Football Daily

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

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.

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.

The great QB and legend of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School

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A great video that interviews Coach Cook and tells about this great book by Gaylon White

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Could the mcGill at Harvard games of may 14 & May 15, 1874 be the 1st football games?

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The Sports History Network Podcast featuring Dan and Andrew Neumann, who speak on a variety of topics concerning American football, baseball and Basketball

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Born June 11, 1956, was Joe Montana, the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback that played for the San Francisco 49ers & the Kansas City Chiefs. Joe hails from Notre Dame where he was the signal caller and guided the Irish to be National Champions in 1977. He earned the nickname, the "Come Back Kid" in the following year when he played in a frigid temperature Cotton Bowl. The QB was suffering from hypothermia at halftime and he stayed in the locker room being fed chicken soup and warm I.V.s. When he returned in the second half his team trailed 34-12 to the University of Houston when Montana guided the rally for a ND 35-34 win. The Pro Football Hall of Fame states that his uncanny ability to bring a team back from apparent defeat was so common that it simply became referred to as “Montana Magic.” A true student of the game, Montana won the NFL’s passing title in both 1987 and 1989. He topped the NFC in passing five times (1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1989). Joe threw for more than 300 yards in a game 39 different times in his career and 7 of those had yardage over 400 yards too. His six 300-yard passing performances in the post-season are an NFL record. He also owns the career playoff record for attempts, completions, touchdowns, and yards gained passing. In the NFL he became known as Joe Cool where he guided the 49ers to 4 Super Bowl victories under Bill Walsh. His amazing 15 seasons included 40,551 passing yards as he also earned a spot in 8 Pro Bowls.

Kenneth Adams MacAfee II wasn't your typical NFL superstar. His story isn't one of touchdowns and endorsements, but a rare tale of talent sacrificed for passion, woven into the fabric of both Notre Dame and the San Francisco 49ers.

MacAfee was a legend at Notre Dame. A three-time All-American, he dominated defenses with a blend of power and grace, nicknamed "The Golden Hammer" for his punishing blocks and acrobatic receptions. He anchored the 1977 national championship team and seemed destined for NFL stardom.

Yet, when the San Francisco 49ers drafted him seventh overall in 1978, a twist of fate awaited. While he struggled to adapt to the pro game, a different dream simmered beneath the surface – dentistry. This wasn't a whim; it was a lifelong passion, nurtured alongside his football prowess.

His NFL career remained respectable, but the whispers of the dental lab grew louder. In 1983, after two seasons with the 49ers, MacAfee made a decision that shook the football world. He traded the roar of the stadium for the hum of drills, walking away from his NFL career to pursue dentistry full-time.

The choice sparked debate. Some saw it as a missed opportunity, others a testament to integrity. MacAfee, however, remained unfazed. He thrived in his new realm, building a successful dental practice and even serving as president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Football History | Keith Avallone joins us to talk about PLAAY Games and his product the Second Season Pro Football Game