Football History of May 5

From the rise of the Bronx’s iconic stadium to the birth of a Heisman legend who conquered both football and basketball, May 5th stands out in sports history. In 1922, groundbreaking at Yankee Stadium set the stage for football’s biggest moments. Birthdays of giants like Terry Baker—who won a Heisman and reached a Final Four in the same year—are also celebrated. The grit of Michigan’s Bob Westfall and the broadcasting impact of Al DeRogatis show that legends make their mark on and off the field.

May 5 American Football History Timeline

• On May 5, 1922, construction began on Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Here are the top ten football moments at the venue.

May 5 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays

Happy Birthday to these legendary figures! Since today is May 5, we celebrate a group of Hall of Fame talents who made history as multi-sport stars, iconic broadcasters, and record-setting “iron men.”

Here is the list for May 5, ordered by their year of birth:

• Bob Westfall [1919]A “Bullet” on the field, Westfall was the starting fullback for every Michigan game during his three-year tenure, forming a legendary backfield alongside Heisman winner Tom Harmon. His career total of 1,864 rushing yards set a school record for fullbacks that stood for 30 years, earning him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
• Al DeRogatis [1927]A dominant two-way tackle at Duke and a Pro Bowler for the New York Giants, DeRogatis’ playing career was cut short by an ankle injury at just 25. He successfully transitioned to the broadcast booth, where he became one of the most respected analysts in history, famously pairing with Curt Gowdy for NBC’s “Game of the Week” and several Super Bowls.
• Terry Baker [1941]Baker remains the only athlete to win the Heisman Trophy and play in an NCAA basketball Final Four in the same school year (1962-63). The Oregon State legend and 1982 Hall of Fame inductee famously secured a 6-0 Liberty Bowl victory with a 99-yard touchdown run—an NCAA bowl record that remains unsurpassed to this day.
• Bob Babich [1947]A fierce linebacker under Bo Schembechler at Miami of Ohio, Babich was a consensus All-American and the first player in his school’s history to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He went on to a durable nine-year NFL career with the Chargers and Browns, missing only a handful of games over nearly a decade of professional play.

Conclusion

May 5th’s milestones display the sport’s versatility. Bob Westfall’s records, Bob Babich’s pioneering defense, and Terry Baker’s unique multi-sport feats show this. Even when injury ended Al DeRogatis’s career, his passion endured through broadcasting. Reflecting on the start of Yankee Stadium and the Hall of Fame careers reminds us that football is a story of transitions and lasting legacies.