February 4

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss Super Bowls XLI & LII and John Madden as well as many more Hall of Fame Legendary stories.

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!

The picture in the banner above is from the US Library of Congress' collection and was created in 1860 as an engraving titled, " Bald Eagle, American Bank Note "

February 4, 1969 - John Madden is named head coach of the Oakland Raiders. With the hiring John was the youngest coach in the AFL at 34. Madden remained the head man for the Raiders sidelines all the way through the conclusion of the 1978 season. He and the Raiders won Super Bowl XI, his crowning achievement in the 10 year tenure with the Silver and Black. Under John Madden the Raiders had an impressive record of 103-32-7 and they never suffered under a losing season per the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The team won 5 straight AFC Western Division titles from 1972 through 1976. After hanging up the coaching whistle Madden became an outstanding broadcast Color Analyst, perhaps the best the gridiron had ever seen.

February 4, 1990 - Aloha Stadium, Honolulu - T the 1989 season’s NFL Pro Bowl the NFC defeated the AFC, 27-21 The game’s MVP was Defensive Back Jerry Gray of the Los Angeles Rams.

February 4, 1996 - Aloha Stadium, Honolulu - The NFL Pro Bowl for the 1995 season resulted in an NFC victory over their AFC rivals by the score of 20-13.  Jerry Rice, then of the San Francisco 49ers used his awesome receiving skills to catch the game’s MVP honors!

February 4, 2001 - Aloha Stadium, Honolulu - We had another NFL Pro Bowl played on this date in history. In the contest it was the AFC that extinguished the NFC, 38-17. The game’s MVP honors went to Rich Gannon, quarterback of the Oakland Raiders.

February 4, 2007 - Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Miami, Florida - At Super Bowl XLI Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning had each finally received their Super Bowl Championship that had been so elusive to each of them earlier in their careers. According to the Pro Football Reference Manning threw for 247 yards passing and a TD against a very strong Chicago Bears defense to win the Most Valuable Player Award in the contest. The brilliant signal caller and his top notch coach helped guide the Indianapolis Colts over the Chicago Bears, 29-17.  

February 4, 2018 - US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota - Super Bowl LII was a game that was quite surprising to most who watched it. The Philadelphia Eagles led by their Quarterback Nick Foles who at the beginning of the season was a back up to Carson Wentz were playing the New England Patriots who had the great Tom Brady under center. ESPN.com tells how Foles led the Eagles on a gutsy 75-yard drive to the winning touchdown, an 11 yard toss to Tight End Zach Ertz with 2:21 to go. The Ertz catch added to the game’s drama by having to be reviewed, leaving millions of viewers on the edge of their seat. After replay supported the call on the field , Philadelphia went for two and failed. The Eagles defense would then go on two final stands against the crafty Brady and friends to taste greatness. Yes the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots, 41-33 to win all the marbles. The Super Bowl LII MVP was none other than Nick Foles.

February 4, 1933 - Des Moines, Iowa - The great Lincoln University of Missouri halfback, Leo Lewis was born. The National Football Foundation says Lewis also known as the "The Lincoln Locomotive'' had some impressive stats in his four years at Lincoln University in Missouri, leading the Blue Tigers to an impressive 27-5-3 record in his time on the team. Leo set records for the Blue Tigers including 22 touchdowns in a season,  64 TDs in a career, posted 1239 rushing yards in a season and career rushing yards with 4,561 to become a two-time First Team All-America selection. Leo Lewis received the honor of being forever remembered in his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
 
February 4, 1940 - Tuscaloosa, Alabama - Billy Neighbors the powerful guard from the University of Alabama arrived into this life. The National Football Foundation voters selected  Bill Neighbor’s gridiron legacy to go into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973.

February 4, 1960 - Oaklyn, New Jersey - Widener College great, safety Tom Deery was born. The NFF states that Deery was voted as an All-America selection in three different seasons by the AP and the America Coaches Association for his brilliant defensive secondary prowess. Tom amassed  126 unassisted tackles, 44 assisted tackles, 32 interceptions in the 43 career games he played in during college. The National Football Foundation selected Tom Deery for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.