Football History

Born December 24, 1921, in Bluefield, Virginia  was the University of Virginia’s legendary halfback Bullet Bill Dudley. Some so-called experts thought Dudley was too small to play football in the collegiate ranks as he weighed in at 152 pounds with a 5’-10” frame per the NFF.

Virginia’s Coach, Frank Murray, decided to give Bill a chance to prove all of the other recruiters wrong. What Dudley did was to become the only player to win MVP honors in college,  the Armed Forces and professional levels.

During the 1941 season Bullet Bill led the nation with 18 touchdowns, 134 points scored, a 6.2 rushing average per play and 29 touchdowns. The National Football Foundation selected Bill Dudley into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1956. The Pittsburgh Steelers did not hesitate a second to pick Bill and the first pick in the 1942 Draft of the NFL. In his 9 pro seasons he had 8217 total yards and recorded 23 interceptions and played in 3 Pro Bowls. In fact the Pro Football Hall says that Bill won a rare triple crown of awards in the NFL, he was the interception leader, the top rusher and held the punt return title in 1946. Bill Dudley found the door wide open for him to enter into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.

Born August 9, 1931, in Detroit Michigan, was legendary NFL defensive Tackle Gene Big Daddy Lipscomb. Big Daddy famously terrorized quarterbacks in the National Football League for ten seasons and also participated as a professional wrestler in the off season. His NFL career saw him on the rosters of the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Colts, and the Pittsburgh Steelers but his career was tragically shortened by his untimely passing at the age of 31 years old. Lipscomb's final NFL game was after the 1962 season at the Pro Bowl in January 1963, in which he was voted lineman of the game. Gene was a two-time NFL champion with the Colts in 1958 and 1959, a two-time first team All-Pro, and made it to three Pro Bowls. The Professional Football Researchers Association named Lipscomb to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2006.

In 2019, despite currently not being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he was chosen as a finalist for the NFL's 100th Anniversary Team.

Born September 20, 1935, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was the fullback that hailed from LSU during the late 1950’s, Jim Taylor. Jim was selected as an All-American after the 1957 season for the Tigers. He was a big back for the era at 6 foot tall and weighing in at 214 pounds and the Packers picked him as the 15th overall pick in the 1958 NFL Draft.  Taylor did not disappoint as he played 10 seasons for the Pack and had a streak of  5 straight seasons of rushing for over 1000 yards! For his career he rushed for a total of 8597 yards and caught an amazing 225 passes for a combined total yardage of over 10,500 yards. The 1962 NFL Title game may be his watershed moment though in the League.  Taylor had 31 carries for 85 yards and a 7 yard touchdown run in the Championship game. Though he did fumble twice in the contest the legendary fullback added 3 receptions for 20 yards. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Jim Taylor in 1976.

Born August 12, 1915 in South River, New Jersey, was two-way Pro Football Hall of Fame Center and Linebacker, Alex Wojciechowicz. Wojciechowicz played college football for the Fordham Rams from 1935 to 1937 and was a member of the line that became known as the Seven Blocks of Granite.

He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 1938 NFL Draft and played for the Lions from 1938 to 1946. He was selected as a first-team All-NFL player in 1939 and 1944. In 1946, he was released by the Lions and then sold to the Philadelphia Eagles, for whom he played from 1946 to 1950. He won two NFL championships with the Eagles in 1948 and 1949.

They don't make them much better than this football player!

Born August 1, 1978 - Immokalee, Florida - Edgerrin James, the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back of the Indianapolis Colts and later the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.

Edgerrin attended and played football for the Miami Hurricanes enjoying a stellar collegiate career. It was when he was picked up by the Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft that this young runner really found his groove though according to the ProFootballHOF.com. Edge earned NFL Rookie of the year honors in 1999 when he rushed for 1553 yards leading all runner in the League!

He accomplished winning the NFL rushing title again in 2000 with 1709 yards on the ground matching his TDs scored in 1999 at 13 times crossing the wide field stripe.

In fact during his 11 year career James blasted past the 1000 yard rushing mark an amazing 7 times edging past 1500 in four of those! FOr his career he recorded 12246 yards rushing with 80 scores, played in four Pro Bowls and was honored to be on the All-2000's NFL team. Let's not forget that he also hauled in 433 catches many from HOF QBs Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner for an additional 3364 yards of offense.

July 28, 1923 - St. Louis All-Stars franchise is recognized by the NFL and plays just in the 1923 season in the League. The idea of the team came from their starting guard Ollie Kraehe, who also owned, managed and operated the club. Ollie had played for the Rock Island Independents a year earlier. His thought was that since small towns like Rock Island and Green Bay could make a buck off of pro football teams imagine what a large city like St. Loius could do. He bought into the NFL for $100 and found that getting true All-Stars to play for his squad was diffficult. Many players either lied that they were All Stars from the East or gave alias names so that their parents wouldn't know they were playing. Unfortunately for Kraehe his fans did not support his team and in September of 1924 the NFL cancelled the All-Stars franchise.

Born December 5, 1957 - White Plains, New York - The University of Syracuse legendary wide receiver Art Monk was born. Monk played at Syracuse from 1976 through 1979 and won the Lambert Trophy for being the top college player in the East according to his bio on footballfoundation.org.

Art Monk, a name synonymous with consistency and reliability in the NFL, crafted a Hall of Fame career defined by his understated brilliance. A product of his environment, Monk's journey from a relatively unheralded high school player to a record-breaking wide receiver is a testament to his unwavering dedication.

Possessing exceptional route-running skills and a knack for finding open spaces, Monk excelled in the Washington Redskins offense. His partnership with quarterback Joe Theismann formed one of the most potent passing combinations of the era. Monk's ability to consistently make tough catches and move the chains earned him the respect of teammates, opponents, and fans alike. His longevity and durability were equally impressive, as he maintained a high level of play throughout his career. While not the flashiest receiver, Monk's impact on the game was undeniable, and his contributions to the Redskins franchise solidified his status as a true football legend.

His great athleticism earned him First-Team All-America honors for the 1979 season. Art Monk entered into the prestigious College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. After he left Syracuse Art was a first round pick by the Washington Redskins in the 1980 NFL Draft. He played 16 seasons in the NFL in Washington as well as with the New York Jets and as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Pro Football Hall of Fame states that his career catches were counted at 940 and that he played 183 straight games where he caught at least one pass. Monk was an All-Pro twice and was voted into three Pro Bowls. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Art Monk in 2008.

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Find out more on who Dr Harry March was and his role in football history

Reuben John Ursella, known to all as "Rube," wasn't your typical football player. He wasn't a hulking lineman or a flashy running back. Instead, Ursella was a cerebral quarterback, a coach before his time, and the architect of an offensive scheme that revolutionized the early NFL. Though less celebrated than some gridiron giants, his legacy is one of innovation, leadership, and an unwavering dedication to the game.

Born in 1890 in Minneapolis, Ursella began his football career at the University of Minnesota. He honed his understanding of the "Minnesota Shift," a complex offensive strategy developed by coach Henry L. Williams there. The shift involved a series of pre-snap movements by the linemen, creating unexpected gaps and angles for the ball carrier. The Minnesota Shift was a potent weapon in the hands of a skilled quarterback like Ursella, leaving defenses bewildered and fans enthralled.

After stints in various professional leagues, Ursella returned to his hometown in 1921 as the head coach of the Minneapolis Marines. This marked the beginning of his most significant contribution to football history. He installed the Minnesota Shift as the Marines' core offense, tailoring it to fit the talents of his players. With Ursella at the helm, the Marines became an offensive juggernaut, averaging over 20 points per game in a league where such scores were rare.

But Ursella's impact extended beyond his team. He readily shared his knowledge of the Minnesota Shift with other coaches and players, spreading the offensive philosophy across the fledgling NFL. Soon, teams like the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears were incorporating elements of the shift into their playbook, forever changing the landscape of professional football.

Ursella's career continued for another decade as both player and coach. He captained the Rock Island Independents to a league championship in 1926, showcasing his leadership beyond the offensive playbook. His playing days ended in 1929, but his coaching influence lingered for years.

Though Rube Ursella's name may not be etched like other NFL legends, his contributions to the game remain undeniable; he was a pioneer of offensive strategy, a coach who prioritized intelligence and teamwork, and a leader who left an indelible mark on the early years of professional football. The next time you see a quarterback shift the offensive line before a snap, remember Rube Ursella, the mastermind who brought the Minnesota Shift to the gridiron, forever changing how the game is played.

Charley Trippi wasn't your average running back. He was a human highlight reel, a one-man wrecking crew who redefined the possibilities of the position in the 1940s. His dazzling footwork, electrifying speed, and Houdini-like escapes from tacklers left fans breathless and earned him a place among football's all-time greats.
Trippi's legend began at Georgia, where he became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy in 1942. He led the Bulldogs to a national championship that year, his dazzling spin moves and open-field jukes leaving defenders grasping at air. His impact wasn't just statistical (2,199 rushing yards, 39 touchdowns) but transformative, ushering in a new era of offensive dynamism.
Drafted by the Chicago Cardinals, Trippi continued to weave magic in the pros. He became the first rookie to lead the NFL in rushing and was named Rookie of the Year in 1947. His signature maneuver, the "Trippi Slide," became a highlight-reel staple, leaving tacklers sprawled as he glided past them with effortless grace.
Trippi's career wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Injuries hampered his later years. But his talent and determination shone through, inspiring generations of young athletes who saw in him a reflection of their own potential.
Today, Charley Trippi's legacy lives on. He's a member of the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame, his Heisman Trophy on display at the Bulldogs' Sanford Stadium. But more than trophies and accolades, Trippi's legacy is the joy he brought to the game, the way he challenged expectations and redefined what it meant to be a running back. He was a showman, a pioneer, and a reminder that sometimes, the greatest athletes are the ones who dance with the impossible.