By Darin March 19 stands as a powerhouse date in gridiron lore, marking the birth of “firsts” and the start of legendary feuds. From the very first “Big Game” kickoff between Cal and Stanford in 1892 to the birth of Jay Berwanger—the man who took home the inaugural Heisman Trophy—this day is steeped in tradition. Whether it’s the defensive mastery of Rod Woodson or the NFL’s social stand in 1991, today’s journey through football history covers the evolution of the game from the Ivy League to the Super Bowl stage.
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Published cooperatively by the Athletic Departments of the University of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Institute of Technology – Frank F. Carver (editor) and D. W. Scott (Director of Publication)
March 19 American Football History Timeline
- March 19, 1892 – Haight Street Grounds, San Francisco – The University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University played their first game against each other. This match-up is traditionally called the “Big Game” or the “Battle of the Axe”, and it is the tenth-longest collegiate gridiron rivalry in NCAA history. In this first game between the two schools, the Cardinal posted a 14-10 triumph over their rival. https://calbears.com/sports/football/opponent-history/stanford/43
https://americanfootball.fandom.com/wiki/Big_Game - On March 19, 1991, NFL owners stripped the city of Phoenix of its right to host the 1993 Super Bowl for Arizona’s refusal to recognize Martin Luther King Day.
March 19 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these gridiron greats! Since today is March 19, here is your chronological list of Hall of Fame birthdays for the day:
- Nello “Flash” Falaschi [1913] A versatile quarterback and defensive standout, Falaschi engineered one of the great early bowl upsets by leading Santa Clara over undefeated LSU in the 1937 Sugar Bowl. He was an All-American who later took his talents to the NFL, playing for the New York Giants.
- Jay Berwanger [1914] “The Flying Dutchman” occupies a unique place in history as the very first winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1935. Despite being the first-ever selection in the inaugural NFL Draft, the University of Chicago star famously chose a business career over professional football, never playing a down in the league.
- George Morris [1931] A formidable two-way force at center and linebacker, Morris was the heart of the “Ramblin’ Wreck” during Georgia Tech’s legendary 23-game winning streak in the early 1950s. His defensive prowess was so suffocating that during his final two collegiate seasons, most opponents failed to score more than a single touchdown.
- Joe Kapp [1938] The fiery leader of the California Golden Bears, Kapp led his team in total offense for three straight seasons and steered them to a 1959 Rose Bowl appearance. Known for his rugged playing style, he finished fifth in the 1958 Heisman voting before embarking on a storied career in both the CFL and NFL.
- Reggie Williams [1954] Overcoming hearing impairment and critics who said he was too small, Williams became an Ivy League sensation at Dartmouth as a relentless linebacker. After leading his team in tackles and earning All-American honors, he enjoyed a massive 14-season NFL career with the Bengals and was honored as the NFL Man of the Year in 1986.
- Rod Woodson [1965] One of the greatest defensive backs to ever lace up cleats, Woodson was a world-class track athlete and a dominant consensus All-American at Purdue. His legendary 17-season NFL career included 71 interceptions, a Super Bowl ring, and 11 Pro Bowl selections, cementing his status in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Conclusion
From the muddy upsets engineered by Nello Falaschi to the record-breaking brilliance of Rod Woodson, March 19 embodies the diversity of football greatness. The NFL’s 1991 Super Bowl relocation speaks to the league’s evolving conscience, while Reggie Williams’s accomplishments reflect both athletic and academic excellence. The “Battle of the Axe” showcases football’s storied rivalries. Together, these events and legends affirm football’s values of leadership, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.
