Football History

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Our celebration to pay tribute to one of the finest athletes to have played college football, Thomas Truxton Hare, 4 year All-American and College Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Imagine a Philadelphia prodigy, a freshman class president at 16, who not only dominated cricket and track, but captained the varsity football team for four years - undefeated at that. Picture a college legend, nicknamed "Big Trux" for his booming voice and imposing presence, leading his Penn Quakers to championships while earning All-American honors every single season. That was just the beginning.

Hare then transitioned seamlessly to the nascent professional gridiron, becoming a cornerstone of the Philadelphia Athletics and later the New York Giants. He didn't just play; he innovated. His "no-huddle offense" bewildered opponents, revolutionizing the game and etching his name as a pioneer of modern strategies.

But football wasn't his sole muse. Hare was a hammer thrower of Olympic caliber, wielding the heavy metal with the same grace and power he demonstrated on the field. He brought home a silver medal from Paris in 1900, further solidifying his athletic versatility.

Throughout his life, Hare excelled in other arenas too. He wrote children's books, pursued legal studies, and served as president of a hospital. He was a painter, a poet, a man of boundless curiosity and intellectual vigor.

Frank Loria wasn't a household name, but to Virginia Tech fans and the annals of college football history, he was etched in legend. His career wasn't just about stats and touchdowns; it was a tale of grit, leadership, and an uncanny understanding of the game that earned him the moniker "Coach on the Field."

Loria's impact wasn't immediate. A three-sport athlete in high school, he found his true calling on the gridiron, becoming a defensive back for Virginia Tech from 1965-1967. While not the biggest or fastest, Loria compensated with intelligence and a sixth sense for reading plays. He led the team in interceptions, earned All-America honors, and even returned four punts for touchdowns, one a school-record 95 yards.

But Loria's story took a tragic turn in 1970. An assistant coach on the fateful Southern Airways Flight 932 that crashed, killing everyone on board, his playing career was tragically cut short. Yet, his influence lived on.

His teammates remembered his leadership, his calm head under pressure, and his natural ability to coach on the fly. He was the quarterback of the defense before the term even existed. This legacy resonated with future Hokies coaches, including the legendary Frank Beamer, who credited Loria's influence for shaping his own coaching philosophy.

Beneath the roar of the stadium, hidden beneath sweat and glory, lies a silent army. They aren't the quarterbacks slinging bombs or the running backs carving paths through defenses. They are the unsung heroes, the forgotten foot soldiers of the gridiron – the equipment.

In this series, we embark on a pilgrimage, a hymn to the humble helmet and the mighty cleat. We'll peel back the layers of leather and padding, delve into the science of fiberglass and polymer, and unveil the stories embedded in every stitch and screw.

Prepare to meet the pioneers who crafted these shields and swords of the gridiron. We'll shake hands with the leather craftsmen who birthed the first helmets, their stitching still echoing whispers of a bygone era. We'll clink glasses with the innovators who dared to defy tradition, forging lightweight plastic armor and revolutionizing the game.

But this isn't just a technical odyssey. We'll explore the human stories woven into each piece of gear. We'll celebrate the touchdown saved by a perfectly angled facemask and the record-breaking run fueled by spikes biting into turf. We'll mourn the tragedies averted by ever-evolving padding and the careers saved by advancements in helmet technology.

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Hailing from the Windy City, John "Paddy" Driscoll wasn't just any football player. A true "triple threat," he mastered running, passing, and kicking, leaving an indelible mark on the early NFL. Nicknamed for his Irish roots, Driscoll's diminutive stature (5'9") belied his immense talent.

He starred at Northwestern, then a stint in the MLB with the Cubs, and later football again at the Great Lakes Naval Academy leading them to victory in the 1919 Rose Bowl, then turned pro, bouncing between teams before finding his home with the Chicago Cardinals. There, he became a scoring machine, earning the league's first All-Pro quarterback title and twice claiming the scoring crown.

Driscoll's versatility knew no bounds. He could scramble past defenders, unleash pinpoint passes, and boot game-winning field goals. His kicking prowess was unmatched, earning him the title of "the greatest drop-kicker of all time."

But Paddy was more than just stats. He was a natural leader, respected by teammates and feared by opponents. His unwavering focus and fierce competitive spirit earned him the nickname "Iron Man."

Driscoll's legacy extends beyond the gridiron. He coached both the Cardinals and Bears, helping lay the foundation for future success. In 1965, he earned his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, forever enshrined as a Chicago legend.

So, when you hear the name Paddy Driscoll, remember not just a star athlete, but a pioneer who shaped the game into what it is today. A testament to hard work, skill, and unwavering grit, he remains an inspiration for every football player, young and old.

This video collection, from the Pat's Dynasty Website celebrates the career of Troy Brown, the versatile Patriot who left a lasting impact on the New England dynasty even with Tom Brady stealing the spotlight. Dive into Brown's journey from unheralded eighth-round draft pick to Super Bowl champion, witnessing his evolution from wide receiver to punt returner to offensive weapon.

Expect thrilling highlights that showcase Brown's dazzling skillset: acrobatic catches, electrifying punt returns, and game-changing runs. Prepare to be awestruck by his agility, his deceptive moves, and his uncanny ability to make the impossible play seem routine. The collection delves beyond the stats, revealing the heart and spirit of a player who embodied the "Patriot Way" of grit, determination, and selfless contributions.

You'll witness Brown's key role in some of the Patriots' most iconic moments: his touchdown catch in Super Bowl XXXVI, his electrifying punt returns setting up crucial wins, and his leadership guiding the team through adversity. Expect interviews with coaches, teammates, and opponents, shedding light on Brown's work ethic, his infectious humor, and the respect he commanded across the league.

Gerald Mann's legacy transcends the gridiron. He wasn't just a gifted athlete; he was a Texas icon, a champion for progressive ideals, and a trailblazer in both football and politics.

His story begins on the football field at Southern Methodist University, where he earned the nickname "Little Red Arrow" for his electrifying speed and playmaking ability. He led his team to a Cotton Bowl victory and was twice named an All-American, cementing his status as a Texas football legend.

After a brief stint in the NFL, Mann's path shifted towards public service. He returned to Texas and worked as an assistant attorney general, showcasing his keen intellect and leadership abilities. His progressive values and unwavering passion for justice soon propelled him to the helm of Texas politics.

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Learn more about this classic stat based tabletop football game, Strat-O-Matic Football with expert guest Michael Kane

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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.

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In the annals of college football, few tales weave together athletic brilliance, historic rivalry, and personal sacrifice like that of Charley Barrett. He wasn't just a quarterback; he was a triple-threat titan who tamed the wild west of early 20th-century gridiron with a blend of grace, power, and unwavering leadership.

Hailing from the steel town of Bellevue, Pennsylvania, Barrett arrived at Cornell in 1913, a raw talent yearning for the crucible of competition. Under the tutelage of Jack Moakley, he blossomed into a "real triple threat man," mesmerizing opponents with his swift runs, pinpoint passes, and bone-crunching tackles. He possessed a deceptive look – tall and slender, often mistaken for a passer. But the moment he touched the pigskin, his deceptive calm transformed into a whirlwind of athleticism.

His reign on the gridiron coincided with the golden age of the Cornell-Pennsylvania rivalry. Each fall, the gridiron became a battleground, a clash of two titans for Big Ten supremacy. And at the heart of it all stood Barrett, orchestrating victories with surgical precision and jaw-dropping displays of athleticism. His 1915 performance against Penn stands as a testament to his greatness. Trailing by nine points, he led a stunning comeback, racking up touchdowns of 40, 25, and 3 yards, and adding a drop-kick field goal and three extra points. "The Big Red Machine," they called Cornell that year, and Barrett was its engine, its relentless heartbeat.

But his story transcends touchdowns and trophies. He embodied the ideals of the scholar-athlete, excelling in the classroom as well as on the field.

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A Pigskin Dispatch One Minute of Football History on the legendary QB Sammy Baugh and his entrance into the NFL.

Baugh's ascent was meteoric. He stormed onto the collegiate scene at TCU, dazzling crowds with audacious throws and electrifying runs. His audacity knew no bounds; he once famously punted the ball with his left foot while holding it in his right hand, leaving stunned opponents wondering what trickery he'd conjure next.

But it was with the Washington Redskins that Baugh's legend truly exploded. He entered a league still clinging to outdated ground-and-pound tactics, a run-first, pass-later mindset. Baugh, however, possessed a revolutionary vision. He saw the potential of the forward pass, of unleashing the aerial assault.

And unleash it he did. Baugh's throws defied physics, zipping through the air with uncanny accuracy. He could thread the needle between defenders, launching spirals that seemed to hang in the air just a moment longer, tantalizingly out of reach. He mastered the art of the roll-out, weaving through tacklers while unleashing lasers that found their targets like homing missiles.

Baugh's impact wasn't just statistical. He transformed the game, paving the way for generations of aerial assassins. He wasn't just a quarterback; he was a showman, a magician weaving gridiron spells, a gunslinger leaving defenses scrambling for cover.