Football History

Benjamin "Doc" Roller carved a unique path in the early days of American football. While his professional football career was impressive, it served more as a springboard for his academic pursuits and, surprisingly, his professional wrestling career.

Image of George Hackenschmidt with Ben Roller, 1911 Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Roller's athletic prowess emerged early. Despite his relatively small stature, he excelled in football and track at DePauw University, becoming captain of both teams. This success paved the way for him to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he continued to play football while funding his education through athletics.

Roller's professional football career spanned from 1898 to 1902. He played for several prominent teams, including the Pittsburgh Athletic Club and the Philadelphia Athletic Club. The highlight of this period was undoubtedly his participation in the early iterations of the "World Series of Football." He played in the championship game in both 1902 and 1903, showcasing his skills on the national stage.

However, football was not Roller's sole passion. He was also a dedicated student, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania's medical school with top honors. This academic achievement earned him the nickname "Doc," which would follow him throughout his life.

While some athletes might have focused solely on their medical career, Roller continued to be a man of many talents. He leveraged his athletic background to secure a professorship at the University of Washington, overseeing the university's athletic programs. This role allowed him to promote physical fitness and hygiene, two causes he deeply believed in.

Intriguingly, Roller's athletic pursuits took an unexpected turn. In 1904, he transitioned from the gridiron to the wrestling mat. His wrestling career spanned an impressive 27 years, and he earned the moniker "The Pride of Seattle." While details about his wrestling success are scarce, it's clear that his athletic prowess transcended the world of football.

Benjamin "Doc" Roller's story is a testament to the versatility of early 20th-century athletes. He thrived not only on the football field but also in the classroom and the wrestling ring. His life serves as a reminder that athletic talent can pave the way for success in various fields, both physical and academic.

David Williams, born on June 10, 1963, in Los Angeles, California, etched his name into football history through his remarkable collegiate career at the University of Illinois.  

A leading receiver for the Illini and all of College Football.

College Career

Williams's time with the Illinois Fighting Illini from 1983 to 1985 was nothing short of spectacular. He became a key component of the team's offensive prowess, particularly under the guidance of coach Mike White. His exceptional receiving skills led to numerous records and accolades. Notably:  

-He played a large roll in the 1983 Fighting Illini team, that went to the rose bowl.  

-In 1984, he led the NCAA in receptions and receiving yards.  

-He became a two-time unanimous All-American (1984 and 1985).  

-He finished his college career as one of the top NCAA recievers in history.  

Road to the Pro Game

Williams's impressive college performance led to his selection by the Chicago Bears in the 1986 NFL Draft. Though his NFL career was relatively brief, he also experienced significant success in the Canadian Football League (CFL).  

Football Legacy

Williams's lasting legacy stems primarily from his record-setting collegiate career. His impact on the Illinois football program is undeniable, and his achievements have earned him recognition among the all-time greats. Furthermore he has been inducted into the college football hall of fame.  

Accolades, Awards and Career Stats

-Two-time unanimous All-American (1984, 1985).  

-Led the NCAA in receptions and receiving yards in 1984.  

-College Football Hall of Fame inductee.  
played in the CFL where he was voted league MVP.  

Williams's college statistics are a testament to his exceptional talent and remain a significant part of his football legacy.

We have been aware of many alleged sports curses throughout sports. The Curse of the Bambino on the Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs Goat Curse, and more, but what about a curse on an entire city and its sports teams?

Football_Team_at_Buffalo_Bills_(26_September_2021)_JMG_1827_(51529431978).jpg" target="bbcode">Image of the Washington Football Team at Buffalo Bills (26 September 2021) is Courtesy of All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA via Wikimedia Commons

Greg Tranter recently released another great sports history book. This time, it is The Buffalo Sports Curse. Greg chats about the Bills with "WIde RIght" and "13 seconds" but also goes through some of the other Western New York sports teams, such as the Buffalo All-Americans and the "Staley Swindle," and more. The book is available through multiple outlets and one way is RIT Press The Buffalo Curse. Learn all about it and pick up your copy today.

Here is a link to get a copy of Greg's work: Buffalo Sports Curse Book.

-Transcribed Conversation with Greg Tranter on his Buffalo Sports Curse Book

Hello, my football friends; this is Darin Hayes of PigskinDispatch.com. Welcome once again to the Pig Pen, your portal to positive football history. And we are going to stare down that portal tonight and talk to our friend and historian, Greg Tranter, who is authored a few books on football. We've talked to him and Jeff Miller just recently about their book from last year called Relics about the Buffalo Bills and some of the memorabilia that they wrote about.

Well, Greg is back with another book called The Buffalo Sports Curse. Very interesting. Indeed.

Hi, Greg Tranter. Welcome back to the Pig Pen. Hey, thanks a lot, Darren.

Great to be back. Greg, you are staying extremely busy. You said you just had this book published with Jeff last year or earlier this year.

And now this book, and you're telling me you have a couple more books in progress. So you're a very busy guy. So, we appreciate you taking the time to come and talk with us tonight.

Yeah, thanks. I appreciate the opportunity. So maybe you could describe the Buffalo Sports Curse.

Now, that's something we've heard of curses of other teams, perhaps like the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox and some of those curses. But I've never really heard of the Buffalo Sports Curse. So maybe you can enlighten us a little bit about basically what this is.

So, yeah, the interesting part of the Buffalo Sports Curse is it's not one team. It affected every professional team in Buffalo in the four major sports of baseball, basketball, football, and hockey all the way back to 1901. So it's affected not only the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres that people are very familiar with, but also the Buffalo Federals from the Federal Baseball League back in 1914 and 15, the Buffalo All-Americans that were an original franchise in the National Football League, all the way through.

It even affected a few individuals, including superstars like O.J. Simpson and Baby Joe Macy, who is a boxer in Buffalo. So it's very expensive, much more so than the Chicago Cubs or the Boston Red Sox, because there were other teams in those cities that were winning championships. OK, so generally, these curses, especially the two we mentioned, we know that the Boston Red Sox curse was like the curse of the Bambino, supposedly because they sold the rights to Babe Ruth.

The Cubs, I believe, was the Billy Goat Tavern curse of somebody, a tavern owner brought a Billy Goat into one of the games. He asked to leave with his goat and he put a curse on a team and it lasted decades. So what's sort of the root of this curse in Buffalo? So three things happened in 1901 to create the curse.

One, President William McKinley was in Buffalo visiting the Pan-American Exposition and was assassinated in September of that year. Earlier in 1901, Buffalo was an original franchise in the American Baseball League that was just forming at the turn of the century. And what happened was they had paid their franchise fee, were told by President Ban Johnson, who was the president of the American League, that they were in the league.

At the last minute, Ban Johnson double-crossed Buffalo when he realized he needed a team in Boston to compete with the Boston Braves. So, he moved the Buffalo franchise to Boston. They became the Boston Americans.

In 1903, they won the first World Series. In 1907, they were renamed the Boston Red Sox. The third thing that happened in 1901 was that the owner of the Buffalo baseball team died of a heart attack at 53 years old.

And many people say he died of a broken heart because he wanted a major-league baseball team in Buffalo. So it was those three things in combination that happened in 1901 that started the curse. Huh.

Very interesting. So this is, you know, what, 121 years old, this curse? Yes. And no Buffalo team has won a universally recognized championship in any of the four major sports of baseball, basketball, football, and hockey.

The Buffalo Bills won two AFL championships in 64 and 65. But at that time, the AFL was considered inferior to the NFL. And so the Bills would not have been considered the professional football champion of the sport.

It would have been the NFL team. And other than those two, no team has won a universally recognized championship. And there's a cursed event on every team that's been a professional franchise in Buffalo in one of the four major sports.

Hmm. OK, so maybe you could describe some of those of all four sports. Sure.

And of course, of course, you know, everybody's pretty familiar, right, with Wide Right in Super Bowl 25, the Music City Miracle in the 1990 AFC Divisional Playoff in Tennessee, the no goal when Brett Hall scored the winning goal for the Stanley Cup, and his skate was in the crease, which, of course, was against league rules that year. And then even last year, the 13 seconds in Kansas City, where Buffalo was 13 seconds away from winning that playoff game and then hosting, they would have hosted the AFC championship game. So there are those that people are very familiar with.

But lots of people don't know that, for example, Buffalo had an original franchise in the American Professional Football Association, which, of course, was the forerunner of the NFL. And they had a team called the Buffalo All-Americans. And in 1920, they actually played for the championship in Buffalo, even though there wasn't really a championship game.

But they played Akron at the end of the season, and they had the two best records in the APFA. If Buffalo won that game, they would have been NFL champions. If they tied, Akron would win because it had had no losses.

Buffalo had won. And so, of course, they tied. So Akron won the championship.

What's worse is the following year, in 1921, Buffalo goes through what they thought was the regular season undefeated. And they were crowned champions, at least by the press. And then the owner, Frank McNeil, the owner of the Buffalo All-Americans, agreed to play what he thought were two exhibition games at the end of the season.

They beat the Akron Pros one day and the next day they played the Chicago Staley's and lost the game 10 to 7. At that point, George Halas, who was the owner of the Staley's, claimed that that game counted and that the Staley's should be champions because if you included those two games, the Staley's had a better winning percentage than Buffalo did. They were 9-1-1 and Buffalo was 9-1-2. And he also claimed that the Staley's won by more points.

They had won 10 to 7 earlier in the year. Buffalo had won by one point. So they had a point differential advantage.

So he basically went to the rest of the owners and lobbied to be champions of the league. And in the spring of the following year, the owners voted the Staley's NFL champions. It is now known as Staley's Swindle because of the back office maneuverings of George Halas, and McNeil, the Buffalo All-Americans owner, fought that decision for the rest of his life.

Up until all the way until 1961, and then his wife carried the banner after that until she died. But the Staley's are still considered NFL champions to this day. We had a discussion, I had Joe Ziemba on about a week ago, and we spoke with him about his book on Cardinals and the Bears that he wrote that was released recently and quite a bit about Halas in it.

And we talked a little bit about Halas, you know, sort of being, you know, did a lot of great things for the game, but he was sort of, you know, really jockeyed things for his team to try to gain an advantage for his team. And, you know, this Staley's Swindle being one of them and a couple of others that he did, I believe, Portsmouth and Green Bay, he sort of screwed them out of some championships and tried a couple of others, too, that Joe Carr and I believe dismissed and wouldn't let him do. But, yeah, that's a that's a pretty big one when you get a championship taken from you.

Well, and then and then he came back to haunt Buffalo years later with the All-American Football Conference. If you remember the AFC from 1946 to 49, Buffalo had a franchise in there. In that franchise, they were the. I think their attendance was the third-highest in the league.

They made the playoffs two years in a row, actually played a championship game against Cleveland and lost like everybody did. But when they went to merge, Buffalo had an opportunity to merge in if they got 100 percent of the votes of the owners. George Halas voted against it.

So he was still holding a grudge, you know, 20, what, 29 years later. How could he have a grudge? He got what he wanted the other times. Right.

Well, because McNeil fought for the rest of his life, he was mad. I see. And so Buffalo was left out of the NFL in 1950 when, you know, the Browns joined in the 49ers, you know, joined and so on.

Buffalo was left out. So, yeah, Halas comes back to haunt them later. And that's in the book, too.

And he vaulted the Colts into that. Yes. Right.

OK, so so, yeah, a lot of football is happening there. And you talked a little bit about the AFL championships, but the AFL is not quite ready to merge with the NFL. They were competition and sort of lesser competition.

And then you get into these, you know, some of the NFL seasons of the Bills. And there's some bad luck there like you talk about a few of them already. Well, yeah, I mean, even let's go back to the AFL.

So in, Buffalo won the championship in sixty-four and sixty-five, and then sixty-six became the first year of the Super Bowl. So, they actually have an opportunity to become universal champions. Right.

They win the AFL East Division. And they play Kansas City in the AFL championship game to go to Super Bowl one. And it's at home, and they're trailing near the end of the first half, 14 to seven.

Jack Kemp is playing quarterback and driving the Bills to the tying touchdown. They get inside the 20-yard line near the end of the half, and Kemp throws what looks to be a touchdown pass in the end zone. And the Bills receiver slips and falls down.

And Johnny Robinson steps in front of him, intercepts the pass, returns at 70 yards. It sets up a field goal at the end of the half. And instead of the game being tied 14 to 14, the Chiefs are up 17 to seven and they go on to win 31 to seven.

And the Bills are denied the opportunity to go to Super Bowl one. And actually a lot of people, a lot of football historians will tell you that the Bills actually were a better matchup for the Packers than the Chiefs were, because as you may or may not know, but Buffalo still holds the record for the most consecutive games, not allowing a rushing touchdown. And so they would have handled the Packers sweep.

And so, who knows? I mean, you know, it's all speculation of whether the Bills would have beaten them or not, but my guess is they would have given them a better game. But either way, they lost their opportunity to be the universal champions in 1967. And then you fast forward to the NFL.

Of course, there are the four Super Bowls. There's not only Super Bowl 25, you know, where, you know, Wide Right, which I don't know if you or if any of your listeners saw the 30 for 30 on the four falls of Buffalo by ESPN a few years ago, but running back Kenneth Davis theorized that the Army helicopters that were flying over actually kept Norwood's ball from curving in because his kicks always curved in. And that kick didn't.

And he surmises that it was because of the Army helicopters. But then, you know, you have Super Bowl 26, where Thurman Thomas, you know, loses his helmet before the game. On the second play of the game, the Bills had planned for a certain run that they thought they could break for a touchdown.

The play opened up exactly like they thought. But Kenneth Davis, who was his replacement, ran to the wrong hole. And so no big play, no touchdown because Thurman was on the bench.

You know, who knows? That changed the game. Maybe the Bills still lose. You know, then you go to Super Bowl 27 in the Rose Bowl, and Jim Kelly gets hurt.

The Bills turn the ball over nine times. Then you go to Super Bowl 28. The Bills are up 13 to six at the half.

They have the ball to start the second half. They get to midfield. Thurman Thomas fumbles.

James Washington returns it for a touchdown. Instead of the Bills going up 16 to six or 20 to six, it's now 13-13. And the Bills unraveled at that point.

And there are many more. I mean, I think there are about a dozen different Bills-specific situations in playoff games that they lost that were very controversial. You know, so there's definitely a lot of football in the book.

But it does cover all the sports, all four. Yeah, well, that's some things I didn't realize about the Bills, especially that 1966 AFL championship game. Very interesting.

Now, there's a saying here, you know, I don't live that far from Buffalo. I'm in Erie, so I'm halfway between Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. And, you know, I'm a Steelers fan, and the Bills just cleaned our clocks a couple of weeks ago.

Worse loss than the Tomlin era. But there's sort of been a joke that's gone around by Steelers fans, you know, talking about the Browns and the Bills about if you're and you want to date a girl and you don't really want to get married, you date a girl that's a Bills fan because she's patient about getting a ring. There's some humor in there, but.

Yes, 120 years, 120 years of waiting. I had to throw that in there because it sort of fit in. Now, OK, now take it, take a side, you know, being a Bills fan, because last year, the 2021 divisional playoff game against Kansas City, the 13 seconds had to be, you know, crushing, make you sick to your stomach as a Bills fan.

But as a football fan, I know it's hard to do; if you could peel back those layers of your love for your team, it had to be probably the greatest football game that was ever played at maybe any level because that was tremendous watching that last two minutes of the game. Yeah, no, I mean, it was. It's the only game in NFL history in which two teams scored 25 points in the last two minutes of regulation. I mean, you know, you saw it, and you saw it again this past Sunday.

Mahomes and Allen are quarterbacks who do things that other players just can't do. And, you know, you think you got him tackled. Do you think you got him hemmed in?

And then all of a sudden, well, there's a 20-yard play. And it's like, how does that happen? I thought we had him stopped. And it happened in that last two minutes last year.

It happened on both sides of the ball, right? It was like, you know, I mean, Tyree Kill goes for, you know, 70 yards. And then, you know, and then the Bills come right back and drive down the length of the field and score with 13 seconds left. And you're sitting there going, OK, I feel pretty comfortable.

There's only 13 seconds left. And they get 45 yards in two plays. Intense, you know, so I mean, and I think everybody that was watching that game wanted the Bills to get the ball in overtime, you know, to match them, right? Definitely.

I mean, to the point that the league changed the rule because everybody watching on TV was like, no, Allen deserves a shot to respond. Yeah, it was kind of interesting. My wife and I were supposed to be at a family member's for dinner and going to watch the second game.

I believe Tampa and the Rams were the next game, which was also a great game. So we were trying to make our travel plans. I tried to make my travel plans.

I tried to get them to time their dinner so I could get done with one game and go the other. So I kept telling my wife. I think I told her four times in the last two minutes.

Oh, this game's over, you know, Kansas City just scored. Oh, no, Buffalo just scored. This game's over.

And it's just kept the other team coming back. And unbelievable. That was edge-of-your-seat football there.

That was great. Yes. No, and see, I played into the curse.

I jinxed them because when they scored when the Bills scored with 13 seconds left, I turned to my wife, and I went, oh, my God, we're going to win. I'll never do that again. Right.

Yeah, that's extremely interesting. So that's so maybe this year, maybe this is the year that the curse can be broken. You know, you just had a Buffalo in a close game, but they overcame Kansas City at Kansas City.

Of course, they did last year during the regular season, I believe, too. But it's got to be a confidence booster knowing that you can go toe-to-toe with, you know, the great Andy Reed, Patrick Mahomes, and Kansas City Chiefs. And you've proven it, you know, three times in the last two years that you can take them right down to the final seconds.

And in their stadium, which is loud, noisy, and a difficult place to play. As I've said to a bunch of my friends this week, I said, I want Patrick Mahomes to come to Orchard Park in January. Let's see how he does with Bill's Mafia, the 20-mile-hour winds, and the freezing cold temperatures.

And let's see how comfortable he is. And those, you know, because the amazing part about the Chiefs is Mahomes has never played a road playoff game, right? He's always played at home. OK, come to Buffalo.

But, you know, fitting into that now, I believe the announcers on Sunday's game said that next year, Buffalo has to travel to Kansas City again. And I'm thinking, how can that game be at Kansas City every single year? You think you'd get one in Buffalo at one time, right? I know because because I mean, Alan's what they've played now, I think, five or six times. And only one of them has been in Buffalo, a regular season game during the pandemic when there were no fans allowed.

Come on. So that's even more advantageous because he's never experienced. Mahomes has never experienced a game with fans in Orchard Park.

It's very reminiscent. I think a similar thing with the Steelers and Patriots, you know, the Brady Roethlisberger years, it seemed like every year the Steelers would have to travel to Boston to play, except for one year. And that was the Jesse James controversy at the end of the game when the Patriots beat him in Pittsburgh.

But it was very, very similar. One team just gets all the home games during the regular season. I don't understand that.

So I know it's frustrating. OK, so I'm sorry. So tell us a little bit more about the curse with as far as your book.

And well, I guess, first of all, let's let's tell people where they can get the book. Yeah, so the book is available in many, many locations. But RIT Press published the book.

And so it's available on their website, which is www.rit.edu slash press slash Buffalo hyphen curse sports curse. So they can get it there. It will be available on Amazon right now if you go on Amazon because the book will officially be released next Monday.

And we have a kickoff at the Buffalo History Museum at six o'clock next Monday night. And I'll be giving a talk, you know, somewhat similar to this, you know, telling some of the stories that are in the book. So this will be Monday, October 24th and Monday, October 24th.

And folks, we were pre-recording this. So this is being released on the 24th. So don't be confused here.

Yeah. And then, of course, it'll be in all the local bookstores, Barnes and Noble, around Western New York. But online, either RIT or Amazon should should do the trick.

And the book, the way the book is structured, it's structured into 18 chapters that highlight different because it's it's kind of a combination history book curse book. So there's 32 cursed events that I talk about in the book. But I also give historical information about the teams leading up to the curse.

So you learn about, you know, the Buffalo All-Americans of the APFA. You learn about the Buffalo Federals that were in the Federal Baseball League in 1914 and 15. You learn about the Buffalo Braves basketball team in the 70s.

So you get some history along with it. And then it plays into, oh, and then here's the curse that occurred that affected the team and affected their ability to win a championship. Oh, very interesting.

Get a little bit of sports history, along with some of the controversial hypotheticals. And that's kind of interesting. Oh, sorry.

It also covers franchises that never came into being, but almost it. And then it also covers two individuals. It covers OJ Simpson and his fall from grace.

He's probably, you know, and again, a lot of people this day and age don't remember that OJ Simpson when he came out of USC, was not only considered the best player at the time, he was considered the greatest running back in college football history at that point in time. He was, and though the Bills never won a Super Bowl, obviously, he broke all kinds of records. And I would argue, you know, the murders occur, and his fall from grace is probably the greatest fall from grace of any athlete in American professional sports history.

Wow. Yeah, I didn't even think about that aspect. You're right.

That's quite a Buffalo connection, too. Very, very interesting. And we lost it, right? I mean, we lost it because, you know, he's a pariah now to a great degree.

Right. Yeah. You sort of lost that iconic figure in your history.

Before the great Bills teams of the nineties, he was probably the face of the franchise. Yeah. And he was beloved in Buffalo, for sure.

But I mean, even nationally. Wow. Very interesting.

Great storyline. I mean, I'm glad you wrote those books. That's very intriguing.

Greg described where you can get it. If you're driving or don't have a writing utensil, we will have as many links as we can in the show notes of this podcast. So you can get information and links, right?

To get connected to Greg's book of the Buffalo sports curse. And, you know, hopefully, you know, get these things out while they're hot here. Probably make some great gifts for the holidays, for the sports fans in your life.

I'm sure. And, you know, some great reading. Very interesting.

So, so Greg, you know, you've got a couple other projects coming up. I don't know if you want to discuss them or just leave them for now, not jinx them or. No, no, no, no.

I have two books that hopefully we'll publish next fall. One is a football book, which is a timeline of the history of the bills. So we're basically creating a book that takes about 150 Bill's stories and puts them on a timeline with photos from the birth of the franchise right up through this season.

And we call them vignettes because there'll be 350 to 500 word stories about significant things that happened in Bill's history. And they'll be basically through the book in sequence of the time when they occurred. And I'm doing that with a company called Reedy Press.

They did one book about the Chiefs a couple of years ago. And so we're doing one on the bills, and that'll be published next fall. Um, and then I'm also doing a basketball book on the Buffalo Braves basketball team that today is the LA Clippers, but they were in Buffalo from 1970, 1978 and had superstars like Bob McAdoo, Ernie DeGregorio, Randy Smith, where they're like big name players.

And they're in the curse book, too. They have a couple of cursed events to go along with that franchise. But that will be more of a total history book.

And I've also, we've also written biographies on every player that played for the team. There were 83 players that played and we've written a biography on every person. And that one, I'm collaborating with a guy named Bud Bailey, who's a Buffalonian, who's a former sports reporter for the Buffalo news.

Wow. You are a busy guy. I hope you get these books done and out to the publisher quickly.

So you can get a little bit of sleep here. You gotta be going 24 seven to do all that. Wow.

All fun, though. All that I love doing. So, well, Greg, why don't you give us the title of your book again? Once again, it's the best place to get it.

And, uh, you know, before. All right. It's called the Buffalo sports curse.

One hundred twenty years of pain, disappointment, heartbreak, and eternal optimism. So that's the full title of the book. It's available at RIT press, which is www.rit.edu slash press.

And the book will be there. You can also get it on Amazon or at any of the local bookstores around Western New York, which will be available. So, it will officially be released on October 24th, but you can order it today.

All right. Well, Greg Tranter, historian, author, collector. Thank you very much for coming on here and sharing the story of this great book and for writing this book and sharing this, the great stories contained in it of the Buffalo curse.

And, uh, appreciate your time. All right, Darin. Thank you.

Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.

As we reflect on July 19 in the annals of American football history, we honor another cadre of remarkable individuals whose birthdays have left an indelible mark on the sport. From electrifying players known for their game-changing athleticism to strategic masterminds whose coaching prowess steered teams to victory, July 19 serves as a beacon for celebrating the diverse talents that have shaped football's evolution. These Hall of Fame figures embody the spirit of perseverance and innovation that define the sport, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire future generations of players and fans alike.

Join us as we delve into the captivating stories and achievements of these football luminaries. From iconic touchdown moments to championship victories, their contributions have not only defined eras but also solidified their places in football folklore. Whether you're a longtime enthusiast or newfound admirer of the game, July 19 is a day to pay homage to these trailblazers and celebrate their enduring impact on American football. Don’t miss this opportunity to relive the brilliance and passion that define the essence of football greatness.

Football fanatics, mark your calendars! July 13th holds a special place in the gridiron's storied past. Today, we delve into a trifecta of historical events:

-Gridiron Greats: Happy Birthday! We celebrate the birthdays of two legendary players enshrined in both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. These icons left their mark on both the collegiate and professional levels, inspiring generations of athletes.

-Trading Places: A Franchise Flips! On this date in 1972, a major shift occurred in the professional landscape. We'll explore the details of a significant trade that saw ownership of two established franchises change hands, impacting the future of both teams.

This post is a one-stop shop for history buffs and football enthusiasts alike. Join us as we celebrate the birthdays of gridiron giants and unpack the intricacies of a franchise-altering trade!

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Clyde "Bulldog" Turner wasn't just a nickname for this football legend; it embodied his tenacious spirit and relentless playing style. This essay explores Turner's remarkable career, highlighting his dominance as both a center and a linebacker, and his journey to becoming a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Born in 1919, Turner's path to gridiron glory began at Hardin-Simmons University, where he excelled as a two-way player. His exceptional skills caught the eye of NFL scouts, leading him to be drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1940, a time when pro football scouting was still in its early stages.

Turner quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His versatility was unmatched. As a center, he anchored a dominant offensive line, providing flawless ball snaps and leading the way for the Bears' potent rushing attack. But it was his defensive prowess that truly set him apart. He transformed into a ferocious linebacker, renowned for his aggressive tackling and ability to read opposing offenses. In 1942, he even led the NFL with a staggering eight interceptions.

Turner's contributions were instrumental in the Bears' success. He played a pivotal role in their 11-0 season record in 1942, though they ultimately fell short in the championship game. Throughout his 13-year career with the Bears, he remained a defensive stalwart, earning unanimous All-Pro honors and solidifying his place as a Chicago legend.

Beyond his on-field dominance, Turner was known for his intelligence and leadership. He commanded respect from teammates and coaches alike, becoming a cornerstone of the Bears' defensive unit.

In 1966, his dedication and skill were recognized when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Clyde "Bulldog" Turner's legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics. He embodied the spirit of a true two-way player, excelling on both sides of the ball with unwavering determination. His career stands as a testament to versatility, grit, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence on the gridiron.

The guy earned the nickname Bulldog because he competed fiercely on the football field. A long-time Chicago Bear two-way interior lineman and linebacker wore Number 66 for the Bears.

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We have heard of the famous lost NFL Championship of the Pottsville Maroons in 1925 and the controversy surrounding it. However, another Title controversy brewed a few seasons earlier concerning a now-defunct franchise when the League was still under its original American Professional Football Association banner.

Want to catch up on our series of posts and podcasts on Pre-Super Bowl NFL Champions? Check it out here NFL Champions.

Controversy is always good subject matter for a solid story, and what we have for today is solid. Back in 2021 we spoke with Football Learning Academies' Ken Crippen, speaking of a Buffalo All-Americans NFL title controversy with the Chicago Staleys and George Halas.

The 1921 APFA title, the precursor to the NFL championship, went to the Chicago Staleys (later Bears) in a controversial decision. Both the Staleys and Buffalo All-Americans finished the season with a 9-1-1 record. A tiebreaker game was played, but there's disagreement on its significance. Buffalo believed it was an exhibition, while Chicago argued it counted towards the standings. The Staleys won the game, and league officials ultimately awarded them the title. This decision, known as the "Staley Swindle" by Buffalo fans, remains a point of contention.

Big thanks to Ken Crippen for sharing the information and his time. Check out the Football Learning Academy https://www.football-learning-academy.com/.

Ken has written a few books on Buffalo Pro football too. We share some links through our Amazon Associates Account that gives some proceeds to the running of Pigskin Dispatch if purchased through. Kens books include:
The Original Buffalo Bills: A History of the All-America Football Conference Team, 1946-1949.

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Joe Ziemba, the foremost expert on Chicago Cardinals history goes all in on telling a story. When he gets a chance to chat about the memories of one of the Cardinals greats like Charley Trippi, this story teller shifts to a different gear.

Charley Trippi was a football prodigy whose versatility and skill set were unmatched in his era. A standout at the University of Georgia, he was a triple-threat, excelling as a runner, passer, and return specialist. His college career was interrupted by World War II, but upon returning, he continued to dominate.

Drafted first overall by the Chicago Cardinals in 1945, Trippi quickly became a cornerstone of their offense. Known as a "quintuple threat" for his ability to run, pass, catch, punt, and defend, he was a nightmare for opponents. His rookie season culminated in a NFL championship, a testament to his immediate impact.

Throughout his nine-year career, Trippi's extraordinary talent and athleticism made him one of the most electrifying players in the league. His records for total offense stood for decades, a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest all-around football players of all time.

Joe shares in this episode the story of the NFL and other pro teams that competed for the right to ink Trippi to a professional contract. It involves some of the biggest names in football at the time and is truly a podcast worth listening in on.

The Florida International University (FIU) Golden Panthers football team, established in 2001, boasts a relatively young history. However, within that brief timeline, their football helmets have undergone interesting design changes, reflecting the team's evolving identity and the broader trends in college football helmet design.

Early Years: The Panther Prowl (2001-2008)

FIU's inaugural season in 2001 saw the introduction of their first helmet design. It featured a white base with a teal interlocking "FI" logo on either side. The most striking element, however, was a full-body panther graphic, appearing to prowl across the top of the helmet. This design embodied a sense of movement and aggression, aligning with the energetic spirit of a new program.

A Touch of Teal: Refining the Identity (2009-2011)

In 2009, FIU opted for a sleeker design. The panther graphic was simplified, with only the head and upper torso remaining. The teal color was expanded, taking over the entire helmet except for a white stripe running down the center. This change reflected a growing confidence in the program's established identity and a focus on FIU's signature teal color.

The Spear Dawns: A Bold New Era (2012-2016)

FIU's most dramatic helmet change came in 2合せ年 (2012) (ni-sen-jū-ni-nen, the Japanese equivalent of 2012). The design incorporated a stylized spear piercing a panther head, both rendered in a metallic chrome finish. This bold design aimed to project an image of power and ferocity. However, it proved divisive among fans, with some appreciating its uniqueness and others finding it too busy and lacking in classic appeal.

A Return to Tradition: The Panther in Focus (2017-Present)

In 2017, FIU opted for a more traditional design. The helmet returned to a white base with a simplified teal panther head on both sides. This shift reflected a desire to reconnect with the program's roots and establish a more timeless aesthetic. Minor tweaks have been made since, such as adding a chrome outline to the panther, but the core design remains focused on a clean and recognizable image.

Beyond Aesthetics: A Reflection of Football Culture

The evolution of FIU's helmets reflects not just the team's identity but also broader trends in college football helmet design. The early 2000s saw a rise in complex graphics and action-oriented imagery. The chrome trend emerged in the 2010s, and recently, there's been a return to more classic and timeless designs.

Every day brings a new chapter to the ever-evolving story of American football. But some dates hold a special place in the record books, marking the births of legendary players and coaches, or the unfolding of pivotal moments in the game's rich history. Today, on July 5th, we delve into the archives to uncover the fascinating football stories woven into this specific date.

This post will be a treasure trove for football fanatics! We'll explore the legacies of Hall of Famers who share a July 5th birthday, their impact on the game, and some of their most unforgettable achievements. We'll also investigate whether any significant events in college or professional football transpired on this date, adding another layer to the gridiron narrative. So, gear up and get ready to celebrate the history of the sport we love!