Football History

Born August 3, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois was Legendary coach from Coe College, Marv Levy. Marv started his Pro coaching career in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles as  the kicking teams coach and then in 1970 he joined George allen's staff with the Los Angeles Rams as the special teams coach. He then got his break to be the head man of a pro team north of the border with the CFL's Montreal Allouettes from 1973 to 1977.  His Montreal teams won two Grey Cups in five seasons and Levy then returned States Side to the NFL in 1978 as the head coach of the KC Chiefs. His Kansas City teams showed improvement until the strike shortened season on 1982 when the fell to a dismal 3-6 mark and he left the franchise. During the next two seasons he coached the USFL's Chicago Blitz and then in 1986 he took over the reigns of the Buffalo Bills. In his second seasn at the helm the Bills were 12-4 and won their first of six stright AFC East Titles. The Pro Football Hall of Fame says that Levy is the winningest head coach in Buffalo Bills history. During that run they also played in four straight Super Bowls and under Levy's watch had the highest win percentage in the League behind the 49ers. Levy was voted as the NFL Coach of the Year in 1988 and the AFC Coach of the Year in 1988, 1993 and 1995. Marv Levy was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

Born May 8, 1957, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was Bill Cowher the North Carolina State defender who played a bit in the Pros. Cowher was not known for his time as a player but what he did from the sidelines after he hung up his helmet.

At the age of 34 years old he took over the reigns of the Pittsburgh Steelers from legend Chuck Noll and kept the Steel City franchise in contention for much of his 15 years as the head coach. From 1980 to 1984 he was a linebacker for both the Browns and the Eagles according to Steelers.com.  He then served as an assistant coach at various positions for the Brown and the Chiefs until the Rooney Family hired him as the face of their franchise in early 1992.

His brilliant coaching career with the Black and Gold is highlighted by what the Pro Football Hall of Fame describes as occurred during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Cowher guided an injury-plagued team to a franchise record 15 wins that season. His 2005 team became the first team ever to win nine road games and the first sixth-seeded team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. The amazing playoff run was capped by 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL. The Pro Football Hall of Fame gave Coach Bill Cowher the honor of enshrinement into their Canton, Ohio Museum in 2020. 

Born February 14, 1960 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - The outstanding quarterback from the Miami Hurciane’s program Jim Kelly was born. The Buffalo Bills selected Kelly in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft but the signal caller decided to sign with the USFL’s Houston Gamblers franchise instead.

The 6’-4” 225 quarterback spent two seasons with the Gamblers and threw for 9,842 yards and a whopping 83 touchdowns per the ProFootballHOF.com website. When the USFL folded Jim signed on with the NFL team that originally drafted him, the Bills in 1986. It was a perfect fit for both parties as Kelly ran the famed “no Huddle” fast paced offense of Coach Marv Levy to a tee. Having offensive weapons like running back Thurmon Thomas and receivers Andre Reid and James Lofton didn’t hurt either.

The Bills played in four straight Super Bowls in the 1990’s led by Kelly’s arm. In Jim’s 11 seasons with the Bills, he led the Bills to the AFC playoffs eight times. In those 17 playoff appearances, including four the Super Bowls, Kelly tossed the ball for 3,863 yards and 21 touchdowns! Jim Kelly was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Born July 9, 1947 - San Francisco, California - O. J. Simpson the legendary Southern California running Back of the seasons of 1967 and 1968. O.J. Simpson Pro Football Hall of Fame Running Back that played for the Buffalo Bills.

Simpson held the NFL single season rushing record of 2003 yards until Eric Dickerson broke that record a few decades later. Known as "the Juice" he played college ball at USC. According to the National Football Foundation, in 1968, O.J. carried the ball 355 times for 1709 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading USC to a 9-0-1 regular season record, equalling or bettering a long list of USC records. Again, he was named to scores of All-America first teams and was granted 21 awards, including Rose Bowl MVP, the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award.After winning the Heisman Trophy in 1968 the College Football Hall of Fame inducted them into their museum in 1983's class.

Juice went into broadcasting and even acting after his NFL career was over.

Born March 16, 1920, in Townsend, Tennessee, was the legendary football player from William and Mary, Garrard Buster Ramsey. His great play at the collegiate level produced results and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Ramsey, after college, played ball in the NFL for the Chicago Cardinals. He served as a player/coach there and then left to become the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator in 1952. During his tenure with the Lions, Ramsey developed the 4-3 defense, a staple of modern football. In addition, he was the first coach to blitz linebackers in a package he called Red Dog. and later was hired by Ralph Wilson as the first Head Coach of the AFL/NFL Buffalo Bills franchise.

Born May 22, 1940, in Lexington, Nebraska, was Mick Tingelhoff is an NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Center who played for the Minnesota Vikings for 17 seasons.

He was selected in the Hall of Fame in the 2015 class. Mick played his college football at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and did not become the starter there until his senior season.

The Hall of Famer also went undrafted and signed with the Vikings as a free agent in 1962 and became the starter as a rookie! His hard work earned him the right to play in six consecutive Pro Bowls in the late 1960s. After the 1969 season, Mr. Tingelhoff was voted as the NFL's Top Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Hunk Anderson, a name that may not be as readily recognized as other gridiron legends, nevertheless carved out a respectable career in the National Football League (NFL) built on grit, determination, and a knack for finding the end zone. This essay explores Anderson's football journey, examining his rise from small-town beginnings to his impactful seasons with the Chicago Bears.

-Small-Town Roots and a Natural Talent (1910s)

Born in tiny Brady, Nebraska in 1907, Hunk Anderson's football journey began on the dusty fields of his hometown. Despite limited resources and competition, his natural talent shone through. He excelled at the University of Nebraska, earning All-American honors in 1931. Anderson's powerful running style and knack for finding the open field quickly garnered attention from NFL scouts.

-Double Duty: Notre Dame and Canton (1918-1921)

A unique twist marked Hunk Anderson's early football career. While suiting up as a guard for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish under the legendary Knute Rockne from 1918 to 1921, Anderson also reportedly played for the Canton Bulldogs during the 1920 and 1921 seasons. However, Anderson later claimed that his appearances with the Bulldogs were limited to exhibition games, not official league contests. This discrepancy remains a topic of discussion for football historians.

-Finding a Home in Chicago (1932-1939)

In 1932, Anderson was signed by the Chicago Bears, a team already boasting a strong offensive line and a reputation for a smash-mouth style of play. This environment perfectly suited Anderson's skillset. He quickly emerged as a key contributor, forming a formidable blocking scheme for the legendary halfback Bronko Nagurski. Anderson's interference complemented Nagurski's speed and elusive ability, creating a nightmare for opposing defenses.

-[b]A Career Highlighted by Consistency (1922-1925)

While Anderson never achieved the individual accolades of some of his contemporaries, his career was marked by consistent excellence. He was a reliable rusher, a punishing blocker, and a dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield. His versatility and toughness made him a valuable asset to the Bears throughout the 1920s.

-A Legacy of Determination

Hunk Anderson retired from professional football in 1925. While his career lacked the individual statistics of some Hall of Famers, his impact on the Chicago Bears' success in the 1920s is undeniable. He epitomized the toughness and determination that defined the era, leaving a lasting impression on the team and the league.

In 1939 Hunk returned to the NFL gridiron, acting as an Assistant Coach to Gus Henderson with the Detroit Lions.

He followed this up playing an integral coaching role with the Chicago Bears in the early 1940s.

-A Forgotten Hero?

Today, Hunk Anderson's name may not be at the forefront of football discussions. However, his story serves as a reminder that professional football excellence can take many forms. His career embodies the value of hard work, resilience, and the ability to contribute to a winning team within a specific role. Hunk Anderson's legacy is a testament to the fact that greatness in football can extend beyond individual stardom and statistical dominance.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish center was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He later went on to play in the NFL for the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Bears and allegedly earlier with the Canton Bulldogs. He also was a college Coach at Notre Dame, the University of St Louis, and North Carolina before leading the Chicago Bears to the 1943 NFL Championship Title.

Born August 14, 1916, in Rochester, New York, was Wellington Mara Pro Football Hall of Fame was the famed owner of the New York Giants, who along with his brother, Jack, inherited the team from his father Tim in 1930 due to the latter's connection with Professional Boxing.

When he was young and watched his father's Giants practice and play from the sidelines, the New York players called him with a nickname "the Duke" because of the royal position in Great Britain, the Duke of Wellington. The NFL admired the innovations of Wellington so much that in 1941, they nicknamed the version of the Wilson Game ball " 'the Duke" in his honor.

Under Wellington's leadership the G-men won 6 NFL Titles, which included two Super Bowl wins.

Lynn Swann played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was Super Bowl MVP wearing Number 88. and Part of the success of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers.

Swann's legacy transcends the gridiron. He wasn't just a gifted wide receiver; he was a ballet dancer in cleats, a symbol of elegance amidst the ferocious Steelers dynasty of the 1970s.

Swann's journey began at USC, where his athleticism and leaping ability shone brightly. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1973, he joined the legendary "Steel Curtain" defense, adding an unexpected aerial dimension to their dominant force.

Partnered with the "Blonde Bomber" Terry Bradshaw, Swann became a maestro of acrobatic catches. His leaping touchdown in Super Bowl IX, leaping over Cowboys defenders like a gazelle, remains an iconic image etched in football history. His grace and precision defied the brutality of the sport, earning him the nickname "Swan."

Beyond highlights, Swann's impact was profound. He formed a near-telepathic connection with Bradshaw, reading blitzes and anticipating throws with uncanny intuition. He helped the Steelers secure four Super Bowl victories in six years, his calm presence and unflappable demeanor a key component of their dynasty.

Tragically, Swann's career was cut short by injuries in 1983. But his influence extended beyond the field. He pursued a successful broadcasting career, his eloquent insights and analytical mind finding a new audience. He also actively promoted literacy and education, proving his brilliance extended far beyond the football field.

Pop Warner, was a legendary college football coach whose name became synonymous with youth football. His impressive career spanned 44 years (1895-1938) during which he amassed a whopping 319 wins, a record that stood until the 1980s.

He was known for his innovative offensive schemes that dominated the first half of the 20th century. While coaching greats like Jim Thorpe at Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Warner left a lasting mark on the game by introducing the huddle, numbered jerseys, and the spiral punt. His most significant contribution outside of coaching, however, came in 1934 when he co-founded the Pop Warner Little Scholars youth football organization, a program that continues to introduce young athletes to the sport today.