January 23

In this episode of the Football's History Headlines, we discuss the free substitution rule of 1950, Conference Championships and the anchor of the Lombardi era offensive lines of the Packers as well as many more Hall of Fame Legendary birthdays and 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 photgraph above in the banner is titled "Football Team" and was donated to the US Library of Congress by Harris and Ewing photography.

January 23, 1950 - NFL rule changes which according to the sportattic.com were unlimited free substitution was restored, opening the way for the era of two platoons and specialization in pro football such as offense, defensive and special team specialist.

January 23, 1953 - At the NFL owners meeting the successful sale of the franchise that would become the reincarnation of a Baltimore franchise took just over four weeks as Carroll Rosenbloom became the principal owner of the new Baltimore Colts and absorbed many of the defunct Dallas Texans team. (look back at the December 28 History headlines). Also decided at this meeting was that the NFL's National & American conference would become Eastern & Western conferences.

January 23, 1978 - Tampa Stadium - At the NFL Pro Bowl the NFC squad edges out the AFC, 14-13. The game’s MVP was Chicago Bears running back Walter Peyton. According to the Tampa Sport History Blogspot the game was broadcast nationwide on ABC and called by the renowned “Monday Night Football” crew of Frank Gifford, “Dandy” Don Meredith and Howard Cosell.

January 23, 1983 - Miami’s Orange Bowl - The New York Jets in the early 1980s were a team built on speed. The worst thing that could have happened to a team of that nature is to have it rain for days on end on a southern Florida natural playing surface, and unfortunately for the Jets it did occur according to a News Day Article. The game has gone down in the annals of NFL history as the "Mud Bowl."  The wet, muddy field negated the Jets significant speed and skill advantage and the Miami Dolphins benefitted as they blanked the New York Jets 14-0 in the AFC Championship Game to advance to the Super Bowl.

January 23, 1994 - Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York - The 1993 season’s AFC Championship game saw the passing offenses almost nullified by the defenses, Bills Running back Thurman Thomas thrived with 186 yards on the ground and 3 touchdowns as the Buffalo Bills beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-13 to advance to Super Bowl XXVIII.

January 23, 1994 - Texas Stadium, Irving - Dallas Cowboys punched their tickets into Super Bowl XXVIII to face the Buffalo Bills as they knocked off the San Francisco 49ers, 38-21 in the NFC Championship game.

January 23, 2000 - Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville - Some new names were found in the AFC Championship in the new millennium as the Tennessee Titans beat Jacksonville Jaguars, 33-14 per the Pro-Football-Reference.com. Titans Quarterback Steve McNair had almost as many yards rushing, 91 with three TDs as he did passing, 14 of 23 for 112 yards. With the victory Tennessee earned the right to play in Super Bowl XXXIV. 

January 23, 2000 - A defensive battle ensued in the 1999 season’s NFC Championship game played at the Trans World Dome, St. Louis per the Pro-Football-Reference. The St. Louis Rams outscored the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 11-6 to advance to Super Bowl XXXIV to face the Titans.

January 23, 2005 - Heinz Field, Pittsburgh - The  New England Patriots ruined the party  for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they handily defeated them 41-27 in the AFC Championship game. Patriot wide out Deion Branch scored twice as New England won the Lamar Hunt Trophy. 
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200501230pit.htm 
January 23, 2005  The Philadelphia Eagles knocked around the Atlanta Falcons, 27-10 in the NFC Championship played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly. Chad Lewis caught two Donovan McNabb passes to help the Eagles advance to Super Bowl XXXIX per the Pro-Football-Reference.

 January 23, 2011 - Heinz Field, Pittsburgh - The AFC Championship game had Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall ran 27 times for 121 yards and scored once to help the Pittsburgh Steelers overcome the New York Jets, 24-19 per an ESPN.com story.  
 
January 23, 2011 - The NFC Championship played at Soldier Field in Chicago was a matchup of two long time NFC North rivals. In the game for the right to play in the Super Bowl, it was the Green Bay Packers knocking out the Chicago Bears, 21-14.

January 23, 1935 - Throckmorton County, Texas - Oklahoma’s fantastic fullback, linebacker and center Jerry Tubbs was born. He enjoyed an11-year pro career as linebacker for the Chicago Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys. 

January 23, 1936 - Jordan, Montana - Jerry Kramer the star guard of the University of Idaho was born. Jerry was a fourth round pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1958 NFL Draft according to the Profootballhof.com website. Kramer was looked upon as the foundation of the Lombardi era's Packers O-lines as his athletic skill and smarts made him a formidable challenge for any defender to get past. He was a starter in 6 NFL Championships and also two Super Bowls and the Packer only lost one time in those eight games! Jerry was named to the All-NFL  team 5 times in his 11 year Pro career and played in 3 Pro Bowls. This man had special skills that even empmoyed him as the Packers kicker in the 1962 and 63 season and even a little bit in his last year in the League. In fact his three field goals in the 1962 NFL Championship propelled Green Bay to victory over the Giants. In 2018 Jerry Kramer slipped on a brand new Gold Jacket and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  

January 23, 1952 - East St. Louis, Illinois - Washington University of St Louis linebacker Shelby Jordan arrived into this life. According to the footballfoundation.org Shelby was a 6-foot-7, 270-pound beast, as he led WUSL in tackles for three consecutive seasons en route to being named a Kodak First Team All-American during his senior campaign. The National Football Foundation voters selected Shelby Jordan to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013. After graduation Jordan went in the seventh round of the 1973 NFL Draft as he was picked by the Houston Oilers.  Eventually Shelby became a six-year starter with the New England Patriots at offensive tackle and later won Super Bowl XVIII with the Los Angeles Raiders.

January 23, 1971 - Savannah, Georgia - The great offensive lineman from the LSU Tigers, Kevin Mawae was born. Kevin Mawae played in the NFL for 16 seasons according to his Hall of Fame Bio on the Profootballhof.com website. He played in 8 Pro Bowls over that span and was on the 2000's all decade teams as a center. Kevin was originally drafted in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft by Seattle and played guard for the first two seasons in the League. He then changed to the position of Center where he thrived for the rest of his long career. He played 4 seasons with the Seahawks, 8 with the Jets and four final years as a member of the Tennessee Titans. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Kevin Mawae in the class of 2019.