Football Daily

Before Daniel Jones’ touchdown-less run, there was Hap Moran’s 91-yard run for the Giants.Francis Dale "Hap" Moran wasn't just a football player; he was a chameleon, adeptly switching positions and leagues while leaving an indelible mark on the gridiron. Though his name might not be as prominent as others, his 12-year career (1924-1933) was filled with versatility, leadership, and record-breaking feats.

Moran started his college career at Carnegie Tech before transferring to Grinnell, showcasing his athletic prowess in both basketball and football. He entered the NFL in 1924 with the Frankford Yellow Jackets, transitioning from halfback to quarterback and leading them to their first-ever championship in 1926.

His journey continued with stints in Chicago, Pottsville, and finally, the New York Giants. Throughout his career, he seamlessly switched between halfback, tailback, wingback, quarterback, blocking back, defensive back, and linebacker, a testament to his adaptability and talent.

In 1930, while with the Giants, Moran etched his name in history with a 91-yard run, a record that stood for 75 years and solidified his nickname "the Greyhound." He was also the Giants' leading scorer in 1931 and an All-Pro selection.

Beyond statistics, Moran's leadership qualities were undeniable. He captained teams and inspired teammates with his work ethic and competitive spirit. His quiet strength and humble demeanor resonated with fans, making him a role model beyond the field.

While his career ended prematurely due to injuries, Moran's legacy transcends his stats. He embodied versatility, leadership, and adaptability, paving the way for future multi-dimensional players. He wasn't just a number on a jersey; he was a testament to the spirit of hard work and resilience, leaving his mark on a golden age of football.

December 20, 1867 - Minneapolis, Minnesota - William W. "Pudge" Heffelfinger, the legendary Yale Bulldogs guard, was born. The footballfoundation.org website bio describes Hefflefinger as being 6’-3" tall and weighing in at 195 pounds. Let's put that size into perspective because Cam Newton at quarterback is 6’-5" and weighed 240 pounds. Still, in 1890 when Pudge played, he was extremely athletic and a giant among his peers. His size allowed him to destroy the blocks and defenses of opposing lines where it was said he would typically take out two to three players at a time. With his outstanding athleticism and the genius of Walter Camp, he also is credited with introducing the "pulling guard" play. The All- America selections originated in 1889 by Walter Camp, and Pudge was on this initial team. He repeated in 1890-91, his last two seasons at Yale. Yale was a significant football power during that era, and Pudge helped lead the Bulldog team to undefeated seasons in 1888 and 1891 and one-loss seasons during the 1889 and 1890 campaigns. The 1888 team amazingly outscored their opponents 698-0 that season! The National Football Foundation welcomed the collegiate career of Pudge Heffelfinger into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. As great of a collegiate player as Pudge was, that's not exactly what Pudge is best known for, though. After college Heffelfinger continued playing for independent teams, and on November 12, 1892, the Allegheny Athletic Association near Pittsburgh paid Pudge Heffelfinger the tidy sum of $500 to play just one game with them against their heated rivals, the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. The AAA with Pudge did win the game that day by the score of 4-0, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Born May 31, 1943, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, was Joe Namath the 4 time AFL All-Star, 1 time NFL Pro Bowl and Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback for the New York Jets and  Los Angeles Rams. Joe was the MVP of Super Bowl III where he predicted a victory for his heavy underdog Jets and lived up to his promise in a 16-7 stunner over the powerful Baltimore Colts. This win and his larger than life personality made him quite popular in the Big Apple, where they called him "Broadway Joe." Namath played his college ball under Head Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant at the University of Alabama. Namath was the first in Pro Football history to toss for more than 4,000 yards in a one season. The 1968 AFL Player of the Year threw three TD strikes to lead the Jets to victory in the 1968 AFL Championship Game. For his career he threw for 27,663 yards and 173 touchdowns. One item of historic importance concerning Namath may often be over looked but when New York's AFL franchise signed Joe to a $400,000 contract it gave the young American Football League its first victory against the established NFL showing that they could compete for players coming out of college.

Born May 15, 1970, in Cleveland, Ohio, was Desmond Howard the University of Michigan’s wide receiver and kick returner from 1989 to 1991. Howard led the Big Ten in scoring while helping the Wolverines to three conference titles and two Rose Bowls during his time in Ann Arbor. He did so well that he won the Heisman Trophy, was named a consensus All-America, took home the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year all in 1991 during his prolific senior season. The FootballFoundation.org website claims  finished his career with 134 receptions for 2,146 yards and 32 touchdowns and set the Michigan record for most touchdowns (23) and points (138) scored in a single-season. Desmond Howard was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010 after the National Football Foundation tabulated their votes. Desmond was the fourth overall selection in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, Howard spent 11 seasons as a pro. Howard claimed the Super Bowl XXXI Most Valuable Player when he led the Green Bay Packers over the New England Patriots after setting Super Bowl records for punt return yards (90) and total return yards (244) in a game. He also set the Super Bowl record for longest kick return of 99 yards.

June 24, 1922 -  Oorang Indians franchise forms and survives in the 1922 through the 1923 season. The Ohio History Central website indicates that this team featured Jim Thorpe and every member of the squad was of Native American descent. The team was based in La Rue, Ohio and was very active in the early 1920s APFA. A guy by the name of  Walter Lingo established the franchise in an effort to promote his Oorang dog kennels. La Rue, Ohio, is the smallest community ever to have sponsored a National Football League franchise. However, the Oorang Indians never played a single game in La Rue. All twenty of the team's games during the 1922 and 1923 seasons were on the road. So how did that work out? Well in the team's first season, the Indians finished twelfth in the league, with a record of two wins, six losses, and zero ties. The next season, the team finished eighteenth, with one win, ten losses, and zero ties. Needless to say with only 3 victories and no home games the Oorang Indians had to fold up shop after the 1923 season.

Born May 15, 1969, in Pensacola, Florida, was Emmitt Smith the legendary University of Florida running back of 1987 to 1989 was born. Emmitt joined the college ranks with a bang as he arrived at University of Florida as the national player of the year, scoring 109 touchdowns at his Pensacola, Florida high school.  

The NFF says that in just his first game he broke the school single-game rushing mark in an upset of Alabama. He gained 1,341 yards as a freshman, and finished ninth in the Heisman voting. His top-ten finish was only the second time a freshman had broken into the top ten. He also earned national freshman of the year honors that initial season.  Smith was gifted with exceptional balance and great vision which allowed him to seemingly do the impossible. In his junior season he finished third in the nation in rushing, was a near-unanimous All-America selection and placed seventh in the Heisman vote. In three years he set 58 school records rushing for 3,928 yards, scoring 36 touchdowns and earning SEC Player of the Year honors. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Emmitt Smith into their legendary museum in 2006. Emmitt was the first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990 NFL Draft as the 17th overall selection. He played 15 seasons as a back in the League and came out of it as the All-Time Rushing Champion with 18,355 yards with 11 straight 1000 yard seasons and 3 Super Bowl Titles.

In 1993, Smith was names as the NFL’S MVP as well as the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXVIII.  Emmitt Smith was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Towering at 6'5" and weighing over 300 lbs, Roger Brown wasn't just a football player; he was a force of nature. From 1960 to 1966 and again from 1967 to 1969, he terrorized offensive lines in the trenches for the Detroit Lions, solidifying his place as one of the team's most iconic defensive tackles.

But Brown wasn't just a cog in the machine. His individual talent shined brightly. He earned six consecutive Pro Bowl selections (1962-1967), a feat unmatched by any Lions defensive lineman before or since. Two First-Team All-Pro selections (1962, 1963) further cemented his status as an elite performer.

Numbers don't fully capture Brown's impact. His size, speed, and relentless motor disrupted offensive schemes. He possessed an uncanny ability to penetrate lines and pressure quarterbacks, forcing hurried throws and interceptions. His ferocious tackling instilled fear in opponents and inspired his teammates.

In a surprising move, Brown was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1967. He continued his stellar play, earning another Pro Bowl selection in 1967. He returned to the Lions in 1968, proving his loyalty and dedication to the team.

Brown retired in 1969, leaving behind a legacy of dominance and leadership. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009, solidifying his place among the NFL's all-time greats.

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Video clips of the great Ricky Bell in action

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The 1943 Combination of the Steelers and Eagles to help the franchises survive WWII manpower shortages.

The great QB and legend of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School