Football History

---

April 20, 1945 - Arthur "Mickey" McBride formed the Cleveland Browns organization. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Mickey acquired the franchise in the new All-America Football Conference that would begin play in the 1946 season.

McBride's first act after acquiring the team was to hire a coach and general manager, and he did both by selecting one man,  Paul Brown. Coach Brown was a successful high school, college, and service coach and was the right man for the job.

The Browns dominated the AAFC, winning all four of its championships, and also won the NFL championship shortly after the leagues merged the Browns, Colts, and 49ers into the NFL.

March 28, 1963 – Sonny Werblin leads a group that purchases the AFL's New York Titans from original owner Harry Wismer. Werblin and company promptly changed the team name to the New York Jets on April 15.

Sonny Werblin's tenure as the owner of the New York Jets, from 1963 to 1968, was a transformative and often flamboyant period that fundamentally altered the franchise's trajectory and the landscape of professional football. When Werblin, a powerful and charismatic entertainment executive, took over the struggling American Football League (AFL) team, he brought a vision of big-time entertainment and a willingness to spend lavishly to achieve it.

His most significant and arguably most audacious move was the signing of University of Alabama quarterback Joe Namath in 1965 for a then-unheard-of contract worth over $400,000. This bold stroke instantly injected excitement and controversy into the Jets and the entire AFL, challenging the established dominance of the NFL. Werblin understood the power of star power and marketing, and he cultivated Namath's image as a charismatic rebel, attracting a new generation of fans.

Beyond Namath, Werblin invested in talent, bringing in key players like Don Maynard, George Sauer, and Gerry Philbin. He also hired the astute Weeb Ewbank as head coach, providing the leadership and experience needed to mold the team. Werblin's influence extended beyond personnel; he modernized the team's image, improved facilities, and fostered a winning culture.

Werblin's investment and vision culminated in Super Bowl III in January 1969. Despite being heavy underdogs against the NFL's Baltimore Colts, Namath famously guaranteed victory, and the Jets delivered with a stunning 16-7 upset. This victory was a watershed moment, not only for the Jets, who secured their only Super Bowl title to date but also for the AFL, which proved its legitimacy and paved the way for the eventual merger with the NFL.

While Werblin sold the team in 1968, his impact on the New York Jets and professional football was profound. He demonstrated the potential of aggressive marketing, a star quarterback's power, and the upstart AFL's viability. His tenure is remembered as a bold and successful gamble that forever changed the game.

The franchise would compete in the AFL until the NFL/AFL merger and help put the NFL on notice in Super Bowl III when the Jets defeated the Colts.

---

March 29, 1996, marked the official naming ceremony for Baltimore's new NFL team, directly resulting from Art Modell's controversial decision to relocate his Cleveland Browns. Amidst a flurry of legal battles and heartbroken fans in Cleveland, Modell stood with Baltimore officials, unveiling the team's moniker: the Ravens.

This move announced months earlier, had sent shockwaves through the football world. Citing financial difficulties and Cleveland Stadium's inadequacy, Modell secured a lucrative deal to bring NFL football back to Baltimore, a city still smarting from the Colts' departure years earlier.

The naming ceremony was a symbolic step in this contentious transition. While Cleveland fought to retain the Browns' legacy – their name, colors, and history – Modell's organization was forging a new identity in Baltimore. The "Ravens," a nod to Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem and the city's literary history, represented a fresh start, albeit one steeped in the bitter circumstances of a beloved team's relocation. The day underscored the complex intersection of sports, business, and civic identity, leaving a lasting scar on Cleveland's passionate fanbase while ushering in a new era for Baltimore football.

1969 - A report that the Student Council at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska, was proposing to abolish the school's football program was laughable, according to then-head football coach Max Kitzelman. " I think it was humorous. Nothing will come of it. I could be surprised.

The proposal proposed redirecting the funds allocated to the Midland gridiron program to other athletic activities. Kitzelman thought this was laughable because the Council did not poll the student body before making the proposal, and the offer was premature.

The root of the issue may have been due to the football team being winless during the 1968 season. Kitzelman pointed to player ineligibility and losing some key players to other sports. Things did not improve in the 1969 season for Coach Kitzelman's team as they finished the year with a 1-7 record, good enough for a 4th place (of 6 teams) finish in the 1969 Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings. The football program continued in 1970, but Coach K left for the sidelines. Midland was 3-7 in 1970.

Losing isn't fun, even at an NAIA Division II school.

Source - The Midland Atchison, Kansas · Friday, March 28, 1969

Knute Rockne tragically died on March 31, 1931, in Kansas, when a Transcontinental & Western Air airliner crashed. He was en route to participate in the filming of The Spirit of Notre Dame, which was later released on October 13, 1931. Rockne had made a stop in Kansas City to visit his sons, Bill and Knute Jr., who were attending boarding school at Pembroke-Country Day School. Approximately an hour after departing Kansas City, a wing of the Fokker Trimotor broke apart mid-flight. The plane plummeted into a wheat field near Bazaar, Kansas, resulting in the deaths of Rockne and seven other individuals.

In a somber coincidence, Jess Harper, Rockne's friend and the coach he had succeeded at Notre Dame, resided about 100 miles from the crash site. Harper was called upon to positively identify Rockne's body. A memorial now marks the location of the crash, enclosed by a wire fence with wooden posts. For many years, James Heathman, who was 13 years old in 1931 and among the first to reach the scene, diligently maintained the memorial.

---

The Tumultuous 1939 College Football Season: Undefeated Champions and Surprising Twists

Despite lacking a universally recognized national champion, the 1939 college football season was anything but uneventful. It was a year marked by unexpected twists, dominant teams, and individual brilliance, impacting the sport's history.

A Season of Upsets and Contenders:

Pre-season favorites like Pitt and Notre Dame suffered surprising losses early in the season, shaking up the national landscape. Even the previous year's highly ranked team, TCU, lost at UCLA, 6–2, on September 29, spiraling the Horned Frogs to a losing season. The year saw the emergence of several strong contenders, including Tulane, Cornell, and Tennessee, all vying for the top spot.

The University of Tennessee's Volunteers completed a regular-season campaign of 10-0 and garnered an invitation to the Rose Bowl. The Vols were the defending national champions, and their run through the schedule in 1939 may have outdone the efforts of 1938. The 1939 Vols version is the last team in NCAA history to go undefeated, untied, and unscored upon in the regular season. Under Coach Robert Neyland's guidance, the team completed what would be their second of three consecutive undefeated regular seasons.

The USC Trojans still have their stalwart Coach Howard Jones, now in his fifteenth season. Southern Cal sported stars such as future College Football Hall of Fame inductee guard Harry Smith, who in '39 was a consensus first-team pick. Quarterback Grenny Lansdell was also an All-American lauded by a few publications. Southern Cal suffered a couple of regular season ties against rivals Oregon and UCLA but still bested the others on the West Coast to have the honor of attending the Rose Bowl.

USC emerged victorious in the Rose Bowl against a talented Tennessee team, boasting a solid defense. The Trojans blanked the Number 3 Vols 14-0 to finish 8-0-2 on the year.

The Big Red of Cornell University finished 8–0 and, per the Litkenhous System, were selected as the National Champions. The Big Red was also retroactively chosen as co-national champion in the Sagarin Ratings. Coach Carl Snavely's squad was invited to the 1940 Rose Bowl but declined the bid for academic reasons, as they wanted their players to catch up on their schoolwork after a long season.

Cornell's freshman team included a future College Football Hall of Fame tackle, Nick Drahos. Drahos was a consensus first-team selection on the 1939 All-America college football team and was inducted into the Hall in 1981.

Texas A&M Emerges Victorious:

The season culminated with the Texas A&M Aggies, led by consensus All-American fullback John Kimbrough, claiming the Associated Press (AP) national championship title. Their undefeated season, featuring a dominant win over a highly-ranked Tulane team 14-13 in the Sugar Bowl, has solidified their place as the top team in the eyes of many voters. The A&M squad went 11–0 and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 212 to 31.

The 1939 Texas A&M College Football team etched their name in history as one of the most dominant teams of their era. Led by a strong defense and a prolific offense, the Aggies marched through the season undefeated, culminating in a national championship victory.

Building a Dynasty Under Homer Norton:

This pinnacle of success wasn't a coincidence. Under the guidance of head coach Homer Norton, who entered his sixth year at the helm, the Aggies had been steadily building a winning culture. Norton's emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and a solid running game laid the foundation for the team's dominance.

A Season of Perfection: Shutouts and Offensive Exploits

The 1939 season was a masterclass in both defensive prowess and offensive efficiency. The Aggies boasted one of the nation's stingiest defenses, allowing a meager 1.6 points per game and shutting out six of their eleven opponents. This defensive dominance was anchored by a talented line led by tackle Joe Boyd, who served as team captain.
pen_spark.

Other Notable Teams and Performances:

Despite not being crowned national champions, several other teams had remarkable seasons. Iowa, led by Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick, finished with an impressive 6-1-1 record.

A Season of Controversy:

The lack of a unified governing body to declare a national champion in 1939 fueled the debate and controversy surrounding the top teams. This highlighted the need for a more centralized system to determine a definitive winner, ultimately leading to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) creation in the late 1990s.

A Pivotal Year for College Football:

Despite the lack of undisputed champions, the 1939 season was pivotal for college football. It showcased the sport's increasing depth and competitiveness, with multiple teams vying for national relevance. Additionally, it paved the way for future discussions and advancements in determining a national champion, shaping the landscape of college football as we know it today.

The 1999 version of the NFL Draft took place. University of Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch was the first pick by the expansion Cleveland Browns franchise. There were some pretty fantastic picks made too as Couch was followed by Syracuse’s Donovan McNabb to the Eagles, Cincy taking Akili Smith of Oregon, Hall of Fame back Edgerrin James went 4th to the Colts followed by Ricky Williams to New Orleans in the big trade by then coach Mike Ditka giving all of his 1999 picks for the opportunity to draft Williams. NC State Wideout Tory Holt went next to the St Louis Rams, Hall of Fame Defensive Back Champ Bailey was picked up by Washington, according to the Pro-Football-Reference.com.

The 1999 NFL Draft, held on April 17–18, 1999, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, was a significant event in professional football history. This draft is particularly notable for the many quarterbacks selected in the first round and a landmark trade involving the New Orleans Saints. Returning to the NFL as an expansion team, the Cleveland Browns held the first overall pick.

One of the most talked-about aspects of this draft was the New Orleans Saints' aggressive move to acquire the fifth overall pick. In a historic trade, the Saints sent all six of their draft picks to the Washington Redskins to select running back Ricky Williams from the University of Texas. This was the first and only time an NFL team has had just one pick in an entire draft. While Williams had a productive career, the sheer cost in draft capital is still debated.

The first round saw a flurry of quarterback selections, with five signal-callers taken in the top 12 picks. The Browns selected Tim Couch first overall, followed by Donovan McNabb to the Philadelphia Eagles (2nd), Akili Smith to the Cincinnati Bengals (3rd), Daunte Culpepper to the Minnesota Vikings (11th), and Cade McNown to the Chicago Bears (12th). While McNabb and Culpepper went on to have successful careers, reaching a Super Bowl and earning multiple Pro Bowl selections respectively, Couch, Smith, and McNown are often labeled as draft busts who did not live up to their high draft positions.

Beyond the quarterbacks, the first round also featured several other notable players, including running backs Edgerrin James (4th to the Indianapolis Colts) and Ricky Williams, wide receivers Torry Holt (6th to the St. Louis Rams) and David Boston (8th to the Arizona Cardinals), and defensive backs Champ Bailey (7th to the Washington Redskins) and Chris McAlister (10th to the Baltimore Ravens). These players formed the foundation of successful teams, and many achieved individual accolades throughout their careers.

The 1999 NFL Draft produced several players who would later be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the sport. It also saw the selection of players honored in the College Football Hall of Fame for their outstanding collegiate careers.

-Top Ten Selections of the 1999 NFL Draft:

-1. Tim Couch (QB) - Kentucky (Cleveland Browns)

-2. Donovan McNabb (QB) - Syracuse (Philadelphia Eagles)

-3. Akili Smith (QB) - Oregon (Cincinnati Bengals)

-4. Edgerrin James (RB) - Miami (FL) (Indianapolis Colts)  

-5. Ricky Williams (RB) - Texas (New Orleans Saints)

-6. Torry Holt (WR) - North Carolina State (St. Louis Rams)

-7. Champ Bailey (DB) - Georgia (Washington Redskins)

-8. David Boston (WR) - Ohio State (Arizona Cardinals)

-9. Chris Claiborne (LB) - USC (Detroit Lions)

-10. Chris McAlister (DB) - Arizona (Baltimore Ravens)


-Pro Football Hall of Fame Players Drafted in 1999:

-Champ Bailey (Round 1, Pick 7 - Washington Redskins)

-Edgerrin James (Round 1, Pick 4 - Indianapolis Colts)

-Torry Holt (Round 1, Pick 6 - St. Louis Rams)


-College Football Hall of Fame Players Drafted in 1999:

-Tim Couch (Round 1, Pick 1 - Cleveland Browns)

-Donovan McNabb (Round 1, Pick 2 - Philadelphia Eagles)

-Champ Bailey (Round 1, Pick 7 - Washington Redskins)

-Torry Holt (Round 1, Pick 6 - St. Louis Rams)


-Other Notable Impact Players taken in 1999

-Al Wilson (Round 2, Pick 31 - Denver Broncos)

-Kevin Faulk (Round 2, Pick 46 - New England Patriots)

-Cade McNown (Round 1, Pick 12 - Chicago Bears)

-Matt Stinchcomb (Round 1, Pick 18 - Oakland Raiders)

-Jim Kleinsasser (Round 2, Pick 44 - Minnesota Vikings)

The 1998 NFL Draft, held on April 18-19, 1998, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, was a draft class rich with talent that significantly shaped the league for years to come. The Indianapolis Colts held the first overall pick, a selection that would define their franchise for over a decade. The draft was particularly notable for the highly anticipated decision between quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf, a debate that dominated pre-draft discussions. Ultimately, the Colts chose Manning, a decision widely regarded as one of the best in NFL history, while Leaf, selected second by the San Diego Chargers, became one of the draft's biggest disappointments.

Beyond the quarterback debate, the 1998 draft yielded several other impactful players across various positions. The Oakland Raiders, at pick number four, selected cornerback Charles Woodson, a Heisman Trophy winner who would go on to have a Hall of Fame career. The Minnesota Vikings, later in the first round, picked wide receiver Randy Moss, a player with extraordinary talent who revolutionized the wide receiver position and is also enshrined in Canton. The draft also saw the selection of durable and high-performing players like running back Fred Taylor by the Jacksonville Jaguars and guard Alan Faneca by the Pittsburgh Steelers, both of whom enjoyed long and successful careers.

The depth of the 1998 draft extended beyond the first round, with several players selected in later rounds also achieving significant success and Pro Bowl recognition. This draft class is remembered not only for its top-tier talent but also for the stark contrast in the careers of its top two picks, a storyline that continues to be discussed in NFL circles. The impact of the players chosen in 1998 was felt for many years, with several leading their teams to Super Bowl contention and earning numerous individual accolades.

Top Ten Selections of the 1998 NFL Draft:

-1. Peyton Manning (QB) - Tennessee (Indianapolis Colts)

-2. Ryan Leaf (QB) - Washington State (San Diego Chargers)

-3. Andre Wadsworth (DE) - Florida State (Arizona Cardinals)

-4. Charles Woodson (CB) - Michigan (Oakland Raiders)

-5. Curtis Enis (RB) - Penn State (Chicago Bears)

-6. Grant Wistrom (DE) - Nebraska (St. Louis Rams)

-7. Kyle Turley (OT) - San Diego State (New Orleans Saints)

-8. Greg Ellis (DE) - North Carolina (Dallas Cowboys)

-9. Fred Taylor (RB) - Florida (Jacksonville Jaguars)

-10. Duane Starks (CB) - Miami (FL) (Baltimore Ravens)


-Pro Football Hall of Fame Players Drafted in 1998:

-Peyton Manning (Round 1, Pick 1 - Indianapolis Colts)

-Charles Woodson (Round 1, Pick 4 - Oakland Raiders)

-Randy Moss (Round 1, Pick 21 - Minnesota Vikings)

-Alan Faneca (Round 1, Pick 26 - Pittsburgh Steelers)


-College Football Hall of Fame Players Drafted in 1998:

-Peyton Manning (Round 1, Pick 1 - Indianapolis Colts)

-Charles Woodson (Round 1, Pick 4 - Oakland Raiders)

-Randy Moss (Round 1, Pick 21 - Minnesota Vikings)


-Other Notable Players from 1999 NFL Draft

-Kyle Turley (Round 1, Pick 7 - New Orleans Saints)

1946 - The Miami News Sports Editor, Guy Butler, released a story told to him by Jim Thorpe. Thorpe recanted a tale of the first time he met the legendary Knute Rockne.

In 1915, Thorpe Jr. began his professional football career after a season with the baseball Giants. The Canton Bulldogs were reformed (the team went on hiatus after a 1906 scandal), and they scheduled a game against the Massillon Tigers. These teams had their initial professional football beginnings back in 1902.

This was Thorpe's first experience with professional football. The game occurred midway between Massillon and Canton, Ohio; the towns are about eight miles apart. That afternoon, Thorpe met Knute Rockne for the first time. Rockne played end for Massillon, while Thorpe was a halfback for Canton.

Jim Thorpe undoubtedly played his best football with Canton in those first few years, surpassing his Carlisle performances. Jim surprised the sports world with his speed and skill. He played this challenging game until he was 41. He could hit an opponent with tremendous force, which became evident on this fateful day against Massillon.

Once, Thorpe faced a young, eager tackle trying to impress his teammates with his toughness, believing professional football was perfect for him. He was overly enthusiastic about tackling and wouldn't stop. So, the next time he went for a tackle, Thorpe says he stopped, intentionally dropped the ball, and the brash Massillon end picked it up. Then, bam! He didn't see it coming; the "Burley Indian" struck him, and he was knocked unconscious.

Thorpe told him not to do that again, but how could he respond? He was out cold.

That was the first encounter of football legends Jim Thorpe and Knute Rockne.

March 27, 1962 - Stanford University established the Stanford Hall of Fame to give credit and remembrance to Cardinal athletes and teams.

Among the teams was the 1901 football squad (then called the Indians) that played Michigan in what is now known as the first Rose Bowl game.

Among the gridiron players were greats such as C.C. Adams, W.W. Burnett, L.P. Bansbach, Herm Bihlman, W.B. Barnhisel, A.D. Briggs, Reg Caughey, Tom COde, C.L. Clemens, G.H. Cochran, G.H. Clark, C.M. Fockert, F.S, Fisher, G.D. Grosh and more.

All were legends in their own right that helped the Stanford football team establish a fine tradition.

Since the Stanford Cardinal Sports Hall of Fame was established, other gridiron greats have been inducted, along with other top athletes. Some of the notes are:

-Jim Plunkett

-Ed McCaffrey

-James Lofton

-Andrew Luck

-John Lynch

-John Brodie

-Frankie Albert

-Bruno Banducci

-Clark Shaughnessy

-Tommy Vardell

-Bill Walsh

-Glenn "Pop" Warner

-Gene Washington

-Paul Wiggin

-John Elway

-Bob Reynolds

-Toby Gerhart