Pigskin Dispatch Store

🏈 Dive into Gridiron History! Shop the Official Pigskin Dispatch Store 📚

Are you a true football fanatic hungry for the game’s forgotten history? Unlock the untold stories of American football with this essential collection from Darin Hayes of Pigskin Dispatch! Discover a treasure trove of historical football books written or contributed to by Darin Hayes, alongside exclusive Pigskin Dispatch merchandise—from unique apparel to game-day gear—available on our Etsy store. Whether you’re a historian, a coach, or a dedicated fan, find the perfect piece of the gridiron past and present right here. Shop now and deepen your love for the original pigskin sport!

Books From the Pigpen

Here is what we have in store for readers of gridiron lore!

---

Marooned!

Stolen Glory and Football History: Unearthing the Epic Saga of the Pottsville Maroons

Did you know the NFL’s greatest controversy traces its roots back nearly a century, when a coal-country team dominated the gridiron, only to have a championship trophy stolen right out of their hands? Delve deep into a pivotal and often-overlooked piece of American football history with the book Marooned: The Rise, the Fall, and the Redemption of the NFL’s Pottsville Maroons by co-authors collector/historian Jeffery Payne and Darin Hayes. This compelling account tells the story of the rugged 1925 Pottsville Maroons, the unlikely champions who conquered the fledgling National Football League—even defeating the Chicago Cardinals in what was considered the title game—before a territorial dispute over an exhibition match with the famed Notre Dame “Four Horsemen” led to the team being suspended and stripped of their title by the NFL. Hayes, the host of the Pigskin Dispatch Podcast, and co-author Payne meticulously chronicle the team’s dramatic rise and the century-long fight to reclaim the rightful title, revealing a classic tale of corporate power versus working-class grit that continues to resonate with fans of football history and vintage American football merchandise today.

This essential read offers an inside look at the wild, early days of the NFL when college football still reigned supreme and rules were often fluid. It’s a must-have for any collector who appreciates the foundational era of the sport. You can find copies of Marooned and related Pigskin Dispatch store items, like classic Pottsville Maroons memorabilia and NFL history books, that celebrate the legends and controversies of the early gridiron.

---

Red Grange Barnstorming Tour 100th Anniversary Scrapbook

The Tour That Built the NFL: Celebrate 100 Years of Red Grange, the Chicago Bears, and American Football History

Imagine 19 games in 67 brutal days, played coast-to-coast, drawing massive crowds that had never seen professional football before—all thanks to one legendary player. That was the 1925-1926 Barnstorming Tour led by “The Galloping Ghost,” Red Grange, and the Chicago Bears, an unprecedented spectacle that fundamentally launched the NFL into the national spotlight! Red Grange & Chicago Bears 1925-1926 Barnstorming Tour: 100th Anniversary Scrapbook by Chris Willis, with contributions by Darin Hayes of Pigskin Dispatch, is your definitive visual and historical guide to this pivotal moment in football history. This book captures the frenzy, the celebrity, and the sheer physical toll of the tour that saw Grange and the Bears play to massive crowds—including 75,000 in Los Angeles—effectively putting American football on the map and setting the stage for the league’s future dominance.

As the 100th Anniversary of this legendary trek approaches, this scrapbook offers a rich collection of rare photos, news clippings, and historical context that chronicles how Grange’s star power legitimized the professional game, which was previously dismissed as inferior to college football. A true collector’s item, this title is perfect for enthusiasts of vintage sports memorabilia and serves as a foundational text for understanding the league’s commercial rise. Find this essential piece of Chicago Bears and NFL history alongside other unique American football related merchandise in the Pigskin Dispatch store.

---

When Greasy Met the Wonder Coach

Coaching Giants and Rose Bowl Glory: Unraveling the 1922 Gridiron Chess Match

What happens when a World Series baseball star nicknamed “Greasy” takes his underdog team across the country to face “The Wonder Coach” Andy Smith’s undefeated powerhouse in the Rose Bowl? That’s the electrifying centerpiece of When Greasy Met The Wonder Coach: The 1922 Rose Bowl Coaches – Greasy Neale & Andy Smith, a deep dive into American football history by Darin Hayes of the Pigskin Dispatch. This fascinating book transports you back to the early 1920s, detailing the epic clash between Earle “Greasy” Neale’s scrappy Washington & Jefferson Presidents (W&J)—a small school that could barely afford the train fare—and Andy Smith’s dominant California Golden Bears team, known simply as “The Wonder Team.”

Hayes meticulously chronicles the personalities and tactical genius of these two legendary figures—Neale, the former Cincinnati Reds outfielder and future NFL champion coach, and Smith, the architect of Cal’s invincible dynasty. Their dramatic 1922 Rose Bowl confrontation resulted in one of the most famous ties in college football history, a true underdog story that showcases the grit and innovation of the era. Whether you’re a devout fan of vintage gridiron tales or a collector seeking unique Pigskin Dispatch store items, this book is an essential piece of American football merchandise that immortalizes the coaches who shaped the game’s foundation.

The World’s Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars

Shutout Champions: Meet the 1903 Franklin All-Stars, the Team That Couldn’t Be Scored On

What if the most dominant team in the history of American football played—and won a “World Series”—before the forward pass was even legal? Dive into the deep, forgotten roots of professional football history with Darin Hayes’ captivating book, The World’s Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars. This definitive account resurrects the legend of the 1903 Franklin All-Stars from the Western Pennsylvania Circuit, a team of mercenary players assembled by a local merchant seeking revenge for gambling losses.

Hayes expertly documents a team that achieved what almost no other professional squad has: a perfect, undefeated, and unscored-upon season. The Franklin All-Stars were so overwhelmingly dominant that opponents rarely crossed the midfield stripe! Their epic year concluded with a championship victory in the 1903 World Series of Football at Madison Square Garden. For collectors and fans seeking rare pieces of American football history and unique Pigskin Dispatch store offerings, this book is an essential key to understanding the foundation of the sport. It brings to life the rough, star-studded early days of the gridiron and the team that staked their claim as the true World Champions.

---

Pigskin Dispatch’s Football Word Search: Puzzles to Preserve Pro Football History

Score a Touchdown in Trivia: Preserving American Football History One Puzzle at a Time!

Are you a die-hard fan looking to connect with the forgotten heroes and pivotal moments of American football history? Get ready to tackle a fun and challenging journey through the gridiron’s past with Pigskin Dispatch’s Football Word Search: Puzzles to Preserve Pro Football History by Darin Hayes. This isn’t just any puzzle book—it’s a celebration of the sport’s greatest names, legendary teams, and obscure trivia from the earliest days of the NFL to the modern era. Perfect for keeping your mind sharp and your love for football history alive, this book makes a great addition to any collection of American football related merchandise. Grab your copy from the Pigskin Dispatch store and start preserving the game’s heritage, one fascinating word search at a time!

---

Gridiron Gear and Merch

Check out American football related items designed by our Pigskin Dispatch team to help you celebrate, preserve, and enjoy the gridiron at all times. From Coffee cups to blankets, shirts and more…