February 26

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss the ending of Tom Landry's time in Dallas as well as many more HOF Legendary stories.

We're diving into the archives to revisit the headlines that rocked the NFL landscape. From legendary draft-day decisions that changed franchises to record-breaking performances that left fans in awe, get ready to relive the electrifying moments that shaped the game we love. So, lace up your cleats and join us as we explore the captivating stories from the gridiron's rich past!

February 26, 1989 - Dallas Cowboys fire coach Tom Landry after a 29-year career. Tom Landry received his first glimpse of coaching as a Giant when Head Coach Steve Owen asked the young Landry to explain the 6-1-4 defense to his teammates when he was still a player in New York. In 1954 and 1955 with Steve Owen out as coach Landry served as a player/assistant coach under new head man Jim Lee Howell. Landry was the defensive coordinator while a man named Vince Lombardi was in charge of the Giants offense. Early in 1960 before they even officially existed, Tom Landry was hired as the Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The first year coach had some tough sledding as his team went 0-11-1. The Cowboys owner, Clint Murchison Jr., had faith in Landry though as he promptly signed him to a 10 year extension.  The patience paid off as the team improved and in 1966 the team won 10 games and earned the right to play Lombardi's Packers in the NFL Championship game. Landry coached teams in Dallas made the Super Bowl 5 times, winning two of them and he was a Bart Starr QB sneak in the Ice Bowl away from a sixth. 1990 Coach Landry was selected to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

February 26, 1991 - The World League Of American Football teams open up Training Camps just days after the league’s first draft had completed! We spoke about the draft of the WLAF on our February 24 post.

February 26, 1886 - Blue Bell, Pennsylvania - The two way end/fullback from the University of Pennsylvania from 1904 through 1908, Bill Hollenback was born.  For more on this legend of the game, simply click his name.

February 26, 1914 - Cleveland, Ohio - The stud center from the Ohio State University from 1933 through 1935, Gomer Jones celebrated his date of birth. 

February 26, 1930 - Elyria, Ohio - The slick halfback of the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1949 through 1951, Vic Janowicz arrived into this world. The Football Foundation website delivers the story that Vic is one of the best All-around football players to ever put on pads. As a sophomore defender in 1949, Vic became the hero of the 1950 Rose Bowl, as he picked off two passes, ran one back 41 yards, and helped Ohio State beat California 17-14. The next year the coaching staff had Janowicz play on both sides of the ball. Vic’s athleticism was on full display from the tailback position of the single- wing formation, where he ran, passed, punted, blocked, and place-kicked. His highlight game of 1950 was against Pitt where Janowicz threw four touchdown passes in a 41-7 victory.  That's not where his exploits stopped, as he booted a 90 yard punt against Minnesota, scored 46 points against Iowa as he went on to become a unanimous All-American and even won the Heisman Trophy! The National Football Foundation voters selected Vic Janowicz for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976. Vic played a few years of Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played a couple seasons in the NFL with Washington. A car accident ended his promising pro career in both sports.  

February 26, 1973 - New Orleans, Louisiana - Marshall Faulk the talented running back for San Diego State University from 1991 through 1993 was born. What can you say about this player? Well for starters the footballfoundation.org tells us that he was a First -Team All-American in all three seasons he played college football. Faulk became the first freshman in history to lead the nation in both scoring (140 points) and rushing (158.8 yards per game) in 1991. He was a finalist for the Heisman three times. The NFF selection committee called the name of Marshall Faulk in 2017 for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame.  Marshall was the number 2 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. He played 12 seasons in the NFL split between the Indianapolis Colts and the St. Louis Rams. For his career he ammases 12279 yards rushing, and added another 6874 yards receiving on 767 passes caught. Faulk  scored 136 TDs and was the League MVP in 2000. Marshall was the first player in history two earn over 2000 yards of total offense in four consecutive seasons. The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio seized the opportunity to put Marshall Faulk in a Gold Jacket in 2011. 

The picture in the banner above is from the US Library of Congress' collection and was contributed by photographer Marion S Trikosko circa 1974 and is titled "Redskins - Cardinals game."