winklogo200.png

Discovering Benny Friedman's Impact...

Benny Friedman, a man deemed 'too small' for the NFL, defied all odds with his exceptional talent...

[/br]
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.

[/br]
Row 1 Brand
Row 1 Brand offers fans 5,700 historic sports art prints, gifts, and apparel designs created from non-copyrighted historic memorabilia dating back to 1876.

[/br]

[/br] Row 1 historic sports ticket art prints, gifts, and apparel designs are not affiliated with, licensed, sponsored, authorized, or endorsed by any college, university, pro team, league, artist, athlete, other brand, or any licensing entity.

[/br]more information
Football Legend

"Discovering Benny Friedman's Impact on Football - NYG-100 Part 12"

Last updated 📅 2024-04-15

Benny Friedman, a man deemed 'too small' for the NFL, defied all odds with his exceptional talent and revolutionary style of play. Standing at a mere 5'9", he wasn't supposed to be a good NFL player. Yet, his career, spanning the late 1920s and early 1930s, was a pivotal moment in NFL history, pushing the league toward the pass-heavy game we know today.

New York-based football historian Larry Schmitt shared some great insight with us in the video. Learn more about Giants history by Larry and the rest of the NYG experts at Big Blue Interactive.

Before Friedman, professional football was a run-dominated sport. The forward pass was a risky tactic that was rarely used. However, with his pinpoint accuracy and deceptive throws, Friedman showcased the potential of a solid passing offense. He led the league in passing touchdowns for four consecutive years (1927-1930) and even achieved the remarkable feat of leading the league in rushing and passing touchdowns in 1928.

Guest Larry Schmitt even has research that indicates Friedman may have been the first 300-yard passer in NFL history. According to Schmitt, the NFL records show that the official first 300-yard passing game in the NFL was 12/5/37 by Pat Coffee of the Chicago Cardinals in a game they lost to the Bears.

Also, the "books show" that Paul Governalli's first official 300-yard passing game for the Giants was on 11/9/47 in a loss to the Eagles.

But Larry has found proof that both of these were trumped, with Larry finding evidence that it was Benny Friedman in 1930 that hit the milestone.!

Friedman's impact was not just about his statistics. His success as a passer forced rule changes, opening up the passing game and making it a more viable option for teams. His electrifying play style drew in fans, boosting the popularity of the struggling NFL. This was especially significant as Friedman was Jewish, becoming a hero for Jewish communities across America and challenging stereotypes about Jewish athleticism.

However, Friedman's career was challenging. Injuries hampered his later seasons, and the lack of official passing statistics during his prime makes it difficult to quantify his achievements fully. Nonetheless, his influence on the sport is undeniable. He paved the way for future generations of quarterbacks who thrived on throwing the ball, forever altering the landscape of professional football.

Beyond his on-field dominance, Friedman's story resonates for its social impact. He shattered barriers and symbolized Jewish athletic prowess, inspiring countless young athletes.
Benny Friedman's legacy is multifaceted. He was a game-changing quarterback, a cultural icon, and a pioneer of the modern NFL. His impact on the sport lives on every time a quarterback steps back to unleash a spiral downfield.

  • HASHTAGS: #LarrySchmitt #BennyFriedman #Number01 #Number06 #Number21 #Number26 #ProFootballHallofFame
  • AUTHOR: Larry Schmitt
  • FOOTBALL NAME: Benny Friedman
  • FOOTBALL SERIES: NYG-100
  • NFL JERSEY: Number 01, Number 06, Number 21, Number 26
  • SPORTS: Pro Football Hall of Fame

[/br]
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