Football History

Born March 26, 1899, in Lansing, Michigan, Harry Kipke carved a significant place in college football history, though his professional playing career was limited.  

Kipke helped make great players, Heisman winners, players into Presidents, and said one of the most popular statements in football.

College Career:

Kipke was a standout three-sport athlete at the University of Michigan, earning nine letters in football, basketball, and baseball. Kipke excelled as a halfback and punter for the Wolverines under the legendary Fielding H. Yost. He was named an All-American in 1922 and is celebrated as one of Michigan's greatest punters, whose strategic kicks often pinned opponents deep. Kipke captained the undefeated 1923 Michigan team that claimed a national championship. His prowess contributed to a remarkable 19–1–2 record for the Wolverines from 1921 to 1923.  

Football Legacy:

Kipke's enduring football legacy stems primarily from his successful coaching tenure at the University of Michigan. Taking over in 1929, he quickly transformed the program, leading the Wolverines to four consecutive Big Ten Conference championships and two national titles in 1932 and 1933. His 1932 and 1933 championship squads were undefeated and featured several All-Americans. Kipke, alongside Yost and Bo Schembechler, remains one of only three Michigan coaches to achieve four straight conference crowns. He is credited with popularizing the phrase, "A great defense is a great offense." Notably, Kipke also played a crucial role in assisting a young Gerald Ford attend Michigan. Despite a downturn in the latter part of his Michigan coaching career, Kipke's earlier success cemented his place in the program's history.  

The 1932 and 1933 national championship teams did not lose any games, and featured All-Americans Harry Newman, Charles T. Bernard, Ted Petoskey, and Francis Wistert.

Accolades, Awards and Career Stats:

-All-American (Player): 1922

-National Champion (Player): 1923 (Captain)

-Four-time Big Ten Conference Champion (Coach): 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933  

-Two-time National Champion (Coach): 1932, 1933  

-Career Coaching Record: 49–30–5 (Michigan State & Michigan)

-Michigan Coaching Record: 46–26–4  

-Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (Player): 1958  

Born on April 18, 1970, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Willie Roaf established himself as a dominant offensive tackle during his college career at Louisiana Tech from 1989 to 1992.

-College Career

He was a four-year letterman and became the Bulldogs' first consensus All-American offensive lineman since 1946, earning the honor in 1992. Known for his exceptional blocking ability and surprising speed for his size, Roaf was a finalist for the Outland Trophy in his senior year. He was instrumental in the Louisiana Tech running game, creating opportunities for top rushers and playing a key role in the longest rushing play in school history. His outstanding collegiate career earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.  

-Rise to the NFL

Roaf's dominance in college led to him being the eighth overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. This marked the beginning of a highly decorated 13-year professional career. He spent his first nine seasons with the Saints, where he quickly became a cornerstone of their offensive line, earning seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections. In 2002, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he continued his stellar play for four more seasons, adding another four Pro Bowl nods to his resume. Roaf's consistent excellence earned him PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 1993 and multiple All-Pro selections throughout his career.  

-Football Legacy

Willie Roaf's football legacy is that of an elite offensive tackle who excelled at both the collegiate and professional levels. His consistent dominance earned him recognition as one of the best to ever play his position. An 11-time Pro Bowler and a nine-time All-Pro selection, Roaf was named to both the NFL 1990s and 2000s All-Decade Teams, a testament to his sustained excellence. He was the first offensive lineman in Saints history to be selected to multiple Pro Bowls. His impact on the game is further cemented by his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012, the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Tech Athletic Hall of Fame.  

-Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

College:

-Consensus All-American (1992)

-First Team All-South Independent (1991, 1992)  

-Finalist for Outland Trophy (1992)  

-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2014)

Professional:

-Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2012)  

-11-time Pro Bowl Selection (1994-2000, 2002-2005)  

-4-time First-team All-Pro (1994, 1995, 2003, 2004)  

-5-time Second-team All-Pro (1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2005)  

-NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

-NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

-PFWA All-Rookie Team (1993)  

-New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame

-New Orleans Saints Ring of Honor  


-Career Stats (NFL):

-189 Games Played (189 Starts)  

-4 Fumble Recoveries

April 4, 1917, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, marked the birth of Chet Gladchuk, a formidable center who anchored the Boston College Eagles from 1938 to 1940. Gladchuk was more than just a football standout; he was a multi-sport athlete, holding down the starting center position on the Eagles' basketball team as well. However, it was his contributions to the gridiron that would solidify his lasting legacy.  

Gladchuk's tenure at Boston College coincided with a golden era for the program, particularly the legendary 1940 season. He was a crucial component of a team that featured an extraordinary concentration of talent, with five members ultimately enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Under the guidance of the legendary coach Frank Leahy, Gladchuk played a pivotal role in the team's success. The 1940 Eagles posted a stellar 9-1 regular-season record, earning them a coveted spot in the Cotton Bowl against Clemson. While the Eagles fell 6-3 in a hard-fought contest, their defensive performance, including forcing Clemson to punt a Cotton Bowl record 11 times, highlighted Gladchuk's crucial defensive contributions. Later that season, Boston college also defeated the Tennessee Volunteers in the Sugar Bowl. The 1940 Boston College squad stands as a testament to the talent produced from that roster.  

Chet Gladchuk's football legacy is inextricably tied to his contributions to the late 1930s and early 1940s powerhouse Boston College teams. He was a pillar of consistency and leadership, both on and off the field. His defensive contributions played a major roll in those Boston College Teams achievements. His inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975 by the National Football Foundation serves as a clear indication of how valued his contributions were.  

His primary accolade is his placement within the College Football Hall of Fame. His career is clearly marked by his dedication to his team, and the sport

April 17, 1972 - Modesto, California - Legendary Left Tackle, most famously of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tony Boselli, was born. His parents were Tony, Sr., and Candy Boselli.

-Humble Beginnings

According to Pro Football History.com, Tony Sr. was a wine sales representative based in Modesto, California. The couple moved the family to Colorado in 1974 with the lure of a great business opportunity.  Tony Sr. and his older brother Bud set up a series of McDonald's Restaurant franchises. At one point, the Boselli brothers owned twelve Golden Arches locations in the state by 1995.

Tony Jr. attended Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado, loved football, and followed the Denver Broncos quite closely, especially enjoying the play of their Quarterback, John Elway, and his gunslinger mentality of play.

At six, Tony started playing football near the family home. Between the coaching he got from his team, his father giving him pep talks in the car ride to and from practice and games and neighborhood pick-up games with his friends, and sometimes Tony Sr with a Nerf football in the backyard, Boselli had a great foundation of the playing game. 

When he wasn't playing ball or in school, he spent time cleaning up the parking lots of the family's restaurants, having the education of hard work instilled into him starting at 8. Of course, his father told Sports Illustrated years later that his son would come into the store on the hour while sweeping and pulling weeds, asking for a Happy Meal. Tony Sr. often encouraged his son to return to work, and he would receive a reward for the tasty treat later. These tasks merged into Tony flipping burgers and dropping baskets of fries by the age of 14. He was only making minimum wage, but his father realized that with the pay plus the boy's food consumption, the store's manager had to claim to Sr. that Tony's growing appetite was causing the store to lose. The wise father and business owner soon transferred his growing son to the landscaping crew of the stores. 


The young man was growing in size, strength, and work ethic, and when he joined the high school team in 1987, the towering figure told the coach of his intentions to play quarterback. The wise coach allowed him to try out for the position but then assigned him to the offense as a tight end.

As a sophomore, the youngster made another run at the signal-calling duties, and even Tony Sr. pleaded with Fairview Knights Head Coach Sam Pagano to allow his son to play QB. Years later, Pagano laughed in an interview as he remembered announcing that Tony was entrenched in the offensive line. He also played a little DL and linebacker. Tony Sr. was disappointed as he felt his son had the talent to make it as a professional someday and wanted him to play a position that would pay.
Eventually, Pagano assured the father that Tony could earn over a million dollars per year as an NFL tackle with hard work. As a senior, Tony put on 40 pounds of muscle and bulked up to 265 pounds. He became a nightmare for opposing pass rushers to get past. He became a high school All-American and earned First-Team All-State honors. Tony hoped that Notre Dame would offer him a scholarship, but they were one of the few schools that didn't show interest in the young star.

-College Career

Boselli received a football athletic scholarship from the University of Southern California, where he played for the USC Trojans from 1991 to 1994. He was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection and All-American in 1992, 1993, and 1994.

The All-American status came from playing both offensive tackle positions, too. In 1994, he also won the Morris Trophy, presented annually to the best offensive and defensive linemen in the Pac-12. He was so good that the College Football Hall of Fame inducted his college career into their Museum of Legends in 2014.

-Big Break

Tony Boselli Jr. was the second overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first-ever draft pick of the new Jacksonville Jaguars franchise. The Jaguars' acquisition of Boselli was a foundational building block of their offensive plan. They made history by signing Boselli to a seven-year, $17 million deal that made him the highest-paid rookie offensive lineman, per SI.com.

He played seven seasons in Jacksonville and was the offensive line anchor at the Left Tackle position. Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin knew he had a winner with the youngster because at 6'7″, 322-lb. Boselli's size and mobility were a combination seldom seen in a man. While he was a large offensive lineman, his mobility and athleticism could hold off the NFL's best pass rushers.
This was evident in Boselli's debut NFL game when Jacksonville faced the Green Bay Packers, pitting Tony against Reggie White and Shawn Jones all afternoon. To the delight of Coughlin and the Jacksonville faithful, the rookie held his own against the top defensive linemen. The Jags won just four games in that first season; however, in 1995, the franchise won nine games and played deep into the postseason the year after.

Boselli continued playing at a high level. In the playoffs, he kept future Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith from his normal effectiveness in the Jaguar's unexpected victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Game. A week later, the Jags were tested and defeated Boselli's favorite childhood team, the Denver Broncos, in the AFC Divisional Round. Boselli later told Sports that the surprise 30-27 win was the highlight of his eight-year NFL career.

A shoulder injury and subsequent bad medical procedure to repair it railroaded and ended Tony's brilliant career. The Jags had little choice but to expose their star left tackle to the expansion draft when the NFL added a team in 2002 after Tony missed much of the 2001 season. In the 2002 expansion Draft, the Houston Texans took a flier on Boselli. Still, unfortunately, he was unable to do much for them with the injury and eventually called it a career.

Boselli signed a one-day contract allowing him to retire as a Jacksonville Jaguars member officially and became the first Jaguars player inducted into their Ring of Honor on October 8, 2006. In early 2022, Boselli found out from a visit by Hall of Fame Tackle Anthony Munoz that he had been selected for enshrinement in the 2022 Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For his career, Tony received five Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors while appearing in two AFC Championship Games.

After football, he invested in multiple business ventures with former teammates, was a football analyst on TV, started a charity foundation, and raised a beautiful family of five children with his wife, Angi.

Born March 27, 1898 - Warren, Ohio - The prolific University of Pittsburgh interior lineman, Herb Stein.

His football career got off to an auspicious start when, as a boy, his strict farming father would not allow him to play ball as he had chores to do. After some conversations and an event where the whole Warren High School football team showed up to the Stein farm to help with tasks so that Herb and his brother Russ could find time to practice and play, the elder Stein allowed football to be played. Herb did so well that Pitt Panthers head coach Pop Warner recruited the youngster.

We have much more on Herb Stein in two of our books found in the Pigskin Dispatch store - When Greasy Met the Wonder Coach and Marooned.

Pitt fans were beside themselves when, in 1916, they lost their All-American center Bob Peck to graduation. The team was confident, though, when Herb volunteered to switch from his fullback position to fill the void at snapper that Peck had left. Stein hardly needed much adjustment to the changes of a new position. Herb established himself as one of the school's greatest two-way players, injecting the squad enthusiasm and prompting one observer to say: "His play was a combination of the blast furnace, the open hearth and the Bessemer converter." Those are some highly complimentary remarks from a person from the Steel City! Stein's play was so good that he became a 1921 All-America selection. Herb Stein was honored to be selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967.

Herb Stein went on to play professional football. His career spanned several years in the early days of the National Football League (NFL). Following a decorated collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a consensus All-American center in 1920 and 1921, Stein entered the professional ranks.  

His professional debut came in 1921 with the Buffalo All-Americans. The following year, in 1922, he played for the Toledo Maroons. Stein joined the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1924, playing as a center in all 13 games that season.  

A significant part of Stein's pro career was spent with the Pottsville Maroons. He was a member of the 1925 Pottsville team that controversially had its NFL Championship title stripped due to a disputed rules violation. He played for the Maroons from 1925 to 1928, primarily at the center position, and was a consistent presence on their offensive line. Over his six-year NFL career, Stein played in 54 games. While team accolades like the disputed 1925 championship mark his time, he also earned individual recognition, including being named a first-team All-NFL selection by the Canton Daily News and George Halas in 1922.

College Football Hall of Fame inducted interior lineman of the University of Pittsburgh.

Charles Wesley Walls was born on March 26, 1966, in Batesville, Mississippi. His journey to a successful NFL career was marked by versatility and perseverance.  

The big tight end was a willing blocker and made big catches when called upon, helping him to take one team to a Super Bowl Title.

College Career

Walls' path to the pros began at the University of Mississippi. Initially recruited as a defensive end, he played on that side of the ball for three seasons. Showing his athletic prowess, he transitioned to linebacker in his senior year and saw time at tight end. In a remarkable display of his abilities, Walls even started a game at both defensive and tight ends against Memphis State. Ultimately, he settled into the tight end position while contributing as a pass rusher on third downs. His senior season culminated in All-America honors, foreshadowing his future in the NFL. He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014, recognizing his outstanding collegiate career.  

Road to the Pro Game

Walls at 6'4 ½" and 240 pounds impressed scouts with a 4.77-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His athleticism led to his selection in the second round (56th overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. While he experienced early success with the 49ers, including a Super Bowl XXIV victory where he caught a touchdown pass, he played behind All-Pro Brent Jones. Nagging shoulder injuries hampered his playing time, sidelining him for significant portions of the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Seeking a fresh start, he signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent in 1994. In his two seasons with the Saints, Walls established himself as a productive receiver, setting a franchise record for tight end receptions with 57 in 1995.  

His true breakout came in 1996 when he signed with the Carolina Panthers. Walls became a premier tight end in Carolina, earning five Pro Bowl selections between 1996 and 2001. He was a reliable target and a key offensive weapon for the Panthers. Even serving as the team's backup punter for a period showcased his diverse skillset. After the Panthers declined to re-sign him in 2003, Walls spent his final NFL season with the Green Bay Packers, primarily serving as a backup. He retired after the 2003 season.  

Football Legacy

Wesley Walls carved out a significant legacy as a versatile and productive tight end in the NFL. Despite early challenges with injuries and playing behind a Hall of Famer, he persevered to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player in Carolina. His ability to contribute as a receiver and blocker made him a valuable asset to his teams. His career totals of 450 receptions for 5,291 yards and 54 touchdowns stand as a testament to his consistent performance over 14 seasons.

Accolades, Awards and Career Stats

College:

-All-America (University of Mississippi)

-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2014)  

Professional:

-Super Bowl Champion (XXIV)

-5x Pro Bowl Selection (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001)  

-New Orleans Saints Single-Season Record for Tight End
-Receptions (57 in 1995)

-Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor Inductee (2019)  

Career Stats:

-450 Receptions

-5,291 Receiving Yards

-54 Touchdowns

Steve Spurrier, born on April 20, 1945, in Miami Beach, Florida, is a legendary figure in American football, both as a player and a coach.

-College Career

Spurrier's college career at the University of Florida cemented his place in college football history. As the Gators' quarterback from 1964 to 1966, he distinguished himself as an exceptional talent. His senior year culminated in his winning the 1966 Heisman Trophy. Spurrier's achievements at Florida earned him a place in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

-Road to the Pro Game

Following his stellar college career, Spurrier embarked on a 10-year playing career in the NFL. He played for both the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While his professional playing career didn't reach the heights of his college success, it provided him with valuable experience that would later inform his coaching. Spurrier was drafted 3rd overall in the 1967 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

-Football Legacy

Spurrier's most enduring legacy is his remarkable coaching career. He began his 26-year head coaching journey at Duke from 1987 to 1989. In 1989, he led Duke to its first ACC title since 1962 and its first bowl appearance since 1960.

In 1990, Spurrier returned to his alma mater, Florida, where he achieved remarkable success. Over 12 seasons, he compiled a 122-27-1 record, leading the Gators to back-to-back national championship games and winning the 1996 national title.

After a brief stint in the NFL as head coach of the Washington Redskins, Spurrier returned to the college ranks, coaching at South Carolina. He is known for his innovative offensive schemes, his colorful personality, and his success at multiple programs.

-Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats

As a Player:

-Heisman Trophy (1966)

-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1986)


As a Coach:

-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2017)

-1996 National Championship

-6x SEC Championships (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000)

-8x SEC East Division Championships

-2x ACC Coach of the Year (1988, 1989)

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Born May 7, 1896, in Hamilton, New York, was Belford West the great Colgate University tackle of 1914 to 1916 & 1919. The National Football Foundation lists that Belford led a  dominant defence which elevated Colgate as one of the most feared teams of his era. In the 30 games West played for Colgate, 19 were shutout victories. He missed only one play in three varsity seasons at Colgate. West was known as a model tackle in build and execution, blessed with quickness of foot and a devastating charge.

An instinctive player, Belford had exceptional range for his size and was said to pride himself in being at the right place at the right time. He was also a fine kicker and set a record with a 52-yard field goal against arch rival Syracuse in a 1919 game.

West frequently elected to pass from his punt formation and, it is noted, he rarely threw incomplete. He could pass the ball 70 yards in the air. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Belford West into their legendary museum in 1954.

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.

Born April 1, 1889, in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, John Dalton's football journey began after playing prep school ball in St. Louis and attending Christian Brothers College before his appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

College Career

Dalton became a celebrated halfback for the Naval Academy from 1908 to 1911. His most memorable contributions came in the intense rivalry games against Army. He twice demonstrated his clutch kicking ability by booting game-winning field goals against their arch-rivals. In 1910, his 35-yard kick secured a 3-0 victory, capping off an undefeated season where Navy remarkably held every opponent scoreless. The following year, history repeated itself in Dalton's final collegiate game as he again connected on a 35-yard field goal, leading Navy to another 3-0 triumph over Army. His emotional post-game words, "Boys, this is the proudest moment of my life, because I led a group of fighters to victory," encapsulate his leadership and the significance of these victories.  

Football Legacy

John Dalton's football legacy is firmly rooted in his heroic performances in the Army-Navy games. His two game-winning field goals, particularly the one in the undefeated, unscored-upon 1910 season, cemented his place in Naval Academy football lore. His leadership qualities, evident in his final address to his teammates, further contribute to his revered status.  

Accolades, Awards and Career Stats

-Naval Academy Halfback (1908-1911)  

-Twice kicked game-winning field goals against Army (1910, 1911)  

-Contributed to Navy's undefeated and unscored-upon season in 1910.

Born May 4, 1910, in Milton, Massachusetts, was Barry Wood the Harvard University quarterback from 1929 to 1931. The FootballFoundation.org tells us that he was quite the tremendous athlete as Dr. Barry Wood earned ten varsity letters at Harvard, lettering in football, hockey, baseball and tennis.

However, it was football where he really excelled,  as evidenced by his selection to Grantland Rice's first team All-America in 1931. As a sophomore in 1929 he threw a 40-yard touchdown pass and drop-kicked two extra points in a 20-20 tie with Army. He drop-kicked a field goal and extra point in a 10-6 victory over Yale. In 1930, Harvard beat Yale 13-0; Wood led the way by completing six of nine passes. In 1931, he led two touchdown drives as Harvard beat Army 14-13. The National Football Foundation selected Barry Wood for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

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.