March 26

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss Marcus Allen and Bum McClung as well as many more HOF Legendary stories.

March 26, 1887 - A convention of Football Rules makers convened and focused on rules of the game and empowered the referee with even more clout. A resolution was passed that stated “rules should be enforced rigidly by referees, and that captains should instruct their men against holding, roughing, and all other objectionable features.” The group even went as far as making all varsity captains sign a resolution there by swearing to coach their respective teams to play fairly and by the rules. Also the position of Umpire was created to help the Referee.  Other major rules changes from this conference were to make it a must for teams to try for a goal after a touchdown. See more in our 1887 see part 10 of history series.

March 26, 2001 - The NFL announced that for the 3rd straight year it reached a record average paid attendance mark. It was the first time that paid attendance went over 66,000 fans per game. Also the NFL announced  the Washington Redskins set a league record for attendance in 8 games of 656,599 surpassing the Detroit Lions record of 634,204 set in 1980. 
 

March 26, 1870 - Knoxville, Tennessee - The standout Yale halfback from 1888-91, Lee McLung, also known as "Bum," arrived into this life. Learn more about this College Football Hall of Fame inductee by clicking his name.

March 26, 1899 - Sumter, South Carolina - The Ramblin’ Georgia Tech halfback of the 1918 through 1920 seasons Buck Flowers was born. Buck actually started his collegiate football at Davidson College for the seasons of 1916 and 1917. As a member of the Davidson eleven he scampered for a 68 yard gain in the 1917 game against Navy per the Football Foundation’s website. As a member of the Ramblin’ Wreck Flowers became a triple threat as he scored on the Auburn Tigers with punt returns of 65 and 82 yards in 1920 as well as a 33 yard offensive rush and tossed a 25 yard TD pass for good measure! Those weren’t Buck’s only skills on the football field, no sir, he is credited with an 82 yard punt versus Georgetown as well as an 85 yard punt return against his former school, Davidson.The National Football Foundation selected Buck Flowers for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.

On March 26, 1899 in Lansing, Michigan a baby boy was born to two German immigrants Charles and Minnie Kipke. Charles emigrated to the US in 1872 and Minnie in 1888. They named the child Harry and he ended up being the middle child in a family of 7 total children. Charles worked as a motor assembler in Lansing to support the group but in 1920 he passed away leaving Harry and his three younger siblings to live with their widowed mother. Harry had the opportunity to attend the University of Michigan and Harry Kipke punted and played halfback for the Wolverines from 1921 through 1923. The NFF says that Kipke was considered the finest punter in the nation as a junior All- America in 1922 but was even more respected by opposing Big Ten coaches for his excellence as a ball carrier, passer and blocker.  Harry was a star player for the Wolverines and even became the team captain in his senior year.  During Kipke’s presence on the squad Michigan tallied a three-year mark of 19-1-2. The Doors of the College Football Hall of Fame swung open wide to accept Harry Kipke in 1958. Harry went into coaching at rival Michigan State in 1928 after serving as an Assistant Coach at the University of Missouri for four seasons. Then in 1929 he returned to head up the program of his alma mater and served as the head coach of Michigan for 9 seasons compiling a total coaching record of 49-30-5.

March 26, 1960 - Marcus Allen the stud running back from Southern Cal was born. Marcus Allen received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.  The LosAngeles Raiders used their first round pick to take Marcus in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft.  Allen was a 2 time All-Pro and played in 6 Pro Bowls. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined  the great Marcus Allen in 2003.