Football History

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In this rich and engaging podcast episode, we delve deep into the annals of football history, centered around the captivating narrative of PA Corbin, a Yale football player whose innovative tactics changed the course of a pivotal game against Harvard.

This podcast is based on the original Tidbit of Timothy Brown found at Pa Corbin and A Trick Well Executed

There is also an audio-only version of the discussion found at Unearthing the Legacy of PA Corbin: Yale's Football Pioneer or on your favorite podcast provider; just search for the latest Pigskin Dispatch Podcast episode!

Timothy Brown of Football Archaeology joins me in dissecting Corbin's unique playstyle and the context in which he operated. We examine the transition of football from its rugby roots, emphasizing the strategic shifts that occurred as the sport began to formalize its rules and gameplay. Corbin's infamous trick play—a deft dribble kick that led to a touchdown—serves as a focal point of our discussion, illuminating the creativity and tactical acumen that defined early football. The episode not only recounts Corbin's contributions but also reflects on the evolution of the sport itself as we consider how the foundational principles established during this era continue to reverberate throughout today's football landscape. Throughout our dialogue, I emphasize the importance of understanding the historical context of such plays, allowing listeners to appreciate the complexities and challenges faced by players of yore.

-Takeaways

-The Pigskin Daily History Dispatch podcast delves into the rich history of American football, illuminating significant events and figures in the sport.

-Timothy Brown discusses the remarkable story of PA Corbin, a Yale football player known for his innovative trick play during the early development of football.

-Listeners are encouraged to explore footballarchaeology.com for daily insights and tidbits about football history that enhance their understanding of the sport.

-The evolution of football rules is highlighted, particularly the transition from rugby-style play to more structured American football.

-Corbin's trick play, which involved a strategic dribble kick, exemplifies the creativity and athleticism present in the early days of football.

-The episode underscores the importance of teamwork and precise execution in executing successful plays, showcasing how all players contribute to the outcome.

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Listeners are invited into the depths of football history as Darin Hayes and Tim Brown uncover the life and legacy of Frank Hering, a figure whose contributions to the game are both innovative and surprising. Herring, a quarterback with the University of Chicago in the 1890s, is celebrated for his development of the overhand spiral pass, a technique that transformed the passing game and paved the way for modern football. The conversation highlights the challenges of the era, including the unwieldy size of early footballs and the strategic limitations of the time, providing a rich backdrop for Herring's achievements. As the narrative unfolds, the duo recounts Herring's pivotal moments on the field, including his experiences during the Chicago Maroons' groundbreaking travels to play against Stanford and other teams, emphasizing the significance of these early games in the context of football's evolution.

The conversation stems from one of Tim's famous Football Archaeology TidBits titled: Frank Hering, The Overhand Spiral, and Mother's Day

We have the audio-only podcast version at: Touchdowns and Traditions: How Frank Hering Became the Father of Mother's Day

Frank E. Hering was an American football player and coach. He is best known for his time as the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame from 1896 to 1898. Hering is often called the "Father of Notre Dame Football" for his role in transforming the program from an intramural activity into a competitive intercollegiate sport. He also served as Notre Dame's first basketball coach and coached the school's baseball team.

In a twist that captivates the audience, the episode also links Herring to the inception of Mother's Day. Tim Brown shares the intriguing story of how Herring's involvement with the Elks led him to propose a day dedicated to honoring mothers, culminating in the formal recognition of Mother's Day by Congress in 1914. This unexpected connection between sports and social advocacy adds depth to the discussion, highlighting how individuals can influence culture beyond their primary fields. Hayes and Brown's engaging dialogue seamlessly weaves these two narratives together, showcasing the profound impact that one person can have in both the world of sports and society at large. This episode not only enriches listeners' understanding of football history but also celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of those who have shaped our cultural traditions.

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We experience them in every televised game. They give us time to talk, grab a snack, refill a beverage, or other distractions from watching the game - the TV Timeout, but when did they start, and how did they develop? Historian Tim Brown has some answers.

Of course, this story is based on Tim 's Tidbit titled: Birth of TV Timeouts.

The audio-only podcast of the discussion can be found at: Unpacking the Birth of TV Timeouts in Football History.

The podcast episode offers an insightful exploration of the intersections between football, television, and commercialism, as articulated by Darin Hayes and Timothy P. Brown. They articulate how football's design and structure make it particularly suited for television, providing an engaging viewing experience with its dynamic action and well-placed breaks. The conversation turns to the history of TV timeouts, tracing their roots back to the NBA's innovative strategies in the 1950s. Brown shares how the NFL adopted these tactics to maximize advertising opportunities, leading to a transformation in how games are broadcasted. The hosts reflect on how this shift has altered the fan experience, noting that while these breaks can enhance convenience for viewers, they often disrupt the game's momentum. This duality is a central theme of the discussion, as they balance the benefits of increased visibility and revenue against the potential drawbacks of commercial interruptions, sparking a broader conversation about the commercialization of sports and its implications for fans.

Takeaways

-Football is an ideal sport for television due to its engaging action and breaks.

-The concept of TV timeouts originated in the NBA before being adopted by football.

-Initially, commercials were limited, and games could go for 10 minutes without a timeout.

-There was significant backlash when TV timeouts were introduced, changing the game dynamics.

-Today, NFL games typically feature numerous scheduled commercial breaks throughout the match.

-Fans have grown accustomed to the presence of commercial interruptions in football broadcasts.

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Timothy P. Browns reminds us of a skirmish in a Penn versus Carlisle game where in the fray was involved Big Bill Edwards, Pop Warner, Waseuka, and an Umpire.

In a chaotic 1909 clash between Penn and Carlisle, a brawl erupted, showcasing the raw intensity of early football. The incident began when Carlisle's Waseuka delivered a forceful hit on Penn's quarterback, sparking a confrontation between Waseuka and Penn's Fretz. Former Princeton star and umpire Big Bill Edwards intervened, only to be struck by Waseuka. Edwards promptly ejected Waseuka.

Thanks to Timothy Brown of FootballArchaeology.com we have an account of the mele. Umpire Strikes Back

Carlisle's legendary coach, Pop Warner, stormed the field, accusing Edwards and referee Walter Okeson of bias. This led to Warner's own ejection, along with Fretz. Edwards, known for his imposing presence, maintained his composure, opting for ejection over retaliation, a testament to his self-control.

The controversy extended beyond the game. Carlisle, while accepting Edwards's handling of the brawl, harbored resentment from a previous game where he had shared Carlisle's strategies with Princeton, who then defeated them.

The skirmish, though dramatic, was overshadowed by the tragic death of Army's Eugene Byrne in a separate game. This event shifted the focus to player safety, leading to rule changes in 1910, and put the Edwards/Warner altercation into a much smaller perspective. Penn ultimately won the game 29-6, but the day's events highlighted the volatile nature of early football and the evolving role of officiating.

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When we go to a football game or watch one on TV, there are lines on the field, and they are preset because, most of the time, the fields are artificial grass fields. Somebody has to line the field, but we have modern equipment. How did they do it in the early days of football? Well, Timothy B. Brown of football archaeology joins us to tell us how they lined the field back in the day.

Of course, this discussion all stems from Tim's original article titled: Factoid Feast VII .

The audio-only podcast of the discussion can be found at: How They Lined the Fields in Early Football.

Football archaeologist Timothy P. Brown joins the show to shed light on this forgotten aspect of the game. He's known for his captivating "factoid feasts," where he unearths little-known nuggets of football history. Today's feast features a particularly intriguing tidbit: how they lined the field back in the day.

The Solution: A Goofy-Looking Tool

Prepare to be amazed! Timothy reveals that they used a wheelbarrow-like contraption to mark the field. This contraption had a large barrel filled with lime or chalk solution and a spigot at the bottom. The solution dripped onto a grooved wheel, leaving a line on the ground as it was pushed across the field.

Imagine the Challenge!

Darin paints a vivid picture of the difficulty involved. Pushing a heavy wheelbarrow in a straight line is hard enough, let alone controlling the flow of the solution and ensuring precise markings. Images in the show notes (check them out!) provide a delightful visual of this quirky tool.

A Look at Football Archaeology

Timothy's website, footballarchaeology.com, is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the forgotten stories of the game.

He encourages listeners to subscribe for email updates on his latest articles.  

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Exploring the history and evolution of football officiating uniforms reveals how something as seemingly mundane as a shirt can encapsulate a wealth of historical and cultural significance. In a detailed conversation between Darin Hayes and Timothy Brown, listeners are transported back to the early days of football, where officiating attire was anything but standardized. Timothy shares fascinating anecdotes about how officials originally donned white shirts, only to find themselves blending into the teams they were meant to oversee as players began to adopt similar colors. This led to on-field confusion, prompting a need for a distinct and recognizable uniform for officials.

Of course, this discussion comes from one of Tim's Tidbits titled: When Football Officials Wore White Shirts

Check out our audio podcast version: When Football Officials Wore White: A Colorful History

The episode takes a deep dive into the innovations that followed, particularly the introduction of the black and white striped shirt by Lloyd Olds, which revolutionized officiating attire. This change not only improved clarity during games but also marked a shift toward the professionalization of officiating as a discipline. Timothy elaborates on the various regional officiating associations that emerged, each with its own unique approaches to uniforms before a unified standard was established. The discussion reflects on how these changes represent broader themes of professionalism, authority, and the evolution of sports culture. Through vivid storytelling and historical context, the episode captures the essence of how football officiating has transformed over the years, inviting listeners to appreciate the intricate details behind what we see on the field today.

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Have you ever wondered how and why a football looks the way it does? What about the grainy texture, the color or the stripes? Our friend Author Timothy Brown has the answers.

Discover the secrets behind the ball's shape, size, and materials, and learn how technological advancements have transformed the game. Brown offers a unique perspective on the football's cultural significance and its impact on society throughout history.

Join us as Tim discusses his latest groundbreaking work, The History of the Football. In this captivating conversation.

We also have a podcast audio version of the discussion found at:
The History of the Football with Timothy Brown or you can find it on your favorite podcast provider in the Pigskin Dispatch Podcast.

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The practice of stealing signs in football has been a contentious issue for decades, a subtle game within the game that can drastically alter the outcome of a match. While the exact origins are shrouded in time, it's safe to say that as soon as teams began using signals to communicate plays, opponents sought to decipher them.

In the early days of football, sign stealing was often a matter of keen observation and deduction. Coaches and players would watch for subtle cues, such as hand gestures, formations, or even the way a quarterback looked at his receivers. As the sport evolved, so too did the methods of sign stealing. The advent of technology, particularly video cameras, opened up new avenues for teams to gain an edge.

Timothy P. Brown of Football Archaeology visits us in this episode to share the story of the nefarious and unethical item of the pigskin's history.

If you love the football talk on history and evolution, then you should check out the original article Tim wrote : A History of Signal Stealing in College Football.

In addition to the video above, you can also get the podcast audio version for your listening enjoyment at: The History of Stealing Signs in American Football.

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Hold onto your helmets, football fans! In a groundbreaking episode, Timothy P. Brown, the mastermind behind FootballArchaeology.com, joins host Darin Hayes to unveil a hidden chapter in American football history. Buckle up as Brown exposes the story of Anthony Harris, the first known Black college football coach at a non-HBCU institution, leading Colby College in 1903 and 1904 – years before the previously credited Matthew Bullock. This revelation throws a fascinating wrench into the established timeline and shines a long-overdue light on Harris's pioneering role in the sport.

However, the episode doesn't shy away from the challenges of unearthing African American contributions. The lack of coverage in mainstream media during this era makes uncovering these stories an uphill battle. But together, Darin and Tim celebrate the importance of recognizing these overlooked figures and ensuring their legacy is preserved for future generations.

This episode promises to be a captivating journey, rewriting narratives and reminding us that football history is richer and more diverse than previously thought.

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The Horween family has been a cornerstone in the world of football for generations. Ralph and Arnold Horween, brothers and entrepreneurs, took over a business founded by their father Isadore, the Horween Leather Company, in Chicago in 1920. Their dedication to crafting high-quality leather has led to their products becoming synonymous with the NFL.

Timothy P. Brown of Football Archaeology visits us in this episode to share the story of this family that has quite a story in gridiron history and the present day.

If you love the football talk on history and evolution, then you should check out the original article Tim wrote The Horween Brothers and the NFL.

You may also be interested in the podcast version of our conversation found at: The Horween Family.