April 16

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss a record contract, 12,000 yard collegiate passing career, a walk on Hall of Famer as well as many more Hall of Fame Legendary stories.

We're diving into the archives to revisit the headlines that rocked the NFL landscape. From legendary draft-day decisions that changed franchises to record-breaking performances that left fans in awe, get ready to relive the electrifying moments that shaped the game we love. So, lace up your cleats and join us as we explore the captivating stories from the gridiron's rich past!

April 16, 2019 - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson becomes the highest-paid player in NFL history. According to an April 17, 2019 newspaper article in The Olympian from Olympia, Washington, Wilson signed a 4-year $140m extension including a record $65 Million signing bonus. $107  million of the contract was guaranteed! The columnist Greg Bell of the newstribune.com wrote that the quarterback’s agent, Mark Rodgers confirmed the contract’s figures. The amazing thing is that the Seahawks and Wilson’s reps were up into the wee hours of the night working on the deal as it was finalized at 12:44 AM on April 16, 2019 and the team called for a 1:30PM press conference to formally announce it. The deal works out to approximately a cool $35 million  per year nearly doubling his previous annual salary of approximately $17 Million.

 If you want to be able to be able to read through some old articles like The Olympian has, you need to check out Newspapers.com. At Newspapers.com, you can get access to over 640 million pages’ worth of news from the US, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland and more dating back from 1798 to yesterday.  Get a free one week subscription to Newspapers.com by visiting SportsHistoryNetwork.com/newspapers . With a paid subscription, you’ll also be helping to support the production of this and other Sports History Network shows.

April 16, 2022 - The new USFL debuted their inaugural season with a game played in Birmingham, Alabama. There was supposed to be 3 additional games played  the next day, Easter Sunday April 17, 2022 but severe weather delayed the start pushing the fourth and final game to Monday April 18. All regular season games were to take place in Birmingham with the playoffs and Title game scheduled for Tom Benson Stadium next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

April 16, 1928 - The legendary defensive back of the LA Rams and the Detroit Lions Dick Night Train Lane was born.  Night Train Lane was named first- or second-team All-NFL every year from 1954 through 1963. Named to seven Pro Bowls, Night Train intercepted 68 passes for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns during his Hall of Fame career. At the 1974 ceremonies in Canton the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Night Train Lane. We have more on this legend by simply clicking his name.

April 16, 1970 - Spokane, Washington - The top-notch Washington Husky defensive tackle from 1989 to 1991, Steve Emtman arrived into the world. This player was extremely focussed on his job at linebacker and ran with a high motor. Steve was extremely stout against the run and could rush the passers with the best of them according to the Football Foundation.org. Emtman served a red shirt season and then in his first year on the field he served in a reserve capacity spelling teammate on the D-line. When he finally started the next year his stellar play earned him second team All-American honors as well as the co-defensive players of the year in the Pac-10 conference. Steve won both the Lombardi and Outland trophies in his junior season and placed fourth in the Heisman voting. In his final collegiate game he was named the co-MVP of the Rose Bowl as the Huskies claimed a share of the national championship by completing an undefeated season easily beating Michigan 34-14. In that game Washington shut down Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard and limited the Michigan ground game to 74 yards. Emtman’s final career numbers read 14 sacks, and 134 tackles with 36 for loss. Steve was a three-time All-Conference player and a unanimous All-America selection. The National Football Foundation selected Steve Emtman for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Steve was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round but was only able to play six seasons due to injury.

April 16, 1972 - Cuyahoga Fall, Ohio - Quarterback Jim Ballard of Wilmington and Mount Union was born. Jim’s college career spanned from 1990 through 1993 and per the National Football Foundation he broke numerous records in Division III. The Mount Union Squad he led won the 1993 national Championship at the DIII level and Ballard earned first team All-America honors in that season just like he did the season prior in 1992.  Ballard broke 17 Division III records and threw for over 12,000 yards and over 150 touchdowns. Jim Ballard received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Jim played in the CFL, NFL Europe and the Arena Football League during his 10- year professional career and led the Scottish Claymores to an NFL Europe World Bowl title in 1996. Ballard was inducted into the Scottish Claymores Hall of Fame in 2001. At last look Jim served as the commissioner of the Continental Indoor Football League in North Canton, Ohio.

The picture in the banner above is from the US Library of Congress' collection and was contributed by Bain News Service circa 1908 and is titled " Carlisle vs. Syracuse."