Football History

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Before Fred Gehrke, football helmets were utilitarian – plain leather shells offering minimal protection. But in 1948, Gehrke, an art major playing halfback for the Los Angeles Rams, sparked a revolution. Inspired by his artistic background, he envisioned a helmet that wasn't just protective, but symbolic. He dreamt of painting the team's mascot, a ram, directly onto the leather.

Gehrke, ever the innovator, didn't just have the idea – he took action. He procured an old college helmet, painted it blue (the team's color), and meticulously added two bold yellow ram horns. This prototype became a conversation starter. He presented it to his coach, Bob Snyder, who saw the potential and encouraged Gehrke to present it to team owner Dan Reeves.

Reeves, captivated by the idea, contacted the NFL to ensure its legality. The response, a nonchalant "You're the owner; do what you want!" gave the green light. With that, Gehrke became the first player to paint a logo on a helmet, and history was made. He was tasked with painting the remaining helmets for the team, transforming a simple piece of equipment into a symbol of team spirit. The Rams' iconic logo debuted on the field that season, a testament to Gehrke's artistic vision and a turning point for the visual identity of football.

The first-ever NFL helmet with a logo was hand-painted by the Rams' Fred Gehrke in 1948.

-Frequently Asked Questions

-Who was the first player to wear a football helmet? We have your answer in our in-depth study ofthe first to wear a helmet.

-What is the history of each college team and their helmet designs? Check out many of them with our series College Football helmet history of schools.

-How come some teams have player numbers on their helmets? We asked this question too and had a college football expert historian help divulge helmet numbers history.

-Why do some teams like Michigan and Delaware look so odd and similar? It's really uncanny isn't it that the Wolverines and Blue Hens look the same, check this out for a reason when helmets had wings.

-What do stickers on college football helmets mean? Some of them look really crazy but there is some goos reason for the extra adornments and we have the scoop Why all the stickers on some football helmets?.

-When did football helmets change from leather to plastic? Just after World War II saw the most abrupt changes, we have more in this in our chat with an expert:When helmets changed from leather to plastic.

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July 14, 1911 - Carrollton, Mississippi - Riley Smith is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame as a quarterback out of the University or Alabama. The National Football Foundation claims that this 6-1, 195-pounder could pass, block, punt, kick extra points and boot field goals, yes just about anything on the gridiron. In 1935 he was named to the All-America teams of the Associated Press, Collier's Magazine and the All- America Board. He also won the Jacobs Trophy as the best blocker in the Southeastern Conference. Mr Smith performed exceptionally and his contributions were vital in the 1935 Rose Bowl win over Stanford as he kicked the final points in the 29-13 contest to give Alabama the victory. Riley is known for being the first player to play football in the NFL that was drafted! Though the University of Chicago's Jay Berwanger, was picked one selection before Smith in the NFL's first draft selection process of 1936, Berwanger never played in the NFL. In the late 1930's Mr. Riley served as the QB for the Boston and later Washington Redskins (the teamm moved to the Nation's Capital just before his second season). His pro career started off very promising as during the 1936 and 1937 seasons he missed only three minutes in 26 Redskins games, but an injury prematurely cut short his promising NFL career.

He later became the head coach at Washington and Lee University for their football program.

Born October 27, 1928, in San Antonio, Texas, was William Kyle Rote a halfback from Southern Methodist University.

It was a chilly December afternoon in 1949, and SMU’s 1948 Heisman winner Doak Walker, was injured and unable to play in the game when the undefeated juggernauts of college football, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rolled into town to face the Mustangs. Doak’s replacement was ayoung unknown talent called Kyle Rote and he was up to the challenge. Rote came in and according to the National Football Foundation he ran for 115 yards, passed for another 146, scored all three SMU touchdowns.

And by the way he also averaged 48 yards per kick while punting in the game. Notre Dame held on and won the game, but Rote gave them all they could handle in the 27-20 Irish win. In the 1950 season Rote went on to become a consensus All-American selection. He took second in the Heisman voting that season and even got his picture on the front cover of Life Magazine. Kyle Rote was honored in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1964. Kyle played a short stint in minor league baseball then joined the NFL's New York Giants where he played from 1951 through 1961 and was a team captain. Kyle Rote even made the Pro Bowl four times to cap off a brilliant career in football.

June 6, 1879 - Jimmy Johnson was the quarterback for the Carlisle Indian Industrial School from 1899 to 1903 as well as Northwestern University's Dental School in 1904 and 1905. At Carlisle he played under the teaching of the legendary head coach Pop Warner and was named All-American by Walter Camp per the FootballFoundation.org. Camp based his selection on a remarkable game he witnessed when Carlisle played Harvard.  After Carlisle he studied dentistry at Northwestern and helped turn the football program there around in his two seasons played. In 1904 he scored a touchdown and helped beat Illinois 12-6 in the last game played at Sheppard Field. In 1905 he helped dedicate a new field, seating 13,000, on Central Street in Evanston, Illinois, as Northwestern beat Beloit 18-2. Johnson scored a touchdown and ran for 200 yards. Mr. Johnson was selected to enter the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969. After school was completed Johnson returned to Carlisle to help coach the players as an assistant in 1906, one season before a kid named Thorpe showed up to play on the gridiron for the Institute.

Born May 1, 1905, in De Ridder, Louisiana, was the Louisiana-Lafayette (1922-25 ) and with Army from 1926 to 1929, halfback Chris “Red” Cagle. The National Football Foundation states in their bio of Red that Chris while at  Southwestern Louisiana chalked up 235 points by scoring touchdowns, kicking extra points and converting field goals. This was a school record that lasted until 1989! He was able to play in college for 8 seasons as he split the balance of his NCAA career with the Army Cadets. Red was an All-America halfback the last three seasons at West Point. His longest runs were 75 yards against Yale, 1928; 70 yards against Ohio Wesleyan and 65 yards against Yale, 1929. In four years at Army he scored 169 points, averaged 6.4 yards per attempt in rushing and 26.4 yards on kickoff returns. Our friend Chris Willis from NFL Films wrote in an article for the Pro Football Journal website that Cagle was on the cover of Time Magazine in 1929 while with Army. He was often seen playing with either his chin strap undone or with no helmet at all. Chris Cagle was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes. C. Willis goes on to tell us that Cagle played 5 steady but uneventful seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants. Red Cagle did however own an NFL franchise, the Brooklyn Dodgers, for a couple of seasons with his partner John “Shipwreck” Kelly. 

Born August 21, 1945 - Clover, Virginia - Willie Lanier the a linebacker from Morgan State University from 1963 to 1966 was born. Lanier earned first team All-America honors after his junior season under the instruction and training of Hall of Fame coach Earl Banks.

Willie was a member of some great Morgan State squads that went to bowl games in 1965 and 1966, winning both and holding opponents to 0 total yards offense in the 1965 game. Yes ZERO yardage in a bowl game! That same 1965 season, Lanier led a stubborn defense that held opponents to 129 yards rushing all season and 732 yards in total offense. In 1966, as an offensive guard, he used his strength to open holes for the offense, which rushed for 2,220 yards in eight games, per FootballFoundation.org.

Lanier still holds the school record for tackles in a game with 26. Willie Lanier is remembered in the College Football Hall of Fame for his outstanding play. After college "Honey Bear" played pro ball for the Kansas City Chiefs where he was a five-time all-pro middle linebacker. Years later, in 1986, Willie Lanier was elected into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. To learn more about the great Willie Lanier make sure to get a copy of our friend Joe Zagorski's book on the player titled, America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier .

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The history of American football is inextricably linked to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

It was on the hallowed grounds of this New Jersey institution that the first intercollegiate football game was contested on November 6, 1869. A contest against the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), this pioneering matchup laid the foundation for the gridiron spectacle that has captivated millions for over a century.  

While the game bore little resemblance to the modern sport, with rules derived from rugby and soccer, it marked the genesis of a tradition. If we saw it today, it would be called a soccer game with more than double the amount of participants on the field. The Rutgers players, distinguished by scarlet turbans and handkerchiefs, sparked a legacy that would evolve into the iconic Scarlet Knights. The name itself, a nod to the distinctive color adopted by the team, has become synonymous with college football's storied past.  

From those humble beginnings, Rutgers football has traversed a long and often challenging path. The program has weathered the storms of time, experiencing periods of triumph and adversity. Yet, the enduring spirit of the Scarlet Knights has remained constant. As the birthplace of college football, Rutgers carries a unique responsibility to honor its heritage while striving for excellence in the modern era.  

Today, the Scarlet Knights continue to compete on the national stage, their history serving as a constant source of inspiration. While challenges persist, the program's foundation, laid on that historic November day in 1869, remains as solid as ever.

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Steven Joseph Suhey's football career wasn't a whirlwind of touchdown dances and headline-grabbing stats. Instead, it was a carefully woven tapestry of leadership, versatility, and family legacy, leaving its mark on both Penn State and the fledgling professional game.

Suhey's collegiate years were the golden age. He was an All-American guard, anchoring the offensive line and leading the Nittany Lions to the 1948 Cotton Bowl Classic victory. His leadership extended beyond the field, with some crediting him for igniting the iconic "We Are Penn State!" chant in a defiant stand against racial prejudice. This fierce pride and dedication cemented him as a campus legend.

However, Suhey's story doesn't end in Happy Valley. He blazed a trail into the newly formed NFL, joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1948. While his professional career spanned only two seasons, his presence as one of the first Penn State products in the league held significant weight. He paved the way for future Nittany Lions like Franco Harris and John Cappelletti, showing that hard work and grit could bridge the gap from Big Ten excellence to professional success.

But Suhey's impact transcended even the gridiron. He married Virginia "Ginger" Higgins, daughter of his Penn State coach Bob Higgins, further intertwining his life with the Nittany Lion legacy. Three of their sons became Penn State lettermen, and his grandson Kevin even donned the blue and white. This generational commitment earned the Higgins-Suhey family the well-deserved title of "first family of Nittany Lion football," signifying their lasting influence on the program.

Steve Suhey's football career may not have been defined by gaudy numbers or championship rings. Instead, it was a testament to leadership, versatility, and family legacy.

Born December 1, 1902 - Ordiliia, Washington - Morris “Red” Badgro the legendary USC end arrived on scene of life. Red was known for his sure tackling , solid blocking and great hands at USC and had a couple of options after school was over because according to his bio on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, Red was a 3 sport star for the USC Trojans.  You see Red Badgro was also a talented baseball player as well and he teetered back and forth as to which sport he should play professionally. First stop was in football as he played with Red Grange on the NY Yankees football team. After one season on the gridiron he played a couple years on the diamond with baseball’s  St. Louis Browns. His love for football was too much though as 1930 saw him back in pads playing for the New York Giants. His contributions on offense and defense were significant to some big Giants victories including a key blocked punt against the Boston Redskins in 1935 that he took in for a touchdown. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Red Badgro in 1991.

The name "Four Horsemen" evokes images of gridiron dominance in college football history. But within this legendary backfield at Notre Dame, one player stands out for his well-rounded brilliance – Harry Stuhldreher. He wasn't just a football star; he was a poet, a lawyer, and a leader who embodied the spirit of innovation. Today, we delve deeper than the touchdowns and highlight reels. Join us as we explore the remarkable life of Harry Stuhldreher – the Renaissance Man of the gridiron!

Harry Stuhldreher wasn't just a football player; he was a multi-talented athlete who embodied the spirit of innovation and leadership during a golden age of college football. This essay explores Stuhldreher's remarkable career, examining his prowess on the field, his contributions to the legendary "Four Horsemen" backfield, and his lasting influence on the game.

-A Well-Rounded Athlete: From Poetry to the Playing Field (Early 1900s-1924)

Born in 1901, Stuhldreher displayed a diverse range of talents from a young age. He excelled in academics, even winning a poetry contest while attending Culver Military Academy. However, it was on the football field where his brilliance truly shone. He enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, quickly establishing himself as a standout player under the guidance of the visionary coach Knute Rockne.

-The Birth of a Legend: The "Four Horsemen" and Offensive Innovation (1922-1924)
Stuhldreher's place in football history is cemented by his role in Notre Dame's legendary "Four Horsemen" backfield alongside Don Miller, Jim Crowley, and Elmer Layden. This innovative offensive unit, spearheaded by Rockne's revolutionary "shift" formation, revolutionized college football. Stuhldreher, a versatile backfield threat, could pass, run, and block with exceptional skill. He was the glue that held the "Four Horsemen" together, his leadership and strategic understanding being instrumental to their success.

-Playing as a Pro

Stuhldreher's fame as a football player was lucrative in the years proceeding his time with the Irish. He played in multiple exhibition games with former teammates on the Notre Dame All-Star squad and later made spot appearances with the Waterbury Blues (Hartford Blues).

Harry Stuhldreher's professional football career was short-lived and marked by a unique twist. After a brief stint with the Brooklyn Lions in 1926, the team underwent a significant change. They merged with several players from the "Four Horsemen," including Stuhldreher, and even adopted the "Horsemen" name. However, this ambitious attempt at professional gridiron glory proved fleeting. Both the newly formed "Horsemen" franchise and the entire American Football League (AFL), in which they competed, folded after just one season. This unfortunate turn of events brought a premature end to Stuhldreher's professional football aspirations, along with the Brooklyn NFL franchise and the AFL itself.

-A Legacy Beyond Statistics: More Than Wins and Losses (1924-Present)

Stuhldreher's career transcended mere statistics. He helped lead Notre Dame to an undefeated season in 1924, solidifying the team's national dominance under Rockne. However, his impact goes beyond wins and championships. He embodied the ideals of sportsmanship and intellectual curiosity that Coach Rockne instilled in his players. After graduating, Stuhldreher enjoyed a successful career in business with US Steel, further demonstrating his well-rounded personality.

-Stuhldreher's Enduring Influence on the Game

Harry Stuhldreher's legacy is multifaceted. He was a key figure in the rise of Notre Dame as a national powerhouse, and his contributions to the "Four Horsemen" backfield remain etched in football history. Furthermore, his versatility and intelligence on the field played a significant role in the evolution of offensive strategies. Stuhldreher serves as an inspiration not just for athletes but for aspiring individuals who excel in multiple areas.