February 8

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss the history and some details of the  as well as many more Hall of Fame Legendary stories in your Daily Football History Headlines.

As we flip the calendar page, we delve into another chapter of pigskin history. From legendary comebacks that defied the odds to record-breaking performances that left fans speechless, remarkable moments unfolded on this very date. So, buckle up and get ready to relive iconic plays, celebrate trailblazing athletes, and revisit the captivating stories that continue to shape the ever-evolving narrative of professional football. Let's lace up our cleats and journey back in time to witness the incredible feats that transpired on this historic day in the NFL!

February 8, 1936 - First ever NFL Draft took place as Jay Berwanger from University of Chicago was the first pick by Philadelphia Eagles. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, before this inaugural draft players could sign with any team they so desired, but this practice caused a great disparity in the NFL, in fact in many sports. Franchises such as the Bears and Giants held somewhat of a monopoly on the good players and thus they were perennial contenders. That is when the owner of the Eagles and future NFL Commissioner, Bert Bell introduced a proposal of the draft to help bring parity to the League. OF course the bigger market teams were against this but Bell and company convinced them that it was essential for the League’s survival. On May 19, 1935 the plan that called for teams to select players in inverse order of their finish the previous season was passed and then used in the 1936 draft.

February 8, 1960 - Oakland Raiders Co-owner Y.C. "Chet" Soda was named franchise's first general manager per the Raiders.com website.

February 8, 1963 - AFL's Dallas Texans moved out of the state of Texas and relocated in Missouri to become the Kansas City Chiefs.

February 8, 1996 - The NFL and the City of Cleveland allowed Art Modell to relocate his NFL franchise to Baltimore, Maryland but the Browns’ nickname was separated from that Modell owned franchise and had to stay in Cleveland.

February 8, 2004 - Aloha Stadium, Honolulu - Mark Bulger the St. Louis Rams quarterback won the Most Valuable Player Award for the NFL Pro Bowl as his NFC teammates outscored the AFC by the amazing final score of 55-52!

February 8, 2009 - The 2008 season’s NFL Pro Bowl was also played at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii. The National Conference again defeated the American Conference this time by the score of 30-21. The MVP of the game of the season’s top players was Arizona Cardinals terrific Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

February 8, 1920 - Fairbault, Minnesota - Minnesota Golden Gopher Halfback Bruce “Boo” Smith was born per the NFF. Boo was famous for helping to grasp victory from the depths of  an apparent defeat, doing it with long-runs at dramatic moments and leading Minnesota to national titles in 1940 and 1941. In pacing the Gophers to the first of their back-to-back 8-0-0 campaigns, Smith was the man the team leaned on in 1940. Smith had a knack for producing scoring come-from-behind touchdowns that brought the crowds out of seats and escape threats by the likes of Nebraska, Ohio State and Michigan. The more Boo played the better he got. In 1941 he ran through the competition and won the Heisman Trophy. After graduation Boo was the MVP in the 1942 Chicago College All Star Game against the NFL's Chicago Bears. .Boo Smith was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1972 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes.  

February 8, 1925 - The University of California’s great guard Rod Franz garnered his born on date.  The NFF reminds us that Rod helped turn around a sub par Cal program into contenders. Franz was an honorable mention All-America listing as a freshman,  but then Franz became only the second Pacific Coast player to become a three-time All-America. The National Football Foundation selected Rod Franz for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977.

February 8, 1942 - Mount Prospect, Illinois - George Bork the fantastic quarterback from Northern Illinois arrived into this life. George was a four year football letterman at NI but only played quarterback in his final 3 seasons according to the footballfoundation.org.  Bork led the nation in total offense and passing in 1962 after his coaching staff installed the Shotgun Spread formation. George thrived in the system as he completed 232 passes for 2,506 yards. He repeated in 1963, with 244 completions for 3,077 yards. The school retired his jersey No.11 at the end of his Husky playing days. George Bork received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

February 8, 1948 - Northampton, Pennsylvania - The stud Penn State University Linebacker Dennis Onkotz was born. Dennis had a nose for finding the man with the ball and dropping him to the dirt as he earned All-America honors at linebacker in 1968 and 1969. According to the National Football Foundation Onkotz intercepted 11 passes and scored on picks sixes with three of them. He was also an outstanding and electric punt returner. In his three seasons he held an average of 13.2 yards per punt return. His talent extended beyond that too as he also led the Nittany Lions in tackles and was named as an Academic All-American. The National Football Foundation selected Dennis Onkotz for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

The graphics displayed in the banner abover were created by our guest on the podcast today, Bill Schaefer of the Gridiron Uniform Database.  It is an example of one of thousands they have on there website, but demonstrates the commitment to detail they perform. This graphic represents the 2020 Buffalo Bills and their many color combinations worn. To see this graphic and more in detail please visit Gridiron-Uniforms.com.