February 1, 1913 - American all-round athlete Jim Thorpe signs a contract to play baseball with the New York Giants; unlike his other sporting endeavours the Olympic-medal winner's career in MLB was uninspiring
February 1, 1968 - Vince Lombardi stepped down as Green Bay Packers head coach. Green Bay’s longtime assistant Phil Bengtson became the franchise’s general manager for the 1968 season.
February 1, 1972 - The 1972 NFL Draft was held and the top pick was Walt Patulski from University of Notre Dame who was the choice of the Buffalo Bills. There was only one Pro Football Hall of Fame player from this draft so far according to the Pro Football Reference and that was Penn State running back Franco Harris who went to Pittsburgh with the 13th overall pick.
February 1, 1981 - Aloha Stadium, Honolulu - The NFC tripled up the AFC, 21-7 in the 1980 season’s NFL Pro Bowl. The game’s Most Valuable Player was Eddie Murray the kicker of the Detroit Lions according to the OnthisDay.com.
February 1, 1987 - The 1986 season’s NFL Pro Bowl was also played at beautiful Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. The results of the contest were that the AFC team edged out the NFC squad, 10-6. The game’s MVP was legendary Defensive End of the Philadelphia Eagles at the time, Reggie White.
February 1, 1998 - Another NFL Pro Bowl was played on this day in gridiron history and again at the player’s choice venue, Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. Who wouldn’t want to make the Pro Bowl just for that trip? The AFC nipped NFC in the game by the final score of 29-24. The Seattle Seahawks veteran signal caller of that season, legend Warren Moon won the Most Valuable Player.
February 1, 2004 - Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas - What a game Super Bowl XXXVIII was to match the League’s top two teams, the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots. American Football Fandom has the scoop. Although neither team could score in the first and third quarters, they both ended up with a combined total of 868 yards and 61 points. The game was scoreless for a Super Bowl record 26:55 before the two teams combined for 24 points prior to halftime and an amazing 37 combined points in a fast paced fourth quarter! New England Patriots squeaked by the Carolina Panthers, 32-29. The big game MVP was GOAT quarterback Tom Brady who had set a Super Bowl record for the most pass completions with 32,while completing 66.7 percent of his passes and accumulating 354 passing yards for 3 touchdowns. It was the second championship in three years for the Patriots.
February 1, 2009 - Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida - The Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers butted heads in Super Bowl XLIII. This Championship game may have more highlight reel plays than any other game in history! Who can forget the Larry Fitzgerald 64 yard score with 2:45 remaining to put the Cards up on the scoreboard. Or the Santonio Holmes toe tap in the end zone late in the game that ended up being the game winner. But probably my favorite play was the game changing James Harrison 100 yard pick six to end the first half that was most likely a 14 point swing! Oh the drama of that play at the time it occurred! The Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23 and the toe dance along with some other crucial grabs on the final drive earned Santonio Holmes the MVP.
February 1, 2014 - Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning sets an all time record for the most NFL Most Valuable Player awards per the Washington Post. The great quarterback won his 5th such trophy at the NFL Honors in New York City. He also capped off the evening by capturing the 2013 Offensive Player of the Year as well.
February 1, 2014 - Ray Guy (Oakland/LA Raiders) becomes second pure kicker, and first pure punter to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
February 1, 2015 - University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona - The question on everyone’s mind at the completion of Super Bowl XLIX was, “ Why Didn’t they go Beastmode?” With 26 seconds remaining Seattle had the ball 2nd and goal from the Patriot’s one yard line with one timeout remaining. Russel Wilson was in shotgun formation having short yardage expert Marshawn Lynch perched on his left hip. New England had eight in the box expecting a run, but Wilson took the snap and promptly tried firing a short slant pass over the middle which Malcolm Butler the Patriots corner undercut and intercepted it per ESPN.com. There was no joy in the North West that evening as the Patriots denied the Seahawks another Lombardi as they held on to win by the score of 28-24 over the Seattle Seahawks. The game’s Most Valuable Player was Quarterback Tom Brady.
February 1, 2022 - Speaking of Tom Brady, he announced his retirement from playing football on his Instagram account. After 22 seasons ( 20 with New England and 2 with Tampa Bay), Brady played in a totla of 10 Super Bowl Games, hoisted the Lombardi Trophy 7 times and he personally won 5 Sup[er Bowl MVP awards.
