By Darin May 24th has seen football legends excel beyond the field. For example, an Outland Trophy winner turned Grammy-winning songwriter stands out. May 24th also features Hall of Famers on Michigan State’s powerhouse team. Therefore, this date captures the diversity of football. The NFL’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis is another highlight. Along with figures like Mike Reid and Clinton Jones, it showcases football’s enduring legacy and versatility.
Let us first enjoy an image from the gridiron past.
Beaver Field Pictorial issued for the Penn State versus Pitt football game October 31, 1931
Published by Penn State University via Wikimedia Commons
May 24 American Football History Timeline
- On May 24, 2022, the NFL officially announced that the NFL Scouting Combine would remain in Indianapolis for at least two more years. This announcement solidified the event’s location through 2024.
- On May 24, 2025, after several seasons as Offensive Coordinator under Andy Reid in Kansas City, Eric Bieniemy was named the Washington Commanders’ Offensive Coordinator (O.C.). This event marked a significant transition in Bieniemy’s coaching career.
May 24 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these gridiron legends! As we look at May 24, we celebrate three remarkable athletes. Their brilliance on the football field was matched only by their incredible secondary careers in politics and music.
Here is the list in order of birth:
- John Ferraro [1924] A dominant two-time All-American offensive tackle for USC, Ferraro anchored the Trojans’ line during back-to-back Rose Bowl shutouts in 1944 and 1945. After his 1974 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, he transitioned into a legendary political career. He eventually became the longest-serving city council member in Los Angeles history.
- Clinton Jones [1945] A dynamic component of Duffy Daugherty’s powerhouse Michigan State teams, Jones was a two-time All-American. He helped propel the Spartans to consecutive national titles in 1965 and 1966. The explosive halfback finished as a Heisman finalist. He went on to play seven professional seasons after being drafted second overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 1967.
- Mike Reid [1947] Arguably the greatest football-player-turned-songwriter in history, Reid was a unanimous All-American tackle at Penn State. He swept the Outland and Maxwell trophies in 1969. He later earned two All-Pro nods with the Cincinnati Bengals. Notably, he famously retired at his athletic peak to pursue music. He wrote 12 number-one country hits—including Bonnie Raitt’s iconic “I Can’t Make You Love Me”—and secured his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Rounding out your “Football Fix” for May 24:
- The Birth of a Dynamic General Manager (1973): Born on this day in 1973, Les Snead went on to become one of the most aggressive and successful front-office minds of the modern era. As general manager of the Rams, his “f*** them picks” philosophy of trading draft capital for proven superstars directly built the roster. This approach captured Super Bowl LVI for his team.
Conclusion
The stories of May 24th remind us that a football career is often just the first act of a remarkable life. For instance, John Ferraro’s civic leadership and Mike Reid’s musical success stand out. These legends prove that discipline learned on the field translates far beyond the end zone. Celebrating Clinton Jones’s Spartans’ championships and Eric Bieniemy’s coaching journey, we see a sport constantly renewing itself. Yet, football also honors a rich, multi-talented past.