December 22

In this edition of the Football History Headlines, we discuss some big record setting events, the legend of Bullet Bill, the Rise of the Southern Gridiron, a Pro Football Title Game, as well as many more Hall of Fame Legendary stories.

As we flip the calendar page, we delve into another chapter of pigskin history. From legendary comebacks that defied the odds to record-breaking performances that left fans speechless, remarkable moments unfolded on this very date. So, buckle up and get ready to relive iconic plays, celebrate trailblazing athletes, and revisit the captivating stories that continue to shape the ever-evolving narrative of professional football. Let's lace up our cleats and journey back in time to witness the incredible feats that transpired on this historic day in the NFL!

The South Organizes

December 22, 1894 - Atlanta, Georgia - Members of southern universities organized into a conference of sports teams for competition against one another. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which was a predecessor tothe SEC formed on this day with seven schools participating.  According to secsports.com Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Sewanee, North Carolina and Vanderbilt all signed on inthis initial formation of the SIAA.

Bullet Bill

December 22, 1941 - The 1942 NFL Draft took place and Bullet Bill Dudley from University of Virginia was the first pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bullet Bill ended up leading the NFL in rushing his rookie season with 696 yards with Pittsburgh. Dudley had a brilliant career and even earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when his career was over. The was only one other player from this draft that made the HOF and he was the 135th pick by the Detroit Lions End Max Speedie per the Pro-Football -Reference website.

AAFC Champs

December 22, 1946 - Cleveland Municipal Stadium -  The AAFC championship game was played as the New York Yankees Football club invaded Cleveland to play theBrowns for the AAFC Title. The Browns came out victorious as they defeated the Yankees 14-9 in a close one. Pro-Football-Reference.com informs us that Cleveland Quarterback Otto Graham threw a 16 yard 4th quarter touchdown pass to receiver Dante Lavelli for the go ahead score to lead the Browns to yet another championship.

Record Setter

December 22, 1985 - Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver, Stephone Paige put up 309 yards of receiving against the San Diego Chargers defense which was an NFL record. According to the Bleacher Report, Stephone averaged 38 yards per catch in the game and had two different QBs tossing the rock to him as Todd Blackledge and Bill Kenney each were in as signal caller for the Chiefs! The record was broken in 1989 by Flipper Anderson of the Los Angeles Rams who finished a game 336 yards against the New Orleans Saints but Anderson reached his lofty mark with some catches in an overtime session whereas Paige earned all of his yardage in the regular 60 minutes. KC needed every bit of Paige’s efforts too as they overcame the Chargers 38-34 in the contest.

Slash

December 22, 1996 - Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina - Per a story on the SteelersDepot.com website, Pittsburgh's Kordell Stewart runs an NFL quarterback record of 80 yds for a score. “Slash” Stewart weaved his way through a stout Carolina Panthers defense to put the Steelers ahead in the low scoring game. The score did not hold up though as the Panthers rallied to win 18-14 over Pittsburgh.

Thomas sets record

December 22, 2019 - New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas set an NFL record for most catches in a season per a NewOrleansSaints.com website story.  Thomas in the contest raised his season total 144 to catches  as the Saints knocked off the Tennessee Titans 38-28. Michael Thomas’ new milestone breaks a 17-year old record once held by Indianapolis Colts Marvin Harrison when he posted a season total of 143.
 

December 22, 1949 - Swainsboro, Georgia - The pride of Southern Mississippi football, Punter Ray Guy was born.  Ray set numerous collegiate records and became the first All-America punter per the NFF. The National Football Foundation selected Ray Guy to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Guy was the first punter ever selected in the first round of the NFL draft when the Oakland Raiders chose him as the 23rd player overall in the 1973 NFL Draft. In his 14 seasons with the Black and Silver he only had one year where he averaged under 40 yards per punt and only a mere 3 of his 1049 boots were blocked. Ray was an All-Pro in six straight seasons and for his career he averaged 42.4 yards per punt. Ray Guy, at the 2014 enshrinement ceremonies officially entered into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The photo is from the Harris & Ewing, photographer studios collection donated to the U.S. Library of Congress. It is believed to be a 1911 photograph of an unknown Georgetown University player.  We love the rich history of the Gridiron an old photographs that were generously donated to the LOC so everyone could admire them!