Step onto the gridiron of history as we explore significant football moments occurring on this calendar date. From the foundational days of college play to crucial developments in the professional leagues, this date marks key milestones, player legacies, and pivotal events shaping the game we know today.
May 31
May 31 | This Day in American Football History
Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there!
Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch
Sports Jersey Dispatch
If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in othre team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch.
- HASHTAGS: #May31 #JoeNamath #NamathJoe #Football
- EVENTDAY: May 31
- FOOTBALL NAME: Joe Namath, Namath Joe
- PODCAST: Football
"Batman of Troy: Richard Wood's Dominant USC Reign"
Last updated 📅 2025-05-30
Relive the impactful college career of Richard Wood, USC's first three-time All-American linebacker and a key force behind two National Championship victories.
"Tom Benson Marches In With Saints Purchase"
Last updated 📅 2025-05-30
"Path Cleared for Saints Sale"
- HASHTAGS: #May31 #BensonTom #NewOrleansSaints
- EVENTDAY: May 31
- FOOTBALL NAME: Benson Tom
- FOOTBALL TEAM: New Orleans Saints
That was the headline in Shreveport, Louisiana’s The Town Talk on June 1, 1985, and it is our Newspapers.com Football History Headline of the Day.
It is reporting on the May 31, 1985, New Orleans Saints sale to Tom Benson from John Mecom Jr. for $70,204,000. The final hurdles to the sale were the New Orleans City Council and School Boards each approving to surrender their share of sales taxes to keep the Saints in New Orleans as part of the deal. This was no small sacrifice either as the nearly $2.8 in revenue surrendered by the two groups went back to the Saints but the caveat was that Benson signed a 21 year lease with the Superdome. Benson stepped forward in March of 1984 to help the day when negotiations with the A.N. Pritzker family from Chicago fell apart in February. Mr. Benson owned the team until his passing in March of 2018 and had kept the franchise in the Superdome in New Orleans long beyond his initial 21-year obligation.
He had employed coaches such as Jim Mora, Mike Ditka, and Sean Payton and has even clutched a Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts, just a couple of years after Hurricane Katrina had devastated the New Orleans surrounding area.
"May 31st Gridiron Gazette: Birthdays, Buccaneers & Ball Hawks"
May 31st in American football history is a date that connects tenacious defensive prowess with electrifying collegiate dominance. It marks the arrival of Richard "Batman" Wood, the hard-hitting linebacker who anchored USC's championship defenses and later starred for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This day also celebrates Kevin Dent, the ball-hawking safety from Jackson State whose record-setting interceptions earned him Hall of Fame recognition.
"The Anticipating Tiger: Kevin Dent's Ball-Hawking Legacy"
Last updated 📅 2025-05-30
Explore the exceptional college career of Kevin Dent, the record-setting safety from Jackson State who dominated the SWAC and earned Hall of Fame honors.
Kevin Dent was born on May 31, 1967, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He rose to prominence as a star safety for Jackson State University in the late 1980s. His background as a high school starting quarterback provided him with a unique understanding of offensive strategies, allowing him to anticipate receiver routes and defensive formations with remarkable accuracy. Combined with his natural athleticism, dedication to film study, and relentless practice ethic, Dent developed into an elite defensive back.
- HASHTAGS: #May31 #DentKevin #KevinDent #DefensiveBack #Safety #Number49 #JacksonState #CollegeFootballHallofFame
- DOB: May 31
- EVENTDAY: May 31
- FOOTBALL NAME: Dent Kevin, Kevin Dent
- FOOTBALL POSITION: Defensive Back, Safety
- NCAAF JERSEY: Number 49
- OTHER: Jackson State
- SPORTS: College Football Hall of Fame
✦ College Career
Dent's career at Jackson State was nothing short of spectacular. He was a three-time All-American selection, a feat unmatched by any other player in the school's history. His sophomore season was particularly noteworthy, as he led the entire nation with an astounding 10 interceptions. By the end of his collegiate career, Dent had amassed a school-record 21 interceptions, solidifying his reputation as a premier ball-hawking safety. His consistent dominance in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and a beloved figure among Jackson State fans.
✦ Road to the Pro Game
While Dent did not play in the National Football League, his talent and collegiate accolades opened doors to professional football opportunities in other leagues. He went on to play in the World Football League (WFL) and the Arena Football League (AFL), showcasing his skills on a professional stage.
✦ Football Legacy
Kevin Dent's primary football legacy is his remarkable collegiate career at Jackson State University. His record-setting interception numbers and unprecedented three All-American selections cemented his place as one of the greatest defensive players in the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Dent's exceptional ability to read offenses, coupled with his athleticism, made him a transformative player for the Jackson State defense. His outstanding achievements were deservedly recognized with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006, further solidifying his enduring impact on the sport at the collegiate level.
✦ Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:
✦ College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2006)
✦ 3x All-American Selection
✦ Led the Nation in Interceptions (10 interceptions as a sophomore)
✦ Jackson State University Record: Career Interceptions (21)
✦ Played in the World Football League (WFL)
✦ Played in the Arena Football League (AFL)
"Joe Namath From Crimson Tide Champion to Super Bowl Upset"
Last updated 📅 2024-05-31
Joe Namath, the iconic quarterback nicknamed "Broadway Joe," carved his legacy not just with his arm but also with his swagger and charisma. In this edition, we explore Namath's journey from leading the Alabama Crimson Tide to a national championship to becoming a cultural icon and champion with the New York Jets.
Proud to Support The Professional Football Researchers Association
To learn more about joining the go to The Official PFRA Website.
_________________________
Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there!
Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch
_________________________
Sports Jersey Dispatch
If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in othre team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch.
_________________________