By Darin Before historic stadiums were illuminated by modern stadium lighting, they were hallowed grounds for gridiron legends. On May 28th, sports history witnessed an ironic twist under the baseball lights of Griffith Stadium and Yankee Stadium—two iconic venues with surprisingly rich football pedigrees. But the action doesn’t stop with baseball crossovers. This date also celebrates the births of two iconic College Football Hall of Famers: Ohio State’s national champion quarterback Rex Kern and Boston University’s dynamic return man Bruce Taylor, as well as the legendary dual-sport star Kirk Gibson. Dive into May 28th to discover how these legendary players and venues forever shaped the football landscape.
May 28 American Football History Timeline
- May 28, 1941 – 1st night game at Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C. The New York Yankees spoiled the evening for the Senators with a 6-5 defeat of the home team. According to the American Football Database, Griffith Stadium hosted many football events before the Boston Redskins moved there in 1937. It was the home of Georgetown Hoyas football from 1921 until 1950, George Washington Colonials football in the 1930s and 1940s, and Maryland Terrapins football in 1948. The stadium hosted an annual Thanksgiving Day game between Howard and Lincoln Universities, one of the most popular events of the year, drawing many African American alumni and fans from the surrounding neighborhoods. The Redskins called Griffith Stadium their home field for 24 seasons. It was the location of the 1940 and 1942 NFL Championship Games, as well as many other great, memorable gridiron contests.
- May 28, 1946 – 1st night game at Yankee Stadium. In a somewhat odd twist of fate, the Washington Senators returned the favor to the Yankees from 5 seasons earlier to the day and spoiled the first night under the lights at home by knocking off the Yanks 2-1. We have a great collection of the ten biggest football games played at old Yankee Stadium in our May 5 edition of the Football History Headlines!
- May 28, 1971 – The Mexia High School Black Cats football team of the 1970 season started all seniors. It is almost unheard of in college or high school to lose your entire starting team to graduation in one year. The group played their last game together on November 30, 1970, in Athens,Texas. Our Newspapers.com Football History Headline of the Day comes from the Mexia Daily News in Mexia, Texas, when they had a headline on May 28, 1971, that read:
The football team is losing 22 to Graduation.
May 28 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these legendary figures! Since today is May 28, we celebrate a lineup of gridiron giants whose talents were so profound that they spanned multiple sports and rewritten record books.
Here is your list in order of birth:
- Jim Thorpe [1887]Widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in human history, Thorpe was a two-time All-American at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School under Pop Warner before becoming the first president of the APFA (which became the NFL). A charter member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, his unmatched versatility as a runner, kicker, and defender anchored the early professional game with the Canton Bulldogs.
- Bruce Taylor [1948]An explosive, dual-threat cornerback and return specialist for Boston University, Taylor once electrified fans by scoring four punt-return touchdowns in a single season, averaging a staggering 20.3 yards per return. Drafted by both MLB’s Baltimore Orioles and the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, he chose the gridiron, instantly claiming the 1970 NFL Rookie of the Year award before spending eight seasons in the Niners’ secondary.
- Rex Kern [1949]The fearless leader of Ohio State’s legendary “Super Sophomores,” Kern masterfully orchestrated a perfect 1968 campaign that culminated in a National Championship and a Rose Bowl MVP performance. A 2007 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, his leadership and offensive command under Woody Hayes were so highly regarded that selectors voted him a First-Team All-American “running back” just to get his stellar athletic presence on the roster.
- Kirk Gibson [1957]Before hitting one of the most iconic home runs in Major League Baseball history, Gibson was a dominant, physical wide receiver who left Michigan State as the school’s all-time leading pass catcher. Averaging an incredible 21.0 yards per reception over his collegiate career, the 2017 College Football Hall of Fame inductee earned First-Team All-America honors in 1978 while leading the Spartans to a share of the Big Ten title.
- Wilson Whitley [1955] A destructive force at defensive tackle, Whitley anchored the University of Houston defense that captured the Southwest Conference championship during the school’s very first year in the league in 1976. That same season, he won the prestigious Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation’s top lineman—presented to him by former President Gerald Ford—and went on to be selected eighth overall in the 1977 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, with whom he started in Super Bowl XVI.
Conclusion
From the historic gridiron clashes hosted at Griffith Stadium to the legendary individual feats of Rex Kern and Bruce Taylor, May 28 highlights the profound intersection of tradition, versatility, and talent in football history. Whether it was a Texas high school team losing its entire starting lineup to graduation or a future MLB star choosing the NFL over MLB, these stories emphasize the sport’s unpredictability. As we look back on these milestones, the legacy of these foundational venues and spectacular athletes continues to shine bright.