October 25

In this episode of Football's History Headlines we discuss Jim Marshall's wrong-way run, Yale's extension of a winning streak and many more Hall of Fame Legendary stories and birthdays.

We're diving into the archives to revisit the headlines that rocked the NFL landscape. From legendary draft-day decisions that changed franchises to record-breaking performances that left fans in awe, get ready to relive the electrifying moments that shaped the game we love. So, lace up your cleats and join us as we explore the captivating stories from the gridiron's rich past!

Yale Dominates

October 25, 1884 - Yale University entered into the 1884 season riding a 17 game winning streak and had won multiple National Championships in the past few years. The powerhouse Bulldog squad really flexed their muscles against the Dartmouth team that season. It marked the first game where over 100 points were scored as Yale toppled Dartmouth 113-0.

Crab Bowl Classic

October 25, 1905 - Annapolis , Maryland - The very first College Football Crab Bowl Classic is played. The U.S. Naval Academy and the University are less than 30 miles away from each other, so it is no surprise that these two would clash regularly on the gridiron. The series ended temporarily in 1934 after Maryland protested a controversial play. Apparently according to a wikipedia account, Navy’s go ahead touchdown play in the 1934 edition of the series was deemed illegal by the Maryland brass after a film review. A very interesting development in football history for 1934. The series resurfaced in the 1950’s a couple of times and then after a 1964 contest where a Terrapin player flashed his middle finger towards Navy fans. It occurred after a punt return by Navy, where an angry Terp Jerry Fishman was penalized for an unnecessary hard hit that injured receiver Skip Orr directly in front of the Navy faithful.  The jeers from the Navy stands increased above normal and were directed at Fishman. In response, Fishman approached the Brigade of Midshipmen section and flipped them off.. Later Fishman was penalized again for a late hit on Heisman Trophy winning Navy quarterback Roger Staubach and again the heckling from the Navy crowd prompted Fishman to give the obscene gesture for a second time. High-ranking Navy officers noticed Fishman's middle finger and were outraged by the disrespectful nature. The always taking the high road Staubach later told the press that Fishman "told the fans he thought Maryland was number one and got his fingers wrong." Navy brass suspended the series for a period of time which lasted until the 2005 season. The result of this first matchup of the schools came with Navy defeating Maryland 17-0.

The Browns were Mudders

October 25, 1953 - The Polo Grounds, New York City, New York - It was a sloppy track to say the least at the famed Polo Grounds on this day in late October 1953. The Cleveland Browns were well into their 4th season in the NFL after dominating the now defunct All American Football Conference. The Giants were a mid-level team at best in ‘53 but being at home in the mud could be a great equalizer in the game and it was! Cleveland Browns' QB Otto Graham sets club record with 4 fumbles as the Giants defense did everything they could claw the ball away from the Browns. A story on Cleveland.com’s website recounts how the only scoring sequence occurred.  The long count paid off for the Cleveland Browns on that day.  The long count was a strategic maneuver designed to draw Giants rookie defensive lineman, Joe Ramona, offside as the Browns lined up for a field goal attempt in the second period. Center Frank Gatski of the Browns had noticed that the youngster was a little jumpy, so as the Browns line up to try a field goal from the 18-yard line, Gatski suggested to Otto Graham that he delay snapping the ball a few counts.
It worked, Ramona jumped the count  and the Giants were penalized five yards and a first and goal on the six-yard line. Two plays later Graham carried the ball through the left side of the line for the only score of the game. It is a rare occasion where one player could turn the ball over four times in a game and escape the hero, the Browns won 7-to-0 against the New York Giants in the mudfest.

Wrong Way!

October 25, 1964 - Possibly the most well known sports blooper in american Sports History could be "The Wrong Way Run" by Viking Jim Marshall. On the play the defensive standout for Minnesota , Jim Marshall who was having his way with the San Francisco 49ers on that day. Even on the play in question, Marshall got his paws on Niners QB George Mira and caused Mira to loose control of the ball. Marshall promptly picked the ball up and proceeded to run 66 yards to what he presumed was an extremely easy scoop and score. Unfortunately for Jim and the Vikes, Marshall had run in the wrong direction for a safety. Marshall was a fantastic player in fact he was a dominant player in his era of football. Unfortunately all of his fantastic plays are somewhat put aside in place of this embarrassing moment of confusion.

Holy War Recaps

October 25, 1997 - South Bend -The 9th College Football Holy War had the Notre Dame Fighting Irish beating the Boston College Eagles 52-20.

October 25, 2003 - Chestnut Hill - In the 15th College Football Holy War it was the Boston College squad knocking off Notre Dame 27-25 in a thriller.
 

Harvard Player/Coach Reid

October 25, 1878 - Bill Reid a fullback from Harvard University was born. Bill played during the very brutal period of american football just at the end of the 19th century. He was a good player for Harvard though  as he became the first Harvard player to score two TDs in a game against Yale. After his playing days he became the Head Coach of the Crimson. It was in the early 1900’s as a coach where Reid truly made his biggest contributions to football. The NFF’s website states that Reid and fellow coaches from Yale, Princeton and Dartmouth were called to Washington, D.C. President Theodore Roosevelt was incensed over the violence in the game and was threatening to ban the sport. Reid convinced Roosevelt not to end the game he loved and he coerced all present to sign a contract stating that they would adhere to the rules of football and promote change to make the game safer for players.  Teddy R. was satisfied with this and let football stay in American sports. As a coach Reid’s record was 30-3-1. The National Football Foundation selected Bill Reid to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1970.

Goldberg the running sensation

October 25, 1917 - Elkins, West Virginia - Former University of Pittsburgh fullback Marshall Goldberg arrived on the scene.  Goldberg played for the Panthers from 1936 through 1938 and the school sported a record of 25-3-2 when he was on the team.  In his first game with the Panthers he rushed for 208 yards against Ohio Wesleyan and led the nation in yards on the ground with 886. The National Football Foundation goes on to tell us that his 1936 team won the Rose Bowl, the 1937 team was national champion, the 1938 team lost two games when Goldberg was out with injuries. Goldberg was All-America in 1937 and 1938. In the Heisman Trophy voting he was third behind Clint Frank of Yale and Whizzer White of Colorado in 1937, second behind Davey O'Brien of Texas Christian in 1938. The National Football Foundation selected Marshall Goldberg to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1958.

Bob Steuber, a Missouri Legend

October 25, 1921 - Wenonah, New Jersey - Bob Steuber arrived via stork delivery. Bob was a former halfback from Missouri. He set records a plenty at the school including most points in a season and a career as well as the most touchdowns in a game and career TDs. During the war years he played for Depauw. The NFF says Steuber was third in the nation in rushing yardage in 1941, second in 1942. He was at DePauw in 1943 as a Navy V-6 trainee. DePauw had a 5-0-1 season and Steuber led the nation in scoring with 129 points.  The National Football Foundation selected Bob Steuber to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

Nielsen Slings BYU to Victories

October 25, 1954 - Provo, Utah - Gifford Nielsen a quarterback from BYU was born.  He made his mark in his sophomore season when Brigham Young started out 0-2 and were down late in the third  game. Nielsen led BYU on an offensive surge and the team scored twice and pulled out a 16-15 victory over New Mexico. They went 6-2 the rest of the season and the next year improved to a 7-3 overall record.  The National Football Foundation selected Gifford Nielsen to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1994. Nielsen played professionally with the Houston Oilers 1978- 83

Pat Swilling an LB on a Mission

October 25, 1964 - Toccoa, Georgia - Pat Swilling a linebacker from Georgia Tech celebrated his arrival into the world. An article on si.com on the football great tells how Swilling was a pass rushing standout at Georgia Tech setting an NCAA record 7 sacks against NC State as he went on his way to become a first team All- American. The National Football Foundation selected Pat Swilling to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. The New Orleans Saints picked Pat Swilling in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft and he ended up having a brilliant 12 year career in the League. In 1992 Swilling along with fellow Saint backers Vaughn Johnson, Sam Mills and Ricky Jackson all made the same Pro Bowl roster, the first and only time that has occurred in NFL history!

The photo above in the banner comes from the book "Football the American Intercollegiate Game" from 1911 by Parke H. Davis. The photo itself was taken on November 12, 1910 during the Yale versus Princeton game and shows Yale's Kilpatrick catching a pass for a touchdown as the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 5-3. (remember TDs were not worth the same amount of points then that they are now)