October 24

In this edition of Football's History Headlines, we discuss a couple of upsets in college, a music mogul saving a CFL franchise and reviewing the career of Y.A. Tittle 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!

The Demon Deacons Comeback Upset

October 24, 1970 -Wake Forest edged preseason ACC favorite North Carolina 14-13 at Groves Stadium to improve to 4-3 on the season.  Wake trailed 13-0 entering the fourth quarter before Larry Russell scored on a quarterback sneak to cut the deficit to 13-7.  The Deacons won the game by marching 94 yards in the closing minutes as Larry Hopkins scored on a 3-yard run with just 12 seconds left to tie the game.  Tracy Lounsbury added the extra point for the win.

The Gamecocks Blindside the Tarheels

October 24, 1981 - Chapel Hill, NC - In this “Battle of the Carolinas” edition the number 3 in the nation, 6-0 North Carolina Tarheels hosted the unranked South Carolina Gamecocks whose record stood at 4-3 on the season. The Gamecocks were a year removed from Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers playing for them and were a team in flux that had lost its identity when their great runner had moved on from the team. The Tarheels on the other hand were riding high with a stingy defense that thus far into the season was giving up a mere 14 points per game. The Gamecocks jumped out early as they took the opening kick off and in three minutes drove the ball into the end zone for an yearly 7-0 lead. They then collected multiple turnovers from their hosts and extended their lead even further but the North Carolina squad fought back just before half with a backup quarterback to keep it a one score game at 14-7. The second half was all Gamecocks as the University of South Carolina upset the 3rd ranked University of North Carolina by the final score of 31-13.     

Music Man Saves Stampeders

October 24, 1991 - Music industry Executive Larry Ryckman purchases CFL’s Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders franchise was struggling financially and Ryckman’s guidance was just what the Doctor ordered. The new owner made a string of positive decisions that turned the finances of the team around including the signing of Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia and Even Dwayne “ The Rock” Johnson as players on the team. He also started a great marketing campaign that won fans over and set the team into winning ways as they participated in 5 Grey Cup games and even one the coveted cup in 1992.

Irish Defeat Eagles

October 24, 2009 - South Bend, Indiana - 19th annual College Football Holy War saw Notre Dame defeating Boston College 20-16. Surprisingly it was Notre Dame's first win in the series in nine seasons!

Tom Terrific

October 24, 2021 - Tom Brady throws his record 600th touchdown pass as his Tampa Bay Buccaneers teams throttles the Chicago Bears in the Sombrero 38-3! Brady had four TD tosses in the first half alone notching his 601st and 602nd as well in his 20th season in the League.
 

Happy Birthday Mr. Tittle

October 24, 1926 - Marshall, Texas - Quarterback great, Yelbertron Abraham Tittle was born. Y. A. Tittle played collegiately at Louisiana State University. He joined the Colts in the AAFC and was that league's Rookie of the Year in 1950. When the Colts disbanded before the start of the 1951 season, Tittle joined the San Francisco 49ers and enjoyed 10 seasons of individual success with the team but had never got close to a championship. In 1961 he was traded to the New York Giants and Y.A. platooned at the QB position with veteran Charley Conerly. By 1963 he had taken over the Giants QB position outright and earned NFL Most Valuable Player honors. Because of his wisdom on the field and receeding hairline, some called Tittle, "the Bald Eagle." Y.A. led the Giants to the divisional titles in 1961, 1962, and 1963 but though they failed to win the overall NFL crown, these were considered great years to remember by Giants fans. Tittle enjoyed 17 seasons in his NFL career according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website bio on the player. He was All-NFL 4 times, played in 7 Pro-Bowls and tossed over 28,000 yards and 212 touchdowns in his illustrious career. Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Y A Tittle in 1971.

J.D. Roberts anniversary of birth

October 24, 1932 -  J.D. Roberts the stellar guard from the University of Oklahoma was born.  He was one of the most decorated players of his era. According to the NFF website in 1953 he made seven All-America teams and was the first to sweep all the awards given a lineman - the Outland Trophy and Lineman of the Year with Associated Press, United Press, Fox Movietone News, and Williamson Syndicate. The National Football Foundation selected J.D. Roberts, to join their exclusive club at the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Johnny Lattner of ND

October 24, 1932 - Chicago, Illinois  - Notre Dame’s famed halfback, Johnny Lattner came into this world. Per the footballfoundation.org bio on him as sophomore halfback, Lattner led the team in minutes played. In 1953, Lattner carried the ball 24 times for a 4.1 rushing average, caught 2 passes for 42 yards and intercepted a pass in a 28-21 victory against Oklahoma. He also punted nine times that afternoon, compiling a 38-yard average. He saved the Irish from defeat in 1951 against Iowa. It was fourth-and-ten on Notre Dame's 22-yard line with the Irish down 20-13, but instead of punting, Lattner threw his first college pass, a 23-yard completion for an Irish first down. Then with 45 ticks of the clock remaining, Lattner ran 55 yards to the goal line, scoring the touchdown that helped Notre Dame to a 20-20 tie. Lattner won the Maxwell Award &  Heisman Trophy in 1953 and was a two-time All- America selection. Selectors voted Johnny Lattner into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

Jay Novacek, a QB's best friend

October 24, 1962 - Martin, South Dakota -  Wyoming tight end Jay Novacek was born.  Per the NFF. Jay Novacek with the Wyoming Cowboys  was consensus First Team All-America selection as the tight end caught 83 receptions for 1,536 yards and 10 touchdowns in his three-year collegiate career. The National Football Foundation selected Jay Novacek to proceed straight to the dwelling of legends,  the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. The St. Louis Cardinals picked Jay in the 6th round of the 1985 NFL Draft and played for the franchise in both St. Louis and Phoenix for five seasons before joining the Dallas Cowboys. He helped the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl wins in four years and made it to five Pro Bowl appearances in his eleven year career.