Football History

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.

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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 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.

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.

The 2008 Texas Tech vs. Texas football game was a thrilling matchup that went down to the wire. It was a game that had everything: high-powered offenses, dramatic comebacks, and a last-second finish that left fans breathless.

-The Contenders:

-The #7 ranked Texas Longhorns entered the game with a 9-1 record and a legitimate shot at the national championship.

-The unranked Texas Tech Red Raiders, led by quarterback Graham Harrell and wide receiver Michael Crabtree, were known for their fast-paced "Air Raid" offense.

-An Offensive Explosion:

The game lived up to its billing as a shootout. Both teams traded touchdowns throughout the first half, with Texas Tech holding a 31-24 lead at halftime.

The second half was just as exciting, with both teams continuing to score points. With less than two minutes remaining, Texas took the lead 39-33.

-The Crabtree Catch:

With just seconds remaining on the clock, Texas Tech faced a 4th down and 15 from their own 25-yard line.
Harrell launched a deep pass down the sideline toward Crabtree, who was tightly covered by Texas cornerback Aaron Williams.

In a play that would become known as "The Crabtree Catch," Crabtree leaped high in the air and snagged the ball with one hand, just inches away from Williams.

-A Stunning Upset:

With the catch, Crabtree put the Red Raiders in field goal range.

Texas Tech kicker Donnie Carona then drilled a 40-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Red Raiders a 40-39 victory.

-A Turning Point in the Big 12:

The 2008 Texas Tech vs. Texas game is considered one of the greatest upsets in college football history.

It helped propel Texas Tech to an 11-1 record and a share of the Big 12 Championship.

The game also marked a turning point in the Big 12 conference, ushering in an era of high-powered offenses and exciting games.

-Legacy and Impact:

The 2008 Texas Tech vs. Texas game is still remembered today as one of the most thrilling games in college football history.

The Crabtree Catch has become an iconic moment in Texas Tech football lore.

The game continues to be a source of debate and controversy, with many arguing that Williams should have been called for pass interference on the final play.

-Additional Notes:

The game was televised on ABC and drew an estimated audience of 10 million viewers.

-Harrell finished the game with 547 passing yards and five touchdowns.

-Crabtree caught 11 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

The 2008 Texas Tech vs. Texas game is featured in the book "The Crabtree Game: Inside the Greatest Upset in College Football History."

More on this great game below.

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The Sports History Network Podcast featuring Dan and Andrew Neumann, who speak on a variety of topics concerning American football, baseball and Basketball

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Michael Lombardi began his NFL career in 1984 as an area scout for the San Francisco 49ers. He quickly rose through the ranks, and by 1987, he was working with Al Davis in Oakland as their general manager.. He later became the Cleveland Browns' Director of Player Personnel. In this role, he worked closely with head coach Bill Belichick to build one of the most dominant teams in the NFL during the early 1990s.

He then spent two years with the Philadelphia Eagles as their Vice President of Player Personnel before joining the new Browns and then later being reunited with Belichick in New England .

Lombardi left the Patriots after the 2017 season to join the NFL Network as an analyst. He has also worked for CBS Sports and Showtime as an analyst, and he has written extensively about football for various publications, including Sports Illustrated and NFL.com.

Lombardi is a respected voice in the NFL world, and he is known for his sharp analysis and his deep knowledge of the game. He is also a three-time Super Bowl champion, and he played a key role in building two of the most successful teams in NFL history.

Kenneth Adams MacAfee II wasn't your typical NFL superstar. His story isn't one of touchdowns and endorsements, but a rare tale of talent sacrificed for passion, woven into the fabric of both Notre Dame and the San Francisco 49ers.

MacAfee was a legend at Notre Dame. A three-time All-American, he dominated defenses with a blend of power and grace, nicknamed "The Golden Hammer" for his punishing blocks and acrobatic receptions. He anchored the 1977 national championship team and seemed destined for NFL stardom.

Yet, when the San Francisco 49ers drafted him seventh overall in 1978, a twist of fate awaited. While he struggled to adapt to the pro game, a different dream simmered beneath the surface – dentistry. This wasn't a whim; it was a lifelong passion, nurtured alongside his football prowess.

His NFL career remained respectable, but the whispers of the dental lab grew louder. In 1983, after two seasons with the 49ers, MacAfee made a decision that shook the football world. He traded the roar of the stadium for the hum of drills, walking away from his NFL career to pursue dentistry full-time.

The choice sparked debate. Some saw it as a missed opportunity, others a testament to integrity. MacAfee, however, remained unfazed. He thrived in his new realm, building a successful dental practice and even serving as president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.