Football History

For the uninitiated, navigating the vibrant tapestry of Georgia Bulldogs football history can be daunting. Worry not, Dawg-to-be! This guide will equip you with the essential knowledge to join the chorus of "Hail to the Howling Red" with confidence.

Early Era Glory: Don your vintage sweater vest and travel back to 1892, where it all began. Witness the Dawgs claim their first victory over Mercer, igniting a rivalry that would span generations. Immerse yourself in the "Golden Era" (1930s-60s), where legends like Frank Sinkwich and Charley Trippi redefined the game with the "I-formation" offense and secured four national titles for Georgia.

Rivalries and Reboots: Fast forward to the 70s-90s, where legendary clashes with Florida and Auburn took center stage. Brace yourself for nail-biting finishes like the "Miracle in Jacksonville" (1990) and the "Hobnail Alley" (1980). Savor the Heisman wins of Hershel Walker (1982) and Terrell Davis (1992), reminders of Georgia's offensive prowess.

Modern Triumphs: Enter the Kirby Smart era (2016-present), a chapter marked by a renewed focus on discipline and excellence. Celebrate the end of the 41-year national championship drought in 2021, a victory tinged with the sweet tears of generations of Dawg fans. Witness the historic back-to-back championship feat in 2022, solidifying Georgia's return to the top of college football.

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In this edition of the Football History Rewind series, part 29, we examine the rules changes and the 1911 season. This was the final season of old-time football before bigger changes.

Football at the end of 1910

The History of Football year-by-year series in the last few editions has just journeyed through one of the most radical rules revision periods of the game's history in 1910. The Game of 1910 was much different because of these rules changes than a few years earlier. From our twentieth-century perspective, the rules more closely resemble what we are familiar with with the football game in 1910, whereas the rules of 1900 would lead one to believe it was a different sport altogether. It was a different game!

Items such as the forward pass, seven men on the line of scrimmage before the snap, and tackling rules took the game from a brutal battering ram of humanity thrust into a wall of flesh to a strategic game where individuals could make a difference. However, the concept of working as a team was still prevalent. The coming years after the year of significant revision would have coaches and players exploring the new rules and ideas. They would open the door for new strategies and philosophies on the gridiron. The rules makers would make their tweaks to the latest regulations as well as experiment to make the game safer for participants while at the same time trying to keep the playing field level for both sides of the ball and keep the fans interested in the spectacle of the sport.
New strategies?
The 1910 rules revisions shocked the coaches that first year, for only one truly new concept was introduced that season. The University of Minnesota and its coach, H.L. Williams ( a Yale product), were the only ones brave enough to tread out into the unknown waters of change. All other teams stayed with what they knew and had performed before, but many had to adapt these old standards to conform to the legality of the rules.

Minnesota's Williams tried a new concept where he would not show the look of his formation until just before the snap. Under this strategy, Minnesota's offense would gather around the line of scrimmage but not be in certain positions or formations. Then, just before the snap, the players would leap into their proper positions, creating a legal formation, and snap the ball. Defenses never knew what they would get coming at them until the ball was snapped! The defenders never had a chance to shift to match the offensive formations due to this masking of the offensive formation. The new concept was fondly called the Minnesota Shift.
Results of change
What was important to those inside and outside of football's inner ring was whether the safety of the players increased due to the rule changes or if it was still the same bloody game it was prior. Statistics from the 1910 season proved that injuries in the game of football were drastically reduced, and the new rules were the factor that caused this decrease! The public outcry against the game's brutality had been quieted.
At the same time, the critics of football who did not want change because they felt the game would become dull and uninteresting to spectators were silenced as well because the games were still exciting and entertaining to the masses. The rules makers could not have hoped for better results! They and their innovations had probably saved the game!
1911, the tweaking begins
The men who met and made the rules did not sit on their hands, though, in the next year. On the contrary, they kept at the drawing board to revise the rules further and enhance the game to new levels. The biggest change to the rules in 1911 had to do with the forward pass aspect of the sport.

The forward pass was still only a few years old at this point in history, and it was used less due to the risk versus rewards factor. The risk was that a pass not caught was treated the same as a fumble and almost invariably was a turnover. Coaches were afraid to use the pass in their game plans as a regular play because of the risk of losing possession of the ball. The forward pass held the status of what today we call a gadget play. It was used mainly by offenses as a surprise tactic or one of desperation.
The rules makers decided to change this characteristic of the forward pass because most wanted to see it become a standard weapon in an offensive's arsenal. The "fumble" aspect of the dropped passes also provided roughness, which the rules committee wanted removed from the game. In the spring meetings of 1911, the rule committee changed the rules of a dropped or incomplete forward pass that hit the ground to be a dead ball. The incomplete pass was born!
The Season of 1911
This season was the last era of old rules, as we will see in the major reforms of the 1912 rules body. With that, a big group of teams went undefeated. Navy finished with a record of 6–0–3. An excellent record indeed as two of the Midshipmen ties were scoreless games with the other top unbeaten teams, Penn State, who sported an 8–0–1 ledger, and Princeton, who recorded an 8–0–2 mark themselves. Other unbeaten teams that finished the season were Florida at 5–0–1 and Minnesota at 6–0–1. The Helms Athletic Foundation, established years later in 1936, declared retroactively that Princeton had been the best team of 1911, and the Tigers were recognized as the National Champions.
On the professional circuit, the Shelby Blues once again captured the Ohio State title in football by knocking off the Akron Indians twice. They won the title in their season-ending victory against the up-and-coming Canton Professionals. You can learn more about the Blues in a post and podcast we did a few months back titled The Shelby Blues.
The forward passing rules still had some ways to go through, and more progress would be made in 1912 in that respect. Please look back to the next edition of Football History Rewind, part 30, in which we will examine how the 1912 revisions would make their mark on the game we love.
Photo Credits
The photograph in the banner above is courtesy of the Wikimedia Commons collection of public domain pictures. It is a cropped version of the Pomona College football team, 1911. First published in the 1911 Metate yearbook of Pomona College and taken by an Unknown.

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Benny Friedman, born March 18, 1905, wasn't your typical football player. In an era dominated by ground-and-pound offenses, Friedman emerged as a passing prodigy, forever changing the game's landscape. This essay explores his remarkable career, highlighting his impact on the sport and his legacy as a true gridiron innovator.

We continue with the story of the New York Football Giants in this sixth part of our celebratory series on the franchise's first 100 seasons.

The gridiron experience for young Benjamin started negatively when his high school coach in Cleveland, Ohio, looked at the 5'-6 ", 150-pound youngster and informed him that he would never be able to play football due to his size. Friedman transferred to a neighboring school to pursue his sports dreams and thrived playing football, baseball, and basketball. Benny helped his new alma mater even win the 1922 City Gridiron Championship!

-Early Life and Aspiring Gridiron Career

His scholastic feats did not go unnoticed as Friedman was enrolled at the University of Michigan by the following fall, playing on the Freshman team. When eligible to play varsity, he was a reserve and witnessed a thumping the Wolverines took at the hands of a Red Grange-led Illinois eleven. Michigan Coach George Little shook the starting lineup a bit after this defeat and inserted Benny as the starting right halfback.

Friedman's brilliance shone brightly at the University of Michigan. Playing quarterback and halfback, he defied the run-heavy strategies of the time. Unlike most teams, his exceptional throwing ability and innovative playcalling, calling plays from the line of scrimmage, made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. By the time the opening game of the 1925 season, Friedman's Junior year, the rising star accounted for all three of Michigan's touchdowns, two long pass plays, and a 26-yard run to the goal line in a 21-0 throttling of rival Wisconsin. With Benny leading the way, the Wolverines captured at least a share of the Big Ten Conference title in consecutive seasons. He earned All-American honors twice and was a significant factor in leading Michigan to a dominant period.

Just before the 1927 football season, Friedman, who was now out of school, announced that he would be signing a contract to play with the Cleveland Bulldogs of the NFL. The Rookie started all 13 games for the Bulldogs, tossing a 50-yard TD pass in the opener, and led his hometown Cleveland eleven to a respectable 8-4-1 record. The franchise relocated and rebranded as the Detroit Wolverines the following season.

Again, Friedman led the League in passing with ten touchdowns for the second year. He also used his legs and led the NFL in rushing TDs, becoming the only player in League history to be at the top of both categories in a year. The Wolverines finished the year in third place at 7-2-1.

-Giant Aquisition

The 1927 World Champion New York Giants swept the entire League except for one team, the Friedman lead Bulldogs. In an interesting spin, the Giants had never beaten Benny Friedman. They were 0-2-2 against him and 0-1-1 against both the Cleveland Bulldogs and the Detroit Wolverines in their lifetime. Despite the success of the past two seasons with Benny, the Detroit franchise could have been a more stable financial venture; thus, the team only played one season as the Detroit Wolverines, as in 1929, they were absorbed into the New York Football Giants. Giants owner Tim Mara had seen enough and figured if he couldn't beat Friedman, he bought him and the rest of the Wolverines team.

Mara's foresight of Friedman being an elite player who could lead the Giants to better things was spot on. Friedman was the main reason the New York businessman bought the Wolverines franchise. Mara also figured that Benny would be a great draw at the gate, and Friedman quickly became the highest-paid NFL player when he inked his new contract with the Giants for an unprecedented $10,000 per season.

To put Benny's effectiveness and innovative style of play into perspective, it was in the fourth contest of the 1929 campaign (Friedman's third NFL season) that the signal-caller became the NFL's all-time career leader in touchdown passes. The milestone was significant as it would not be broken until 1943 by Sammy Baugh. The former Michigan star had transformed the forward pass from a third-down desperation tactic into an offensive attack method that could be deployed on any down.

We must remember that the footballs of that era had a more considerable girth than the modern pigskin. Friedman reportedly trained and stretched the fingers of his throwing hand to be strong enough to depress the leather with a wide grip. His secrets included carrying a rubber ball in his coat pocket that he continually worked over, and he would also practice manipulating his thumb and forefinger to be in a painfully stretching straight line for as long as he could hold it.

Benny played with the Giants through the 1930 season and then announced he would retire to focus on a coaching job he accepted at Yale. His schedule worked out that he would sign on with the Giants for the 1931 season and play nine games. In 1932, Friedman suited up for the Brooklyn Dodgers gridiron franchise as their player/coach for three more seasons before retiring from play.

-Friedman's NFL Legacy

Friedman's professional career, from 1927 to 1934, further solidified his reputation as a passing pioneer. He consistently led the League in passing touchdowns, shattering records and proving the effectiveness of the aerial attack. His success forced teams to adapt their defensive strategies, marking a turning point in the game's evolution. Many experts consider Benny Friedman the model for the modern quarterback, as his play changed the dynamics and expectations of the position.

The future Hall of Famer would continue coaching with the City College of New York, an assistant with the US Navy team during the Second World War, and finally, the Athletic Director at Brandeis University in Massachusetts.

-Beyond his passing prowess

Friedman was a complete player. He was a skilled kicker, an accurate passer, and an accomplished runner. This versatility made him a true offensive weapon, capable of attacking defenses in multiple ways. His durability was also impressive, as he played through a time when player safety wasn't a primary concern.

However, Friedman's career was challenging. He faced prejudice as the son of a Jewish immigrant, a rarity in professional football at the time. Additionally, injuries began to hamper his performance later in his career. Despite these obstacles, his impact on the game remains undeniable.

Benny Friedman's legacy extends beyond statistics and accolades, though his record-breaking achievements are worth noting. The stalwart was part of the inaugural 1953 College Football Hall of Fame class but was overlooked for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame until 2005, sadly some 23 years after he had passed away.

In conclusion, Benny Friedman was a trailblazer in professional football. His vision, combined with his exceptional talent, helped usher in a new era of offensive football. More importantly, he revolutionized the quarterback position, demonstrating the power of the forward pass. He paved the way for future generations of quarterbacks who would dominate the game with their aerial attacks. His legacy lives on in the thrilling passing games we witness today, a testament to the impact of a Jewish kid from Cleveland who dared to be different.

The historical examination of the NFL's championships from 1920 to 1965, explicitly emphasizing the 1927 season, elucidates the profound transformations that characterized the league during its formative years. The decision to reduce the number of teams from 22 to 12 was not merely a financial necessity; it represented a critical juncture in the NFL's quest for legitimacy and stability. This consolidation reflected the league's ambition to cultivate a more competitive environment by focusing on significant markets where financial viability was assured. The strategic discussions in Cleveland, spearheaded by Commissioner Joe Carr, laid the groundwork for a single-tier league that would distinguish the NFL from its predecessors.

Want to catch up on our series of posts and podcasts on Pre-Super Bowl NFL Champions? Check it out here NFL Champions.

The 1926 professional football season was a wild ride, as we learned from a couple of episodes ago in part 59 of this series. Red Grange and C C Pyles's original American Football League had gone by the previous year's end. The death knell of the AFL was that group’s champion Philadelphia Quakers, getting beaten fairly badly in an exhibition game by a somewhat pedestrian NFL team from 1926, the New York Giants. Right before the 1927 season, the league eliminated the financially weaker, generally smaller market teams. The results were quite evident when you look at the NFL standings from 1926 versus those of 1927. from 22 to 12 teams. The National Football League absorbed many players and a defunct American Football League franchise. That team is Grange’s New York Yankees.

-Eliminated of NFL franchises in 1927:

-Kansas City Cowboys

-Los Angeles Buccaneers

-Detroit Panthers

-Louisville Colonels

-Racine Tornadoes

-Hartford Blues

-Brooklyn Lions

-Canton Bulldogs

-Milwaukee Badgers

-Akron Indians

-Columbus Tigers

-Hammond Pros

The Canton, Columbus, and Hammond franchises were original teams that helped organize the League in 1920. The Rochester Jeffersons were not one of the official cuts, but they had a second consecutive season with their position listed as an inactive franchise.

Also missing from the playing fields of NFL football were African-American roster members. In 1926, there were still a few black men, such as Fritz Pollard, donning pads, but in 1927, the awful decision to have a backroom agreement not to allow non-whites on rosters was quite evident. It was an ugly era of American football that lasted until the 1940s.

Some teams, like the Buffalo Bisons, only made it through five games before suspending operations through the remainder of the year.

The NFL championship title was claimed by one of the prominent market teams that the NFL coveted, the New York Giants. New York took the title based on having the best league record of 11-1-1.

The story of this Giants team is quite remarkable. The Giants registered ten shutouts in the 13 games they played and outscored the opposition by the margin of 197-20. That means, as a team, they allowed only three touchdowns! The only setbacks they suffered were against the 8-4-2 Cleveland Bulldogs eleven.

To have success on the field, you have to have some good players. The Giants had a handful, including Guard Steve Owens and End Cal Hubbard. These men played on both sides of the ball and seldom left the field. The offensive production was mainly due to the skill of tailback Hinkey Haines and wingback Mule Wilson, who each scored six rushing touchdowns during the 1927 campaign. Fullback Jack McBride was the leading scorer on the squad, though, as he also had six TDs but added a couple of field goals and fifteen points after kicks for a total of 57 points on the season. You also need good coaching to win; headman Earl Potteiger provided that.

-New York Giants Rise

Central to the 1927 narrative is the New York Giants, whose ascent to prominence is chronicled with great detail. The episode meticulously outlines the factors that contributed to the Giants' success, including their adept management of player acquisitions and the tactical acumen of coach Earl Pottinger. The Giants' ability to integrate talent, such as the dynamic duo of Jack McBride and Hinky Haynes, into a cohesive unit underscored their versatility and effectiveness on both sides of the ball. Moreover, the defensive prowess displayed throughout the season was equally remarkable, as the Giants led the league in points allowed, showcasing a commitment to discipline and teamwork that became their hallmark.

Ultimately, the 1927 season not only marked the Giants' first championship victory but also signified the emergence of a formidable franchise capable of withstanding the challenges posed by a rapidly evolving league. The legacy of this season continues to resonate within the annals of NFL history, serving as an enduring testament to the foundational principles of teamwork, strategy, and excellence that define the sport.

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The 1920s were a period of innovation and upheaval in professional football. While the established National Football League (NFL) was still in its formative stages, a unique challenger emerged—C.C. Pyle's New York Yankees. This essay explores Pyle's audacious attempt to establish a rival football team in New York City, a story marked by ambition, controversy, and a lasting impact on the sport.

The Birth of a Renegade Franchise

A flamboyant entrepreneur, C.C. Pyle wasn't new to shaking things up. He had already revolutionized professional basketball with the American Basketball League. In 1926, he set his sights on professional football, capitalizing on the immense popularity of college star Red Grange. Recognizing Grange's potential to elevate the sport, Pyle convinced him to join a new league – the American Football League (AFL) – with a single franchise: the New York Yankees.

Grangemania in the Big Apple

The arrival of Red Grange in New York ignited a media frenzy. Nicknamed the "Galloping Ghost," his electrifying talent and iconic status as a college legend attracted massive crowds. The Yankees, despite playing in a fledgling league with a questionable schedule, filled stadiums across the country, showcasing Grange's immense drawing power.

A Clash of Titans

However, the Yankees' existence was a thorn in the side of the established NFL. The league saw Pyle and Grange as interlopers, and a fierce rivalry ensued. Legal battles and scheduling conflicts plagued the AFL's short lifespan. While the Yankees enjoyed some success, including a victory over the NFL's Chicago Bears, the lack of a cohesive league structure and the financial strain of competing with the well-established NFL ultimately proved impossible.

A Legacy of Change

Though the New York Yankees only lasted three seasons, their impact is undeniable. The AFL's competition forced the NFL to adapt, improve its organization, and expand its reach to compete with the excitement surrounding Grange and the Renegade League. The Yankees paved the way for future rival leagues like the American Football Conference (AFC), which eventually merged with the NFL, creating the powerhouse league we know today.

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How much do you know about the NFL and its historic rushers? We spotlight a running back of the National Football League and pose a question has just one answer. The clues are in the hangman style of letter giving, just like a popular game show.

We delve into the passing game of the NFL, and test you a puzzle of your knowledge and recollection of an important person in NFL lore.

Do you have enough NFL information rattling around in the grey cortex to solve this puzzle?

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

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Are today's offenses more productive than those of forty years ago? The study examines the evolution of NFL offenses by comparing the 1983 season to the 2023 season. It focuses on offensive philosophies, leading passers and rushers from each era, and highlights the dramatic shift towards a more pass-oriented game.

-Offensive Philosophies:

-1983: Dominated by a heavier emphasis on running the ball. Teams prioritized establishing a solid ground game to control the clock and wear down defenses. Short and intermediate passing complemented the rushing attack with play action.

-2023: Witnessed a significant shift towards a pass-happy approach. Teams utilize a variety of passing concepts, including spread formations, vertical routes, and play-action passes, to exploit defensive weaknesses and score quickly.

-Leading Passers:

-1983: Lynn Dickey (Green Bay) led the league with 4,458 passing yards, highlighting the modest passing volume of the era. Quarterbacks prioritized efficiency and ball security over taking risks.

1983 Top 10 QBs
1 Lynn Dickey • GNB 4458
2 Bill Kenney • KAN 4348
3 Danny White • DAL 3980
4 Joe Montana • SFO 3910
5 Joe Theismann • WAS 3714
6 Brian Sipe • CLE 3566
7 Richard Todd • NYJ 3478
8 Ron Jaworski • PHI 3315
9 Vince Ferragamo • RAM 3276
10 Steve Bartkowski • ATL 3167
Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference

-2023: The landscape has drastically changed. Quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen routinely break 4,000 passing yards, emphasizing offensive explosiveness. Accuracy and arm strength are paramount for success in today's pass-first league. These do it with 2-4 fewer plays per game due to some timing changes over the last four decades in NFL rules, despite more no-huddle offensive plays and less "prevent" defense played.

2023 QB passing leaders
1 Tua Tagovailoa • MIA 4624
2 Jared Goff • DET 4575
3 Dak Prescott • DAL 4516
4 Josh Allen • BUF 4306
5 Brock Purdy • SFO 4280
6 Patrick Mahomes • KAN 4183
7 Jordan Love • GNB 4159
8 C.J. Stroud • HOU 4108
9 Baker Mayfield • TAM 4044
10 Trevor Lawrence • JAX 4016
Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference

-Leading Rushers:

-1983: Eric Dickerson (Los Angeles Rams) was running rapid through the opposition with 1,808 rushing yards, a testament to the era's dominance of running backs. Teams relied heavily on their featured back to control the tempo.

1983 Rushing Leaders
1. Eric Dickerson • RAM 1808
2. William Andrews • ATL 1567
3. Curt Warner • SEA 1449
4. Walter Payton • CHI 1421
5. John Riggins • WAS 1347
6. Tony Dorsett • DAL 1321
7. Earl Campbell • HOU 1301
8. Ottis Anderson • STL 1270
9. Mike Pruitt • CLE 1184
10. George Rogers • NOR 1144
Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference

-2023: While still significant, running backs play a more complementary role. While elite rushers like Derrick Henry or Christian McCaffrey exist, their production typically falls below 1,800 yards due to the increased focus on passing. Dual-threat quarterbacks have emerged as a significant rushing threat, adding another dimension to modern offenses.

2023 Rushing Leaders
1 Christian McCaffrey • SFO 1459
2 Derrick Henry • TEN 1167
3 Kyren Williams • LAR 1144
4 James Cook • BUF 1122
5 D'Andre Swift • PHI 1049
6 James Conner • ARI 1040
7 Najee Harris • PIT 1035
8 Joe Mixon • CIN 1034
9 David Montgomery • DET 1015
10 Raheem Mostert • MIA 1012
Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference

-The study would likely conclude that:

The NFL has undergone a dramatic offensive transformation, shifting from a run-first approach to a pass-dominant philosophy.
This change is driven by improved passing rules, advancements in quarterback training, and a growing emphasis on scoring points quickly.
While running backs remain valuable, their role has evolved to complement the passing game rather than serve as the offense's focal point.

-Further Exploration:

The study could be expanded to analyze additional aspects of offensive evolution, such as:

Changes in offensive line play to accommodate pass protection needs.
The rise of analytics and its impact on playcalling strategies.
The increasing popularity of specific formations and route combinations.
By examining these factors, the study would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dramatic shift in NFL offenses over the past four decades.

Explore the rich tapestry of American football history on July 11th, a day that marks the birthdays of several Hall of Fame legends. Join us as we celebrate the lives and careers of these iconic players whose contributions have shaped the game we cherish.

From memorable moments on the field to their enduring impact on football culture, delve into the stories behind these Hall of Fame birthdays. Discover fascinating anecdotes, career highlights, and the lasting legacies of these gridiron heroes.

Whether you're a passionate fan, a history buff, or simply curious about football's greats, this post offers a captivating journey through the milestones and milestones of July 11th in football history. Stay tuned as we honor these legends and their invaluable contributions to the sport

Significant Daily Events in Football History on the 23rd of December - This Day in History

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George Halas wasn't just a football player, coach, or owner; he was an architect, a pioneer, and a godfather. Spanning seven decades, his career intertwined with the very evolution of professional football, leaving an indelible mark on the game we know and love today.

Starting as a versatile athlete in the early 1900s, Halas soon transitioned to coaching, leading teams with his innovative strategies and fierce competitiveness. He co-founded the Decatur Staleys (later renamed the Chicago Bears) in 1920, becoming owner, coach, and even player at times. He revolutionized the game with tactics like the T-formation and the "man in motion," forever changing the offensive landscape.

Halas wasn't just building a team; he was building a league. He was pivotal in establishing the National Football League (NFL) in 1920, serving as its president for multiple terms and shaping its rules and structure. He was a shrewd businessman, securing television deals and driving the league's financial growth.

His influence extended beyond the field. He advocated for player safety, fought for racial equality, and even served as a Navy officer during World War II. He became a symbol of integrity and leadership, earning the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike.