September 2

Some of the events of football importance that happened on September 2 are The Miami Dolphins' first game played, the latest Chicago College All-Star Game, and more stories, including birthdays of members of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. We have the corresponding podcast right here for you to listen to. You can find us on SportsHistoryNetwork.com or your favorite podcast sites! 

September 2, 1936 - The 3rd Chicago Charities College All-Star game pitted the defending NFL champion Detroit Lions againt the best players from the College ranks. The Lions had defeated the NY Giants in the 1935 Title game, only the third time the game was plyed in the fairly new league's history, by the score of 26-7. The game againt the upstart college players however was a mucjh tougher matchup as they ended the exhibition game in a 7-7 tie. The 76,000 in paid attendance at Soldier Field watched a defensive thriller.

September 2, 1966 - The Miami Dolphins play their very first game ever against the Oakland Raiders in front of 26,776 fans at the Orange Bowl. Joe Auer starts the franchise off right by returning the opening kick 95 yards for a Miami touchdown. The Raiders would come back to defeat the Dolphins however 23-14. The Dolphins had a rough inaugral season only compiling a record of 3-11 under Head Coach George Wilson. Their only winds that year was once against the Denver Broncos and two victories over the Houston Oilers.

September 2, 1925 - Eddie Price was a former Tulane University fullback who is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame according to the National Football Foundation. He was drafted in the second round by the NY Giants in the 1950 NFL draft. In 1951 he led the entire NFL in rushing for the season. He played  just six seasons in the NFL for the Giants but made the Pro Bowl 3 times!

September 2, 1948 - Terry Bradshaw was a former quarterback from Louisiana Tech that is enshrined in both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame winning four Super Bowls as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

September 2, 1960 - Leonard Smith was a defensive back from McNeese State who was born on this day. Mr. Smith was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014 per to the National Football Foundation. He was a great college corner but also had a real knack of blocking punts, field goals and point after attempt kicks. He played for the Buffalo Bills and the St Louis/Arizona Cardinals in the NFL. With the Bills he appeared in Super Bowls XXV and XXVI.

September 2, 1960 - Eric Dickerson was a former NFL rushing leader that played for the Rams, Colts, Raiders and Falcons over his very productive 11 year pro career. He played his college ball at Southern Methodist University in a very talented backfield that included Craig James and Charles Waggoner according to the National Football Foundation. He finished third in the 1979 Hiesman voting behind Herschel Walker and John Elway.  As a pro in just his second season he beat O.J. Simpson's record for yards rushing in a season putting up 2,105 yards on the ground. Dickerson is also creditted with be the fstest NFL rusher to reach 10,000 career yards. The prolific rusher was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the induction class of 1999.