February 11

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss the sponsorship change of the Collegiate Football Rules book, The Big Tuna arrives back in the Big apple as well as many more HOF Legendary stories.

Gridiron fans, gear up for another exciting day of football history! Dive into the archives and relive the moments that shaped the game we love. Today's headlines take us back in time, exploring everything from legendary quarterback duels that captivated a nation to groundbreaking rule changes that redefined the sport. So, whether you're a die-hard traditionalist or a stats guru, we have something for everyone. Let's lace up our virtual cleats and take a trip down memory lane!

February 11, 1892 - (exact day in February unknown) George Wright decides to sell the Wright & Ditson Sporting Goods interests including the all important Wright and Ditson Publications to A. G. Spalding after the death of partner Henry A. Ditson on November 15, 1891. This included giving Spalding the exclusive rights to sponsor and supply the Football Rules books to players and coaches including the entire Spalding Sporting Goods catalog inside it. Spalding continued the Wright and Distson name on some of it's products all the way into the 1970's.

February 11, 1997 - Bill Parcells becomes head coach of New York Jets. Parcells coached the Jets for three seasons and then retired in 1999.The Big Tuna brought success to the franchise too as his team was 9-7 in the first season 12-4 in 1998 and then finished with an 8-8 record in

February 11, 2023 - Former Miami Dolphin Linebacker Zach Thomas was selected to become inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. According to an article in the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami selected Thomas in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Zach found out about the honor when his mother, Bobby, took him out to lunch, and his former coach Jimmy Johnson, wearing his own Gold Hall of Fame Jacket, snuck into the dining area and welcomed the former linebacker to the exclusive club on bronze busts in Canton. 

Nine player in all were selecte to the 2023 class incuding offensive tackle Joe Thomas, defensive backs Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis and Ken Riley; linebacker Chuck Howley; pass rusher DeMarcus Ware; defensive lineman Joe Klecko and longtime coach Don Coryell.

February 11, 1882 - Nashville, Tennessee - Vanderbilt’s once great halfback John Tigert was born. Tigert was so much more to college football than this though. Click his highlighted name above to learn all the details of this legend.

February 11, 1949 - Mt Vernon, Ohio - Jim Stillwagon the awesome defensive tackle from Ohio State University stakes the claim in his date of birth. The FootballFoundation.org website tells how Stillwagon played for Hall of Fame Coach Woody Hayes’ Buckeye teams from 1968 through 1970. In that span Ohio State football went 27-2 overall and won two national championships including the consensus national title in 1968. The anchor of the OSU D-line took home hardware for his great work too. Stillwagon was the first player to win the Lombardi Award in 1970, and he also won the Outland Trophy that same season. He was named a consensus All-American in 1969 and a unanimous All-American in 1970, along with being honored as the UPI’s defensive lineman of the year. The National Football Foundation selected Jim Stillwagon to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

The photo is one of my own at Erie Pennsylvania's Veteran's Memorial Stadium and the Play Clock during a PIAA District X tilt between Cathedral Prep and McDowell High School.