February 13

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss the origins and a brief history of the Washington franchise as well as many more HOF Legendary stories including a birthday tribute to the legendary receiver, Randy Moss.

Gridiron ghosts are stirring! Today's date is etched in the annals of NFL history. From legendary comebacks to record-breaking performances, monumental trades to heart-wrenching defeats, the pigskin has witnessed its share of drama on this very day. Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit the iconic moments, game-changing plays, and unforgettable figures that forever marked their place in the grand narrative of professional football. So, gear up, football fans, as we delve into the captivating stories that unfolded on this historic day in the NFL!

February 13, 1937 - The Boston Redskins receive approval from the NFL to move to Washington, D.C. to share baseball's Griffith Stadium with the Washington Senators of Major League Baseball’s American League. The franchise started out in Boston as the Braves in 1932. In a July 5, 1933 Boston Globe article, franchise owner George Marshall announced publicly that he was changing the team's nickname to the Redskins to avoid confusion with the Boston Braves American League Baseball team. Marshall interestingly enough credited the name selection on his counsel with claimed Native American Head Coach Lone Star Dietz as well as several players of Native American descent on the 1933 squad. It is speculated though that the motivation to change the moniker went further than that as after a financially devastating and poorly attended season in 1932, Marshall really abandoned the Braves name in favor of the Redskins to try and find financial stability for his club. According to a piece on the Sports Team History website the team also moved their home field to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Redsox baseball team to further distance themselves from the Boston Braves and possibly rally fan support for the professional football team. After five frustrating seasons and poor support from the community and the press Marshall asked for permission to move the team to the Nation’s Capital. After the League office’s approval the franchise thrived in D.C. winning multiple championships as they played as the Washington Redskins from 1937 through 2019. In 2020, out of respect for the degrading connotation of the Redskins name with Native Americans the franchise was referred to as the Washington Football Team and all association by name and symbolism with the word redskin was dropped. 

February 13, 2005 - Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - At the 2004 season’s NFL Pro Bowl, the AFC team of all-stars knocked off the NFC squad by the final score of 38-27. Legendary quarterback Peyton Manning then with the Indianapolis Colts was voted as the game’s Most Valuable Player.

February 13, 1933 - Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The great Southeast Missouri State tackle, Kenneth Dement was born. Kenneth played for Southeast Missouri in the seasons of 1951 through 1954 and he was a two way tackle. 

February 13, 1972 - Englewood, New Jersey - Ruben Brown the big offensive tackle from Pittsburgh arrived into this life. Originally a defensive tackle, his coaches taught him the ways of an offensive tackle as a freshman and by the time his senior season rolled around Ruben was a First Team All-American per the NFF. Brown also received honors as the Washington D.C. Downtown Athletic Club’s National Outstanding Lineman for 1994. The National Football Foundation selected Ruben Brown for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Ruben was a 1995 NFL Draftpick by the Buffalo Bills and he spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Bills and the Chicago Bears. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, he was elected to the Bills’ 50th Anniversary Team in 2009, and he was a member of the 2006 Bears team that appeared in Super Bowl XLI.

February 13, 1977 - Rand, West Virginia -  The lanky speedster of a wide receiver from Marshall Randy Moss was born. Moss was a first round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1998 NFL Draft. As a Rookie he caught 69 passes for 1313 yards and led the NFL with 17 TDs per the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website. In 2003 he had his best year when he hauled in 111 catches for 1632 yards.  He later moved on to play with the Patriots and all he did was set an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions in 2007 when teamed with Tom Brady.  He earned All -Pro Honors four times and went to 6 Pro Bowls as he retired with 156 total TDd and 15292 yards receiving. Randy Moss was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

The engraving in the banner above is from the US Library of Congress' collection and was drawn by artists Morse and Tuttles and titled " National Washington D.C." circa 1860.