Football History

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Learn when the University of Buffalo Bulls Program started

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 May 15, 1969, in Pensacola, Florida, was Emmitt Smith the legendary University of Florida running back of 1987 to 1989 was born. Emmitt joined the college ranks with a bang as he arrived at University of Florida as the national player of the year, scoring 109 touchdowns at his Pensacola, Florida high school.  

The NFF says that in just his first game he broke the school single-game rushing mark in an upset of Alabama. He gained 1,341 yards as a freshman, and finished ninth in the Heisman voting. His top-ten finish was only the second time a freshman had broken into the top ten. He also earned national freshman of the year honors that initial season.  Smith was gifted with exceptional balance and great vision which allowed him to seemingly do the impossible. In his junior season he finished third in the nation in rushing, was a near-unanimous All-America selection and placed seventh in the Heisman vote. In three years he set 58 school records rushing for 3,928 yards, scoring 36 touchdowns and earning SEC Player of the Year honors. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Emmitt Smith into their legendary museum in 2006. Emmitt was the first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990 NFL Draft as the 17th overall selection. He played 15 seasons as a back in the League and came out of it as the All-Time Rushing Champion with 18,355 yards with 11 straight 1000 yard seasons and 3 Super Bowl Titles.

In 1993, Smith was names as the NFL’S MVP as well as the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXVIII.  Emmitt Smith was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Towering at 6'5" and weighing over 300 lbs, Roger Brown wasn't just a football player; he was a force of nature. From 1960 to 1966 and again from 1967 to 1969, he terrorized offensive lines in the trenches for the Detroit Lions, solidifying his place as one of the team's most iconic defensive tackles.

But Brown wasn't just a cog in the machine. His individual talent shined brightly. He earned six consecutive Pro Bowl selections (1962-1967), a feat unmatched by any Lions defensive lineman before or since. Two First-Team All-Pro selections (1962, 1963) further cemented his status as an elite performer.

Numbers don't fully capture Brown's impact. His size, speed, and relentless motor disrupted offensive schemes. He possessed an uncanny ability to penetrate lines and pressure quarterbacks, forcing hurried throws and interceptions. His ferocious tackling instilled fear in opponents and inspired his teammates.

In a surprising move, Brown was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1967. He continued his stellar play, earning another Pro Bowl selection in 1967. He returned to the Lions in 1968, proving his loyalty and dedication to the team.

Brown retired in 1969, leaving behind a legacy of dominance and leadership. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009, solidifying his place among the NFL's all-time greats.

June 24, 1922 -  Oorang Indians franchise forms and survives in the 1922 through the 1923 season. The Ohio History Central website indicates that this team featured Jim Thorpe and every member of the squad was of Native American descent. The team was based in La Rue, Ohio and was very active in the early 1920s APFA. A guy by the name of  Walter Lingo established the franchise in an effort to promote his Oorang dog kennels. La Rue, Ohio, is the smallest community ever to have sponsored a National Football League franchise. However, the Oorang Indians never played a single game in La Rue. All twenty of the team's games during the 1922 and 1923 seasons were on the road. So how did that work out? Well in the team's first season, the Indians finished twelfth in the league, with a record of two wins, six losses, and zero ties. The next season, the team finished eighteenth, with one win, ten losses, and zero ties. Needless to say with only 3 victories and no home games the Oorang Indians had to fold up shop after the 1923 season.

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The 1943 Combination of the Steelers and Eagles to help the franchises survive WWII manpower shortages.

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

E. J. Holub wasn't just a football player; he was a chameleon, seamlessly adapting his game and his legacy, etching his name in two distinct positions on the gridiron. His story isn't a linear path, but a winding journey of grit, perseverance, and an unyielding spirit that defied expectations and transcended eras.

From the dusty fields of Texas, Holub emerged as a two-way terror at Texas Tech, earning accolades as both a ferocious linebacker and a dominant center. His raw talent caught the eye of the fledgling American Football League, and in 1961, he found himself drafted by the Dallas Texans, the future Kansas City Chiefs.

His professional career began as a linebacker, his fiery nature and bone-crushing tackles earning him instant recognition. He helped solidify the Texans' defense, contributing to their 1962 AFL Championship victory. But fate, perhaps sensing his versatility, intervened. Knee injuries threatened to derail his career. But Holub, refusing to be sidelined, made a remarkable shift, transitioning from the hard-hitting world of linebacker to the cerebral one of center.

This wasn't just a position change; it was a metamorphosis. Holub, with his intelligence and leadership, thrived at the pivot point of the offense. He became the cornerstone of the Chiefs' offensive line, anchoring a unit that protected the likes of Len Dawson and Mike Livingston. His leadership extended beyond the huddle, as he became a locker room beacon, respected for his work ethic and dedication.

And then, in 1969, with his name already etched in Chiefs lore, Holub achieved the extraordinary. He started Super Bowl IV, not as a linebacker, not as a center, but as both. This unique feat, a testament to his adaptability and skill, cemented his place among the pantheon of NFL legends.

But Holub's impact went beyond individual accolades. He was a symbol of the rise of the AFL, a player who helped bridge the gap between leagues and prove the legitimacy of professional football beyond the established NFL. He embodied the spirit of the early Chiefs, a team hungry for success and forging its own destiny.

His career spanned an era of change, from the rough-and-tumble days of the early AFL to the more strategic, pass-oriented game of the 1970s. Through it all, Holub remained a constant, a testament to hard work, resilience, and the power of adapting to change.

More than just a player, E. J. Holub was a pioneer. He redefined versatility, defied expectations, and left an indelible mark on the game he loved.

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.

Eddie LeBaron wasn't built for the NFL. At 5'7" and 168 pounds, he was the shortest quarterback to ever start a Pro Bowl, an underdog in a world of giants. Yet, his football career transcended statistics and size, becoming a testament to grit, resilience, and an unwavering love for the game.

LeBaron's talent shone early. He led the College of the Pacific Tigers under Coach Amos Alonzo Stagg to victories and dazzled with his elusive agility and pinpoint throws. The NFL beckoned, but initial struggles against towering defenders threatened to dim his star. Eddie was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 10th round of the 1950 NFL Draft, but, after playing one season, was Drafted to serve the United States in the Korean War. He returned to D.C. after serving and filled future Hall of Fame QB Sammy Baugh, receiving All-Rookie honors by season's end. A knee injury a year later derailed his Redskins and possibly his NFL career.
His time in Canada with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders in 1954 proved an unexpected crucible, honing his skills and his resolve.

In 1960, fate presented an opportunity he wouldn't squander. As the newly-minted Dallas Cowboys, fresh off years of losing, took their first steps onto the NFL stage, they chose LeBaron as their leader. He wasn't just a quarterback; he was the franchise's face, its spark plug, its defiant howl against established giants.

The Cowboys stumbled initially, but LeBaron's spirit was infectious. He battled for every first down, his scrambles a blur of determination, his throws laser-like beams finding open receivers. Under his leadership, the Cowboys rose from doormats to contenders, culminating in a magical 1962 season where LeBaron shared the quarterbacking duties with the up-and-coming Don Meredith.

While ultimately overshadowed by Meredith's stardom, LeBaron's impact on the Cowboys can't be overstated. He was the bridge between their early woes and their future glory, paving the way for their Super Bowl appearances and solidifying their place in the NFL landscape.

Beyond Dallas, LeBaron's legacy extends to breaking barriers. He proved that size didn't define greatness and that heart and talent could overcome physical limitations. He inspired countless underdogs, showing that dreams could be reached in inches, not just yards.