September 16

Here is what happened on September 16 in football history: Charley Bidwill's legacy; the Browns and the Redskins change: and we sprinkle in a couple of guys that set NFL records on this date and talk about legends of the game. Join the discussion below by clicking play!

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!

September 16, 1937 - The Redskins franchise plays it's first game in Washington DC at the old Griffith Stadium. In the game they defeated the New York Giants 13-3. The franchise actually had its start in Boston, Mass. in 1932 under the guise of the Boston Braves after George Preston Marshall established the franchise and purchased the right to play in the NFL. George was a larger than life showman, who thrived on attention. He named the team after the Boston Braves baseball team that played there but after very little support he knew he had to change things up a bit. Prior to the 1933 season the nickname was changed to the Redskins to give his team their own identity. The team had limited success in Boston, and didn’t get much support from the community. The lack of support by both the fans and the media really came to a head when Marshall noticed that a local field hockey team was getting more press coverage than his beloved Redskins. This infuriated Marshall so a change of surroundings seemed to be in order and the move to the Nation’s Capital changed the course of the franchise as they were crowned the NFL Champions in their inaugural year in DC. This 1937 team was led by rookie quarterback ‘Slinging” Sammy Baugh. The Redskins were the champs once again in 1942 and have also been victorious in Super Bowls in 1892, 1897 & 1991 and took home NFL titles.

September 16, 1950  - The Cleveland Browns played their first regular season game as part of the NFL. The club was formerly in the All American Football Conference where they started playing in 1946. Cleveland businessman Arthur McBride purchased and created the franchise and they had almost immediate success. The Browns dominated the AAFC and some think that this was the main reason for the Conference’s demise and closure after the 1949 season ended. Three teams from the former AAFC moved into the NFL in 1950, the Browns, the Baltimore Colts and the San Francisco 49ers. The early Cleveland Browns teams were talented and had great players such as Marion Motley, Otto Graham and Lou Groza on their roster. The schedule makers wanted to show the dominance of the NFL so they scheduled the Browns, champs of the AAFC in 1949 to open up against the 1949 Philadelphia Eagles who were the reigning title holders of the NFL in 1949. The NFL expected the Browns to struggle when they entered the League in 1950 but boy were they wrong. The Cleveland squad in fact crushed the Philadelphia Eagles by the score of 35-10 in this game played on September 16, 1950. Not only did the Browns under Head Coach win all four titles in the AAFC, but they won Championship games in the NFL in 1950, 1954, 1955 and 1964.

September 16, 1973 - Buffalo's O.J. Simpson rushes for a then NFL record 250 yards in Buffalo's 31-13 win at New England

September 16, 2018 - Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes set an NFL record for the first two weeks of a season by tossing 10 touchdowns. The second year QB under the tutelage of offense genius, Andy Reid torched the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary with 6 TD passes leading the upstart Chiefs to a 42-37 victory at Heinz Field.
 

September 16, 1895 - Charles Bidwill was a former owner of the Chicago Cardinals franchise. Charley purchased the Cards in 1933 and made the predictive statement of his confidence in the League that the NFL was a guiding light during the Depression years. Bidwill was born and raised in Chicago and became a successful lawyer and businessman with rumored ties to the notorious gang of mobster Al Capone. Prior to purchasing the team he had a connection with the League. In 1932, the Chicago Bears and George Halas were facing some financial woes as Halas needed to buy out co-owner Edward “Dutch “ Sternaman. Sternaman was a teammate of Halas in college and the first player Papa Bear signed when he took over ownership of the newly acquired Decatur Staleys. Sternaman was one of the Staleys/Bears early stars and when the team relocated to Chicago Halas offered Sternaman a 50 percent stake in the franchise. During the Great Depression Sternaman lost almost everything and offered to have Halas buy him out. George Halas really didn’t have the liquid assets to do so between a $5000 loan from Halas mother, a $5000 bank loan set up by Bidwill and Charley Bidwill that stepped in buying in with $5000 of his own is what saved the Bears.  About a year later Charley Bidwill had the owner of the Chicago Cardinals, Dr. David Jones on his private yacht for a dinner party. A discussion arose between the two men with Jones complaining about the poor state of his team financially. Jones’ wife, Violet, in jest suggested that Bidwill buy the Cardinals from her husband. The good Doctor then replied that everything is for sale for a price and Bidwill offered Jones $50,000 , handed him $2000 cash as a deposit and the sale was final a short time later after Bidwill was able to sell his stake in the Bears. Even though Charley had a very enthusiastic  opinion of the NFL it did not translate into successful seasons for the Cardinals. In his  first 13 seasons at the helm Bidwill’s Redbirds they had but one winning season. Some claimed the woes of the franchise was a curse for Bidwill taking credit for the Cardinals taking the 1925 NFL Title. They had had only been given the title after the Pottsville Maroons had been stripped of if after the Maroons had finished with the best record but played an illegal game after the season was over which subsequently nullified their championship claim per the NFL brass’ decision in an effort to keep parritty in the League. In late 1946, with the AAFC’s Chicago Rockets drawing attendance away from his team Bidwill decided to take drastic action to have his team become a winner. Bidwill in an unprecedented move outbid the Rockets and signed All-American Charley Trippi to a contract. It would be what Bidwill described as the “Dream Backfield” consisting of Paul Christman, Trippi, Marshall Goldberg, Elmer Angsman and Pat Harder. It was a solid backfield. But Charley Bidwill would never see them play together as the 51 year old owner died of pneumonia shortly after he signed Trippi. Ironically almost in tribute to the man that invested so much effort to win, the Chicago Cardinals won the 1947 NFL Championship Title. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Charley Bidwill as a contributor in 1967. Sports History Network Joe Ziemba is an expert on the Cardinals and Charley Bidwill so for more on these subject get a copy below and read Joe's book and listen to his great podcast by Arnie Chapman the Football History Dude.

September 16, 1927 - Bob Ward was a former guard from the University of Maryland. The National Football Foundation selected him to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

September 16, 1954 - Wilbert Montgomery was a running back from Abilene Christian. A starter at running back for four years, Wilbert Montgomery set the NAIA record of career touchdowns at 76 trips to paydirt.After a successful collegiate career Montgomery entered into the NFL where he played for nine seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles and later for the Detroit Lions. The National Football Foundation enshrined Wilbert into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.