Football History

Born July 2, 1879, in Berlin, Germany, was Illinois Illini Hall of Fame Head Coach, Bob Zuppke. Coach served as the head coach at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 1913 until 1941, compiling a career college football record of 131–81–12. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951, Zuppke coached his teams to national titles in 1914, 1919, 1923, and 1927.

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Michael Lombardi began his NFL career in 1984 as an area scout for the San Francisco 49ers. He quickly rose through the ranks, and by 1987, he was working with Al Davis in Oakland as their general manager.. He later became the Cleveland Browns' Director of Player Personnel. In this role, he worked closely with head coach Bill Belichick to build one of the most dominant teams in the NFL during the early 1990s.

He then spent two years with the Philadelphia Eagles as their Vice President of Player Personnel before joining the new Browns and then later being reunited with Belichick in New England .

Lombardi left the Patriots after the 2017 season to join the NFL Network as an analyst. He has also worked for CBS Sports and Showtime as an analyst, and he has written extensively about football for various publications, including Sports Illustrated and NFL.com.

Lombardi is a respected voice in the NFL world, and he is known for his sharp analysis and his deep knowledge of the game. He is also a three-time Super Bowl champion, and he played a key role in building two of the most successful teams in NFL history.

Frederick C. Miller, better known as "Big Fred," wasn't just a football player – he was a pillar of Notre Dame's gridiron success in the early 20th century. Standing at a formidable 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Miller redefined the tackle position, earning his place among the legendary figures who shaped the Fighting Irish's legacy.

His journey began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his raw talent and imposing stature caught the eye of Knute Rockne, the legendary Notre Dame coach. Rockne, known for his keen eye for talent, recognized Miller's potential and recruited him to South Bend in 1926.

Miller didn't disappoint. He quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Irish defense, earning All-American honors in 1928 and 1929. His strength, agility, and intelligence made him a formidable wall against opposing offensive lines. He anchored the "Four Horsemen" era, a period of offensive dominance for Notre Dame, providing the defensive stability that allowed stars like Stuhldreher and Laycock to shine.

Beyond his physical prowess, Miller was known for his leadership and unwavering dedication. He served as team captain in 1929, leading by example both on and off the field. His loyalty to Notre Dame extended beyond his playing career, as he returned to serve as an assistant coach after his graduation in 1929.

The Kirksville, Missouri School of Osteopathy and their famous coach Pat O'Dea, "the Kangaroo Kicker."

Gary Spani wasn't just a linebacker; he was a Kansas icon, a college legend, and a cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty. His story is one of unwavering determination, gridiron prowess, and a legacy that continues to inspire.

Born in Satanta, Kansas, Spani's football roots ran deep. He dominated in high school, earning a scholarship to Kansas State University. There, he became a Wildcat legend, etching his name in the record books as the school's first consensus All-American. His ferocious tackling and leadership earned him national recognition, culminating in the prestigious Miller/NFL "Man of the Year" Award in 1983.

In 1978, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Spani in the third round, eager to unleash his Kansas grit on the professional stage. And unleash he did. Spani quickly transformed into the heart of the Chiefs defense, racking up tackles and earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike. His single-season record of 157 tackles stood for over 20 years, a testament to his relentless pursuit of every ball carrier.

But Spani wasn't just a tackling machine; he was an intelligent player with a knack for making game-changing plays. He intercepted passes, forced fumbles, and even scored two touchdowns. His contributions were instrumental in guiding the Chiefs to their first playoff berth in 15 years in 1986.

Beyond his stats, Spani's impact went deeper. He was a team leader, his intensity and work ethic inspiring those around him. He earned the nickname "Crunchman" for his bone-jarring tackles, but also for his unwavering loyalty and dedication to the Chiefs organization.

After nine stellar seasons, a knee injury forced Spani's retirement in 1986. But his connection to the Chiefs didn't end there. He joined the team's front office, eventually becoming Director of Community Engagement, further cementing his legacy as a Kansas City icon.

In 2003, Spani's contributions were recognized when he was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Honor. He's also enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, a testament to his dominance at both levels of the game.

Born August 14, 1935, in Menlo Park, California, was John Brodie who was a quarterback that played for Stanford University. The passer's great play there earned him a place in the College Football Hall of Fame. Brodie went on to play professionally for 17 seasons at the helm of the San Francisco 49ers. There were multiple years where he led the NFL in both passing and touchdown throws and he played in two Pro Bowls and was the 1970 NFL MVP. This talented fella even had a second career as a Senior PGA Tour professional golfer and was a television broadcaster for both sports.

Journalist Peter Oltchick is the co-author (with former New York Daily News journalist Bill Bell) of Football for Fun: The Story of Coach Stewart “Fergie” Ferguson. Learn more about his work here on his own site!

Legendary journalist and former NFL columnist for the New York Daily
News and Dallas Morning News. He was a long-time member of the cast of HBO's Inside The NFL as one of the original NFL insiders and the YES Network's This Week in Football.

Born December 16, 1913, in Slaton, Texas, was legendary NFL Coach Buddy Parker. He played pro ball with both the Lions and the Cardinals, and later went into coaching. Parker was at the helm of the Chicago Cardinals 1947, Championship team, and then again the following season when the lost in the bizarre blizzard Title tilt in Philadelphia in 1949. He then left to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions and when pared with Quarterback Bobby Layne they won the NFL title in 1952 and 1953. In August of 1957 he abruptly walked off the job in Detroit and was soon hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers. his coaching career, Parker went 104–75–9 (.577), while going 3–1 in the postseason. He is one of 43 NFL coaches to have over 100 coaching regular season victories. Parker has the destinction of being one of five Pro Coaches with multiple League titles not to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The History of the University of Texas Mascot.