By Darin Hayes There are just some days during the American football season that seem to attract greatness on the gridiron, and October 28 is one of them. Below is a collection of some of the most significant events and people associated with the day.
October 28 Football History Headlines
- October 28, 1922 – Stagg Field, Princeton and Chicago played the first game to be nationally broadcast on radio. In 1922, coach Amos Alonzo Stagg’s Chicago Maroons were a Big Ten powerhouse, and Princeton was one of the top-ranked teams in the East. This extremely rare east-west showdown provided a perfect opportunity to expand radio broadcasting. According to an article found on Princeton.edu, Princeton went up early, but John Thomas, the Maroons’ bruising runner, wore down the Tiger defense, scoring three touchdowns to build an 18–7 Chicago lead. The Tigers’ luck turned early in the fourth quarter, when Howdy Gray ’23 returned a fumble 42 yards to the end zone. Minutes later, Harry Crum ’24 completed a Princeton drive with his second touchdown of the day, putting the Tigers ahead 21–18. Then it all came down to the Tiger defense. Making use of its passing attack, Stagg’s team reached the Princeton 7-yard line. Three strong runs put the ball within a foot of the goal, setting up a legendary fourth-and-goal situation. It would end up being three undersized defenders from Princeton who made a play that would define one of the Tigers’ most storied football teams, dubbed the “Team of Destiny” when Charlie Caldwell, Harland “Pink” Baker, and Oliver Alford stopped the University of Chicago fullback John Thomas at the goal line on fourth down, preserving an improbable 21–18 Princeton win. And it was all caught on the radio, and the love of fans listening to a football broadcast began. Princeton would live up to that Team of Destiny moniker as they later defeated both rivals, Yale and Harvard, to finish the season 8-0 and share what was believed at the time to have reached the National Championship status alongside an undefeated University of California team, amongst others. (source)
- October 28, 1934 – Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York – One of 4 games with no penalty in NFL history. Brooklyn Dodgers 21, Pittsburgh Pirates 3. Perhaps the wintry-like conditions played a role in why referee Tom Thorp never dropped a flag. This is how the story goes on the Pro Football Hall of Fame website, as told in the account. The Dodgers cruised through the afternoon and snapped a three-game losing streak thanks in part to Jack Grossman’s 75-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter.
- October 28, 1950- Nevada University’s Mackay Stadium – In a story from the NCAA.com website, Loyola had scored two early touchdowns against the winless University of Nevada team. Things did not get much better for the Wolf Pack, as their next offensive possession found them with a 4th-and-long from their own one-yard line. That is when the team’s bright spot stepped onto the field, punter Pat Brady. Being careful to keep his feet inside the end line, Brady took the long snap from center and then the southpaw booted a beauty! His punt sailed through the thin Nevada air, over the head of the surprised Loyola return man, past midfield until it struck the turf near the Loyola 25-yard line, then kept bouncing and rolling until it stopped about two feet from the goal line! The 4000 fans in attendance had just witnessed Nevada punter Pat Brady kicking an unbelievable NCAA record 99-yard punt! Unfortunately, the poor field position did not stop the Loyola offense, as they scored a few plays later for their 3rd touchdown in the first quarter, and the Wolf Pack subsequently lost to the Lions 34-7. ( Source)
- October 28, 1958: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame hosts its first annual awards banquet at what is now known as the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first recipient of the coveted Gold Medal, the highest individual award bestowed by the NFF, which recognizes an outstanding American who has contributed significantly to the sport of college football and our country. Subsequently, seven U.S. Presidents and many other outstanding Americans, including John Wayne, Norman Schwarzkopf, and Gen. Tommy R. Franks, have also been honored with the prestigious award.
- On October 28, 1959, the American Football League awarded the Buffalo Bills franchise to Ralph C Wilson.
- October 28, 1961, Ground broken for Municipal (Shea) Stadium for the NY Mets.
- October 28, 1962, NY Giant Y. A. Tittle passes for 7 touchdowns vs. the Washington Redskins (49-34)
- October 28, 1967: Per the footballfoundation.org website, UTEP back-up QB Brooks Dawson fills in for starter Billy Stevens. His first six completions go for touchdowns in a 75-12 victory over New Mexico.
- October 28, 1995, 7th College Football Holy War: Notre Dame beats Boston College 20-10 in South Bend
October 28 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- Steve Atwater
- Terrell Davis
There you have it, the best football history from the annals of October 28. Check back daily for our history of the game on each calendar day.