Football History

---

Ever wonder what it's like to be a champion? To have nerves of steel and a winning arm?

Then buckle up, because we're diving into the incredible story of Otto Graham... not just as a football legend, but as a comic book hero! That's right! Today, we're tackling touchdowns and thought bubbles as we explore this rare piece of football history. Was Otto Graham just a great quarterback, or did he have the moves to conquer the comics too?

Timothy Brown of Football Archaeology joins us to tell of these rare football funnies, the player they were about, and why they were made. Tim's original Tidbitis titled, "Otto Graham and the Championship Football Comic Book."

You can also enjoy our podcast version of the conversation, Otto Graham Comics.

-Transcribed Conversation of Timothy Brown on the Otto Graham Comics

Darin Hayes:
Friends, this is Darin Hayes of pigskindispatch.com. Welcome once again to the Pigpen, your portal to positive football history. And welcome to another day where we get to go down that road of football history with our friend, Timothy Brown, of footballarchaeology.com. Tim, welcome back to the Pigpen.

Timothy Brown:
Hey, Darin, I'm looking forward to chatting again, and hopefully, this will be a comical segment.

Darin Hayes:
I think it will be, and that's a nice segue into the subject matter we're going to be talking about. It's one of your recent tidbits titled Otto Graham in a Championship Football Comic Book. But as a kid, I loved comic books. I still have my comic book collection, and I love football, so these are two of my favorite things all combined into one, so this is great.

Timothy Brown:
Yeah, well, so I'm old enough to remember going to, like, especially when I had a paper out, and I had, you know, more spending money than I have now, um, you know, I could, you know, we still had corner drug stores back then. And I had one, you know, five, six blocks away, and, uh, you know, it could go in there, and they had a rack of comic books. And I was more of a Sergeant Rock, you know, kind of a war hero, you know, kind of a comic book rather than a fantasy superhero. So, um, so I, I went through the comic book stage and, um, but I never had an auto Graham comic book. I know that. So, so this one is, um, this is an item, you know, so now a day, I've, I've, I've collected different things over the years, but now the three main things that I collect are all focused on things that I can use for football archeology. You know, if I don't think I can use it for football archeology with very few exceptions, I don't buy it. And so my three things now are RPPCs or real photo postcards, you know, which were like the kind of function like the, you know, Twitter message or the, you know, whatever of the day, um, sporting goods catalogs, you know, those with football sections and then advertising premiums, which were, you know, giveaways that, you know, they're still around today, mostly today. They're just a single card with a football scheduler and a baseball schedule. You throw it in your pocket; it's in your wallet. Um, but you know, back in the day, a lot of retailers of all kinds of sorts, but mostly those that attracted men because I was kind of their target audience, they produced these booklets that, uh, would have like summaries of the season, previous seasons and schedules of all the different teams. And so I liked those because, well, all three of them provide visuals that I use in my tidbits, but these premiums also, they're just like point-in-time summaries of what were people thinking going into the 1952 season, you know, who did they project were going to be some of the top stars, some of whom you've heard of some of whom you've never heard of. Right. Um, just like, you know, today, somebody, you know, somebody makes predictions. So in 1954, the Pennsylvania athletic company or like products company, whatever it was, you know, they're still around, and they're best known for the tennis balls. You know, you'll see tennis balls with a pen on them. That's the company. And this company made just all kinds of different balls. You know, you name the sport, they probably made a ball for it. They especially made a lot of rubber balls, which I'll get back to in a little bit. So they, um, they put out this comic book, and I think, you know, 25 to 30 pages. It was like a normal comic book, with beautiful drawings, nicely printed, and the whole shebang. It was about Auto Graham and a kid named Jimmy Farrell. And we've all known a Jimmy Farrell in our lives. Um, it was kind of, basically, leaving it to Beaver. It's kind of a Leave It to Beaver story three years before Leave, Leave It to Beaver premiered. Um, not that he was a goofball, but he was a little bit of a goofball, not like he was like a Beaver. He's probably more, more of a Wally, you know, as it turned out, he's more like a Wally than a Beaver. But, um, so anyways, it's kind of that, that being that all American, you know, happy family, you know, mom and dad and mom looks good and dad's, you know, hardworking guy and dah, dah, dah. So, Jimmy, you know, the story opens with Jimmy. He's a fan of Fairview High School, which is in Ohio, and you know, he just, you know, they win a big game. And so he, they're driving home, and he tells his mom and dad that he's going to play for Fairview someday. Right. And so then, like a year or two later, um, you know, Jimmy's practicing, and he's just not a natural athlete, at least not at that stage. And so he's trying to kick, and he's doing all these things, and he basically just doesn't; he's not very good. So, the time comes for him to try out for the high school football team. He tries out, but he gets cut. And so poor Jimmy, you know, he just, he's just not good enough. And so then he's got his side. Okay, am I just going to fold up? Or am I gonna, you know, bite the bullet and pull myself up by my boots, bootstraps, and all those good things and start a football?

Darin Hayes:
a football history podcast. Yeah, he could have done that. But he did. You sound like you're smart. You're smarter. You're smarter than that.

Timothy Brown:
So, Jimmy, his dad, buys him a really good ball to practice with. And it turns out, we'll find out later, that it's a pin football and probably a rubber football, which was kind of innovative at the time. And so he's taking it to the park, and he's kicking it around. And he's not very good. And one time, he kicks it over near this car that's parked, you know, and there's this one man, a single man sitting in the car watching him kick the ball around. Now, in certain neighborhoods, that might be considered, you know, maybe a guy you don't want to go talk to. But, you know, the guy gets out of the car and starts talking to Jimmy and patting him on the back and giving them pointers on how to play football. And then, you know, he eventually tells Jimmy, well, you know, if you want to, if you want to get better, I'll be here every Saturday morning, and I'm willing to work with you. Again, it sounds sketchy, but he mentions that Jimmy and his parents live in Fairview. So that's why he comes there every Saturday. So Jimmy tells his parents that at dinner, and his dad says, well, that's probably Otto Graham that, you know, we spoke to. So then the whole thing, you know, starts happening with Jimmy shows up every Saturday, he's got his pen, you know, his Pennsylvania, you know, product ball, and Otto Graham's given him pointers, and he gives him so much enough pointers, where he kind of reaches a point where he says, you know, you got to get you can't keep practicing, you got to start playing. So bring your friends, and we'll let you know, they'll start playing too. So then Otto's, you know, drilling all those kids and giving them pointers on here's how you kick the ball. Here's how you punch the ball. Here's how you pass the ball. Here's how you handle handing it off. Here's how you tackle it. And, so all the boys are having fun, they build their own goalposts, you know, in the park, which I think is just a normal thing to do. And so then eventually, you know, the year passes, and Jimmy tries out for the team the next year. And he is so impressive that the coach names him the quarterback. And so before the first game of the season, Otto Graham comes over and has dinner with Mom and Dad, you know, on Friday night, they play the game on Saturday. Sure enough, Jimmy throws the touchdown pass to win the game. And, you know, they all live merely, they're happily ever after. So, it's just kind of a cool thing. You know, here's this guy who was an absolute stud: Otto Graham. And so he's in this comic book, and then he ends up retiring after that 54 season, though Paul Brown convinced them to come back the next year. And then that he was finally done. But it was like, you know, one of these succession stories where Jimmy Farrell is gonna, you know, yeah, we're gonna miss Otto Graham, but there's this whole line of new young stud quarterbacks who are going to be coming up through the system. And Jimmy Farrell is one of them. So it's just kind of a Horatio Alger, you know, rags to riches, an American story; I mean, it's just fabulous. And beautifully, you know, artworks are just great. So

Darin Hayes:
It's a great story, definitely a great feel-good story, unless you're like me and you live in Western Pennsylvania. And we had our mutual friend Jeff Payne on not too long ago, and he was showing me some cards that were made by Penn and that of the Cleveland Browns and those great Browns teams who thought, you know, the autogram was on, autogram was one of the trading cards that he had and he sheets. And like I told him, Jeff's from Western Pennsylvania as well. And I'm sort of thinking, okay, in that timeframe, you know, if only Penn would have invested a little bit in some Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia, maybe guys like Johnny Unitas and Len Dawson and Jack Kemp, maybe one of those quarterbacks would have stayed in Pittsburgh if they would have been ordered like autogram was and Steelers would have done better back then. But they helped an Ohio team, you know, what are you gonna do?

Timothy Brown:
Yeah, yeah, well.

Darin Hayes:
And it's interesting, Fairview. Pennsylvania is probably about five miles from me. So it's, it's less than 20 miles from the Ohio line. So, uh, you know, that, that resonates a little bit there, too. And there, there was always a football powerhouse, too. So it's a, maybe it's just a name Fairview, uh, makes that.

Timothy Brown:
Yeah, so I don't know. For me, it was just like I came across that thing. And it's one of those things where, you know, most of these items that I'm buying, you know, they're not worth a whole lot of money. This one's worth a little bit more, but I think I paid $5 for, you know, but it's just such an entertaining piece of little, you know, football history, and advertising history that, you know, it's just really fun.

Darin Hayes:
You just took me back. You are telling that story. It just takes me back. Like you were reading me a nighttime story. I'm, I'm ready to hit the hay now. So I thank you for that, too. Good stuff. Sweet Dreams by Chris. Tim, you have a lot of different interesting things, whether it be comic books or, you know, these RPPCs or just an interesting story about the great game that we all love and enjoy. That's why we're all here tonight listening to and viewing this. Maybe you could tell us how folks can read some of the items that you have in football archeology.

Timothy Brown:
Yeah, so, you know, it's all sitting there on-site called football, football, archaeology .com. There are about 1000 articles out there now. So you can just go in there. There are search functions, so you can search topics and see if there's something out there on it. So, and if you're once you're out there, you can subscribe, you'll get an email whenever I, I send out a, you know, whenever I publish a new story. Alternatively, you can follow me on Twitter, on threads, or on the Substack app. So whatever suits your fancy.

Darin Hayes:
Well, Tim, we, we appreciate it once again for the great story and a great look at football back some 70, some years ago, and, uh, just enjoyable story and feel good story, you know, whether you're not a bronze fan or you are a bronze fan or, or not. I still feel good about it. So that's a great thing with a football legend. And indeed, you know, the guy that, uh, won seven championships in the ten years that he played, that's better than Tom Brady. And so that's, that's pretty good.

Timothy Brown:
You know, there's something else, there's something else.

Darin Hayes:
Absolutely. And so we thank you and we'd love to talk to you about some more great football history next week.

Timothy Brown:
Very good and sleep well.

---

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.

Born May 18, 1983, in Houston, Texas, was Vince Young who was the University of Texas Longhorn’s dual threat quarterback from 2003 to 2005.

The FootballFoundation.org website recognizes that Young turned in one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history in 2005 while memorably leading Texas to a national championship. The Texas signal caller was a consensus First Team All-American in 2005, Young was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy while claiming the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell awards. That season he also claimed the unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year and First Team All-Big 12 selection led the Longhorns to a conference title and a perfect 13-0 season after winning the BCS National Championship Game against USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl. The GrandDaddy of them all game has gone down in the annals as one of the greatest games in college football history.

In the Rose Bowl, Young earned MVP honors after completing 30-of-40 passes for 267 yards, rushing for 200 yards (a Rose Bowl record among quarterbacks) and delivering the game-winning eight-yard touchdown run on fourth down with 19 seconds remaining. But that game did not define Young’s collegiate career as he posted a 30-2 record as a starter for College Football Hall of Fame coach Mack Brown.

Vinces’s 93.8 winning percentage was the sixth best in FBS history at the time. The 6ft-5” 233 pound QB owns multiple Longhorn records, including 1079 single-season and 3127 career rushing yards by a quarterback and 37 career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. With 6,040 passing yards and 3,127 rushing yards in his career (both marks rank sixth in Texas history), Young became just the fourth player in FBS history to pass for 6,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards in a career.

The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Vince Young into their legendary museum in 2019. The Tennessee Titans selected Young with the third overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and he played six seasons in the league with the Titans and Philadelphia Eagles. The 2006 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was selected to two Pro Bowls, becoming the first rookie quarterback to play in the game.

Born April 24, 1918, was a legendary football player and executive Fred Gehrke. Fred was on the Cleveland Rams team that won the NFL Championship in 1945. Fred Gehrke went to college and suited up for the Utah Utes and also went on and played in the NFL for the Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Cardinals from 1940 through 1950.

Fred started a trend that we can appreciate today.To boost team morale, Gehrke designed and painted the Los Angeles Rams logo in 1948, which was the first painted on the helmets of an NFL team.

-Frequently Asked Question

-Who was the first to paint a logo on a helmet? The answer in the pro game is Fred Gehrke of the Rams in 1948, check out more about it in the story: First Helmet Logo.

Born August 18, 1951 - Greg Pruitt was a runningback from Oklahoma who entered the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the induction class of 1999. Pruitt played in the NFL for 11 seasons most notably with the Cleveland Browns but also with the LA Raiders. He was selected to 5 Pro Bowls during his career. In Cleveland he made quite the one two punch with another Pruitt in the backfield, Mike, no relation.

Greg Pruitt's football career at the University of Oklahoma from 1969 to 1971, was exceptional. Pruitt dazzled fans with his electrifying speed and agility, making a significant impact on the Sooners' offense. His standout performances included leading the team to a national championship in 1971, and he earned All-American honors for his contributions. Pruitt’s ability to change the game with his dynamic playmaking skills made him a key player in Oklahoma’s storied football program, and his legacy endures as one of the great running backs in collegiate football history. These were some very translatable qualities to launch his NFL career.

Greg Pruitt was a dynamic playmaker in the NFL. Over 12 seasons, primarily with the Cleveland Browns, he amassed 5,672 rushing yards, showcasing his ability to break tackles and find the endzone.

As a versatile threat, Pruitt contributed significantly as a receiver, totaling 3,069 yards through the air. His impact extended beyond offense, as he excelled as a return specialist, setting an NFL record for punt return yards in a single season. Pruitt's combination of rushing prowess, receiving skills, and return abilities made him a formidable force in the league.

Bill Willis tradition of toughness and bravery is carried on through tradition

---

Glen Edwards, a name synonymous with both brilliance and controversy, carved a unique path in NFL history. This essay explores Edwards' career trajectory, highlighting his on-field dominance as a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers, his well-documented history of dirty play, and his lasting impact on the game.

Edwards was an important chess piece in the Pittsburgh strategy of the 1970s, as this athletic player could contribute an abundance of skill to an already star-laden roster.

-A Member of the Steel Curtain (1971-1977)

Born in 1947, Glen Edwards possessed exceptional athleticism and a natural instinct for the game. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971, he quickly established himself as a key contributor to their burgeoning defensive unit. Edwards' arrival coincided with the rise of the legendary "Steel Curtain" defense. His intelligence, agility, and ferocious tackling style made him a valuable asset. He excelled at reading plays, disrupting offenses, and shutting down running backs in the open field.

-A Shadow Cast by Controversy (1971-1981)

However, Edwards' career was marred by a consistent pattern of dirty play. His aggressive style often crossed the line, attracting penalties and accusations of targeting opposing players. A particularly infamous incident in 1974 showcased this reckless abandon, leading to his ejection from a game. This propensity for unnecessary roughness tarnished his achievements and left a complex legacy.

-Dominant Despite Controversy (1971-1981)

Despite the controversy, Edwards' on-field dominance cannot be denied. He finished his career with 39 interceptions, a testament to his ball-hawking skills. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and a key member of two Super Bowl champion Steelers teams (IX and X). His contributions to the Steelers' defensive dominance remain undeniable.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' dynasty of the 1970s wasn't built solely on flashy offense. Anchoring their legendary "Steel Curtain" defense was a group of relentless defenders, and among them stood Dwight White, a player whose impact transcended mere statistics.

This post explores Dwight White's football career, highlighting his crucial role within the Steel Curtain, his relentless pursuit of excellence, and his lasting legacy within the Steelers organization.

-From College Star to Steel Curtain Stalwart (1960s-1970s)

Born in 1949, Dwight White displayed athletic prowess from a young age. He excelled on the gridiron at East Texas State University, earning recognition for his intensity and relentless pursuit of the quarterback. Drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL Draft, White quickly earned a starting role alongside future Hall of Famers like Joe Greene and L.C. Greenwood. Nicknamed "Mad Dog" for his fierce competitive spirit, White thrived in the Steelers' aggressive defensive scheme.

-The Heart of the Pass Rush (1972-1981)

White wasn't the flashiest defender, but his role within the Steel Curtain was crucial. He was a relentless pass rusher, consistently putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. His ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt passing plays created opportunities for his fellow linebackers to make plays. While Greene and Greenwood garnered more headlines for their sack totals, White's relentless pursuit and ability to occupy blockers were essential to the unit's success. His leadership and work ethic set the tone for the entire defensive line.

-A Champion's Mentality (1974-1980)

White's impact extended beyond individual plays. He was a vocal leader within the defense, known for his unwavering commitment to winning and his dedication to his craft. He embodied the "Steel Curtain" mentality – a ruthless desire to dominate opponents and a relentless work ethic in pursuit of excellence. This mindset was instrumental in the Steelers capturing four Super Bowl victories during White's tenure (1974, 1975, 1979, 1980). His contributions, though not always reflected in the stat sheet, were undeniable.

-A Legacy of Excellence and Intensity (Present Day)

Dwight White's legacy lies in his unwavering dedication and his crucial role in the Steelers' historic defense. He wasn't a flashy sack artist, but his relentless pursuit, leadership, and championship mentality were vital to the Steel Curtain's success.

-Maddog's COndensed Bio

Dwight White was born July 30, 1939, in Hampton, Virginia, and graduated from James Madison High School in Dallas, Texas. The big man played college football at East Texas State University. White was a two-time Pro Bowl defensive end. Dwight finished his career with 46 quarterback sacks, as recorded unofficially by the Steelers sacks were not an official NFL defensive stat until 1982.

College Football Hall of Fame halfback of the Kansas Jayhawks. He was also a member of the 1932 US Olympic Decathlon team.

Jim Bausch was a remarkable athlete whose talents extended far beyond the football field. Originally hailing from Kansas, he showcased his athletic prowess at both Wichita State and the University of Kansas. On the gridiron, Bausch was a standout halfback, earning All-American honors and leading Kansas to their first Big Six championship in 1930. His explosive speed and versatility made him a formidable opponent.

However, Bausch's athletic legacy is most closely tied to track and field. In 1932, he stunned the world by capturing the gold medal in the decathlon at the Los Angeles Olympics. His remarkable performance on the second day of competition, where he excelled in events like the discus, javelin, and pole vault, cemented his status as one of the greatest athletes of his era.

Bausch’s football career was relatively brief. He played professionally for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cardinals but didn’t achieve the same level of success as his collegiate or Olympic endeavors. Despite his short-lived professional football career, his impact on the sports world remains undeniable. His extraordinary athleticism and versatility serve as an inspiration to athletes of all generations.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Bausch’s life was marked by personal challenges. He faced health issues and adversity, but his determination to overcome obstacles is a testament to his character.

---

Ernie Holmes was a force to be reckoned with on the football field. A ferocious defensive player for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the early 1970s, Holmes' intense play and imposing presence earned him the nickname "Arrowhead."

This article delves into the complex story of Ernie Holmes, exploring his rise to stardom, his sudden downfall, and the enduring questions that surround his legacy. We'll examine his on-field dominance, the factors that led to his abrupt departure from the game, and his lasting impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Get ready for a tale of athletic brilliance, personal struggles, and the fine line between passion and instability.

Born July 11, 1948, in Burkeville, Texas, was Ernie Holmes the former defensive lineman of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was known as "Fats" by teammates.

Holmes was also called Arrowhead because of his championship arrow haircut and was selected by the Steelers in the eighth round of the 1971 NFL Draft and won two Super Bowl titles with the team. He later played with teh New England Patriots.