Football History

Football historian, author, and founder of the Football Learning Academy LLC, Ken Crippen is definitely a great resource of knowledge on the gridiron game.

Mr. Crippen is the former executive director of the Professional Football Researchers Association and has been researching and writing about pro football history for decades!

You can enjoy his football knowledge on the Football Learning Academy website and the Sports History Network by the same name hosted by Ken.

The legendary founder of the Professional Football Researchers Association and he ended up writing a road map for people to preserve pro football history forever as a legacy.

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Tommy is an author and historian from Pittsburgh who has penned some pretty awesome books. Among them are: The first, “Nifty Nineties: The Stories of an Amazing Decade in Pro Football History,” released in 2018 and updated in 2019, covers the 1990s in the NFL. The second, “Great Eighties: A Journey Through Another Amazing Decade in Pro Football History,” released in April 2020, covers the 1980s in the NFL.

More recentltly Phillips has delved into portions of the college game, including books on the Orangs and Sugar Bowls, Penn State, and SouthernCalifornia's football program respective histories.

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The Arkansas Razorbacks football logo, like the team itself, has weathered decades of change and adaptation, reflecting both the evolution of the program and the unwavering spirit of Hog Nation. Here's a quick journey through its key chapters:


Early Days (1931-1937):

-The inaugural Razorback logo debuted in 1931, featuring a red hog running to the right with bold black details.

-This fierce-looking design, reminiscent of a cartoon character, embodied the program's aggressive spirit.


Evolution and Refinement (1938-1966):

-The hog underwent gradual tweaks over the years, becoming stronger and more aerodynamic in the 1940s, with white replacing some black accents.

-This period saw a shift towards a more streamlined visual identity.


The Cardinal Hog Era (1967-Present):

-In 1967, the iconic cardinal red hog we know today arrived. This sleek and modern design, with smooth lines and sharp highlights, became synonymous with the Razorbacks.

-While minor adjustments have been made, like tweaking the red shade and refining details, the core design has remained remarkably consistent.

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We are presenting gridiron trivia in a whole new way. We took the style of a popular TV game show, and combined it with football history to amplify the fun factor.

It's a hangman-style quiz question where we will provide clues and letters to the name of an important player in football history while at the same time preserving the pigskin past and filling your football brain with gridiron information.

Take a look at the pigskin past with this pop quiz to test your grid IQ in a fun video format. It only takes seconds each day so subscribe and become a regular viewer.

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Bennie Oosterbaan's name is synonymous with excellence at the University of Michigan. Not only was he a legendary player, but he also went on to coach the Wolverines to glory. To understand Oosterbaan's impact, we must explore both facets of his football career.

On the field, Oosterbaan was a force to be reckoned with. Ultimately, he led the Big Ten in scoring in 1925, showcasing his offensive prowess. He earned three All-American selections and established himself as a critical contributor to Michigan's success, playing alongside another legend, quarterback Benny Friedman. Oosterbaan's athleticism was wider than football. He was a three-time letterman in basketball, leading the Big Ten in scoring in 1928, and a talented baseball player, leading the conference in batting average the same year. This versatility solidified his reputation as one of the most gifted athletes in college sports history.

After graduation, Oosterbaan chose to stay at Michigan, not as a player, but as a coach. He began his journey as an assistant, learning the ropes under the legendary Fritz Crisler. Oosterbaan's dedication and strategic mind were evident. In 1948, he was tasked with succeeding Crisler, who had just led Michigan to an undefeated season and a national championship.

Oosterbaan's debut as head coach was nothing short of spectacular. He led the 1948 team, known as the "Goofus Galore" squad, to another undefeated season and a national championship. He became the only coach in NCAA history to achieve this feat in his first year. He built a successful coaching career, winning three Big Ten titles and finishing in the top 20 in the polls most years.

However, Oosterbaan was known for more than wins and losses. He emphasized discipline, sportsmanship, and character development in his players. His quiet leadership style, emphasizing "poise" over yelling and screaming, earned him the respect and loyalty of his teams. He believed in his players and empowered them to excel on and off the field.

Bennie Oosterbaan's legacy extends far beyond wins and championships. He is a symbol of dedication, athletic prowess, and exceptional leadership. He was a role model for generations of players and coaches, proving that success can be achieved through hard work, humility, and a genuine love for the game. His name will forever be etched in the annals of Michigan football history as a true legend.

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1941 will be remembered as a marker of the game's significant changes. There were obvious changes due to world events, but the NFL and the style of play were about to undergo one of the most revolutionary changes in decades.

-Changes at the Top of the League

There was a shuffle of the top NFL brass even before the season started. League President Carl Storck, one of the NFL's founding members, stepped down to give way to former Notre Dame Four Horseman Star Elmer Layden. Layden became the NFL's first Commissioner, signing a contract promising $20,000 annually over informative years.

On April 5, Layden and company moved the NFL offices to Chicago.

Playoffs were integrated into the NFL only if two teams were tied at the end of the season. A sudden-death format was activated if a playoff was tied after four quarters.

Pennsylvania Shuffle

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney Sr. was frustrated by the ill fate of his team's 1940 season after a 2-7-2 record. That previous season, he tried to change the fortunes of the team by changing the moniker from the Pirates to the Steelers, as we know them today, but this and personnel changes were to be fruitless.

Meanwhile, across the Keystone State, Rooney's longtime friend, Philadelphia Eagles owner Bert Bell, was suffering a similar frustration with his woeful 1940 club.

A way out arose to help settle Rooney's stomach from the financial impact of continual losing seasons. 26-year-old New York businessman Alexis Thompson, whose family wealth ironically came from the steel industry, wanted a new toy, so "Lex" offered Rooney many times what the franchise cost the Chief to start, $160,000.

A clever sequence of events then transpired in the following months. In late December 1940, the League approved the sale of the Steelers to Thompson at the owner's meeting. Rooney invested these newly found funds in buying half of the Eagles from Bell, who also needed the cash infusion after long-suffering years in the red.

Thompson changed the name of his new Pittsburgh club to the Pittsburgh Ironmen and hired Coach Greasy Neale. Secretly, Thompson Bell and Rooney had a master plan. Lex was planning on moving the team out of Steel City to Boston, while Art and Bert would make a statewide team called the Pennsylvania Keystone, splitting home games between Philly and Pittsburgh.

Washington owner George Preston Marshall entered the story. He did not want to see a statewide franchise and blew the whistle on the unhatched plot, rallying other owners to block the planned transactions of Rooney, Bell, and Thompson.

A new plan was needed since Thompson liked his team and coach but not the town, and Rooney wanted to return to the confines of his hometown. The newly accepted course of action was for the two franchises to trade cities and names. The Bell/Rooney-owned Eagles became the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Thompson Ironmen became the new Philadelphia Eagles in April 1941. Leading to the April 3, 1941, Philadelphia Inquirer headlines to read, "Eagles Swap Franchise With Pittsburgh," and "Bert Bell, Players Quit Phila. ~ Pittsburgh Gridmen Come Here."

Pearl Harbor Attacks During NFL games

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Sunday, December 7, 1941, the time on the East Coast was 12:55 PM. Three League games were underway, including one at the Polo Grounds as the Giants entertained cross-town rival the Brooklyn Dodgers on "Tuffy Leemans," tribute day. According to reports, the stadium Associated Press ticker tape machine started hammering out a message near halftime of the game, which read, "Airplanes identified as Japanese have attacked the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor."

During commemorations for the former Giants star Leemans, the Public Address announcement boomed through the stadium, stating that all active military persons needed to report to their commanding officers. There did not seem to be any mention of the attack to make the players and those in attendance aware of why the soldiers were being called to base.

New York End Jack Lummus, who suited up for the game as a reserve, might not have known it then, but this would be the final NFL game he attended. Lummus joined the US Marine Corps and was one of the many American war heroes who died on the island of Iwo Jima a few short years later. Among his last words to surviving comrades was something that the New York Giants had lost a perfect end.

The New York Football Giant ended, and Marine was later posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Meanwhile, at Griffith Stadium in the Nation's Capitol, a similar announcement to military and government officials echoed through the stands. Press members were encouraged to report to their employers immediately, but no one in attendance was told why these statements were made.

They soon discovered that the event involved the United States entering two theaters of war in a conflict on three continents.

-Post Season

The timing of the Playoff OT rule was perfect because Western rivals, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, were tied after the last scheduled games for first place. The NFL's first divisional playoff was set. The game took place at iconic Wrigley Field, and the hometown Bears won 33-14 to earn the right to host the NFL championship game against the New York Football Giants. Once again, the Bears would make the Windy City patrons proud with a 37-9 victory.

Passing Leader: Cecil Isbell, 1479 Yds

Rushing Leader: Pug Manders, 486 Yds

Receiving Leader: Don Hutson, 738 Yds

-Dominant Style of Play

The strategy and formational look of the 1941 game were different than what we would recognize based on the modern game. It was still in the era of single-platoon football, where substitutions were rare, and players staying out on the field from the initial whistle to the final gun was common.

The offense of choice was predominantly the use of the single-wing was still the popular choice but the success that the Bears had in the 1940 NFL Championship game, where they defeated the Washington Redskins handily at 73-0, had some starting to think about deploying another tactic the T-Formation. Clark Shaughnessy, then the head coach at Stanford, helped the Bears employ the formation to surprise the Washington eleven.

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We are always looking for new and different ways to preserve the football history of the people, teams, gameplay, and innovations. History is fun, and with this puzzle, we take that fun to a new level.

Can you unscramble the name and identify the NFL player before the clock runs out? ⏰

Test your skills, share your guesses in the comments, and see if you can dominate the scramble! #NFL #Football #ShortsChallenge #guesstheplayer

Don't forget to like and subscribe for more football content!

Much appreciation to the talented Mike and Gene Monroe for the background tunes and Canva and VidIQ for some great images.

Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! PigskinDispatch.com

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February 20 is the anniversary of an important moment in football history.

According to the University of Georgia web post, it was on that day in 1892 in Atlanta, Georgia, that the University of Georgia Bulldogs played its second game ever in a 10-0 loss against the Auburn Tigers. The game would be the first in what is now known as 'The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry,' with 128 games between the schools entering the 2024 season. It was the first game of what has become the South's oldest college football rivalry, and many of the sport's historians consider February 20, 1892, to be the birth date of college football in the South and an early nod to SEC football.
Though the two teams did not square off in 1893, it has been a regular matchup since 1894.
Georgia leads the series is 64-56-8.

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The 1998 NFL Draft was a pivotal moment in league history, marked by a high-profile quarterback debate and the emergence of several future stars. Here's a summary:

-The Manning vs. Leaf Saga:

The biggest storyline revolved around quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. The Indianapolis Colts, desperate for a franchise QB, selected Manning first overall. The San Diego Chargers, in a surprising move, traded heavily to secure the second pick for Leaf. This decision, fueled by Leaf's strong arm and perceived leadership, would later be considered one of the biggest draft busts.

-A Star-Studded Class:

Despite the Leaf disappointment, the draft produced several Hall of Famers and Pro Bowlers. Running back Edgerrin James (Arizona Cardinals) became a rushing force, while wide receiver Randy Moss (Minnesota Vikings) revolutionized the position with his speed and athleticism. Charles Woodson (Oakland Raiders) enjoyed a long and versatile career as a defensive back.

-Other Notable Picks:

The draft also saw the arrival of future Pro Bowlers like linebacker Takeo Spikes (Cincinnati Bengals), tight end Jeremy Shockey (New York Giants), and offensive tackle Walter Jones (Seattle Seahawks). It was a strong class for defensive ends with Andre Wadsworth (Arizona Cardinals) and Patrick Kerney (Atlanta Falcons) making their mark.

Legacy:

The 1998 draft, while not without its disappointments, is remembered for Peyton Manning's rise to superstardom, the emergence of several talented players, and its lasting impact on the NFL landscape.