November 22

In this episode of the Football History Headlines, we discuss the 1st AFL Draft, Bama, and Auburn in some memorable games and more Grey Cup Championships, as well as many more HOF Legendary 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!
 

Rams Back Benton Puts up 303 Yards

November 22, 1945 - Briggs Stadium, Detroit, Michigan - The fans of the Cleveland Rams had plenty to be thankful for on this day. Jim Benton, the dependable Cleveland Rams end, gained an NFL record 303 yards against the Detroit Lions during this Thanksgiving Day game. The mark of 303 yards remained the NFL record for 40 years and was only tested once in 1950 by Cloyce Box of the Lions 1950, who gained 302 yards in one game. It wasn’t until the 1985 season when the record was shattered by Stephone Paige of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1985 with 309 and 1989 when Flipper Anderson of the LA version of the Rams chalked up a remarkable 336 yards! It was an important game per the fs64sports website, as the Rams entered the contest with a 7-1 mark while the host Lions were no slouches, sporting a 6-2 record of their own. Benton and his team did just enough to escape the Motor City with an exciting 28-21 win.

AFL Starts with Draft

November 22, 1959 - AFL held its very first draft with 8 teams involved which included the Dallas Texans, Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, New York Titans, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, and Boston Patriots. This date is often referred to by Patriots fans as the birth of their franchise per the remembertheAFL.com website. Just for the record the very first pick of this initial AFL Draft was the NY Titans choice of Notre Dame quarterback,George Izo.  

1966 Heisman Awarded

November 22, 1966 - The 32nd Heisman Trophy winner was announced with Quarterback Steve Spurrier from Florida taking home the hardware. Many people around football know Steve Spurrier as the former Florida Gators Head Coach whose teams won seven SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship. Spurrier’s Gator team also produced a Heisman winner under his coaching in Danny Wuerffel. We also know the Ole Football Coach as the man that piloted the Washington Redskins for a short time ame then spent a few years at the University of South Carolina. We all forget that in 1966 Steve Spurrier was given the award for being the top player on college football, the Heisman. According to the website Heisman.com Spurrier earned the starting role of QB at Florida in 1964. That first season he got his feet wet by throwing for 943 yards and six TD while leading Florida to a 7-3 record. His junior year of 1965, he threw for another 1,893 yards and 14 scoress and the Gators went 7-4. All the stars aligned in 1966 though as the senior signal caller put up even bigger numbers to the tune of 2012 yards in the air and 16 touchdowns, and that my friends will get you a Heisman Trophy in 1966. It also earned Steve Spurrier the honor of being a unanimous All-American as well as the Walter Camp Award. The NFF placed Steve Spurrier into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.  

Steve Spurrier's 1966 Hiesman Trophy, courtesy Wikipedia Commons

A Cold 1981 Grey Cup

November 22, 1981 - Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec - The Edmonton Eskimos won their 4th consecutive CFL Grey Cup. CBC.ca’s internet page gives us all the scoop on the game. Rough Rider Quarterback J.C. Watts brought his team out on fire as they stormed to an early 19 point lead. But the one loss Eskimos were not left out in the cold yet. The Edmonton team showed their grit that brought to be CFL Champs the previous three years by  performing what some have called the greatest comeback in Grey Cup history. It was Eskimo kicker Dave Cutler's 27-yard field goal with six ticks on the clock that completed the comeback as Edmonton defeated the Ottawa Rough Riders, 26-23. J.C. Watts was the Offensive MVP while John Glassford was the Defensive Most Valuable Player and Neil Lumsden was voted as the Most Valuable Canadian.

Wikimedia Commons from photographer Max Male from Edmonton.

1997 Version of the Iron Bowl

November 22, 1997 - Jordan-Hare Stadium,  Auburn, Alabama - It was a wild one in this long time SEC matchup for the 62nd Iron Bowl. The Tigers were favorites to win the game but Alabama sure didn’t make it easy according to AL.com. The Crimson Tide shot out to a 17-6 lead in the game on the powerful running by Shawn Alexander. But the Tigers had a pretty good back of their own in Fred Beasley, who pounded the ball in for a TD to close the gap. The Crimson Tide seemed to be in full control after Auburn punted with less than three minutes to play. Auburn burned its last timeout with 1:35 to play after a three hard runs by Alexander. Alexander got a fourth carry on the ensuing play before it happened. It was third down with eight yards to go for a first down at the Bama 36. The Tide offense decided to run a screen pass. The play was a disaster as the Crimson Tides QB,  Freddie Kitchens looked right with a pump and then spun to his left throwing a high pass to Ed Scissum who had to leap high in the air to catch the ball. It was a moment later that Montavius Houston hit Scissum's legs like a truck and the ball popped loose onto the ground where teammate Quinton Reese fell on it at the Alabama 33-yard line. The Tigers methodically moved the ball down to the 22 yard line and then on third down after being iced by a Alabama timeout, kicker Jaret Holmes trotted onto the field and knocked through a 39 yarder to give the Auburn Tigers a come from behind 18-17 victory!  

Exciting Grey Cup in '98

November 22, 1998 - Winnipeg Stadium - The Grey Cup Championship for the CFL was played. It was a tight one as the Calgary Stampeders outlasted the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a 26-24 thriller per the cbc.ca site. Quarterback Jeff Garcia won the MVP honors Garcia would later earn a spot in the NFL and play in 4 Pro Bowls.  

Auburn and Alabama Tangle in 2003

November 22, 2003 - Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama -In Auburn 68th Iron Bowl it was another heart pounding finish. ESPN.com tells us how Carnell Williams started the Tigers off in the right track by his 80 yard scamper for a touchdown early in the contest. Williams had a great night as he rushed for 204 yards. With the Tigers up by the score of 18-2 at the half, the Crimson Tide came out of the locker room on a mission to win as Brandon Brooks ran the second half kick all the way for a 96 yard TD. The Tide scored a touchdown with 1:03 remaining but it was not enough as Auburn survived the late Alabama charge by the score of 28-23.

A Rushing Record!

November 22, 2014 - Oklahoma's Samaje Perine holds the FBS record for single-game rushing yards with 427 yards against Kansas.

November 22, 1946 - Toledo, Ohio - Mel Long the talented defensive tackle out of the University of Toledo was born.  Mel Long enrolled at Toledo as a decorated Marine Vietnam War veteran, now that is a real football hero! During Mel’s time on the D-line, according to the NFF, Toledo led the nation in defensive statistics and won the MAC all three years of his college playing career.  It is no wonder that the Rockets were an amazing 35-0 in that span and won three straight Tangerine Bowls over quality opponents. On the players personal accomplishments, Long made All-America in 1970 and 1971, a consensus choice in 1972. The National Football Foundation selected Mel Long to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Mel went onto to play professionally with the Cleveland Browns for four NFL seasons.