschlaeger's Tulane Legacy"
Last updated 📅 2025-05-27
Born on May 27, 1904, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lester Lautenschlaeger became a foundational figure in Tulane University's football history. A standout quarterback for the Green Wave from 1922 through the 1925 season, Lautenschlaeger's aggressive and playmaking style captivated fans and earned him national recognition.
"The Scholar-Athlete Champion: Danny Wuerffel's Collegiate Glory"
Last updated 📅 2025-05-27
Born on May 27, 1974, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Daniel "Danny" Wuerffel etched his name in college football history during his tenure as the quarterback for the University of Florida from 1993 to 1996. Celebrated for his intelligence, accuracy, and leadership, Wuerffel dominated the collegiate landscape both athletically and academically, becoming the first player to win both the Heisman Trophy and the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy.
"Flashback to '84: USFL's Pay Spiral and Merger Whispers"
Last updated 📅 2025-05-27
On May 27, 1984, the Chicago Tribune echoed a growing concern across the football landscape with the headline: "Pay Spiral may lead to merger for USFL." This article captured the double-edged sword of the burgeoning United States Football League (USFL). While the upstart league had undeniably injected excitement into the sport by attracting top-tier talent like Herschel Walker (New Jersey Generals), Steve Young (Los Angeles Express), and Anthony Carter (Michigan Panthers), its aggressive player salaries were beginning to strain the financial stability of several franchises.
"Halas Retires From Coaching"
Last updated 📅 2025-05-27
On May 27, 1968, a monumental figure in professional football history, George Halas, stepped down from coaching the Chicago Bears. His departure marked the end of an era defined by six NFL championships and an astounding 318 victories. For many, the enduring image of Halas is that of a stern, aging coach patrolling the Bears' sideline, his intense focus rarely yielding a smile. Yet, his passion for the game ignited much earlier.
- HASHTAGS: #May27 #AmesKnowlton #KnowltonAmes #Football
- EVENTDAY: May 27
- FOOTBALL NAME: Ames Knowlton, Knowlton Ames
- PODCAST: Football
"The Enduring Anchor: Jackie Slater's Rams Reign"
Last updated 📅 2025-05-27
Born on May 27, 1954, in Jackson, Mississippi, Jackie Slater forged a legendary career built on longevity and unwavering excellence. He honed his skills at Jackson State University, where he was a teammate of the iconic Walter Payton. Slater's talent was evident, earning him a third-round selection (86th overall) by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1976 NFL Draft.
"Walt Kiesling a Pro Football Hall of Fame Player and Coach"
Last updated 📅 2024-05-27
Born May 27, 1903, in St. Paul, Minnesota, was Pro Football Hall of Fame Lineman and Coach Walt Kiesling. Kiesling played college football at the University of St. Thomas.
Walt played 13 years as a guard and tackle in the NFL with the Duluth Eskimos (1926–1927), Pottsville Maroons (1928), Chicago Cardinals (1929–1933), Chicago Bears (1934), Green Bay Packers (1935–1936), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1937–1938).
Kiesling also spent 25 years as a coach or aide for NFL teams, including seven years as head coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers from 1939 to 1942 and 1954 to 1956. He provided Pittsburgh's first franchise-winning season in 1942. He was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and was named to the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team in 1969.
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Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there!
Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch
_________________________
Sports Jersey Dispatch
If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in othre team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch.
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