Football History of July 24

From a twist of fate that saved the founding father of the NFL to a literal roof collapse in Seattle, July 24th is packed with game-changing moments across football history. Imagine a world where George Halas boarded the doomed SS Eastland in 1915—the Chicago Bears and the NFL as we know them might never have existed. Add in the chaotic, weather-shortened end of the NFL vs. College All-Stars exhibition era, structural disasters, CFL financial heartbreak, and the birthdays of iconic Hall of Famers like Green Bay’s Willie Davis and “85 Bears” kicker Kevin Butler, and July 24th stands out as one of the most unpredictable dates on the gridiron calendar.

July 24 American Football History Timeline

• July 24, 1915 – Halas’ Life Spared – The SS Eastland ferry tragically capsized in the Chicago River, claiming over 800 lives during a company picnic excursion. Fortunately, a young George Halas was running late that morning and missed boarding the doomed vessel. Spared from this horrific disaster, Halas went on to become a foundational figure in American sports by helping to establish the National Football League and building the legendary Chicago Bears franchise.
• July 24, 1976 – Pittsburgh Steelers Defeat College All-Stars in Final Weather-Shortened Game: The defending NFL champion Pittsburgh Steelers shut out the Chicago College All-Stars 24–0 in front of 52,895 fans before officials called the game early due to a severe third-quarter rainstorm. Roy Gerella kicked three field goals while Franco Harris and Tommy Raymond scored touchdowns. Still, angry fans stormed the field and tore down the goalposts after the early cancellation, which officially ended the long-running tradition of NFL champions playing rookie All-Stars.
• July 24, 1991 – The CFL’s Ottawa Rough Riders Board of Directors resigned en masse due to a series of events that left the franchise in deep financial trouble. The team folded altogether in 1996.
• July 24, 1994 – Seattle Kingdome Ceiling Tiles Collapse, Accelerating Plans for a New Stadium: Safety engineers determined that all 40,000 ceiling tiles in Seattle’s Kingdome required replacement after pressure washing during roof repairs caused water to seep inside, plunging four 26-pound tiles into the empty stands. The costly incident forced city officials to abandon the aging venue—home to the Seahawks, Mariners, SuperSonics, and Sounders from 1976 to 1998—paving the way for its 1999 implosion and the eventual construction of CenturyLink Field.

July 24 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays

Happy Birthday to these historic gridiron pioneers, Hall of Fame titans, and championship anchors! As we look ahead to July 24, we celebrate a lineup whose impact spans from the late 19th-century Midwest gridiron breakthroughs to Vince Lombardi’s Packers dynasty and iconic Super Bowl moments.

Here is the list in order of birth:

• Clarence Herschberger [1876] A versatile Chicago fullback under Amos Alonzo Stagg, Herschberger made history in 1898 as the first player from a Midwestern school named to Walter Camp’s All-America team. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970, the gifted kicker and runner is famously credited by Stagg as the first player to ever execute the iconic “Statue of Liberty” play on the gridiron.
• Clarence “Doc” Spears [1894] A powerful 230-pound All-American guard at Dartmouth (1914–1915), Spears delayed his medical career to dominate the collegiate trenches before embarking on a legendary four-decade head coaching run. Enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955, “Doc” brought his formidable football intellect to major programs across the country, including Dartmouth, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Oregon.
• Willie Davis [1934] Acquired by Green Bay in 1960 after starting his career with Cleveland, Davis became the terrifying pass-rushing engine of Vince Lombardi’s dynasty, helping lead the Packers to five NFL Championships and victories in Super Bowls I and II. The Class of 1981 Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end—who earned an MBA from Chicago during his playing career—never missed a game in 10 seasons with Green Bay, unofficially racking up over 100 career sacks while serving as the franchise’s first African-American team captain.

• Kevin Butler [1962] A long-range booming placekicker for the Georgia Bulldogs, Butler set NCAA records for accuracy from 50+ yards—highlighted by a famous 60-yard game-winner against Clemson in 1984—en route to his 2001 College Football Hall of Fame induction. Drafted by Chicago in 1985, he kicked for 11 seasons with the Bears, launching his pro career as a key contributor to the historic 1985 Super Bowl XX champion squad.

Conclusion

Whether exploring the foundational close calls that built professional football or the wild stadium mishaps and franchise shifts that reshaped its modern landscape, July 24th serves as a powerful reminder of the sport’s unpredictable path. From early pioneers like Clarence Herschberger and “Doc” Spears to dynastic anchors like Willie Davis, the legends born on this day laid the groundwork for today’s NFL. As we look back on these major anniversaries and Hall of Fame birthdays, we celebrate the resilience, drama, and extraordinary talent that continue to drive football forward.