February 24

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss some Pro football news from around the globe 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 24, 1989 - Harold E. Ballard sold the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats to David Braley per OnThisDay.com. Braley was the owner of three Canadian Football League teams over the years and once was the  Canadian League's interim commissioner. His other former teams were the B.C. Lions and the Toronto Argonauts. According to an ESPN.com article ; “His teams won four CFL titles, among them Toronto's championship in the 100th Grey Cup in 2012.”
 
February 24, 1991 End of World League of American Football's (WLAF) 1st draft. According to a web page titled World League of American Football, “The NY/NJ Knights make the first selection on the first day of the WLAF draft and choose 6-3, 290lb offensive tackle Caesar Rentie of Oklahoma.” on February 14 to kick off the  picking of teams from scratch draft. This final day of picking was to choose defensive backs and assign 40 operation discovery players for each franchise.After some ups and downs and major changes the leagues disbanded in 2007 under the moniker of NFL Europe.

February 24, 1906 - Muskegon, Michigan - The fantastic end from the University of Michigan, Bennie Oosterbaan was born. For more on this legend of the game, please click his name.

February 24, 1910 - Birmingham, Alabama - Fred Sington the great Tackle front the University of Alabama arrived into this life per the NFF. 

February 24, 1923 - Toledo, Ohio - The nifty halfback from the Michigan Wolverines gridiron program, Bob Chappuis celebrated his day of birth. The NFF says that; “As a football star, he led the Big Ten in total offense twice and in 1947 was unanimous All-America halfback. He helped Michigan to a perfect season and was voted Most Valuable Player in the Rose Bowl after leading the way to a 49-0 victory over Southern California.” The National Football Foundation honored Bob Chappuis with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

February 24, 1952 - Arcadia, Louisiana - The stud linebacker from Louisiana Tech, Fred Dean was born. Fred as the leader of the La Tech defense helped take the team to the 1973 NCAA Division II Championship.  Dean had 392 career tackles during his college days. Fred Dean was forever recognized as one of the top collegians of the gridiron when he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. The San Diego Chargers took Fred in the second round of the 1975 NFL Draft and he played 11 seasons in the League both with the Chargers and the 49ers as a defensive end according to the ProFootballHOF.com. Sacks was not an official stat of the NFL during most of his playing days but it has been documented that the big DE probably had upwards of 100 take downs of QBs behind the line of scrimmage in his career. In 1983 when they were official, Dean posted 17.5 sacks in the League books. He was received as an All-Pro in both 1980 and 1981 and played in 4 Pro Bowl games. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Fred Dean’s football NFL legacy in 2008.

The picture in the banner above is from the US Library of Congress' collection and was contributed by photographer Harris and Ewing circa 1924 and is titled " Football team at stadium."