October 16

Here is what happened in football history on October 16: We discuss changing coaches mid-game; a couple of great players named Chris as well as many more HOF Legendary stories.

Gridiron fans, gear up for another exciting day of football history! Dive into the archives and relive the moments that shaped the game we love. Today's headlines take us back in time, exploring everything from legendary quarterback duels that captivated a nation to groundbreaking rule changes that redefined the sport. So, whether you're a die-hard traditionalist or a stats guru, we have something for everyone. Let's lace up our virtual cleats and take a trip down memory lane!

October 16, 1921 - Chicago, Illinois - The Rock Island Independents traveled to the Windy City to face the Chicago Cardinals. According to www.rockislandindependents.com, Rock Island Team Manager Walter Flanigan sent a sub to the huddle on the field during the game who gave halfback, Jim Conzelman this message, “You are now the coach, at no increase of pay.”  Conzelman, who had just joined the team a few games earlier, became the youngest coach in the league when he took over as the head coach of the Rock Island Independents from Frank Coughlin. This is the only mid-game coaching change known in NFL history!

October 16, 1885 - Erie, Pennsylvania - The birth of Hunter Scarlett. Hunter played end for the University of Pennsylvania Quakers from 1904 through the 1908 season. The 1908 season was special. Scarlett and halfback Bill Hollenback provided the spark that led the Quakers to an 11-0-1 record and the National Championship. That season Penn out scored all of their opponents, 215-18. The tie was against the Pop Warner coached Carlisle Indians team when the final ended at 6-6. The National Football Foundation selected Hunter Scarlett to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991. 

October 16, 1893  - New York City  - Harold Ballin was born and raised in the Big Apple. After a successful education at the prestigious Lawrenceville School, where he was not able to make it on the team because his athleticism being in his own words “underdeveloped.” According to the National Football Foundation’s biography page on Harold, Ballin attended Princeton University and somehow he progressed enough to make the Tigers fourth and final unit of the Freshman football team. His sophomore season was average at best but as a junior  playing tackle for the Tigers in 1913 he was an All-American as he grew his body into an 180 pound blocking machine. Princeton Hall of Fame running back Hobey Baker had a tremendous season running behind Ballin’s blocking. Harold’s senior season saw him bulk up another 14 pounds  and became the team's captain and won his second consensus All-America recognition honor. The National Football Foundation’s voted in 1973 to select Harold Ballin to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame.

October 16, 1945  - Knoxville, Tennessee - D.D. Lewis came into this world. D.D.’s is not our typical Hall of Fame Story. According to the National Football Foundation’s bio on him, his college team at Mississippi State only had won a total of 7 games in the three seasons Lewis was on the team. Fortunately the Hall of Fame is not so much weighted on the team but more on the individual performance of a  player. This was the case for D.D. Lewis who made the all Southeastern Conference twice and All-American team once, in 1967. Opposing coaches such as Bear Bryant of ‘Bama and Vice Dooley of Georgia raved about the linebacker and said things to the effect that he was one of the very best backers in the country. For his great play Linebacker D.D. Lewis entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001’s selection class.

October 16, 1946 - Houston, Texas - University of Texas running back Chris Gilbert was born. The website footballfoundation.org informs the reader that in 29 games played as a Longhorn, Gilbert ran for 3,231 yards, scored 28 TDs and was the very first player in recorded NCAA history to have three seasons where he ran over 1000 yards! Chris was All-Southwest Conference three straight years  and  a consensus All-American in 1968. In two of his games against Baylor University he rushed for over 200 yards in each game and went over the 200 yard mark in a 1968 game against TCU. The National Football Foundation in 1973 selected Chris Gilbert to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame. He ended up being drafted by the New York Jets but never played in a game for them.

October 16, 1961 - Chris Doleman was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings out of the University of Pittsburgh with the fourth pick in the 1985 NFL Draft as a linebacker according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website bio on him. At some point in his second season, Doleman was moved to play defensive end and he showed great improvement putting up 11 sacks in 1987. In 1989 he led the NFL with 21 sacks. After the 1992 season he was voted as the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Year after he put up 14.5 sacks on the year. Chris played a total of 15 NFL seasons, 9 with the Vikings, a couple with Atlanta and then his final ones as a San Francisco 49er and another stint in Minnesota to end his fine career. He ended with 150.5 career sacks as the fourth most in NFL history. Chris Doleman entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio in 2012’s enshrinement class.