Football History

Author Dan Taylor tells about the legendary Man and Football Player Kenny Washington.

A look at the 1935 Professional Football Season in America.

-Transcription of Fielding Yost and the Fake Field Goal with Timothy Brown

Hello, my football friends, Darin Hayes and PigskinDispatch.com. It is Tuesday, and once again, we are going to visit with Timothy P. Brown of FootballArcheology.com. Tim, welcome back to the Pig Pen.

Hey, Darin. Thank you.

Look forward to chatting again. I think we've got a good one to cover this evening. Yeah, this one is a subject that I know a little bit about.

I've talked to an author that's wrote quite a bit about this famous coach, Fielding Yost of Michigan. This is probably his most famous stance or most famous position. That's where the school he's most associated with.

Let me try to get that out of my mouth. But you have a very interesting story on him that sort of takes back through his whole career and sort of settles a dispute by digging through the old newspapers and everything. It's a really interesting, great job of work on your part.

I will let you take it from here, sir. Yeah, thank you. This is one that you're kind of digging around for playing detective, reading old newspapers.

All of a sudden, you find something that I wasn't expecting, quite the ending to the story. This is one of these ideas or issues where everybody talks about football. There's nothing new, right? There's nothing new in football.

Everything gets recycled. Everything gets adapted. That's, at some level, reasonably true.

There are certain true innovations, and one of those is embedded here. It's also a bunch of these people copying ideas over and over again. Part of the funny thing about this story is that there's an instance where things got copied, and this sports writer didn't know that.

Apparently, it was the first time he saw this occur in a game. What it was is that I came across an article from a 1913 game when Michigan played Penn. During the game, Michigan attempted a fake field goal.

This writer just wrote a follow-up after the game about this fake field goal attempt and praising Fielding Yost, talking about what a great innovator he is and blah, blah, blah. When I came across that, I was like, is that possibly the first time somebody ran a fake field goal? I would have thought, even just due to a bad snap or whatever, somebody would have tried one. Then maybe said, geez, this works pretty well.

I'm going to do this again. I'm going to back up just a little bit and say that until 1886, every field goal attempt was a dropkick. There was no snap from the center to a holder who held the ball for the kicker.

It took some human beings to figure out how to do that. It turned out it was these two brothers who played at Otterbein in Ohio, a small school there. They figured out, hey, we could snap the ball, have a guy hold it, and the kicker could kick it.

We've got a better chance, especially under the right weather conditions, a place kick typically had more power and was more accurate than a drop kick because the ball didn't bounce true off the uneven turf and grass at the time. We moved ahead then to 1913 and this Penn-Michigan game. Michigan sets up for a regular field goal attempt.

They snapped the ball, but instead of the holder putting the ball down on the ground, the kicker moved forward and swung his leg forward just like normal, but the holder stood up and then went sprinting around the left end. He scored a touchdown rather than the field goal attempt. Part of what's funny about that is that the writers said, this is tremendous.

The execution of this play was incredible. In fact, the play got called back due to holding, so the execution wasn't that great. Then it was like, here was a fake field goal, obviously a planned fake field goal.

I started looking around, when did these things first occur? As I said earlier, 1886 was the first time that any team snapped to a holder and then executed a placement kick. The first fake field goal that I could find, and this is just through searching newspaper articles, was an 1897 game between Kansas and Iowa when Kansas faked a field goal. Then, the next year, the second one I found is 1898, when Nebraska ran a fake field goal against Kansas.

The guys who did it, as far as I can tell, invented it, and have it executed against them the following year. Then the key thing about that, or the interesting thing about that, is that the coach of Nebraska in 1898 was Fielding Yost, a coach at Michigan whom this writer was just effusive with praise about. So anyway, after doing additional searching and everything, there were fake field goals all over the place.

I'm not saying there were thousands a year or anything like that, but most years, once the placement kick from scrimmage got started, people were also executing the fake field goals. Unfortunately, the writer was an anonymous column, so I couldn't figure out who the writer was that came up with this because otherwise, I would have tried to reach his relatives and tell them that their grandpa was lacking in his football history skills. Okay, so Kansas did it first, and then they had it done against them the following year by Nebraska.

That's correct. Fielding Yost was the coach at Nebraska, and then he was coach again at Michigan when they did this in 1913. Well, I was trying to think about it, because I know from a previous author I had on the biography on Yost, I know he was in Kansas too, but I'm looking right now, he was in Nebraska 1898, he was at Kansas 1899, so it was reverse, where I was thinking he might have been a coach for both of those games, head coach who did it, but he was Kansas on the other side.

And then he ended up, he was at Stanford, right? In 1900? Yeah, Stanford, and then at the end of the season, San Jose State, he did a championship game and then went to Michigan. Pretty well-traveled coach. Yeah, for a little bit there.

And he was Ohio Wesleyan before all of that too. And he was a ringer when he played in college too. Yeah.

He went to West Virginia, but he played for Lafayette in the big game where they took down Penn and snapped their win streak, whatever it was, 2018. Yeah, Park H. Davis, the famous historian, was the coach of Lafayette. So yeah, there's a lot of historic ties there.

Which is why he names that team the National Champs. Yeah, he named a lot of odd ones, National Champs. You can go back and scratch your head a few times.

Yeah, that's a really, really cool story. I love how that sort of circles back around to him, you know. And what was there, 20, almost 20 years in between, 15 years in between the plays.

But I guess the credit is due to him in some respects. Yeah, well, hey, you know, he picked up something, he saw something he liked and executed it. Yeah, plus I think there was, I don't have my note here on it, but I'm almost positive Michigan ran a fake field goal too before the 1913 game, so under Gilst.

Yeah. You know, it brings back that fake field goal. And I'm sure it wasn't a rule at the time.

I'm sure it was a rule put in afterwards. But there was a rule in high school, and I think it was at the collegiate level too, that if somebody, you know how a holder was usually down on a knee to take the snap. That's the only exception where you can have a live ball with a person with their knee on the ground.

So with that exception, they have to hold for a kick or an attempted kick. So if that holder is on a knee, takes that snap, and stands up and throws a pass or runs, it's a dead ball because he was a runner with his knee on the ground with a live ball. So I'm sure, like I said, it probably wasn't back in that era.

They probably put it in. So we had a game, a high school game, where a very clever coach told us before the game, you know, usually they want to make sure we don't kill their brainstorm idea that they had all overnight or something. This guy would get down in a catcher's position.

So both knees are off the ground. He's just in a squat. And the defense, you know, is probably not paying attention to what he's doing, but he would catch the ball.

The kicker would come up similar to what you're saying, fake a kick. This kid would, the holder would pound the ball with his hand. So it sounded like there was a foot hitting the ball and then taking off.

And I think he was going to throw a pass is what his intent was. So, you know, just some clever things that they do out of these, these fake field goals, but that knee-on-the-ground exception. Well, you know, back then, both in the 1898 and the 1913 example, having a knee on the ground, wasn't yet a rule that made the ball dead.

Right. I mean, in that race, you could be tackled and still get up and run. You know, you had to be held to the ground still, but yeah, you know, the, the, the, the catcher squat that you mentioned, that was actually some of the early field goal teams did that.

I mean, those, those executing a placement kick, they did that instead of, of going to the knee. And part of that was because that was still in the time when they, when a lot of teams, still were rolling the ball sideways back from the center to the quarterback. Right.

And so the quarterback, if he was on one knee, he couldn't, you know, the ball would bounce crazily. And so, you know, the squat helped them just, you know, catch the ball properly, or at least be able to reach the ball. And I've even, I've got a picture of Arizona.

And I want to say it was like 1938 or 1936, something like that, where their, their holder is in that kind of squat position. So people continue doing that for, you know, for some time. And probably, you know, they may have just been in a situation where, you know, who knows? It might've had a substitute center, or somebody just wasn't a very, very effective long-snapper.

And so. He was a substitute center. He was also a starting catcher on the baseball team in the spring.

Yeah. Great stuff. That's very fascinating.

Just like every evening, you have these great little pieces and nuggets of information about football history that you don't hear mainstream. And you don't see in every football history book you read in, you know, just like tonight, you took, it took some digging for you to do that. I'm sure, you know, it took a few hours of research going through the old newspapers.

I can feel your pain on that sometime, but it's fun. Yeah. The problem is that, you know, half the time I'm doing these things while I'm watching some football games.

So I don't even watch half the game. I'm just looking online where those 30 points come from. Yeah.

Yeah. Good stuff as always. Why won't you share with the listeners that they, too, can enjoy your tidbits each and every night? Yeah.

So, you know, my website is footballarchaeology.com. So you can go on there. You know, every post allows you to subscribe, which then means you will get an email every night, you know, into your inbox with the story. You can also follow me on Twitter at football archaeology.

And so whichever one works for you, whichever way you prefer to consume information, have at it, or hey, you can do both. So either way. Yeah, I do.

And you get double the pleasure. You get the, the Twitter and the email. So good stuff as always.

Tim, we appreciate you sharing this with us, as well as the great research you do at footballarchaeology.com, your daily tidbits, and, you know, your great writings. Thank you very much for sharing with us each and every week. We hope to talk to you again next Tuesday.

Very good. Always enjoy it. And glad to, glad to spread the word with you on football history stuff.

Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.

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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.

Sid Luckman was born in Brooklyn to Russian immigrants, his early life revolved around family, and growing up as a kid on the tough streets of Brooklyn. Fueled by athletic prowess and a revolutionary new system, Sid the Kid was propelled into becoming one of the NFL's most influential quarterbacks. But his story, hidden by a secret code of journalists not dishing the dirt on superstar athletes, went untold for decades.

The Luckman family lived in a two-story brick house in the borough of Brooklyn. Sid’s Mom, Ethel Druckman Luckman was a well-educated classy lady and caring mother. Sid’s father, Meyer Luckman, was a good provider but not much of a family man,

Meyer Luckman was a big, tough guy who started with a pushcart selling flour. He looked and felt aged by the time he had immigrated from the tough life as a Russian Jew. He was a bit a of a hard ass in his discipline of his children too. On one occasion after warning Sid that he would take the youth’s bike away if Meyer ever caught him riding in the street, made true to his word grabbed the bike from Sid after seeing the boy ride in the street, and chopped the two-wheeler into pieces with an ax.

Meyer who was about 60 at the time, owned with his brother a big trucking company that trucked flour to the many, many little bakeries around New York City. Meyer worked with his brothers and nephews and cousins. He drove a truck, then bought a truck, then owned a fleet of trucks—parked and gleaming in a garage at 225 Moore Street, Brooklyn, New York. Every so often Meyer would take ride around in the flour truck with him. In those days, if you wanted to be in business in New York you had to play ball with the mob.

The company thrived, its trucks rumbling through the city streets like arteries delivering lifeblood to countless bakeries. Flour, that humble ingredient, transformed into crusty loaves and airy treats, fueled by the tireless rhythm of their engines. But beneath the surface of this industrious enterprise, shadows lurked. In those days, certain unseen hands held sway, whispering promises of protection and exacting a price for their grip. Meyer, the company's patriarch, understood the game. He navigated a delicate dance, offering leverage in exchange for a semblance of order amidst the city's underbelly. Names like Lansky and Luciano, though never spoken aloud, hung heavy in the air, their influence as invisible as the flour dust clinging to the bakery floors.

Meyer's brother-in-law, was a bit of a low-life, drowning in gambling debt Sam Drukman. Probably at the urging of Ethel hired Drukman to his trucking business and syndicate.Explore the motivation behind Meyer's decision to handle the situation himself. The arrangement worked for awhile but overtime Sam’s shady past caught up with him and Druckman started skimming money from collections to pay his horse racing gambling debts.

Something had to change, and to Meyer there was only one solution. SO as not to owe favors to the mob, nor have the group mad at him if they found out about Druckman’s stealing going without punishment, and not wanting to fire him because of the wife, Meyer decided to take action himself with some help from those he worked with.

March 3, 1935 Describe the luring of Sam to the company garage on a Sunday night. The horrifying act of beating and strangling Sam to death.

ndicted were November 1935 were Meyer Luckman, Morris Luckman (Meyer’s cousin), Harry Luckman (Meyer’s nephew), Fred Hull (employee at the garage)
Describe the political use of the Druckman case in the 1935 NYC elections.

The case had been dismissed in April 1935. NYC Mayor LaGuardia asked that the indictments and Grand Jury hearing be set up after accusations were floated that the case was thrown away on a $100,000 bribe. District Attorney William F.X. Geoghan of Brooklyn re-opened the case. Geoghan went to County Judge Martin of Brooklyn secretly to bring new evidence.
Highlight the media frenzy and its impact on the district attorney's office.
March 1936 the Juuy hears the Meyer Luckman story

As this was going on Sid was graduation from Erasmus High and being accepted to Columbia. Sid's talent blossomed at Columbia University, where he excelled as a multifaceted athlete.

Meyer meanwhile was convicted and sentenced to serve in Sing Sing, life imprisonment for the murder of his bother-in-law Sam Druckman.

Despite this going on in the same city Sid was playing ball in the younger Luckman excelled., and soon after, he entered the professional arena, drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1939. It was the dawn of the T-formation, a complex offensive system that prioritized the passing game. Initially skeptical, Sid embraced the unorthodox system, becoming its first successful practitioner. Sid’s Pro career was interrupted by World War II.

Meyer died behind Sing Sing bars in 1944.

With his powerful arm and exceptional understanding of the T-formation, Sid transformed the Bears. He led them to four NFL championships in five years, rewriting the record books. He became the first quarterback to throw for over 28 touchdowns in a season, setting numerous passing yards and completion percentage records. He was a maestro of the air, dissecting defenses with pinpoint accuracy and audacious throws.

But Sid wasn't just a record-breaker; he was a game-changer. His success with the T-formation revolutionized the entire league, making the passing game a mainstay and paving the way for future stars like Sammy Baugh. He was a charismatic leader, known for his sharp wit and unwavering confidence, earning him the nickname "The Playmaker."

Sid's career, while brilliant, wasn't without challenges. Injuries and disagreements with management led to him leaving the Bears for the New York Yankees in 1950. His post-Bears years were less glorious, but his impact on the game remained undeniable.

When Sid retired in 1952, he left behind a legacy as an iconic quarterback, a pioneer of the passing game, and a champion whose audacity forever changed the landscape of professional football

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The Tumultuous 1939 College Football Season: Undefeated Champions and Surprising Twists

Despite lacking a universally recognized national champion, the 1939 college football season was anything but uneventful. It was a year marked by unexpected twists, dominant teams, and individual brilliance, impacting the sport's history.

A Season of Upsets and Contenders:

Pre-season favorites like Pitt and Notre Dame suffered surprising losses early in the season, shaking up the national landscape. Even the previous year's highly ranked team, TCU, lost at UCLA, 6–2, on September 29, spiraling the Horned Frogs to a losing season. The year saw the emergence of several strong contenders, including Tulane, Cornell, and Tennessee, all vying for the top spot.

The University of Tennessee's Volunteers completed a regular-season campaign of 10-0 and garnered an invitation to the Rose Bowl. The Vols were the defending national champions, and their run through the schedule in 1939 may have outdone the efforts of 1938. The 1939 Vols version is the last team in NCAA history to go undefeated, untied, and unscored upon in the regular season. Under Coach Robert Neyland's guidance, the team completed what would be their second of three consecutive undefeated regular seasons.

The USC Trojans still have their stalwart Coach Howard Jones, now in his fifteenth season. Southern Cal sported stars such as future College Football Hall of Fame inductee guard Harry Smith, who in '39 was a consensus first-team pick. Quarterback Grenny Lansdell was also an All-American lauded by a few publications. Southern Cal suffered a couple of regular season ties against rivals Oregon and UCLA but still bested the others on the West Coast to have the honor of attending the Rose Bowl.

USC emerged victorious in the Rose Bowl against a talented Tennessee team, boasting a solid defense. The Trojans blanked the Number 3 Vols 14-0 to finish 8-0-2 on the year.

The Big Red of Cornell University finished 8–0 and, per the Litkenhous System, were selected as the National Champions. The Big Red was also retroactively chosen as co-national champion in the Sagarin Ratings. Coach Carl Snavely's squad was invited to the 1940 Rose Bowl but declined the bid for academic reasons, as they wanted their players to catch up on their schoolwork after a long season.

Cornell's freshman team included a future College Football Hall of Fame tackle, Nick Drahos. Drahos was a consensus first-team selection on the 1939 All-America college football team and was inducted into the Hall in 1981.

Texas A&M Emerges Victorious:

The season culminated with the Texas A&M Aggies, led by consensus All-American fullback John Kimbrough, claiming the Associated Press (AP) national championship title. Their undefeated season, featuring a dominant win over a highly-ranked Tulane team 14-13 in the Sugar Bowl, has solidified their place as the top team in the eyes of many voters. The A&M squad went 11–0 and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 212 to 31.

The 1939 Texas A&M College Football team etched their name in history as one of the most dominant teams of their era. Led by a strong defense and a prolific offense, the Aggies marched through the season undefeated, culminating in a national championship victory.

Building a Dynasty Under Homer Norton:

This pinnacle of success wasn't a coincidence. Under the guidance of head coach Homer Norton, who entered his sixth year at the helm, the Aggies had been steadily building a winning culture. Norton's emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and a solid running game laid the foundation for the team's dominance.

A Season of Perfection: Shutouts and Offensive Exploits

The 1939 season was a masterclass in both defensive prowess and offensive efficiency. The Aggies boasted one of the nation's stingiest defenses, allowing a meager 1.6 points per game and shutting out six of their eleven opponents. This defensive dominance was anchored by a talented line led by tackle Joe Boyd, who served as team captain.
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Other Notable Teams and Performances:

Despite not being crowned national champions, several other teams had remarkable seasons. Iowa, led by Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick, finished with an impressive 6-1-1 record.

A Season of Controversy:

The lack of a unified governing body to declare a national champion in 1939 fueled the debate and controversy surrounding the top teams. This highlighted the need for a more centralized system to determine a definitive winner, ultimately leading to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) creation in the late 1990s.

A Pivotal Year for College Football:

Despite the lack of undisputed champions, the 1939 season was pivotal for college football. It showcased the sport's increasing depth and competitiveness, with multiple teams vying for national relevance. Additionally, it paved the way for future discussions and advancements in determining a national champion, shaping the landscape of college football as we know it today.

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1926 was pivotal for professional football, particularly in the bustling metropolis of New York City. Two titans, fueled by ambition and a desire for dominance, clashed in what became known as the "Grange War." This post delves into how Red Grange, a charismatic college superstar, his manager C.C. Pyle, and the established New York Giants, led by owner Tim Mara, became locked in a battle for control of the New York pro football market.

-The "Galloping Ghost" and a Lucrative Proposition

Red Grange, nicknamed the "Galloping Ghost," was a college sensation at the University of Illinois. His electrifying runs captured the nation's attention, making him a media darling and a potential goldmine for professional football. C.C. Pyle, Grange's shrewd manager, smelled the opportunity, and the collegiate star signed a three-year contract with Pyle and two other managers to help nurture and guide Grange's professional football career. The Chicago Bears were the first stop on the career path of Red in 1925, as he became a showcase talent that drew crowds for the NFL franchise in what was left of the regular season and a nationwide barnstorming tour during the winter months.

Pyle envisioned more money for his client and tried to use it to gain an ownership stake in the Bears for him and Red, but George Halas refused to yield.

Plan B for Pyle was to secure a five-year contract with Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and petition for a new NFL franchise in New York City.

-Mara's Turf, Mara's Rules

Tim Mara, owner of the fledgling New York Football Giants, refuted the petition, which would have invaded his franchise's territorial rights.

Tim Mara was a shrewd businessman who established the New York Giants as a new endeavour in the NFL. Within the League, he had exclusive rights to New York City. When Pyle approached him about a new franchise at Yankee Stadium, Mara vehemently opposed the idea. He saw Grange and a competing team as threats to his dominance and the NFL's budding success.

NFL President Joe Carr backed the blockade of another NY team, so Pyle went to plan C.

-A New League, a New York Franchise

"Cash and Carry" Pyle envisioned a professional league separate from the existing National Football League (NFL), with Grange as the star attraction. The first American Football League, or "Grange League," was formed, and the New York Yankees football team starring Red Grange was established along with other franchises across the country to compete with the NFL and Tim Mara's Giants.

Pyle proposed a lucrative offer to Grange, promising a cut of the profits from a new professional league. He then set his sights on New York City, a lucrative market with a passionate sports fanbase. However, a significant obstacle stood in his way – the New York Giants, led by owner Tim Mara.

-A Media Frenzy and Unfulfilled Promises

The "Grange War" became a national spectacle, splashed across newspapers and fueling public interest in professional football. Pyle, unable to secure a New York franchise within the existing NFL, formed a rival league – the American Football League (AFL). The AFL planned to expand across the country, showcasing Grange's talent and take pro football to new venues. However, the league proved short-lived, plagued by financial difficulties and a lack of established franchises.

-An Uneasy Truce and Lasting Impact

In the end, Red Grange did play professional football in New York City. After just one season, financial hardships forced the AFL to fold, and Pyle was able to take the Yankees club and merge them into the NFL in 1927. That franchise, too, floundered after injuries hampered their star player. Grange eventually signed with the Chicago Bears of the NFL. While the "Grange War" did deliver a new league and a New York City showdown, its impact made the NY Football Giants get stronger and grow a wider fanbase.

-The Legacy of a Football Feud

The "Grange War" highlighted the growing popularity of professional football and the scramble for dominance among owners and players. It also exposed the existing weaknesses of the NFL structure, leading to future expansion and rule changes. Though Red Grange didn't play in New York for very long, his presence and the "Grange War" fueled public interest in the sport, ultimately paving the way for a unified professional football landscape that would one day include a strong presence in the Big Apple.

The 1940 NFL season was marked by dominance, innovation, and a record-breaking finale, as well as vying with yet another rival league.

The Short-Lived American Football League (AFL III) (1940-1941)

The American Football League (AFL III) was a professional American football league from 1940 to 1941. It was the third major league to bear that name, but its existence was short-lived due to competition from the established National Football League (NFL).

The AFL III was formed in 1940 when three teams from the minor-league American Professional Football Association (APFA) - the Cincinnati Bengals, the Columbus Bullies, and the Milwaukee Chiefs - were lured away to join three new franchises in Boston, Buffalo, and New York City. This move dissolved the APFA, which had just announced its plans to compete with the NFL as a major league.

The AFL III faced an uphill battle, competing against the well-established and popular NFL. Despite some innovative features, such as the first-ever use of a double round-robin schedule (five home games and five away games for each team), the AFL III needed traction.

There were several reasons for the AFL III's demise:

-Financial difficulties: The league needed more financial resources from the NFL and struggled to attract fans and sponsors.

-Competition from the NFL: The NFL had a more extended history, extensive fan base, and established teams, making it difficult for the AFL III to compete.

-Internal turmoil: The league was plagued by internal disagreements and a lack of stability.

Despite its short existence, the AFL III made a few notable contributions to American football:

-Innovation: The league introduced the double round-robin schedule, which is still used today in some sports leagues.

-Player development: Several players who later starred in the NFL, such as Don Maynard and Pat Harder, got their start in the AFL III.

NFL 1940

The 1940 NFL season was marked by dominance, innovation, and a record-breaking finale.

The Chicago Bears reigned supreme, showcasing the power of the T-formation offense orchestrated by legendary coach George Halas. Led by aerial artistry and Sid Luckman's leadership, the Bears secured the Eastern Division title.

Innovation: This season saw the rise of the T-formation, revolutionizing how offenses operated. This innovative scheme emphasized teamwork and precision, opening passing lanes and creating a formidable rushing attack.

Memorable Moments:

-In one of the most bizarre finishes in NFL history, the New York Giants were leading the Packers 27-0 when the game was cut short due to bad weather. However, the Packers had rallied in the second half, and upon further review, the NFL awarded them the victory due to their progress before the interruption.

-Sammy Baugh's Passing Prowess: Baugh led the league in passing yards, further cementing his status as one of the game's all-time great quarterbacks.

The season culminated in an epic NFL Championship Game between the Bears and the Washington Redskins. In a display of offensive dominance, the Bears crushed the Redskins by a score of 73-0, still the most significant margin of victory in NFL history.

This lopsided victory remains the most one-sided in NFL history, a testament to the Bears' sheer power and precision.
The game was a landmark moment for the league, not just for the score but also because it became the first NFL title game broadcast nationwide by the Mutual Broadcasting System. This brought the excitement of professional football to millions of listeners across the country, further solidifying its place as America's favorite sport.

The Bears' offense, led by quarterback Sid Luckman and fueled by the innovative T-formation, was unstoppable. They scored eleven touchdowns, with ten different players finding the end zone. This dominance cemented the T-formation as a revolutionary strategy, influencing offensive schemes for decades.

Legacy: The 1940 NFL season cemented the Chicago Bears as a powerhouse and showcased the growing popularity of professional football. The rise of the T-formation and the innovations on the field laid the groundwork for the dynamic, pass-oriented NFL we see today.

Passing Leader: Sammy Baugh, 1367 Yds

Rushing Leader: Whizzer White, 514 Yds

Receiving Leader: Don Looney, 707 Yds

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AFL (American Football League, 1960-1969): This upstart league challenged NFL tradition with innovative rules and aggressive marketing, ultimately forcing a merger in 1970 that led to the creation of the modern NFL structure with two conferences.

But other American Football Leagues competed against the NFL before this 1960s rendition, and we covered them in this video.

Most casual football fans know that the Super Bowl era of the NFL stems from a merger between the NFL and the AFL in the late 1960s. Super Bowl 1 was originally called the AFL–NFL World Championship Game. But did you know that this American Football League was the fourth NFL rival league with that exact name?

The first AFL started in 1926 and is often called the Grange League because it was created because of a dispute of inequity pay for Red Grange in his second pro season with his original NFL employer, the Chicago Bears. One of Grange's promoters, C.C. Pyle, along with Grange and others, started the league to compete with the NFL for revenue as they questioned the NFL structure and consistency after multiple controversies in 1925 plagued the NFL. Grange's New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Quakers were at the top of the nine-team league. The league folded, and the Yankees and Grange joined the NFL in 1927.

AFL II 1936

In 1936, amidst the established power of the National Football League, a fledgling challenger took the field: the American Football League (AFL). Though short-lived, the AFL's two-year stint boasted audacious ambition and left its mark on the game's history.

Ignored by national media and relegated to "page filler" status, the AFL II served as a crucial springboard for several iconic franchises. Cleveland, pre-NFL glory, first donned its Rams jerseys under the AFL's lights. And on the West Coast, the Los Angeles Bulldogs made history as the first professional team to call it home - and to conquer their league with an undefeated season, a feat not repeated for decades.

But the AFL was more than just stepping stones. It was a laboratory for innovation, where gridiron dreams took flight with the hopes of eight eager cities: Boston, Cleveland, Jersey City, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, and Syracuse.

AFL III 1940

The American Football League (AFL III) was a professional American football league from 1940 to 1941. It was the third major league to bear that name, but its existence was short-lived due to competition from the established National Football League (NFL).

The AFL III was formed in 1940 when three teams from the minor-league American Professional Football Association (APFA) - the Cincinnati Bengals, the Columbus Bullies, and the Milwaukee Chiefs - were lured away to join six new franchises in Boston, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Syracuse, and New York City. After one season, this startup soon folded.

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New York businessman Tim Mara in 1925 made what many would consider a gamble when he invested $500 in a fledgling franchise in the NFL. Mara needed to gain more knowledge of the game of professional football, but the New York Giants were born with the council of the newly hired Dr. Harry March and others.

We continue with the story of the New York Football Giants and go back to an interview we did with Alan March, the great-grandson of Dr. Harry March. We find that the Giant crosses paths with legends like Jim Thorpe and Red Grange during this franchise's inaugural season.

This is Part 2 of our year-long celebration of the 100th New York Football Giants season in 2024.

Bringing in Star Power

By 1925, Jim Thorpe was already a household name. An Olympic Champion and many seasons of football and professional baseball had all but assured this great athlete's legacy. 1925 saw him take on a new challenge – professional football with the New York Giants.

Thorpe's arrival with the Giants wasn't met with universal fanfare. His professional baseball career began in 1913 but hadn't entirely met expectations. While showcasing his athleticism, his batting average remained relatively low. Some questioned whether his skills would translate to the gridiron.

Thorpe's athleticism was in decline, and rumors swirled of his dependencies on alcohol. Despite his contributions, Thorpe's time with the Giants was short-lived. Professional football in the 1920s was a far cry from the modern game. Injuries were common, and the rules were less protective of players. Thorpe battled nagging injuries throughout the season, limiting his impact. Additionally, the grueling travel schedule and financial constraints took a toll.

Red Puts Them in the Black

The highly anticipated matchup between the Chicago Bears, featuring the legendary Red Grange, and the New York Giants on December 6, 1925, was pivotal in NFL history. However, the impact on the Giants' bottom line wasn't as positive as the packed stadium might suggest.

Grange Steals the Show:

He lived up to the billing despite early concerns about Grange's hype. While he didn't score any touchdowns on the ground, he did make a crucial 35-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Bears emerged victorious, 19-7.

Financial Boon or Bust?:

While the game drew a record-breaking crowd of over 70,000 fans, it's essential to consider the financial realities of the era. Professional football was still in its early stages, and revenue streams were limited compared to today's sports landscape. Every indication, though, says that this game turned the financial situation of the Giants franchise to the point where Mara invested in the program for seasons beyond 1925.