Football History

It's important to differentiate between two people with very similar names. The search results provided information regarding the British actor, Jonathan Bailey. However, the query was for the American Football Player Johnny Bailey. Here is the information about the football player Johnny Bailey.

Johnny Bailey, born on March 17, 1967, in Houston, Texas, left an extraordinary mark on college football, particularly during his time at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville).

-College Career

Bailey's college career from 1986 to 1989 was nothing short of legendary. He established himself as one of the greatest Division II running backs in history. His achievements include:

-Four-time first-team All-America honors.

-A string of incredible rushing performances, including numerous 200-yard games and 11 straight 100-yard games to start his collegiate carrier.

-Three consecutive Division II national rushing titles (1986, 1987, and 1988).

-Leading college football in all-purpose yardage with 7,803 yards.

-Ranking third in all-time intercollegiate scoring with 428 points.

-Road to the Pro Game

Despite his prolific college career, Bailey faced challenges transitioning to the NFL. He played professional football in the NFL.

-Football Legacy

Bailey's primary legacy lies in his dominant college career. He redefined the standards for Division II running backs. His inclusion in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 cemented his place among football's elite.

-Accolades, Awards and Career Stats

-Four-time first-team All-America.

-Three-time Division II national rushing champion.

-College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2000).

-Played in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and St. Louis Rams.

-Led the NFL in punt returns twice.

Born March 22, 1879, in Baltimore, Maryland, was Art Poe, the great end of Princeton University. According to some accounts, he was poetry in motion; after all, he was the nephew of the famous writer Edgar Allen Poe.

Art Poe was a 1969 inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame by the National Football Foundation. Poe was a member of the Princeton Tigers and had five famous Gridiron brothers, all the nephews of poet Edgar Allen Poe.

Art Poe was a standout football player for Princeton University in the late 19th century. Known for his exceptional athleticism and determination, Poe was a key figure in Princeton's college football dominance during that era. Despite his relatively small stature, he possessed incredible speed and agility, making him a formidable force on the field.

Poe's impact on the game was significant. His clutch performances in rivalry games against Yale, including a game-winning drop kick, solidified his legendary status. His contributions to Princeton football earned him All-American honors and a place in the College Football Hall of Fame.

The life and career of Coach Buck Shaw which covers him as a player and a coach. He was the head coach at NC State Wolfpack, Nevada, Santa Clara, California Golden Bears, Air Force Academy in the college ranks. Then he jumped to the NFL with San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.

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For college football fanatics, few names inspire more reverence than Walter Steffen. A coaching giant whose legacy stretches across decades, Steffen's impact on the game is undeniable. Now, you have a chance to delve into his wisdom in a captivating video interview with Timothy Brown of FootballArchaeology.com. This exclusive conversation promises a treasure trove of insights, offering a glimpse into the mind of a true gridiron mastermind. So, buckle up and get ready to learn from a master coach as we explore Walter Steffen's storied career and the timeless knowledge he brings to the game.

-Transcription of Walter Steffen with Timothy Brown

Hello, my football friends. This is Darin Hayes of PigskinDispatch.com. Welcome once again to The Pig Pen, your portal to positive football history. And welcome to another date with Timothy P. Brown of FootballArcheology.com, where he's going to share one of his recent tidbits on some of the facets of football from yesteryear.

Tim, welcome back to The Pig Pen. Darin, thank you. Looking forward to chatting and judging you based on the quality of the questions that you asked this episode.

Oh my gosh. Okay, we're back. I will be the judge.

Folks, we are back to the dad joke segues. We've had some quizzes lately and some factoids, but now we are back to Tim Brown and his finest segueing into an article that you wrote not too long ago, titled Judging Walter Steffen's Coaching Career. So Walter Steffen is an interesting figure indeed in football history.

So what do you get on him, Tim? Yeah, so, you know, you and I were talking a little bit before we started the episode proper. And, you know, Steffen is just one of these guys, and it's a name that I kept coming across over and over again. And I was just like, sometimes I got to, you know, kind of look into this guy and figure out what he was about.

And he turned out to just be this really interesting character that just is impossible to imagine today. Right? I mean, he just lived a life that no one can live anymore, not at the major college level.

You could do it at D3, which is probably the right situation, but in high schools, you know, but not at the major college level. So, I mean, you know, he really, you know, kind of a classic guy.

He grew up in Chicago, you know, 1880s, 1890s. He ends up at the University of Chicago as a freshman in the fall of 1905. So he's playing for, you know, the famous Alonzo Stagg.

So, he's on, you know, 1905, Chicago was national champs. So, he's in a pretty major deal as far as, you know, football is concerned. In 1906, Walter Eckersall was the All-American quarterback at Chicago.

So, Steffen is the, you know, second fiddle running at halfback. But then Eckersall graduates, if he graduated. He wasn't much of a student, but anyways, he leaves.

Steffen became a quarterback in his last two years, and he became an All-American quarterback as well. So, and this is him carrying the ball back here. I see the only guy without any head protection.

Yeah, and so, I may actually have the wrong image up there. Anyways, but he played in that era. So, Steffen is hanging out around Chicago.

He goes, he was unlike Eckersall. He was an excellent student and went to the University of Chicago Law School. While he's going to law school, he assists Stagg on the football team.

And so, and then, you know, he graduated from law school and worked a couple of years in the law. And, you know, it's hard to trace whether he was, you know, he may have assisted with some schools. I know he did some refereeing and things like that, which was pretty typical of the time.

But in 1914, he became the head coach at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh. And so, you know, he was living in Chicago. And back then, it was not uncommon at all.

There were a lot of coaches who would live in one city for nine months of the year, and then they'd go coach wherever they were coaching for the other three. And so, that's what he did. So, he hadn't, you know, he was a first; he was a Chicago alderman for a while.

He, you know, worked in different government capacities, you know, in law. And then, so, you know, he basically, in the fall, he would, he would basically move to Pittsburgh to run the team. And then, you know, probably maintain some level of practice.

But basically, you know, he'd shut down whatever his business was, you know, for those three months, and then return and, you know, work as a lawyer the rest of the year. So, in 1922, he became a Cook County judge and Chicago's in Cook County. So, what he did was he couldn't just go to Pittsburgh for three months of the year.

So, he basically stayed in Chicago, and then he would travel on the weekend to Pittsburgh if it was a home game or wherever they were playing. You know, whoever they were playing, he traveled to the game. And then there was a guy who was a former Carnegie player, I believe, but there was a guy who basically ran the show during the week, a real trusted assistant. So, and all the time that he was there, he was upgrading the schedule.

So, Carnegie had been playing, you know, kind of the smaller schools, schools are now, you know, D3 schools in, you know, Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, you know, that kind of type of school. But while he was there, he started upgrading. And so, they're playing, you know, basically a national schedule, but more, you know, like a Midwestern, you know, Midwestern schedule, mostly against, or at least a mix of kind of the smaller schools, like a lot of teams did.

And then they were playing, you know, some top talent. So, just as an example, in 26, they opened the season, they beat, you know, three lesser teams, and then they go on a run, and they beat Pitt, who has had been national champs a bunch of times by then. Detroit, who was playing, you know, pretty solid football.

West Virginia, who used to kind of not be very good, but by then was starting to, you know, come around to be a pretty good football team. And then they went, they hosted and beat a team called Notre Dame, was being coached by Newt Rockne at the time. But this is 1926.

And that was the year that, you know, Rockne and Notre Dame won the 1925 national title. So, they were big stuff. However, in 1926, Soldier Field opened in Chicago.

And that game, the stadium opened with the Army-Navy game. Well, Rockne was in Chicago for that game, while his team was in Pittsburgh, playing Carnegie Tech. And Carnegie Tech beat them.

Which was like, it was a massive, you know, massive story. I mean, the only thing that, so the Army-Navy game was just a huge story in the papers, you know, nationwide. Second to that was the fact that Carnegie Tech had beaten Notre Dame, you know, reigning national champs.

You know, which nobody had expected. So, then, to show that that wasn't just a total fluke, in 1928, Carnegie Tech went to Notre Dame. So, they go to South Bend.

And they beat Notre Dame there. So, that was Notre Dame's first loss in South Bend under Rockne. It also made Carnegie Tech and Stephan the only team or coach to beat Notre Dame twice, while Rockne was the head coach.

Other than Nebraska, under Fred Dawson, did it twice. And then Howard Jones beat Rockne at Notre Dame when he was coaching Iowa, and then twice when he was coaching USC. So, Howard Jones has won up on Walter Stephan.

But nevertheless, I mean, so it's one of these things like you hear nowadays, well, Carnegie Tech, and now it's Carnegie Mellon because, you know, the schools merged. But and you think, ah, you know, that's not big-time football. Well, it was, you know, if you beat the reigning national champ, you're playing pretty good ball, right?

And then when you beat him two years later, you're still playing pretty, pretty good ball. So, he ended up from 1922 through the 1932 season, he basically, they used to call him the commuter coach, living in Chicago, you know, take the train into whatever city they were playing in, coach him game day, and then head back, you know. And so, you know, how they kept it, how he kept in touch with the assistant who was running things day to day.

I don't know, but, you know, they did very, very well. Just, you know, another thing that was kind of fun is he was the guy who gets primarily credited with inventing the spinner play. So, you know, anybody listening, you've seen these, if you've watched any old-time football film, you've seen the spinner, where a lot of times it'll, the ball might get hiked to a quarterback, or a fullback, who's, you know, kind of, who basically catches the ball, like literally does a 360 in place, as they're faking handoffs to different people.

And then they might, you know, kind of do like a QB sort of draw, or they might run left or right, or, you know, or handoff. So, the spinner was a huge thing starting in the mid-20s when he first, you know, implemented it. And it remained in place, you know, probably mid-30s when it was dying out.

However, there are a couple of other little factoids about the spinner, such as that he first used it in 1924. And the guy who was, who ran that play, it was a guy named Dick, I've never been sure of his name, I think it's Bede, but maybe it's Bede. And he was the guy who became the Youngstown State coach.

And he's the guy who invented football's penalty flag when he was coaching Youngstown. And then people who aren't that into, you know, older football stuff, maybe recognize the fact that one of his last quarterbacks, or perhaps the last quarterback that he coached at Youngstown, was a guy named Ron Jaworski. So, anyway, that's the little tidbit on that one.

But, so then, you know, he ends up 1932, announces he's going to retire, he just can't, you know, he's starting to get a little ill, I guess, and just couldn't keep up the pace. And so, you know, he ended up with an 88-53-9 record. So, you know.

Respectable. Yeah, especially at a school like that and playing the kind of schools that he played. And then, so, 32, if people remember from an episode or two ago, that's the year Amos Alonzo Stagg is let go at Chicago.

So, he's, you know, Stefan's retiring from Carnegie Tech. So, basically, he and Fritz Kreisler were the guys everybody said, oh, they're going to use one of these, they're going to name one of these guys to replace Stagg. And instead, they brought in Clark Shaughnessy from Tulane, who was, you know, kind of the father of the modern T formation.

So, and then, unfortunately, you know, poor health, he passed away in 1937. So, he didn't get to live the good, long life that Stagg lived. But, you know, he may have been one of the last of the, you know, he was certainly one of the last of these part-time coaches at a, you know, in a major school environment at the time.

You know, probably at the time, they would have been like a G5-ish or G3 or whatever. However, there are more. You know, that level of football. And here he's a judge in Chicago, you know, lawyer, that's what he does.

You know, a couple of episodes ago, I mentioned Clarence Spears, who's a physician. There were a bunch of guys like that, you know, but he was one of the last ones who was, you know, still running a major program. And then in his case, especially, he wasn't even there, you know, during the season, you know, the commuter coach.

So, really an interesting, you know, days gone by, you know, kind of deal, yeah, just when we think that our lives are busy dealing with football on a daily basis, you have guys like him and, you know, the Paw Porners and Fielding Yost that sometimes coach multiple teams in a season and these commuter coaches and did some other full-time jobs. So, yeah, it's amazing to think about that era of football.

Yeah, I think he had five kids, too. So, you know, he was a busy man. Well, at least the chores got done at home.

I didn't have to do them all. So, that's good. Tim that is some great stuff that, you know, is a gentleman that we probably don't hear about very many places in this day and age.

And it's great to have some preservation of Mr. Stephan and his accomplishments and some of the things that he did, you know, beating Notre Dame twice and, you know, all the other things that he did, which is amazing. So, you have things like this all the time going on on footballarchaeology.com, and you share them in some little bite-sized chunks. So, maybe you could explain that to everybody and how they can enjoy it.

Sure. Just go to footballarchaeology.com, and, you know, you can subscribe. You'll get an email every time a new article is posted.

Otherwise, follow me on Twitter, on the Substack app or on threads, or just go out to Football Archaeology, you know, kind of whenever you please and see what some of the new articles are out there or check out the archives. There's a search function. Just put in a topic and see if there's something out there.

Well, sir, we thank you once again for helping us understand football of yesteryear and how it became the mega game that it is today that everybody enjoys. And it's these little pieces getting put together in a history that really make it enjoyable. And we thank you for sharing it again and we'd love to talk to you again next week.

Very good. Thank you, sir.

Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.

Long before the era of bright lights and million-dollar contracts, Louis J. 'Red' Salmon etched his name into the annals of American football, not as a mere player, but as a pioneer. His contributions laid the foundation for the powerhouse Notre Dame Fighting Irish program we revere today, a testament to his enduring legacy in the sport.

Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1880, Salmon arrived at Notre Dame in 1900. Standing 6'3" and weighing 230 pounds, he was a physical marvel on the gridiron. Nicknamed "Red" for his hair color, Salmon wasn't just imposing; he was a skilled athlete. Described as both a "slasher" and a "smasher," he could overpower defenders or dart past them with surprising agility.

Salmon's impact was immediate. As a senior in 1903, he exploded onto the scene, scoring a staggering 105 points, a record that stood for over eight decades. Even more impressive was his career total of 36 touchdowns, a testament to his offensive prowess in an era where touchdowns were worth only five points. These feats earned him the distinction of being the first Notre Dame player named All-American.

Salmon's influence transcended the stat sheet. Some historians speculate that he served as a de facto coach during the 1902-1903 season. His leadership qualities and profound understanding of the game were pivotal in Notre Dame's triumph. Under his captaincy in 1903, the team achieved an unprecedented feat, going undefeated for the first time in Fighting Irish history, a testament to his exceptional performance and leadership.

Salmon's legacy goes beyond Notre Dame. He is credited with being the "first great Irish back," a player who paved the way for future generations of stellar Notre Dame running backs. His dominance as a fullback helped establish the position as a crucial element of offensive strategy.

While his professional career details remain unclear, Salmon's impact on college football is undeniable. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971, "Red" Salmon stands as a testament to the sport's early days, a player whose talent and leadership helped shape a national obsession.

Tobin Bo Gunnar Gerhart was born on March 28, 1987, in Norco, California. A powerful and determined running back, Gerhart carved out a notable career in both college and the National Football League (NFL), leaving a lasting mark through his physicality and record-breaking performances, particularly during his time at Stanford University.  

Toby Gerhart rushing vs Redskins (cropped) courtesy of DB King via Wikimedia Commons.

College Career

Gerhart's prowess on the gridiron was evident early in his career at Norco High School, where he set a California state record with an astounding 9,662 career rushing yards. This exceptional high school production garnered significant interest from top collegiate programs, and he ultimately chose to attend Stanford University. Playing for the Cardinal from 2006 to 2009, Gerhart's college career was marked by increasing production and culminated in a spectacular senior season. After a freshman year as a backup and a sophomore season cut short by injury, Gerhart had a breakout year in 2008, setting a then-Stanford single-season rushing record with 1,136 yards and 15 touchdowns. His senior campaign in 2009 was truly exceptional. Gerhart led the nation in rushing yards (1,871), rushing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (28), and points scored (172). He broke his own single-season rushing record and set numerous Pac-10 and Stanford records, including career touchdowns (44) and single-season rushing touchdowns (28). His remarkable season earned him unanimous All-American honors, the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back, and a runner-up finish in the closest Heisman Trophy race in history.  

Road to the Pro Game

Despite also being a talented baseball outfielder at Stanford, Gerhart opted to pursue a career in the NFL. He declared for the 2010 NFL Draft, forgoing his potential additional year of college eligibility. His impressive college resume and physical running style made him an attractive prospect, and he was selected in the second round (51st overall) by the Minnesota Vikings.  

Football Legacy

Toby Gerhart's football legacy is primarily defined by his dominant senior season at Stanford, a year that etched his name into the annals of college football history. His combination of power, vision, and relentless running made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. While his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings (2010-2013) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-2015) saw him primarily in a backup role, he proved to be a reliable and hard-nosed runner when called upon. However, it is his collegiate achievements that stand out. Gerhart's record-breaking performances and numerous individual awards solidified his place as one of the greatest running backs in Stanford's history and a memorable figure in the Pac-10 Conference. His 2009 Heisman Trophy candidacy, though ultimately unsuccessful, remains a testament to his outstanding season and the impact he had on the college football landscape. His recent induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024 further cements his enduring legacy.  

Accolades, Awards and Career Stats

College:

-Unanimous First-team All-American (2009)  

-Doak Walker Award (2009)  

-Archie Griffin Award (2009)  

-Jim Brown Trophy (2009)  

-Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (2009)  

-First-team All-Pac-10 (2009)

-Second-team All-Pac-10 (2008)  

-First-team Pac-10 All-Academic Team (2009)

-Second-team Pac-10 All-Academic Team (2008)

-Pac-12 Records: Most rushing touchdowns in a season (28), most total touchdowns in a season (28), most points scored in a season (172) (all in 2009)  

-Stanford Records: Most career touchdowns (44), most career rushing touchdowns (44), most career 100-yard rushing games (20), most single-season rushing yards (1,871), most single-season rushing touchdowns (28), most single-season total touchdowns (28), most single-season points scored (172), most single-season 100-yard rushing games (11), most single-season 200-yard rushing games (3 - tied)  

-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2024)  

Professional:

NFL Career Stats: 397 rushing attempts, 1,675 rushing yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 7 rushing touchdowns; 100 receptions, 809 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns.

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Born May 12, 1934, in Youngstown, Ohio, was Harold Davis the quarterback from 1953 to 1956 at Westminster College in Pennsylvania. What a stud player Davis was for the Westminster Titans as he led the program to the great success of undefeated seasons in 1953, 1955 and 1956 to post an overall record of 27-1-1 per the National Football Foundation.

Davis was a three-time NAIA All-America, who was a multi-threat quarterback who could run and throw. He was a first team selection in 1954 and 1955 and was a second team choice his senior year. The great athlete was also the star on the hardwoods as he scored over 1,200 career points and ranked 17th on the all-time Westminster scoring list. Harold Davis was honored to be selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004 .

Being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame is a mark of unparalleled prestige and accomplishment. It signifies that a player has not only excelled on the field but has also left a lasting legacy that transcends generations. This honor is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and impact in collegiate football, shaping the sport’s history and inspiring future players. Remembering these inductees is not just a tribute to their remarkable careers but also a celebration of their enduring influence on the game. Their stories and achievements serve as a beacon of excellence and a testament to the profound role they’ve played in elevating college football to new heights.

April 2, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, marked the birth of Ron Pritchard, a versatile and impactful player who starred for the Arizona State Sun Devils. While the provided information identifies him as a running back, Pritchard's college career showcased a broader range of talents, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

While at Arizona State, Pritchard distinguished himself as a key contributor. Notably, in the 1968 season, he demonstrated exceptional athleticism and football acumen by leading the Sun Devils in tackles and interceptions. This remarkable feat from a player often associated with the offensive backfield highlights his adaptability and impact across multiple facets of the game. His outstanding performance that year earned him the team's Most Valuable Player award, a testament to his overall contribution and leadership on the field. Pritchard's prowess and consistent high level of play made him a standout figure in the Arizona State program during his collegiate years.  

Pritchard's exceptional college career naturally paved the way for his entry into the professional ranks. His versatility and demonstrated ability to make plays on both sides of the ball made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams. In the 1969 NFL Draft, the Houston Oilers recognized his talent and potential, selecting him as the 15th overall pick. This high draft selection underscored the significant impression he had made during his time with the Sun Devils. Pritchard embarked on a nine-year professional career, spending time with the Houston Oilers and the Cincinnati Bengals. His longevity in the league speaks to his skill and dedication. Unfortunately, his professional career was ultimately cut short by a knee injury, preventing him from potentially achieving even greater heights in the NFL.  

Ron Pritchard's football legacy is defined by his exceptional versatility and impact at the collegiate level. His ability to lead his team in tackles and interceptions in a single season is a rare achievement that underscores his athletic prowess and football intelligence. This unique combination of skills and his MVP award solidified his place as a memorable figure in Arizona State football history. His successful transition to the NFL, evidenced by his high draft selection and nine-year career, further attests to his talent. The ultimate recognition of his contributions came in 2003 when the National Football Foundation elected Ron Pritchard for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, ensuring his lasting place among the sport's legends.

His career is a testament to his adaptability, athletic ability, and significant impact on the college and professional games.

April 1, 1950, in Havana, Cuba, marked the birth of Carlos Alvarez, a gifted wide receiver who left an indelible mark on the University of Florida football program. At the age of ten, Alvarez and his family fled Fidel Castro's communist regime, finding refuge and opportunity in Miami. His college career with the Florida Gators, spanning from 1969 to 1971, showcased his exceptional talent from the outset.  

Alvarez's debut varsity season hinted at his Hall of Fame potential. His very first collegiate reception against Houston resulted in a breathtaking 70-yard touchdown, setting the tone for a dominant performance that saw him amass 182 receiving yards in Florida's 59-34 victory. The regular-season finale against rival Miami further solidified his burgeoning reputation. In a commanding 35-16 triumph, Alvarez hauled in a school-record 15 receptions for an astounding 237 yards, a benchmark that endures to this day. His sophomore campaign in 1970 proved to be his most spectacular. Alvarez shattered Florida's single-season records with 88 receptions, 1,329 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. This remarkable production made him the youngest player at the time to earn AFCA All-America honors. His numerous All-America selections as a sophomore were unmatched by any player since the legendary Doak Walker in 1947.  

Despite battling knee injuries that hampered him later in his collegiate career, Alvarez's impact remained undeniable. He concluded his time with the Gators holding the program's all-time record for receiving yards with 2,563 and ranking among the top ten with 19 touchdown catches. His consistency was further highlighted by a Florida record of 25 consecutive games with at least one reception.  

While his on-field achievements were significant, Alvarez also excelled academically. He was recognized as a first-team Academic All-American in 1969 and earned second-team Academic All-America honors in both 1970 and 1971, demonstrating his commitment to both his athletic and scholastic pursuits. Although a professional football career isn't explicitly mentioned in the provided information, Alvarez's exceptional college performance and accolades firmly establish his football legacy. His remarkable statistics, record-breaking performances, and national recognition culminated in his well-deserved induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011, forever enshrining Carlos Alvarez as one of the University of Florida's all-time greats.

Born April 30, 1941, in West Monroe, Louisiana, was the LSU Tigers two-way halfback and defensive back from 1960 to 1962, Jerry Stovall.

The FootballFoundation.org sings the praises of Stovall indicating that he was unanimous All-America selection in 1962, Jerry Stovall was a literal "Mr. Everything" for LSU, playing halfback, leading his team in rushing and receiving and handling punting duties during his three years in Baton Rouge. What a player this guy was, he finished at LSU with 1,071 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, adding 462 yards and one touchdown receiving.

Jerry also held the LSU record for highest punting average (42.1) in a season, amassing 165 attempts for 6,477 yards by career's end. Stovall gained nearly 700 return yards on special teams and recorded seven interceptions as a defensive standout. Jerry Stovall was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes. He wore the Number 21 Jersey with LSU.