Football History

Born October 7, 1878, in Cheyenne, Wyoming was legendary College Football Hall of Fame Coach, Andy Kerr.   He attended Dickinson College, where he played baseball and ran track, and later transferred and played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a two-time All-American. He later served as the head football coach at Stanford University (1922–1923), Washington & Jefferson College (1926–1928), Colgate University (1929–1946), and Lebanon Valley College (1947–1949), compiling a career college football record of 137–71–14. His 1932 Colgate team went a perfect 9–0, was not scored upon, and was named a national champion by Parke H. Davis. Kerr was also the head basketball coach at the University of Pittsburgh for one season (1921–1922) and at Stanford for four seasons (1922–1926), tallying a career college basketball mark of 54–26. Kerr retired from coaching in 1949. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. He died in 1969 at the age of 77.

Born August 9, 1967, in Fort Myers, Florida was Deion Sanders was a defensive back from Florida that is enshrined in both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In the NFL he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons then later played for the Cowboys, 49ers and Washington.

Sanders flair and athleticism put him in the spotlight right out of the gate on his career and earned him the nickname "Primetime." He was not only a great coverage and ball hawking corner but his kick return skills made for an exciting play every time he touched the ball. He was so electric with his hands on the ball that the Cowboys often played him on the offensive side of the ball as well. Sanders combined on 513 tackles, 493 solo, one sack, 53 interceptions, 10 passes defended, 10 forced fumbles, 13 fumbles recovered, nine defensive touchdowns as well as 60 receptions for 784 yards and three touchdowns, 212 punt returns for 2,199 yards and six touchdowns, 155 kick returns for 3,523 yards and three touchdowns.

After football, he went on to work for the NFL Network as a commentator on many of their shows. He has been a head coach at Jackson State and Colorado.

Born August 12, 1915 in South River, New Jersey, was two-way Pro Football Hall of Fame Center and Linebacker, Alex Wojciechowicz. Wojciechowicz played college football for the Fordham Rams from 1935 to 1937 and was a member of the line that became known as the Seven Blocks of Granite.

He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 1938 NFL Draft and played for the Lions from 1938 to 1946. He was selected as a first-team All-NFL player in 1939 and 1944. In 1946, he was released by the Lions and then sold to the Philadelphia Eagles, for whom he played from 1946 to 1950. He won two NFL championships with the Eagles in 1948 and 1949.

They don't make them much better than this football player!

Born December 5, 1947 - Santa Clara, California - The former quarterback of the Stanford Cardinal, Jim Plunkett was born.  The NFF states that Jim Plunkett set a record in the PAC-8 Conference in passing in his sophomore season of 1968 only to reset it two more times in his junior and senior seasons. In the  1970 season, Jim won 28 awards, including the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award and consensus All-America honors.  The National Football Foundation voted Jim Plunkett into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Charlie Berry was a great athlete. He played MLB baseball as a catcher and umpire in Major League Baseball and as an end and official in the National Football League. He also played on the famous Pottsville Maroons NFL teams of 1925 and 1926. He was the Captain of the Lafayette football team and eventually was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Berry is the only man to have officiated the World Series, the NFL Championship and the College All-Star game during the same year!

Charlie Brickley's impact on football wasn't limited to the college level. He carved a significant path in the early years of professional football, showcasing his talent and innovative spirit.
After graduating from Harvard, Brickley joined the professional ranks in 1902, playing for various teams like the Frankford Athletic Club, the Philadelphia Athletics, and the Shelby Blues. His talent as a quarterback was undeniable, leading his teams to numerous victories and championship titles.
Brickley's influence transcended his playing abilities. He continued to advocate for changes that would modernize the game. His invention of the spiral pass, a revolutionary technique that offered greater accuracy and distance, revolutionized offensive strategy and is still used today.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Brickley served as a coach and team manager, further shaping the professional game. He helped organize and manage early professional leagues, ensuring their stability and growth.
While his professional playing career might not be as statistically impressive as his college years, Charlie Brickley's impact on professional football remains undeniable. He was a key figure in its early development, a pioneer who left an indelible mark with his innovations, talent, and leadership.

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The 2008 Texas Tech vs. Texas football game was a thrilling matchup that went down to the wire. It was a game that had everything: high-powered offenses, dramatic comebacks, and a last-second finish that left fans breathless.

-The Contenders:

-The #7 ranked Texas Longhorns entered the game with a 9-1 record and a legitimate shot at the national championship.

-The unranked Texas Tech Red Raiders, led by quarterback Graham Harrell and wide receiver Michael Crabtree, were known for their fast-paced "Air Raid" offense.

-An Offensive Explosion:

The game lived up to its billing as a shootout. Both teams traded touchdowns throughout the first half, with Texas Tech holding a 31-24 lead at halftime.

The second half was just as exciting, with both teams continuing to score points. With less than two minutes remaining, Texas took the lead 39-33.

-The Crabtree Catch:

With just seconds remaining on the clock, Texas Tech faced a 4th down and 15 from their own 25-yard line.
Harrell launched a deep pass down the sideline toward Crabtree, who was tightly covered by Texas cornerback Aaron Williams.

In a play that would become known as "The Crabtree Catch," Crabtree leaped high in the air and snagged the ball with one hand, just inches away from Williams.

-A Stunning Upset:

With the catch, Crabtree put the Red Raiders in field goal range.

Texas Tech kicker Donnie Carona then drilled a 40-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Red Raiders a 40-39 victory.

-A Turning Point in the Big 12:

The 2008 Texas Tech vs. Texas game is considered one of the greatest upsets in college football history.

It helped propel Texas Tech to an 11-1 record and a share of the Big 12 Championship.

The game also marked a turning point in the Big 12 conference, ushering in an era of high-powered offenses and exciting games.

-Legacy and Impact:

The 2008 Texas Tech vs. Texas game is still remembered today as one of the most thrilling games in college football history.

The Crabtree Catch has become an iconic moment in Texas Tech football lore.

The game continues to be a source of debate and controversy, with many arguing that Williams should have been called for pass interference on the final play.

-Additional Notes:

The game was televised on ABC and drew an estimated audience of 10 million viewers.

-Harrell finished the game with 547 passing yards and five touchdowns.

-Crabtree caught 11 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

The 2008 Texas Tech vs. Texas game is featured in the book "The Crabtree Game: Inside the Greatest Upset in College Football History."

More on this great game below.

The 1932 college football season at a glance. NCAAF 1932

Charles "Charlie" Brickley (1879-1959) was a pioneer of American football, leaving his mark on the early days of the sport as a player, coach, and innovator. Brickley's legendary career began at Harvard University, where he quarterbacked the Crimson to a perfect record and a national championship in 1901. He later played professionally, showcasing his talent with teams like the Frankford Athletic Club and the Philadelphia Athletics.
Beyond his playing achievements, Brickley is credited with popularizing several key aspects of the modern game. He is considered the inventor of the spiral pass, a revolutionary technique that changed the landscape of offensive strategy. Additionally, Brickley introduced innovations like the huddle and the numbering system for offensive plays, further shaping the way the game is played.
Brickley's coaching career was equally impactful. He led the Penn Quakers to back-to-back undefeated seasons and national championships in 1904 and 1905, solidifying his legacy as a coaching pioneer. He continued to coach at various universities throughout his career, leaving a lasting impact on the sport with his innovative strategies and commitment to excellence.
Charlie Brickley's contributions to football extend far beyond his individual statistics and victories. He was a true innovator, a trailblazer who transformed the game with his revolutionary ideas. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of players, coaches, and fans alike, reminding them of the power of innovation and the enduring spirit of the sport.

For more on this legend and his playing days at Harvard check out our friend Dick Friedman's article in Harvard Magazine.