Football History

The University of Pittsburgh Panthers football program boasts a rich and storied history, deeply woven into the fabric of Western Pennsylvania and the national landscape of college football. From humble beginnings to national championships and legendary figures, the Panthers have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

The program's roots trace back to 1889, making it one of the oldest in the nation. Early success came under the legendary coach Pop Warner, who led the Panthers to their first national championship in 1916. This golden era continued in 1918 with another national title, solidifying Pitt's reputation as a powerhouse.

Following Warner's departure, Pitt faced a period of transition but continued to produce talented players and coaches. Johnny Majors, a future Hall of Famer, led the Panthers to an undefeated season in 1976 and solidified himself as a fan favorite.

The 1980s and 1990s saw the emergence of another legendary figure, head coach Jackie Sherrill. Under his leadership, Pitt established itself as a consistent contender in the highly competitive Big East Conference. Sherrill's tenure culminated in a thrilling victory in the 1997 Fiesta Bowl, a game etched in the minds of many Pitt fans.

The turn of the millennium brought further chapters to the Panthers' story. Walt Harris, a defensive mastermind, led Pitt to an appearance in the 2004 BCS Championship game, showcasing the program's continued ability to compete at the highest level.

In recent years, Pitt has navigated the changing landscape of college football, joining the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2013. The program has continued to attract talented players and coaches, with Pat Narduzzi leading the team to consistent bowl appearances and victories over ranked opponents.

Beyond wins and losses, the Pitt Panthers program has produced numerous NFL players, including Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and Joe Greene. Additionally, the program has fostered a passionate and dedicated fanbase known for their unwavering support and unique traditions, like the iconic "turnover chain."

The history of Pitt Panthers football is a testament to the program's resilience, dedication to excellence, and unwavering commitment to its community. As the Panthers continue their journey, the legacy they have built inspires future generations of players, coaches, and fans to carry the torch forward and add their own chapters to the program's storied history.

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April 11, 1921 KDKA broadcasted the 1st radio sporting event, a boxing match that featured Johnny Ray versus Johnny Dundee and the First Lightweight Boxing Match Wireless Broadcast per the We Are Broadcasters.com. Later that same year on October 8, 1921 marked a significant day in the game of football. On that day, the first live sports radio broadcast of a football game aired on KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The game was played at Forbes Field between West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh.

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On April 7, 1943, the NFL underwent a significant transformation, ushering in an era of strategic flexibility and increased player safety. As highlighted on NFL.com, the league officially adopted free substitution, allowing for unlimited player changes throughout games. This pivotal rule change revolutionized game management.

Two-Platoon Era of Pro Football is Born

During World War II, the NFL faced a significant crisis due to the many players and coaches who enlisted in the military. Team rosters were severely depleted, threatening the league's ability to continue operating. With the vast majority of young, physically fit men being drafted for World War II, NFL team rosters faced severe depletion and constant instability. Driven by this critical necessity, the league made a pivotal decision in 1943, implementing a rule allowing teams to substitute players freely at any point during a game. This change was a direct response to the wartime manpower shortage. To address this manpower shortage, the NFL adopted free substitution on April 7, 1943.  

This rule change, initially a temporary measure, allowed teams to freely substitute players in and out of the game without the previous restrictions. This meant coaches could now strategically use different players for offensive and defensive situations, maximizing the limited talent available. Essentially, it paved the way for the "two-platoon system" where distinct offensive and defensive units could be deployed.  

While initially born out of necessity, the strategic advantages of the two-platoon system became apparent. After the war, although there was some initial pushback to revert to the one-platoon system, the benefits of specialization and the increased excitement it brought to the game led to its permanent adoption. Thus, the player shortages of WWII directly spurred the rule change that facilitated the development of the two-platoon system, a fundamental aspect of modern American football.

NFL Makes Helmets Mandatory Equipment

Simultaneously, the NFL mandated the use of helmets, a crucial step towards safeguarding players. The NCAA had integrated a similar rule in 1939.

Furthermore, the league formalized a 10-game regular season schedule, establishing a new framework for competition. This date marks a turning point in NFL history, impacting gameplay and player well-being for decades to come.

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SEC football's origin story! Discover the dawn of Southeastern Conference gridiron battles as the inaugural season commenced in 1933. Explore the founding teams, the historical context, and the enduring legacy forged from those early contests, forever altering the landscape of college football. Witness the birth of SEC power!

April 9, 1880 - Old Stoll Field, Kentucky - In what is considered to be the first football game of the SEC by many, Kentucky A&M, which went on to become the University of Kentucky, organized a football team and played a three-game series with the University of Transylvania in November 1881.

The Official SEC Start

Technically, the newly formed Southeastern Conference officially began its legendary football journey with the first season of conference play in the fall of 1933. These initial matchups marked the genesis of the SEC's identity, characterized by fierce rivalries, unwavering fan support, and the consistently elite level of football that would define the conference for generations. The teams that took the field in this inaugural season laid the groundwork for the SEC's future national dominance.

The commencement of SEC football in the fall of 1933 was a pivotal moment, uniting storied programs under a standard banner and igniting a tradition of excellence. Those early games were the first chapters in a rich history that would influence the very fabric of college football. The passion, the intensity, and the rivalries established in those formative years continue to fuel the SEC's enduring prominence and passionate following across the nation.

Look how far SEC football has come from this series in the 19th century!

April 5, 1973 - The National Football League revises its rules to adopt the jersey numbering system with:

1-19: Quarterbacks and specialists
20-49: Running backs and defensive backs
50-59: Centers and linebackers
60-79: Defensive linemen and offensive linemen other than centers
80-89: Wide receivers and tight ends

Numbers 0, 00, and 90-99 are no longer allowed to be issued, even though these numbers were rarely issued anyway. According to the American Football Database, numbers 90-99 would be allowed again in 1984 for defensive linemen and linebackers in addition to the above-mentioned numbers.

Other NFL rule revisions included the following: Defensive players cannot jump or stand on a teammate while trying to block a kick.
The clock is to start at the snap following a change of possession. Previously, the clock would start on a change of possession when the referee spotted the ball ready for play.

If the offensive team commits a foul and follows it up with a change of possession, the period can be extended by one play by the other team.
If the receiving team commits a foul after the ball is kicked, possession will be presumed to have changed; the receiving team keeps the ball.

Of course, this had some tweaks along the way with expanding the numbers for skill players in 2020 and the reinstating of the number 0 in 2022.

1939 - Police arrested, and the court arraigned three University of Florida football players with assault for beating up a fellow Florida student.

The alleged incident occurred on February 3, when the victim was held and treated for a broken leg, among other injuries, at the campus infirmary.

The victim knew what to do, as Hugh Williams is a law student at the school, and went to the authorities.

The hearing in April took the six-person jury less than an hour to come up with a guilty verdict. The men did not play for the Gators again.

March 31, 1906 -  The Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) is formally established.  In 1910, the IAAUS was renamed the National Collegiate Athletic Association or NCAA, according to the Library of Congress.

Early football games often resulted in injury and even death, prompting some colleges and universities to close their football programs. The reforms were encouraged by President Roosevelt in 1905. Some of the revisions to the rules from the IAAUS were the institution of the legal forward pass, and some rules made certain formations illegal.

Sock it to 'em, NFL style! Uncover the surprising history behind the NFL's long-standing rule mandating players wear high socks. It's not just about fashion; discover the real reasons behind this unique uniform regulation and how it shapes the look of the game today.

On April 9th, 1945, the NFL officially mandated that all players must wear long stockings covering their lower legs. This decision, spearheaded by Commissioner Elmer Layden, aimed to create a more uniform and professional aesthetic across the league. While seemingly a minor detail, this rule has persisted for decades, directly influencing the visual presentation of NFL players on the field every Sunday.

This "sock up" mandate, established on April 9th, distinguishes the NFL's uniform policy from many college football programs where bare legs are still common. The enforcement of this rule, often resulting in fines for violations, underscores the league's commitment to a consistent and polished appearance. It's a subtle yet defining characteristic of the NFL's iconic visual identity, a tradition upheld for over three-quarters of a century.

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Our guest is historian and collector Jeff Payne, who joins us to discuss an incredible portion of his vintage gridiron collection concerning the 1948 Cleveland Browns. The 1948 Cleveland Browns cemented themselves in football history by achieving the seemingly impossible: an undefeated season. This summary details their dominant run:

Building the Team:

-Head coach Paul Brown continued to refine his squad after winning the previous two AAFC championships.

-Key additions included linebacker Alex Agase and halfbacks Ara Parseghian and Dub Jones.

Dominating the Regular Season:

-The Browns kicked off the season with a victory against the LA Dons and never looked back, winning all 14 regular season games.

-Their closest contests were two close wins against the San Francisco 49ers, who also finished with a strong record.

-The Browns offense averaged 27.8 points per game, the second-best in the league, while their defense held opponents to a league-low 13.6 points per game.

Securing the Championship:

-Finishing the season with a perfect 14-0 record, the Browns secured the Western Division title.

-They faced the Buffalo Bills, who had won the Eastern Division through a playoff in the AAFC Championship game.

-The Browns capped off their undefeated season by defeating the Bills 49-7, earning their third consecutive AAFC championship.

It's important to note that while the Browns' undefeated season is considered remarkable, it occurred in the AAFC, which merged with the NFL in 1950. The NFL does not officially recognize AAFC records, making the 1972 Miami Dolphins the only team in NFL history to complete an undefeated season.

However, the 1948 Cleveland Browns remain a legendary team, showcasing outstanding coaching, a well-rounded roster, and a dominant playing style that brought them perfection on the field.

Bonus stories in the Video
In the conversation with Jeff Payne, we chat about football-related stories outside the Browns. How about George Halas during wartime? Or Crazy Legs Hirsch connection to the AAFC? Or Johnny Unitas reason for wearing Black high-tops?

1887 - A convention of football rules makers convened and focused on the game's rules, which empowered the referee with even more clout.

A resolution was passed stating, “rules should be enforced rigidly by referees, and that captains should instruct their men against holding, roughing, and all other objectionable features.” The group even made all varsity captains sign a resolution, swearing to coach their teams to play pretty and by the rules. Also, the Umpire position was created to help the Referee.

Other major rules changes from this conference were to make it a must for teams to try for a goal after a touchdown.

See more in our 1887 series, part 10 of the history series.