February 7

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss a few great quarterbacks that played in Super Bowls on February 7 as well as many more Hall of Fame Legendary birthdays and 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 7, 1988 - Aloha Stadium, Honolulu - We start off today’s headlines at the NFL Pro Bowl as the American Football Conference outlasted the National Football Conference by the score of 15-6. The top star on this contest was Buffalo Bills Defensive End Bruce Smith who took home the MVP award.

February 7, 1993 - The Pro Bowl for the NFL’s 1992 season was also played at  Aloha Stadium, Honolulu. This time it was the AFC who triumphed as they edged out the NFC players by the tune of 23-20. The game’s Most Valuable Player was Steve Tasker the wide receiver of the Buffalo Bills.

February 7, 1999 - Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - The AFC East Division had once again taken the honor of the Pro Bowl MVP award as both the New York Jets Wide Receiver Keyshawn Johnson and Ty Law the cornerback of the New England Patriots were selected for their fine play in the game. The final score of this all-star contest was that the AFC knocked off the NFC squad 23-10 in the 1998 seasons NFL Pro Bowl. 

February 7, 2010 - Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Miami, Florida - Super Bowl XLIV was a matchup of all time great quarterbacks as Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis Colts faced the New Orleans Saints and their most excellent signal caller Drew Brees. The game started with the Colts storming out to an early 10-0 run to go up by double digits, but two second quarter field goals cut the margin to a four point game at the half. Saints head Coach Sean Payton then made some major halftime adjustments out maneuvering those of the Colts sideline boss Jim Caldwell. New Orleans decimated the Indy defense and all kept Manning and company from scoring even a single point in the game’s back half with 25 unanswered tallies. It led to a New Orleans Saints first NFL title as they rolled the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17. The Super Bowl XLIV MVP honoree was Drew Brees as according to the Pro Football Reference website he threw for 2 touchdowns and 288 yards.

February 7, 2016 - Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California - Peyton Manning again had a team in the NFL’s Championship as he was now with the Denver Broncos as they were faced in a match up with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl L per an ESPN.com web page. The game may have been less about these two outstanding QBs and more about the defensive player for the Broncos that won the MVP. Denver linebacker Von Miller made life miserable for Mr. Newton all game as the two fumbles that Von created turned into 14 points for the Mile High team, in fact it was the exact point differential in the game. The  Denver Broncos outscored the Carolina Panthers, 24–10 to seal another Lombardi in glass for the franchise. The Broncos D forced Newton into a dismal 18 of 41 passing with an interception. The Panthers meanwhile made Peyton Manning look quite pedestrian as well as he was 13 of 23 for 141 yards and a pick. Defense does win championships and this time Denver's defensive squad did more and locked up the title.

February 7, 2021 - Tampa, Forida - Super Bowl LV was an amazing game of storylines. The first was that Tom Brady, who had eleven months earlier shocked the football world when he left his franchise of 20 years and moved on to play with the Buccanneers. Secondly he went there and changed the dynamic so quickly that they went to the Big game of the season. Thirdly the Tampa Bay Bucs became the first team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Their opponents were the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, led by young QB Patrick Mahomes. The aggressive defense of the Buccanneers wreaked havok on the young quarterback all day with a series of pressure schemes that really nullified big plays that the Chiefs offense was used to. Final score 31 -9 with Tom Brady earning his fifth Super Bowl MVP ward of his career and hoisting the Lombardi for the 7th time in hs 10 Super Bowls played.

February 7, 1917 - Fort Lawn, South Carolina - The legendary Clemson Tigers halfback Banks McFadden arrived into the world. The National Football Foundation selected Banks McFadden for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959.

February 7, 1922 - North Loup, Nebraska - The University of Southern Cal’s brilliant end, Paul Cleary was born. Paul started out at Santa Ana, California, Junior College in 1941 and 1942 and played there until his football career was interrupted by service for his country in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Upon his return he went to USC.  The FootballFoundation.org website bio of Cleary states that he was All-America in 1947, and his Coach Jeff Cravath said, "He's the finest end who ever played at Southern California."  Paul Cleary was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes.

February 7, 1933 - Steubenville, Ohio - The great Calvin Jones who played guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes took his first breath on this date. The NFF reports that Cal was named to 22 different All-America teams during his collegiate playing days. Jones earned the honor of receiving the Outland Trophy as a senior in 1955. Voters of the National Football Foundation selected Cal Jones to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980. Cal played pro ball in the CFL for one season before he tragically perished in a plane crash in Canada in December of 1956.

February 7, 1934 - Hartford, Connecticut - The stalwart Naval Academy two way playing end, Ron Beagle was born. Ron almost never left the field for the Midshipmen during his playing days as he blocked, tackled and grabbed passes for Navy’s teams of the mid 1950’s. The NFF records that in the 1953 through 1955 seasons Beagle caught 64 passes, mostly from George Welsh, and scored eight touchdowns. He was All-America twice, unanimous in 1955, and won the Maxwell Trophy  which is the prestigious college player of the year in 1954. The National Football Foundation voters selected Ron Beagle for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986. In an astonishing bit of fact, the footballfoundation.org points out that Beagle and another famous player nine years his junior, attended  the same Purcell High School in Cincinnati, played college football at the Naval Academy, both won the Maxwell Trophy, made the honor of All- America status, and eventually were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. It happened only once, and the two men were Ron Beagle and Roger Staubach.

February 7, 1953 - Mobile, Alabama - The awesome Jackson State linebacker Robert Brazile arrived into this life. Robert was the sixth overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers who got the rights to that pick in a monster trade deal where they also gained Hall of Fame defensive end Curly Culp. Wow what a payday for Houston! In his first season Robert earned the Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while helping the Oiler achieve a record of 10-4. Brazile played 10 seasons with the Oilers franchise helping them to gain entrance into the AFC playoff in 3 straight seasons. For his career he registered 13 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries as well as being a team leader in tackles. He was an All-Pro in five consecutive seasons and played in seven Pro Bowl games.  The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Robert Brazile in 2018.

The Photograph above circa 2019 was donated to the US Library of Congress by photographer Carol M. Highsmith and is titled in the collection as " Aerial View of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania "