July 6 Gridiron History

In this edition of On This Gridiron Day, we discuss a development in the NFL that prevented the selection of a new Commissioner, a defensive star changes colleges after being recruited by two coaching legends, and another American CFL franchise embarks on its maiden voyage. 

On a mid-summer day, the annals of gridiron history reveal diverse stories, ranging from the intricate dealings of league leadership to the ambitious, though ultimately short-lived, forays of Canadian football into the United States, and even a cinematic portrayal of the sport. This particular day brings to light the challenging path to selecting a new NFL Commissioner, a period marked by extensive deliberation among owners.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Football League's bold experiment with American expansion was beginning to show cracks. Teams like the Shreveport Pirates, despite passionate local fan bases, faced immense financial hurdles and competitive challenges, ultimately signaling the eventual retreat of the CFL's "swashbucklers" from the U.S. landscape. This era highlights the difficulties of transplanting a different football code into a deeply rooted American football culture.

The intersection of football and popular culture is also noted, particularly through iconic movie scenes. The film Forrest Gump notably featured college football sequences, integrating the sport into its narrative, albeit with some cinematic liberties regarding game rules. These cinematic portrayals help to embed football even deeper into the broader cultural consciousness.

Finally, this day marks the birthday of Fred Dryer, a formidable defensive end whose impact was felt across both college and professional football. Dryer, known for his relentless quarterback hunting, played college football for San Diego State, where he wore jersey number 77. He was a two-time NCAA College Division National Champion with the Aztecs and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In the professional ranks, Dryer made his mark primarily with the Los Angeles Rams, also playing for the New York Giants. Wearing NFL jersey number 89, he was a dominant force, becoming the only NFL player to record two safeties in a single game and accumulating over 100 career sacks during his impactful thirteen-year NFL career. His dual legacy as a celebrated player and later a well-known actor, particularly for his role as Detective Rick Hunter, adds another layer to his enduring presence in sports and entertainment history.

We will provide you with a little bit of football nostalgia. This daily football history segment features the Great events, Franchise formation anniversaries, as well as the birthdays of notable Hall of Fame players, coaches, or anyone else in our great game, and many more Legendary stories of the Gridiron.