By Darin From Bart Starr’s legacy to Dan Marino’s last win and an iconic National Championship rematch, January 9 stands out as a milestone date in football history. This date marks monumental shifts in the sport. These include the naming of the New Orleans Saints franchise, the official adoption of the modern face mask penalty rule, and the dramatic final victory of a Hall of Fame quarterback. Dive into the archives as we recount the most critical rule changes, championship battles, and landmark birthdays. This includes those of two-time Super Bowl MVP Bart Starr, defining the gridiron legacy of January 9.
Image of the Day January 9
January 9 Football History Timeline
- On January 9, 1962, the NFL issued a rule prohibiting players from grasping a player’s face mask. According to footballzebras.com, a head protector became mandatory in 1943. Face masks were optional until 1955, but players could petition to go without one. In 1956, a rule made it illegal to touch anyone’s face mask except the runner’s. The 1962 rule updated the penalty. If a player grasped a face mask, it was a 15-yard penalty, and if flagrant, the player was disqualified.
- On January 9, 1967, the Pro Football Hall of Fame states that New Orleans’ franchise officially adopted the name “Saints. The NFL awarded the 16th franchise to the City of New Orleans on November 1, 1966, “All Saints Day.” We have more on the franchise’s start in our November 1 post.
- January 9, 1977 – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California – Super Bowl XI was played. This is the earliest date in the year any Super Bowl was played. Judging by the current February format, it will probably always remain the earliest. The matchup was between the Minnesota Vikings and the Oakland Raiders, who both advanced through their respective Conference Championships we discussed in our December 26 post. After a scoreless first quarter, the Raiders scored 16 unanswered points before the half. That was all they needed, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com, as the Raider defense limited the Vikings to 14 points. Oakland running back Pete Banaszak scored twice on short dives, and DB Willie Brown registered a 75-yard pick-six to seal the deal. The Oakland Raiders beat the Minnesota Vikings, 32-14, to capture the Lombardi Trophy. The game MVP was Raiders Wide Receiver Fred Biletnikoff, who had four catches for 79 yards.
- On January 9, 2000, Miami Dolphins Quarterback Dan Marino had his final NFL victory in the AFC Wildcard game. The Dolphins defeated the Seattle Seahawks by the score of 20-17, according to the Pro-Football-Reference.com website. The last game for Marino was the following week when the Jacksonville Jaguars steamrolled the Fins 62-7. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200001090sea.htm
- January 9, 2012 – Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans – At the 14th BCS National Championship, #2 Alabama upended their SEC rival, #1 LSU, 21-0, per Onthisday.com. https://www.onthisday.com/sport/day/january/9
- January 9, 2017 – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa – The College Football National Championship Game. The College Football Playoff website called it an “unprecedented rematch.” The Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide squared off for the second consecutive year in the title game. The year prior, Alabama won a close 45-44 game. ESPN.com said this 2017 contest had even more buildup than the original. Clemson rallied from a two-score deficit to get back in the game. They played tight defense, limiting Bama to a season low 376 yards. The Tigers also held Alabama to 2-15 on third downs. Clemson scored 21 points in the final quarter, which featured three lead changes. With one second left, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson flicked a two-yard pass to Hunter Renfrow, lifting #2 Clemson past #1 Alabama, 35-31!
January 9 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
“THE QUARTERBACK’S JOB IS TO BE A COACH ON THE FIELD. I’D SAY THERE ARE THREE THINGS A QUARTERBACK MUST HAVE. ONE, HE’S GOT TO HAVE THE RESPECT OF HIS TEAMMATES. TWO, HIS AUTHORITY MUST BE UNQUESTIONED. AND THREE, HIS TEAMMATES MUST BE WILLING TO GO TO THE GATES OF HELL WITH HIM.” ~BART STARR
Conclusion
From the defining moments of the College Football Playoff between Clemson and Alabama to the Raiders’ Super Bowl XI victory, January 9th stands as a landmark day in football. Whether celebrating the rule changes that govern today’s game—like the face mask penalty enforcement—or honoring the extraordinary lives of legends like Bart Starr, Gary Spani, and the multi-talented Brud Holland, this single date offers a powerful, diverse look at the enduring history of the gridiron.
