November 8

Here is what happened in Football History on November 8; The longest kick for points in NFL history; One QB threw for 621 yards in a game; & how big government made way for the Saints as well as many more Hall of Fame Legendary stories.

Football fans, delve into the past! Today's date is etched in NFL history. From legendary trades that shook the league to record-breaking performances on the gridiron, exciting moments unfolded on this very day. We'll explore game-changing events, iconic players who dominated the field, and pivotal decisions that altered the course of franchises. So, buckle up and get ready to revisit the fascinating stories that make NFL history so captivating!

New style Leather head gear

November 8, 1927 - From Pinetrest.com, Allen E. Kennedy Patents a more sophisticated Leather Football helmet US Patent 1648850

7 Picks

November 8, 1942 - Parker Hall of the Cleveland Rams throws seven interceptions against the Green Bay Packers accoring to a post on the charlotteobserver.com site.

LBJ signs immunity for AFL/NFL merger

November 8, 1966 - President Lyndon B. Johnson signs antitrust immunity to AFL-NFL merger. An Associated Press article written By Frederic J. Frommer of the AP in January of 2010 gives us some details on the act.  In 1966, the National Football League announced plans to merge with its rival American Football League, as cutthroat competition for college players had led some teams to the brink of financial ruin. The leagues turned to Congress to exempt the merger from antitrust laws. Thanks to deft maneuvering by two powerful Louisiana Democrats, Senate Democratic Whip Russell Long and House acting Majority Leader Hale Boggs Congress gave its blessing to the union of the NFL and AFL. Within two weeks, the league awarded an expansion team to New Orleans. If you remember back in our November 1 post we mentioned how the NFL awarded the Saint franchise. This AP article suggests it was a thankyou to some key Congressional help. LBJ made it official on November 8, 1966 by inking the deal.

Big Record Boot

November 8, 1970 - Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana - There were only a couple of ticks left on the clock with the New Orleans Saints behind on the scoreboard by one point to the visiting and heavily favored Detroit Lions. The Lions had just taken a 17-16 lead in the game when Errol Mann booted an 18-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining. The Saints started their drive from their own 28 yard-line and with a quick 17 yard pass from QB Billy Kilmer  to wide receiver Al Dodd who got out of bounds at the Saints 45 with 2 seconds left.  The Saints brand new offensive line coach, the Don Heinrich, who had just taken over that role, surprisingly called for the field-goal team to go out on the field. There was a hush over the stadium as everyone couldn’t believe they were going to try and kick a field goal from that distance rather than try a pass to the end zone. After all they were still on their own side of the 50 yard line! It would be a 63 yard attempt, as the reader must remember that the goal posts were positioned on the goal line in that era of NFL football. Tom Dempsey was the kicker for New Orleans that season, and he was born without toes on his right foot and no fingers on his right hand. To play in the NFL, he had to wear a special modified shoe with a flattened and enlarged toe surface. All of this culminated into one of the most dramatic moments in NFL history. Tom Dempsey trotted out and calmly kicked the longest field goal in NFL history to win the game against the Detroit Lions 19-17. The si.com article tells of how Dempsey greatly surpassed the previous record-long field goal, a 56-yarder by Bert Rechichar who did it with the Baltimore Colts in 1953.

Tossing for 621 yards?

November 8, 1980 - According to the CharlotteObserver.com website, Dave Wilson of the University of Illinois sets an NCAA record with 621 yards passing in a 49-42 victory over Ohio State.

Number 1 Alabama and LSU 2008 OT Thriller

November 8, 2008 - Tiger Stadium, Louisiana State University -  The University of Alabama had just become the number one ranked team in the nation the week before when Texas Tech upset top ranked Texas. The Crimson Tide had not had the top spot in the rankings since 1980, and their Head Coach Nick Saban who had coached LSU football before a short stint in the NFL, walked into Tiger for the first time on the visitors sideline. Al.com has an article on its website that describes the situation, Alabama found itself in position to seal the win with a 29-yard field goal as time ran out. LSU blocked the attempt, however, and took the game to overtime. LSU's second chance at defeating the Tide didn't last long. On third down of LSU's possession, Lee's pass into the end zone was picked off. Alabama finished off the victory with a touchdown run that clinched the 27-21 win and the Western Division title for the Tide.

Holy War

November 8, 2008 - Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts -  Per onthisday.com, In the 18th installment of the College Football Holy War, Boston College defeated Notre Dame 17-0.

Steelers Firsts

November 8, 2020 - Dallas, Texas - The Pittsburgh traveled to Big D and had a couple of franchise firsts occur in the process during their 24-19 come from behind victory. The most obvious is that it is unbeleiveably the first time in history that an NFL team from the Steel City was ever sitting with a perfect 8-0 record. Pretty impressive stuff if you think about the legacy. The second item that never occurred before in team history was that they had a game where every rookie draft pick suited up and played in the game! Oh and did I mention that they did not have a 1st round pick in 2020? Yes Chase Claypool, Alex Highsmith, Anthony McFarland Jr., Carlos Davis, Kevin Dotson, and Antoine Brooks Jr. all had helmets and cracked pads in Jerry's house. 

 

November 8, 1964 - Red Bluff, California - The safety from the University of Arizona, Chuck Cecil was born. Cecil attended Arizona, where he was a walk on for the football program. Chuck was a player on a mission with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after no one would give him a scholarship out of high school to play Division 1 football. He proved the recruiters wrong by eventually earning consensus All-America and Pacific-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors after his nine-interception senior season in 1987. He held the Pac-10 record for career interceptions, with 21 when he was completed with his collegiate career. The National Football Foundation inducted Chuck Cecil into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. The NFF states that Chuck was drafted in the fourth round of the 1988 draft by the Green Bay Packers.  Cecil spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Houston Oilers. Cecil is currently the assistant coach for safeties and nickel backs for the Tennessee Titans.