By Darin Hayes Dive into Gridiron Gold: Unforgettable American Football History on October 1st!
October 1st isn’t just the turn of the calendar—it’s a date steeped in American football history! From early-season NFL battles that set the tone for legendary rivalries to individual records that stunned fans, this day has delivered defining moments. Are you ready to explore the thrilling milestones, surprise upsets, and the biggest performances that make this date a key piece of NFL lore? Whether you’re a history buff or a fan seeking that perfect trivia fact, get ready to discover why October 1st deserves a spot in your football timeline.
October 1 Football History Headlines
October 1, 1910 – The CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders franchise, under the guise of their original name, the Regina Rugby Club, plays its first American football game. The team’s debut didn’t have the desired outcome, as they fell to the Moose Jaw Tigers 16-6. Really, Tigers was the best name that Moose Jaw could come up with? How about the Thundering Herd, the Hooves, the Bicuspids, or one of a multitude of other names that associate with Moose Jaw? Okay, I will end my rant about a team that played over 110 years ago.
October 1, 1922 – The Chicago Bears play their very first NFL game using the Chicago Bears moniker. Previously, the team was known as the Chicago Staleys and the Decatur Staleys, but the New owner and coach, George Halas, changed the name of his squad to instill fear in his opponents. The first Bears game was played at Horlick Field in Racine, Wisconsin, against the Racine Legion, and the Chicago squad won 6-0.
October 1, 1933 – It was an NFL stat of the wild and weird: the New York Giants could not convert even one first down, yet somehow still won 10-7 when they played the Green Bay Packers at Borchert Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
October 1, 1950 – A Cleveland Browns franchise record is set for the lowest total points in a game as the New York Giants defeated the Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium 6-0. This didn’t stop the Brownies, though, as they went on to later win the NFL Championship Title that season.
October 1, 1955 – Baltimore Colts Rookie fullback Alan Ameche becomes the very first rookie player to rush for 150 yards or more in his first two NFL regular-season games. The legendary back put up 194 hard-fought yards against the Bears in week one and then followed that up with 153 yards on the ground versus the Lions.
October 1, 1989 – Legendary Dallas Cowboys defensive end, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, registers his 1000th career NFL tackle as the Boys defeated the NY Giants 30-13 at Texas Stadium in Irvine, Texas.
October 1, 1995 – The Jacksonville Jaguars record their first-ever franchise win in week five of their inaugural season in a thrilling 17-16 victory over the Houston Oilers at the Astrodome.
October 1, 1997 – Head Coach Tom Osborne of the Nebraska Cornhuskers notches his 250th NCAA victory in 301 games played in a 67-7 beatdown of rival Oklahoma.
October 1 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Here is a list of legends that were born on this day.
- Malcolm “Mac” Aldrich
- Herman Hickman
Conclusion
From groundbreaking divisional clashes that shaped the playoff picture to jaw-dropping individual efforts that secured their place in the record books, October 1st consistently proves that the early fall has been a hotbed for American football history. As the NFL season gets into full swing, this date serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly legacies are built and unforgettable moments are made. The next time you check the calendar, remember the hidden drama and sporting greatness woven into the fabric of this one seemingly ordinary day in the life of the gridiron.