Here are the bios on some birthday boys that are either in the College Football Hall of Fame or the Pro Football Hall of Fame that were born on this day. There is plenty more about them to read by either clicking their high-lighted name or at the top of this page clicking the "On This Day in Football History" and going to May 1 Football History.
May 1, 1900 - Baraboo, Wisconsin - Stan Barnes the two-way Center/Tackle from the University of California from 1918 to 1921 arrived to have his birth certificate signed. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Stan Barnes into their legendary museum in 1954.
May 1, 1905 - De Ridder, Louisiana - The Louisiana-Lafayette (1922-25 ) and with Army from 1926 to 1929, halfback Chris “Red” Cagle was born. Chris Cagle was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes.
May 1, 1908 - Medford, Wisconsin - Erny Pinkert the flashy halfback of Southern Cal teams of 1929 to 1931 arrived into this life. Erny Pinkert’s collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1957.
May 1, 1910 - Akron, Ohio - The strong halfback of the seasons of 1928 to 1931 of West Virginia Wesleyan, Cliff “Gyp” Battles was born. The National Football Foundation selected Cliff Battles for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955. He was a standout player in fact Cliff Battles was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968. Battles was assistant coach at Columbia 1938-43, served in the Marines in World War II, and coached the Brooklyn Dodgers of the All-America Football Conference 1946-47.
May 1, 1925 - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - The standout center from the University of Pennsylvania Quakers, Chuck Bednarik celebrated his date of birth. "Concrete Charlie" was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes. The Philadelphia Eagles made him their number one draft choice in the bonus draft of 1949. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined the career of Chuck Bednarik in 1967.
May 1, 1930 - Trinity, Texas - The University of San Francisco’s stud halfback of 1949 to 1951, Ollie Matson was born. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Ollie Matson into their legendary museum in 1976. Ollie racked up over 12,000 yards of total offense in the League with the Cardinals and Rams and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972.
May 1, 1937 - Surry County, Virginia - The tackle from Maryland Eastern Shore, Roger Brown arrived into this world.The NFF says Roger Brown was a massive lineman for his era. In fact, when Roger entered the pro ranks he may have been one of the first 300-pound plus players. Despite his stature , Brown had the stamina and athletic ability to still play in the demanding one-platoon era and he dominated opponents. Roger Brown received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
May 1, 1973 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Curtis Martin the quick footed running back from the University of Pittsburgh was born. The legendary New England Patriots and New York Jets rusher had quite an NFL career. Curtis Martin in 2012 was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.