Football History

Warren Rogan takes his Sports Forgotten Heroes podcast to new places to seek past athletes' memories and accomplishments. Claude "Buddy" Young (1926-2003) was a trailblazing African American athlete who left his mark on both college and professional football. Nicknamed the "Bronze Bullet" for his exceptional speed and acceleration, Young's career was a testament to talent, perseverance, and the fight for racial equality in sports.

College Standout:

A world-class sprinter, Young's athleticism translated seamlessly to football at the University of Illinois.
He earned the nickname "Bronze Bullet" for his electrifying runs, leading the Illini to a Big Ten Championship in 1946.
Young set the Big Ten single-season rushing record (later tied) and was named an All-American.
Pro Pioneer:

Despite facing racial discrimination, Young entered the NFL in 1947, playing for the New York Giants.
He established himself as a versatile threat, excelling as a running back, receiver, and kick returner.
Young racked up over 4,000 rushing yards and 2,000 receiving yards in his nine-year professional career.
He became one of the first African Americans to achieve significant success in the NFL.
Beyond the Field:

After retiring from playing, Young remained involved in football as an assistant coach and then an assistant commissioner for the NFL.
He worked to diversify the league and address racial inequities, paving the way for future generations of players.
Young was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Legacy:

Buddy Young's athletic prowess and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity made him a legend of the game. He not only excelled on the field, but also used his platform to advocate for equality and pave the way for future generations of African American athletes in football.

When you’re living away from home, supporting your favorite team is not always easy, but with a few smart strategies, it’s possible to enjoy the game and show your team spirit no matter where you are. Here, Pigskin Dispatch presents a few tips to help sports fans stay connected to their teams and spread the good word.

This is a special guest post by
Dean Burgess
Image by Sean P. Twomey courtesy of Pexels

-Venue

Your first priority is to find the perfect spot to watch your team play. sports-bars">Look for sports bars or pubs in your current city that are known for showing the game. Many bars and pubs will have multiple TVs and will be happy to put the game on for you. It's also a good idea to call ahead and make sure they'll be showing the game so you won’t risk missing the kick-off.

When the traditional venues are busy, it’s time to think outside the box — it’s sometimes possible to rent out spaces at museums, hotels, or even restaurant meeting rooms (this may come with a discount on the food you purchase) for you and others.

-Fan Clubs

Another great way to show your team spirit and sportsfans/">find fellow fans is to look for local fan clubs or meet-up groups. Many teams have official fan clubs that organize events and gatherings, and you can usually find information about them on the team's website or social media pages.

Alternatively, you could try checking online forums or social media groups dedicated to your team to find fans who will be watching the game in the same city. Then check out websites for information about your favorite (or least favorite) players’ heights and other facts so you can dominate team trivia. This way, you can brush up on key facts about teams and players before connecting. You’ll be ready for the competition and friendly rivalry.

-Refreshments

For many fans, food and drink is an important part of supporting their team. When you're away from home, it can be tough to find the refreshments that you're used to, but with a little bit of creativity, you can still enjoy some of your favorite things.

For example, you could try local restaurants that serve your favorite foods or bring a tailgating cooler with snacks and drinks from home. If you're staying in a hotel, you could also try asking the front desk if they can provide a mini-fridge for your room. Just try to bear in mind any local laws or customs regarding alcohol consumption and tailgating, as they can vary from state to state.

-Videos

Sharing your passion for your team on social media can be incredibly rewarding, especially when creating highlight mashup videos. Using free online video creator tools, you can make high-quality edits easily, showcasing the best moments from games, exciting plays, and standout performances.

A video maker allows you to add music, captions, and transitions, turning your raw footage into engaging content that captures the excitement of your favorite team and resonates with fellow fans. This way, you can celebrate your team's achievements and connect with a larger community of supporters.
Safety

For “away from home” sports fans, safety should be a key consideration, as wearing the colors of another city can make you a target for fan-on-fan violence. For this reason, when you’re in your opponent's territory, try to keep a low profile and don’t allow your support to be a point of serious contention. Remember, sports events often attract large crowds, and emotions can run high, especially during intense or high-stakes games — keep in mind that the crowd may be rowdy and people may be drinking, and try to stay in well-lit and populated areas.

-Find Your People

For many of us, sports are how we stay connected. It’s important, then, when you’re away from your home turf, to look for fellow fans and wear your team colors with pride. Just be mindful of your surroundings, and don’t forget personal safety in the process.

Pigskin Dispatch is dedicated to preserving the history of American Football. The project honors the famous people, legendary teams, and memorable events that make the Gridiron special. Visit our website to learn more!

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Hinkey Haines was different from your typical athlete. He carved a unique path in the early 20th century, excelling in football and baseball at the highest levels. This study explores his journey across two sports, highlighting his achievements and impact on the gridiron and the diamond.

Only one athlete has played on a team that won the World Series and the NFL championship. The legendary Hinkey Haines is a talented athlete who contributed significantly to both pro sports titles.

-Early Promise: A Star is Born

Henry Luther "Hinkey" Haines was born in Red Lion on December 23, 1898, the oldest of five children of Harry and Cora Ness Haines. Hinkey's father, Harry, was a successful businessman in Red Lion. He started his career in the thriving local cigar industry, working his Way up from factory helper to salesman and eventually owning his factory. Harry's civic involvement was just as impressive. He served as Red Lion's chief burgess, or mayor, for most of the 1920s and later went on to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Congress for five terms, from 1931 to 1939 and again from 1941 to 1943.

A big question is how he earned the moniker he is most well known by. Hinkey is a silly boyhood creation by boarding school buddies.

Young Henry displayed athletic prowess from a young age. He starred in football and baseball at Red Lion High School, showcasing his versatility and talent. He then continued his athletic pursuits at Lebanon Valley College, where he significantly contributed to the development of the football program. However, his collegiate career was interrupted by World War I, during which time he served his country.

-Gridiron Heroics: Halfback Havoc with the Giants

After serving in World War I, he enrolled at Penn State University in 1919. He earned varsity letters in baseball, football, and basketball. The Nittany Lions could find outstanding rushers even a century ago. They unleashed Harry Robb, Pia Way, Glenn Killinger, Joe Lightner, "Light Horse Harry" Wilson, and Haines in just three seasons. Killinger and Way made Walter Camp All­-American teams and various qualified selectors all prominently recognized the others. They all had legendary plays long remembered by State College faithful, but by far, the most spectacular was by Haines. On October 30, 1920, Hinkey broke loose for two 90-yard touchdown runs against arch-rival Penn in a 28-7 State victory.

Hinkey's resume boasts a unique double championship in professional sports. However, some might argue it could be even more impressive if we could credit him with a collegiate national championship. While Penn State's 1920 team went undefeated, two ties blemish their perfect record. Since there was no official system to crown a national champion in college football before 1936, the University of California (with their perfect 10-0 record and Rose Bowl victory) and their star player, Brick Muller, are more frequently recognized as the unofficial "1920 national champions."

Despite all that, Hinkey was considered an even more promising baseball prospect, being recognized as a two-time college All-American on the diamond.

-Baseball Brilliance: A Diamond Gem

Hinkey was a gifted baseball player, and in his youth, the concentration on hardball was more prevalent. However, Haines' talents were more impressive on the gridiron. While football was his primary focus, he carved out a successful career in the minor leagues for teams like the Harrisburg Senators and the Newark Bears after the War. He consistently displayed impressive batting averages and showcased his well-rounded skills, including strong defense and base-stealing prowess. Eventually, he reached the major leagues briefly in the Sun as his minor accomplishments solidified his reputation as a multi-sport athlete of exceptional ability.

In 1923, Haines was on the New York Yankees roster alongside Babe Ruth, Wally Pippin, Waite Hoyt, Bob Meusel, and another rookie named Lou Gehrig. Hinkey played in 28 games that season, mainly as a pinch hitter for the Yanks. His MLB career stands officially at four hits on 25 at-bats for a .276 On-Base percentage, 3 RBIs, and three stolen bases.

The Yankees faced the cross-town New York Giants of baseball in the 1923 World Series. In game 2, Haines scored a run in his one at-bat to help the Yanks win 4-2 and even the Series. The Bronx Nine took the World Series 4-2 over their rivals.

- Football Glory Calls

After baseball, he took off again on the Eastern PA gridiron. In late 1921, Haines played at least six games for the Philadelphia Quakers, scoring two touchdowns against the visiting Canton Bulldogs in a December exhibition. In 1923, he helped the Frankford Yellow Jackets win several games, and in 1924, he played regularly with Shenandoah in the Anthracite League.

The brand of football on that side of the Keystone State during that era is considered to be superior to the NFL play of the same time. This competition was a brilliant training ground for Hinkey, as his speed and agility in the open field were lethal for opponents.

-New York Comes Calling for a Leader

When Tim Mara had Harry March assemble a roster of players to compete in the Giant's inaugural season of 1925, Hinkey signed on and quickly established himself as a star halfback.

The early season was rough on the first-year team, but on November 1, the Giants won their first NFL game, a 19-0 victory over Cleveland. Haines scored twice, once on a rare pass-receiving play. They lost only twice more that year, both to the Chicago Bears and their new toy Red Grange.

One of the victories was due to intelligent football played by Hinkey. New York's win over the Providence Steamroller was primarily due to Haines deliberately taking a safety and setting up a free kick to preserve a Giant narrow lead.

Hinkey Haines was a legendary running back for the New York Giants, renowned for his blazing speed. His coach, Bob Folwell, considered him the fastest player he had ever seen in his two decades of coaching. Haines' talents would be even more appreciated in the modern pass-heavy NFL, where his speed would likely make him a star wide receiver. Even in his era, Haines excelled at receiving touchdowns and was a dangerous threat on punt and kickoff returns.

-Haines 1926 Giants Campaign

1926 was a breakout year for Haines. He led the Giants to several critical victories with impressive passing and rushing performances. Despite his efforts, the Giants fell short of the championship due to a rough start to the season.

-He passed for the winning touchdown in one game and was responsible for three touchdowns in another versus Providence.

-Against the Duluth Eskimos, Ernie Nevers' two T.D.s against the Giants were canceled out by Haines' 30-yard dash for the end zone, which gave New York the game.

-Against the Chicago Cardinals, scampered 75 yards out running defenders in a race for the goal line and later 40 yards with a pass to give the Giants a pair of scores to lead them to victory.

Despite these fears by Haines, New York fell short of the best NFL record and the title that went with it.

-Road to the Title

1927 was the year everything came together, with the climax being a critical November game against the Chicago Bears. It was a scoreless tie at the Intermission, but the Bears were pressing and had momentum. The following excerpt comes from the PFRA Coffin Corner post in 1982 titled Hinkey Haines by C.C. Staph.

Steve Owen described it thus: "Haines called one of the most brilliant plays I ever seen to win for us. He stage-managed it perfectly.

"The Bears had plodded downfield to our one-yard line, where we held them. Haines signaled for punt formation. The Bears dropped two men back to mid-field and jammed nine on the line.

"We called signals in the open in those days, and Haines yelled to Mule Wilson, our punter, to be careful not to step beyond the end line for safety. He asked that a towel be brought out to wipe the ball because there was a patch of mud here and there on the field.

Haines completely fooled the Bears. When the ball was snapped, he dropped back a few yards to receive it. He threw over the line to Chuck Corgan, an end who used to play second base for the Dodgers, and Chuck went to the Bears' 40-yard line.

In the second half, the Giants scored twice for a 13-7 victory.

A week later, Hinkey ran 80 yards for a touchdown to lead a wrap-up win over Red Grange and his Yankee team, giving N.Y. a lock on the best record in the League and within the NFL Championship.

His elusiveness and playmaking ability made him a fan favorite and vital to the Giants' game's iconic 1927 season.

His football skills caught the attention of the New York Giants, a professional team in the nascent National Football League (NFL). Haines joined the Giants in 1925 and quickly became a star halfback. He was known for his speed, agility, and elusiveness, becoming a fan favorite and a key contributor to the team's success.

During his time with the Giants, Haines also served as their offensive coach, demonstrating his understanding of the game and leadership potential.

Later Years: Legacy and Impact

After retiring from professional sports, Haines remained connected to athletics. He became an NFL official, ensuring fair play on the field he once dominated. He also transitioned into acting and directing for the Little Theater in the Philadelphia area, displaying his artistic talents and leadership qualities beyond sports. Hinkey Haines passed away in 1979, leaving a legacy as a multi-sport star. His achievements in both football and baseball showcase the dedication and athleticism required to excel at the highest levels. He serves as a reminder of a bygone era in sports where multi-sport athletes were more common and exceptional talent could flourish across multiple disciplines.

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Stewart Ferguson was a college football coach who did things in a style quite differently than most any coach in any sports you have ever known about. Author Peter Oltchick picked up where his dearly departed Father-In-Law, Journalist Bill Bell left off to complete a book on the famed Coach Fergie. From special coaching contracts to barnstorming antics of the gridiron, the adventures of Stewart Ferguson are a refreshing story of a unique coach.

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The Virginia Cavaliers' athletic logo history is a tale of evolution, reflecting changing tastes and solidifying their identity as a premier collegiate program. Here's a glimpse into this captivating journey:

Early Days (1920s-70s): The Cavaliers adopted their mascot in 1923, initially represented by a knight on a rearing horse. This emblem, while imposing, lacked the dynamism of future iterations.

The Cavalier Portrait (1970s-90s): Enter the iconic blue cavalier portrait, a sleek and stylized head crowned with a flowing plume. This logo exuded elegance and nobility, perfectly capturing the spirit of "Wahoos." Its longevity speaks to its timeless appeal.

Embracing the "V" (1990s-2020): In 1994, the logo underwent a dramatic shift. The portrait gave way to a bold orange "V" outlined in white, superimposed on two crossed sabers. This new symbol conveyed energy, motion, and determination, reflecting the program's competitive spirit.

Refining the Identity (2020-present): Recognizing the legacy of the cavalier image, Virginia recently updated their logo by incorporating a subtle outline of the horse and rider within the "V" and sabers. This subtle nod to the past ensures continuity while maintaining the modern look and feel.

Born November 20, 1944, in Indianapolis, Indiana, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Point Guard Louie Dampier. This legend was a four-time ABA All-Time team member and a seven -time NBA All-Star. Dampier won Rookie of the Year honors as well as an ABA Championship, playing all nine seasons of the ABA's existence with the same team. Louie was on the rosters of the Kentucky Colonels and the San Antonio Spurs.

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This is something that sports fans probably take for granted in the modern scoreboard when attending an athletic event. These generally large appendages are an information hub for what is happening in the event.

The questions arise: Who invented the scoreboard concept and when? What problem did the invention and resolve?

-Arthur Irwin and the First Football Scoreboards

A great piece of gridiron history comes from a famous baseball player who designed the template for the modern scoreboard. Timothy P Brown tells the tale of Arthur Irwin and his invention.

-Transcribed Conversation on Arthur Irwin Scoreboard with Timothy Brown

Hello, my football friends. This is Darin Hayes of PigskinDispatch.com. Welcome once again to The Pig Pen, your portal to positive football history. And welcome to another evening when we will be honored with the presence of Timothy P. Brown of FootballArcheology.com. Tim, welcome back to The Pig Pen.
Hey, thanks, Darin.

And the honor is all mine. All mine, sir.

No, no, it's me and the listeners. We get this weekly treat where you reminisce about a piece you've written recently and your daily tidbits. We get to talk to you about it, pick your brain, and learn something new about football history. Tonight, we will go up on the scoreboard and learn a little about that and some of its associations with other sports.

Then, I'll let you talk about this gentleman and his invention. Yeah, so this one is one of my favorite stories in a while, largely because this is one where I just really learned something. It's one of those where, you know, I don't know, I'm, you know, I probably put in 20, 30, 40 hours of research in the past on maybe more, you know, on a couple of different topics related to early scoreboards and game simulations and things like that. And I'd always seen them as three separate things floating around, you know, in the ether that wasn't connected.

And then, for some reason, I was, you know, checking into, you know, doing another dig on scoreboards. And I came across a mention of an Irwin scoreboard, which, if I'd seen it before, I don't remember it. So I dig into that.

And all of a sudden, it's like, everything makes sense. Everything is connected, so it was just like this great revelation for me. So, I mean, the story is that there's this guy, Arthur Irwin, who, perhaps people who are into old-time baseball would know because he played like 13 years in the majors.

He was also a player-manager in the latter part of his playing career. And then he, you know, once he was done playing, he continued managing. So, there was a point in his career when he was managing the Phillies.

And as was the case back then, baseball players needed jobs after the season. So, being an athlete, he got a job as a trainer at Penn, you know, University of Pennsylvania. So, you know, back then, the trainers were like the guys who would physically condition athletes across sports.

They were the guys who would diagnose, you know, they didn't have sports medicine per se back then. So they were the guys who'd figure out how to resolve a Charlie horse, you know, how to, you know, fix a sprain, tape them up. So that was his role.

But while he's there, he designs and builds a scoreboard. And I think it was actually before they had Franklin Field, but, you know, he builds a scoreboard for, you know, for Penn. Because prior to that, everybody used baseball scoreboards, you know, if they were in a baseball stadium or they didn't have any scoreboards.

So he builds this thing, and it's got the rudiments of what scoreboards have today. You know, down a distance, you know, it said who had the ball and who was in possession. It had a little thing up at the top, a little kind of a football field graphic that they'd moved this football along, you know, as the team progressed on the field. So things like that.

Then he ends up patenting it. So, you know, there are drawings on his patent application that show the format of this scoreboard. And then I found a couple of early photographs of his scoreboards, you know, up there on the field, and they look, you know, just like his patent application.

So then what happens is, you know, he builds a business while he builds multiple scoreboards. And, you know, in some cases, they permanently install in locations, and in other cases, as he moves them around, you know, they're like the Goodyear Blimp; they show up at different places. But, you know, he's hired to do it.

He then has people, and he staffs the operation when a scoreboard is being used. And in the course of all that, you know, they had to develop a system of, you know, they didn't have really telephones on the field, and they didn't have walkie-talkies or, you know, those kinds of things. So they developed this signal system, what they would call wig wagging back in the day.

So a guy or two on the field would follow the plays and, you know, use these contortions, something similar to the semaphore flags of, you know, in the military or like referee signals, you know, they contorted their bodies, or they spelled out letters. They would essentially communicate with the guys operating the scoreboard, the down and distance, who had substituted whatever information they had. And so, you know, it became this thing that, you know, for the big games in the East, you pretty much, you know, it became an expectation. You have an Irwin scoreboard up there, and everybody knew what the Irwin scoreboard was.

So when they built Harvard Stadium, then I think they, you know, I've never gotten a real, I've got one image that isn't too great of an early scoreboard there. So, you know, I think it was an advanced version of an Irwin scoreboard, but he ended up hiring a guy whose name was Eddie Morris. He ends up being the wigwag.

You know, he always wore a red sweater and a white hat. And for about 20 years, everybody at this guy was following along. Sometimes, he'd be out on the field doing his signals up to the guys in the box or up on the scoreboard.

And so he became like, before mascots, he became like one of the mascots, you know, something like that. And so anyways, you know, then they also started at Harvard, where he would signal in, like who made the tackle, who ran the ball, those kinds of things. And so they were selling, you know, scorecards that had the number of each of the players.

Now, the players didn't wear the numbers, but there was a number on a scorecard for Smith and Jones. And then if Smith made the tackle and Jones made the run, they'd signal that and they'd post those numbers, the corresponding numbers up on the scoreboard. So it was just a way to, you know, for the people in the stands to kind of know who the heck was who, because nobody wore numbers and they all look the same and, you know, whatever.

And they're just running in these mushes. You know, that was the nature of football at the time. So then eventually, you know, then later on, obviously they added numbers to the players, you know, on their jerseys.

The other thing that he did was they would do the Irwin scoreboards in the gymnasiums or in theaters. So they do it, especially for an away game, and they'll get connected by telephone or telegraph. And then, so it became a thing where you'd pay some money, go to the theater, and you could watch the game as a simulation based on what was happening down in Philadelphia, you know if you were in Boston.

And they even did it in Boston. They do games at Harvard, and for the big games, like the Princeton and Yale games, those would sell out. And so people who couldn't get into the game would go to the theater to watch the simulation. And then, so, I mean, it's just kind of crazy stuff like that.

Now that that image you have from 1893 and so, I mean, listeners, you can go to the show notes, and we have a link that'll take you right to Tim's article, and you can, you can see this image, and it's sort of like a sketch of what the intention of what the board should be for 1893. But it's really interesting because at the top, as you said earlier, they've got a thing called field board, and it's got an image of a football that sort of slides down, and the points of the ball indicate what yard line, I guess, the ball is on for the, for the next down. And it almost reminds me of the modern day, if you're watching an NFL game and you follow on nfl.com or cbs.com and you want to know real play because you can't watch a game or whatever your, you know, your wife makes you go shopping or something.

You can see, you know, where the plays are going. So it was kind of interesting, you know, 130 years ago, when similar technology started then. So that's really cool.

Yeah. Yeah. From a representation.

So, and that image is right from his, it's just the front page of his patent, you know, documents. So yeah, I mean, fundamentally, you know, everything that he had listed on his early thing is right there, you know? So, and as you said, you know, I mean, I do that where I'm like, I'm watching one game, and I got another one on my computer that I'm just, you know, tracking the, the progress of the game. Right.

So, right. Yeah, it's definitely very cool. So now the other thing that's really, that's pretty bizarre about this guy is that he ends up, you know, so at the time, you know, I mean, he was a ball player, so he was traveling a lot of the year and then he would, you know, when he's doing these scoreboards, he's traveling basically on the East coast.

And at one point, he was diagnosed, I don't know if he was formally diagnosed with cancer, but basically, he was told, you know, you don't have long to live. And so he gets on a boat and goes from New York to Boston and falls overboard or just jumps in the water to end it. And so he, he dies.

And then, as they're trying to settle his estate, it turns out that, you know, kind of came up that he had a wife in New York and another one in Boston, you know, with children on it. No wonder he had to keep score. He had to know what was going on.

You need to make some cash. Yeah. So anyways, I mean, it's, it's a sad, a sad end, but yeah, I mean, so just kind of a bizarre ending to a pretty wild story, but you know, for me, it just brought together the simulation.

So, I mean, I now believe he was his, you know, Irwin's scoreboard was the first simulation. He was the designer of the first football-specific scoreboard. And then, you know, I'd always made a big deal out of the Harvard stadium sport and their wigwag system.

And then I, you know, now kind of understand that he was the one behind that. And that is, his stuff was around, you know, ten years earlier, you know, maybe not as quite sophisticated form, but nevertheless. Very interesting.

And it's great that you see them, especially that image from 1893, and the similarities to our modern scoreboard still carry on the tradition of what he started. It's just a fascinating and a great testament, a great idea. Yeah.

It was pretty brilliant. That's a great story, Tim; I appreciate that you're sharing that with us. Like you do every day on the tidbits that you have from footballarchaeology.com, and maybe you could share with the listeners how they, too, could get into the tidbits.

Yeah. So ideally, you go to www.footballarchaeology.com and subscribe, and you'll get an email every, every evening, seven o'clock Eastern with, you know, just basically it got the contents of that, of that night's story. You can also just bookmark it and, you know, go whenever you want.

I also post links on Twitter and on threads as well as on the Substack app because my site—I've got my own name for it—is actually a Substack application. So those are the ways to get there and have at it. Yeah.

And help you keep your score on the scoreboard each and every night. So. I do.

We definitely appreciate you sharing your story and bringing some of this football antiquity to us to our modern day making it relevant again and carrying on and letting us know the name of Arthur Irwin and his great idea that he had and some great stories from him too. I also forgot to mention, he was the first non-catcher, non-first baseman to wear a glove in the major leagues. And so Spalding then sold the Irwin glove, you know, throughout the 1890s and early aughts.

So I forgot to mention that, but that's another, you know, he's a big deal in baseball. Yeah. Wow.

It's definitely an all-around sport. We can all thank him for the sports that we watch. So wow.

Some great stuff, Tim. We appreciate it. And we will talk to you again next week.

Okay. Thanks, Darin. All right.

Bye.

Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.

The magic of American football isn't just about the high-energy games or the roar from the stands. It's about the heartfelt romances that bloom both on and off the field. In this article, we will delve into the romantic (or not exactly) side of football and the famous players that have colored its history. We're peeling back the helmet to reveal the more tender side of the gridiron—where love scores its own kind of touchdowns.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Ohio State vs Mich. State Oct 1979 | AD

-The history of football is intertwined with tales of passion, heartbreak, and enduring love

From the gritty early days on muddy fields to the sleek modern stadiums, romance has always been a part of football's DNA. Back when leather helmets were a thing, players might have been icons of toughness, but they were never immune to love stories. These stories are about fleeting hookups and relationships that helped define and sometimes redirect the lives of those involved. Through the ups and downs, the heartbreaks, and the touchdowns, the heart of football beats strong.

Today, the scene has somewhat shifted, with online dating storming the field. With platforms buzzing about "hot girls near me" and online match-ups. Fans cheer from the sidelines and swipe right in hopes of connecting with someone who shares their passion for the game. It's not uncommon for fans to find each other through dedicated football dating sites, turning shared team loyalty into a starting point for relationships. These connections sometimes lead fans to unexpected encounters with players themselves, blurring the lines between the stands and the field.

-The Golden Ages of American Football

The 1960s through the 1980s marked a vibrant era in American football, transforming players from mere athletes to bona fide national icons. This period, often dubbed the "golden ages" of football, celebrated players not only for their on-field heroics but also for their glamorous and high-profile romantic escapades. The personal lives of these athletes garnered as much spotlight as their athletic prowess, creating a fascinating blend of sports and celebrity culture.

During these decades, figures like Joe Namath and Terry Bradshaw became household names for their football skills and well-publicized love lives. Namath, famously known as "Broadway Joe," was notorious for his swinging bachelor lifestyle, which was as striking as his fur coats. Bradshaw, on the other hand, coupled his rugged charm with a string of high-profile relationships, cementing his status as a heartthrob of football. Their stories, and others like them, fed the media frenzy and public curiosity, making football history not only about scores and championships but also about romance and personal drama.

-Iconic Power Couples

Fast forward to more recent times, and some football players continue to capture our attention with their standout relationships. Take Russell Wilson and Ciara, for instance. This duo is famous enough as a brand, a partnership that forms a powerhouse coupling that commands the spotlight.

Their relationships are not just red carpet appearances and social media posts. They blend personal life, sports, and entertainment in a way that resonates with fans across the world. They manage to keep their relationships strong amidst the hustle of professional commitments and the glare of public scrutiny. These stories of romance and resilience add a human touch to the idols we see on the field, reminding us that they, too, are just humans.

-Tumultuous Affairs and Scandals

One of the most talked-about scandals in football romance unfolded with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and actress Bridget Moynahan. In 2007, this high-profile pairing dramatically hit the headlines. Moynahan and Brady had ended their relationship when she announced her pregnancy. This news came as Brady had just begun dating supermodel Gisele Bündchen, setting the stage for a media frenzy.

This love triangle was a feast for the tabloids. The media played no small part in blowing up the story. Every detail, from secretive texts to public spats between the involved parties, was dissected and discussed. This relentless coverage turned personal drama into a public spectacle, affecting the player's focus and performance on the field.

The consequences for Brady were significant. While his on-field performance remained stellar, winning multiple Super Bowls with the Patriots, his off-field life was under constant scrutiny. Endorsements dried up as brands distanced themselves, fearing the negative association. The player's relationship with teammates and coaches is strained, showing just how quickly off-field issues can bleed into professional life.

This scenario is a stark reminder of the harsh spotlight athletes face and the fine line between personal freedom and public responsibility. It demonstrates how personal decisions can become a public spectacle and their lasting impact on the personal and professional lives of those involved.

-5. Main lessons and tips to build relationships with players

Dating a football player is not for the faint of heart. It comes with its set of challenges, from managing public life to understanding the intense pressures of the game. Here are some real-talk tips for those rolling through this high-profile dating:

-Understand the game: Knowing football, its demands, and its schedule can help you understand why your partner might be MIA during training camps or stressed during playoffs.

-Privacy is key: Keep your personal life low-key. The less the paparazzi know, the better. This means fewer chances of your relationship drama becoming tabloid fodder.

-Support system: Be the solid support your partner needs. Whether it's a loss on the field or media criticism, showing that you're in their corner can make all the difference.

-Set boundaries: Discuss what is okay to share publicly and what stays private. This mutual understanding can prevent a lot of drama.

-Stay grounded: It's easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of the sports world. Keeping it real with your partner ensures the relationship stays genuine and doesn't become just another spectacle.

-Conclusion

Love and football is as old as the sport itself. These relationships, whether they end in fairy tales or scandals, highlight the intensely human aspect of athletes who are often seen only as sports figures. The stories of their romances remind us that behind the superhuman feats on the field, there are personal lives full of the same passions and pitfalls that touch us all.

In the end, these tales of love—joyous, tragic, or scandalous—offer a glimpse into the emotional drives that can influence not just a player's life but their team, too. They remind fans and spectators alike that at the heart of every game, human stories are unfolding.

In the world of combat sports, few organizations have captivated a global audience like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Since its inception, UFC has evolved into a massive phenomenon, drawing in millions of viewers and creating some of the most electrifying moments in sports history. The sport’s appeal lies in its unpredictability, raw intensity, and the high level of skill displayed by its athletes. But what is it about UFC that makes it such a compelling spectacle for fans?

Wikimedia Commons Courtesy Spc. Christopher Grammer| AD

-The Art of Combat

At its core, UFC is a showcase of mixed martial arts (MMA), where fighters blend different fighting styles, including boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai, into one explosive sport. The versatility required to compete at the highest level makes UFC a test of not just physical strength, but strategy and technique. Each fighter brings their unique approach to the octagon, and the variety of styles creates a sense of unpredictability in every fight. This complexity keeps fans engaged, as they never know what combination of techniques or strategies will emerge victorious.

-Unmatched Intensity and Drama

Few sports can match the intensity of a UFC fight. The raw physicality and stakes in each match create a sense of anticipation that builds from the opening bell until the final moment. Whether it’s a brutal knockout, a perfectly timed submission, or a hard-fought decision, the outcomes are often shocking and dramatic. Fights can end in seconds or go the full five rounds, but no matter the duration, the tension never dissipates. For fans, the adrenaline rush of watching two athletes battle at their peak is unmatched. If you want even more drama and excitement sportsbetting.ca/betting-odds/ufc/betting-sites.html">UFC betting is a popular way to further enhance the experience. 

-The Personalities of the Fighters

UFC fighters are more than just athletes; they are characters with unique backstories, personalities, and rivalries. From the trash-talking bravado of Conor McGregor to the quiet, intense focus of Khabib Nurmagomedov, the fighters’ personas play a huge role in the sport’s appeal. Fans become invested not just in the outcomes of the fights but in the journeys of the fighters themselves. The rivalries, rematches, and personal stakes often add an extra layer of drama, making each fight a chapter in a larger narrative that fans follow closely.

-Global Appeal and Diversity of Talent

UFC’s roster is one of the most diverse in the world of sports, with fighters hailing from every corner of the globe. This international flavor has given the UFC a global fanbase, uniting viewers from different countries and cultures. The diversity of talent also means that fans are treated to different fighting styles and approaches, keeping each event fresh and exciting. With regular events held in locations around the world, UFC has established itself as a truly global phenomenon, appealing to a wide and varied audience.

-The Thrill of Unpredictability

One of the most exciting aspects of UFC is its inherent unpredictability. Unlike some sports where a dominant team or player often secures victory, UFC fights can turn in an instant. A single punch, a sudden submission, or a perfectly timed kick can decide a fight in seconds. Fans know that anything can happen inside the octagon, and it’s this constant uncertainty that keeps them on the edge of their seats. Whether it’s an underdog pulling off an upset or a champion defending their title, the unpredictable nature of UFC is what makes it so thrilling to watch.

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One item that almost all in attendance look at when attending a football game is the stadium scoreboard. They come in different shapes and sizes and can be as simple or as high-tech as a supercomputer, but they all provide basic game information.

One thing they all do is keep the score of the contest but it is interesting to know the story of the verbiage on these information centers.

The story of how the word "Visitors" and or "guests" first appeared on scoreboards from FootballArchaeology.com.

-Transcribed Conversation with Timothy Brown on Opponents Visitor Scoreboard

Hello, my football friends; this is Darin Hayes of PigskinDispatch.com. Welcome once again to The Pig Pen, your portal to positive football history, and welcome to another Tuesday where we get to welcome in our guest, Timothy Brown of FootballArcheology.com. Tim, welcome back to The Pig Pen.

Hey, Darin, thank you. Always good to be here chatting with you about old football stuff.

Yes, old football stuff, and we're definitely going to be talking about that today. And since you are a guest here on Pigskin Dispatch, I guess you're my visitor, not my opponent. So I think that'll maybe lead to some of the topics you're going to talk about today from one of your recent tidbits.

Yeah, so that is a beautiful segue. Not very imaginative. Yes, yes.

Yeah, so I just think this one is really fun. I mean, part of what I like about football is the evolution of words and terminology. And my most recent book was basically about that topic.

And so this is one, it got started with, I had come across a story probably three or four years ago about Harvard. There was a professor at Harvard who, when they built Harvard Stadium and they put up the scoreboard, it said Harvard and then opponent. And he just didn't like the term opponent.

He just felt like these are our guests. And so he wanted them to change the terminology. And he was like, by then, he was a Dean.

So kind of what he said happened. And so they changed the terminology to guest or visitor. So even now, I went out and searched a bunch of different, scoreboard manufacturers, and there, unless it's a digital one where they can put in whatever name of the visiting team is, the typical scoreboard will be like home and away, or it's the home team's name and then visitor or guest.

And so opponent just isn't there anymore. So this guy, and this is back in 1905 or something like that, that he finally got the thing changed, but he is this one guy's opinion. And basically it's kind of proliferated throughout football and probably all kinds of other.

I think all sports because I could, I can remember when I was a kid in grade school, we had an old scoreboard, the old dial clock type, our scoreboard and had, but it had, I'm pretty sure it had a home, and it had guests on it. I guess I never really thought about it, you know, cause now today you always see, you know, visitors or away is probably the common thing, but, but those are, those are actually kind of polite and welcoming things, I guess, I guess the opponents or, you know, the, you know, the idiots from across town or whatever else you're going to put on there. And those were the days when, oftentimes after the game, the two teams would sit down and have dinner together. You know, so, you know, they were supposed to be treated as guests. And so, yeah, it's just, you know, it was kind of a different time.

And especially like in the Ivies, it was more of a gentleman's sort of thing than perhaps even it is there today, but yeah. So, you know, it takes us back to a bygone era. Right.

But the other thing about that then was, you know, so I'd had this story sitting in my head for four years, and then it was like, well, this isn't enough to do a tidbit. I mean, you know, I've got connected to something else. And so then I came across the story of Lehigh and Lafayette, who are, you know, bitter rivals.

And in the 1959 game, then, it was at Lehigh. Both teams were four and four coming in though Lehigh was favored. However, as the game progressed, Lehigh did not treat Lafayette as a guest.

They treated them as something beneath an opponent. And, you know, because Lehigh was unexpectedly losing them, some of their fans, you know, apparently got ahold of pears and apples and had them in their pockets or whatever. They're out there in a very cold, you know, last game of the season, cold weather.

And they started flinging them up into the Lafayette stands. Later on, lettuce and cabbages and apparently a few bottles went Lafayette's way as well. And as that was happening, Lehigh was falling further and further behind on the field.

And so then the last thing was that you know, Lehigh ends up, or Lafayette wins the game 28 to six, and they end up, the Lehigh fans went out onto the field to protect the goalposts so that Lafayette could not tear them down. Because, you know, back then, fans toured on the goalposts all the time, you know, they were wooden. They weren't as secured into the ground as they are now.

Plus, you know, enough teams hadn't been sued yet for people being injured by falling goalposts. So the home team didn't protect them as well as they do nowadays. But anyway, you know, so that was kind of a riot, and a bunch of fights ensued.

And, you know, so there was a time where there were tensions between the Lehigh and Lafayette fans. But one of the cool things about that story then was that a day or two after I published it, I got an email from a guy who played in the game. And so he and I are, you know, we'll be connecting and chatting in the near term, but he sent me some information.

And I did another. One of the tidbits of late was about the era of using rubber footballs. There was talk about rubber footballs replacing the leather. And so this guy, Mike, became a Big East official.

And so, you know, he ended up part of the story that I tell. And that is one of the stories that he sent me, you know, in a document that he had produced. So anyway, we're going to get together and chat a little bit.

But it's one of the fun things about reading these things is, you know, I, oftentimes I hear from the children or the grandchildren of people, you know, that I write about, but in this case, it's, you know, somebody who's out there playing on the field that day, so, which is pretty cool. Yeah.

Very cool. Now, isn't Lehigh and Lafayette the longest? They played the most times of any two opponents in college football history. Is that my thinking? Right. Okay.

Yeah. They played most often back in the 1890s; they played twice a year. So that's part of why they went ahead of everybody else.

But, otherwise, I think they've, I think they've played every, every year, but you know, perhaps there was a gap somewhere. Yeah. Yeah.

Very interesting. Great story. And it's great that you're getting some great feedback from folks like that, too, especially somebody who played in the game.

That's, that's really cool. So yeah, very, very nicely done. Well-researched, just like everything that you do is, and you have such interesting things that come out each and every night in your tidbits, Tim.

And, you know, folks, I'm sure, well, we know they appreciate you're, you're getting some responses back, and maybe if you could share with the listeners here, how they too can partake in reading some of your tidbits, that'd be a great thing. Yeah. So, you know, the best thing or the easiest thing is to just go to my site, footballarchaeology.com, and just subscribe.

And then, every night, you'll get an email at seven Eastern, and it shows up in your inbox. And then, you know, you know, I have some people clearly, you know, the best majority of people read it that night, or at least they open it that night, decide if they want to read it or not. But, you know, there are others, they let them pile up to the weekend and then, you know, you know, they'll go through them because I can just, you know, the number of hits that I get or email opens, you know, I can tell, you know, that the system tracks that for me.

So anyway, that's the best thing. I post on threads now, I post on the Substack app, and I'm still posting on Twitter. It has now been named X, so we'll see how long that lasts.

All right, Tim. Thank you very much, and we will talk to you again next Tuesday.

Very good. Thank you.

Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.

A walk into any American football stadium reveals a familiar sight: towering scoreboards displaying team names, scores, and the enigmatic word "VISITORS" beside one of them. But have you ever wondered how this seemingly mundane term became an ingrained part of the gridiron lexicon? Surprisingly, its origins hold a fascinating window into the evolution of American football and the shifting dynamics of competition.

Here the story is told best Visitors on the Scoreboard Football Archaeology Tidbit.

-Frequently Asked Questions About Football Field Equipment

-Who invented the scoreboard? A man named Arthur Irwin came up with the concept of the modern scoreboard for baseball and then created a modified version for other sports like football. Learn more about Irwin and his design in this conversation Arthur Irwin's Scoreboard.

-How was time kept in a football game before the scoreboard clocks existed? Officials would use hand held and later wristwatches to time the events. Check out this article on the Evolution of the game clock or Timing of Games As the Sun Sets