Football History

Unravel the enigmatic tapestry of American football history as we delve into the pivotal moments that have unfolded on March 26th. What unseen forces have shaped the gridiron legacy on this very date? Prepare to be captivated by whispers of legendary achievements, echoes of game-changing decisions, and the quiet beginnings of gridiron titans.

Did destiny intertwine with the birth of future Hall of Famers on this spring day? Could pivotal draft moves or groundbreaking rule changes have subtly altered the course of the sport? Join us as we peel back the layers of time, hinting at the profound impact March 26th has had on the teams we cheer for and the heroes we admire.

This exploration promises a journey through the annals of football lore, where the confluence of birthdays and momentous occasions creates an air of intriguing significance. Discover the hidden connections and the subtle influences that have left an indelible mark on America's most beloved sport. Prepare to uncover the mystique surrounding March 26th – a date seemingly ordinary, yet potentially brimming with extraordinary football history waiting to be revealed.

1887 - A convention of football rules makers convened and focused on the game's rules, which empowered the referee with even more clout.

A resolution was passed stating, “rules should be enforced rigidly by referees, and that captains should instruct their men against holding, roughing, and all other objectionable features.” The group even made all varsity captains sign a resolution, swearing to coach their teams to play pretty and by the rules. Also, the Umpire position was created to help the Referee.

Other major rules changes from this conference were to make it a must for teams to try for a goal after a touchdown.

See more in our 1887 series, part 10 of the history series.

"A great defense is a great offense." - Michigan Wolverine Head Coach Harry Kipke (1929-1937)

We chose to quote Coach Kipke today because we salute him below as he was born on March 26 and we love to remember the greats, especially Hall of Famers on their birthdays.

Look back each day for more.

1940—Associated Press writer Whitney Martin published an article on then-Phillies manager Doc Prothro, who was a baseball manager with a football problem.

His son, a strapping lad over 6 feet tall and an athletic 200-pound frame, seemed to have entered studies at Duke University the previous fall. Doc Prothro encouraged his son to play baseball, where he could most likely eke out a ten-year career pitching between college, the minors, and possibly the Big Leagues, instead of only a few good years of college football.

It seemed Junior was convinced as he got to school well after the football program started, but after a short time away, he phoned his Pop to inform him that Coach Wallace Wade had encouraged him to play football for Duke. What's a Dad to do? Prothro told his son that the choice was his to make.

Thompson Prothro showed up on the Duke Blue Devils roster in 1940 and 1941. The younger Prothro excelled in football, beginning his collegiate career as a quarterback for Wallace Wade's Duke Blue Devils. His versatility on the field in 1941 earned him the Jacobs Award as the Southern Conference's best blocker, contributing to the Blue Devils' appearance in the 1942 Rose Bowl. A multi-sport athlete at Duke, Prothro also competed in baseball and lacrosse, graduating in 1942 with a degree in political science.

Despite being drafted in the fifth round of the 1942 NFL draft by the New York Giants, Prothro declined the opportunity. He chose to pursue a promising coaching career and briefly ventured into professional baseball instead. His father had to be beaming from ear to ear!

The call of the Gridiron eventually returned as Tommy went into coaching.  During his 10 years at the helm of Oregon State, Coach Prothro had a 63-37-2 record, tops west of the Rockies. He moved to UCLA in 1965 and coached there for six years, going 41- 18-3. That made his overall record 104-55-5. He had two Heisman winners, Terry Baker at Oregon State in 1962 and Gary Beban at UCLA in 1967. After UCLA, he moved to the pros with the Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers.

Tommy Prothro would be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1991.

1946 - The Miami News Sports Editor, Guy Butler, released a story told to him by Jim Thorpe. Thorpe recanted a tale of the first time he met the legendary Knute Rockne.

In 1915, Thorpe Jr. began his professional football career after a season with the baseball Giants. The Canton Bulldogs were reformed (the team went on hiatus after a 1906 scandal), and they scheduled a game against the Massillon Tigers. These teams had their initial professional football beginnings back in 1902.

This was Thorpe's first experience with professional football. The game occurred midway between Massillon and Canton, Ohio; the towns are about eight miles apart. That afternoon, Thorpe met Knute Rockne for the first time. Rockne played end for Massillon, while Thorpe was a halfback for Canton.

Jim Thorpe undoubtedly played his best football with Canton in those first few years, surpassing his Carlisle performances. Jim surprised the sports world with his speed and skill. He played this challenging game until he was 41. He could hit an opponent with tremendous force, which became evident on this fateful day against Massillon.

Once, Thorpe faced a young, eager tackle trying to impress his teammates with his toughness, believing professional football was perfect for him. He was overly enthusiastic about tackling and wouldn't stop. So, the next time he went for a tackle, Thorpe says he stopped, intentionally dropped the ball, and the brash Massillon end picked it up. Then, bam! He didn't see it coming; the "Burley Indian" struck him, and he was knocked unconscious.

Thorpe told him not to do that again, but how could he respond? He was out cold.

That was the first encounter of football legends Jim Thorpe and Knute Rockne.

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 2001—The NFL announced that, for the third straight year, it reached a record average paid attendance mark. It was the first time paid attendance went over 66,000 fans per game.

In similar news, the NFL announced the Washington Redskins set a league record for attendance in 8 games of 656,599, surpassing the Detroit Lions record of 634,204 set in 1980.

The NFL primarily measures attendance by counting the number of tickets distributed for a game. This includes both tickets sold and complimentary tickets given away. While this figure might not perfectly reflect the exact number of people physically present in the stadium due to no-shows, it serves as the official and consistent metric for reporting attendance. This method provides a standardized way to track fan interest and compare attendance figures across different teams and seasons.

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March 26, 2014 — The Chicago Bears completed a transaction to shore up their defensive line by signing a free agent who used to play with one of their NFC North rivals.

Defensive Jared Allen, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, inked a guaranteed deal worth $15.5 million, which could escalate to over $32 million. Not bad for a 31-year-old.

Allen spent the entire 2014 and part of the 2015 seasons with the Chicago Bears before he finished the year and his brilliant career with the Carolina Panthers. The sack specialist registered 5.5 of his career 136 QB sacks as a member of the Bears.

March 26, 1985—Original USFL New Jersey Generals owner Donald Trump led a push by other league owners to switch from playing in the spring to playing ball in the fall and directly compete with the NFL in 1986.

The United States Football League (USFL) decision, significantly influenced by Donald Trump, to shift its schedule from spring to fall and directly compete with the NFL proved to be a fatal miscalculation. Conceived initially as a spring league, the USFL enjoyed some early success, capitalizing on the NFL's off-season.  

However, Trump, owner of the New Jersey Generals, advocated for a move to the fall, believing it would force a merger with the NFL or significantly increase the league's leverage. This strategy involved an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, alleging monopolistic practices.  

The resulting legal battle, while technically yielding a victory for the USFL, resulted in a mere $3 in damages. This pyrrhic victory and the immense challenge of competing directly with the established NFL led to the USFL's rapid financial decline and eventual collapse. The move to the fall, driven by Trump's aggressive approach, ultimately hastened the league's demise.

Lee McClung wasn't your typical football player. In an era known for its brutality, McClung stood out for his remarkable athleticism and innovative spirit. This essay explores McClung's groundbreaking career at Yale University, highlighting his dominance on the field, his influence on the evolution of the game, and the legacy he leaves behind.

From Baseball Star to Football Pioneer: Born in 1867, McClung excelled at various sports in his youth. He was a standout baseball player, but it was at Yale University that he made his most significant impact. Joining the Yale Bulldogs football team in 1888, McClung quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Despite his relatively small stature for the time (5'10", 165-180 lbs.), he possessed exceptional speed, agility, and elusiveness.

Dominating the Field and Inventing the Cutback: McClung's impact on the game transcended mere statistics. He is credited with inventing, or at least popularizing, the cutback play. This innovative maneuver involved the ball carrier faking a run in one direction before cutting back against the grain for unexpected yardage. This revolutionary tactic challenged the rigid, straight-ahead running style prevalent in the late 19th century and opened doors for more dynamic offensive strategies.

An Unbroken Spirit and Unsung Hero: Football in the late 1800s was a brutal sport. Injuries were common, and protective equipment was minimal. Despite the physical toll, McClung never left a game due to injury, showcasing his remarkable toughness and dedication to his team. He captained the undefeated 1891 Yale squad, famously nicknamed the "unscored upon team," leading them to a dominant 13-0 record.

The bio of the life and career of Lee McClung, Yale Bulldogs College Football Hall of Fame star, and Secretary of the US Treasury.

Marcus Allen's NFL career was a captivating blend of power, agility, and clutch performances. Drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1982, he quickly established himself as a dynamic weapon out of the backfield. This essay explores the highlights of Allen's career, showcasing his dominance as a runner, his Super Bowl triumphs, and the legacy he leaves behind.

-Early Brilliance and Sharing the Spotlight

-Born March 26, 1960 in San Diego California

-Allen attended USC and In 1980 he rushed for 1,563 yards, second in the nation. In 1981 he rushed for 2,342. He led the nation in scoring, 12.5 points per game; rushing, 219.9 yards per game; and all-purpose running, 232.6 yards per game.

-In 1981 Marcus won the Heisman, the Walter Camp Foundation Award, Maxwell Trophy, as well as the Pop Warner League Player of the Year honor.

-Marcus Allen received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

-The Los Angeles Raiders used their first round pick to take Marcus in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft.

Allen burst onto the scene as a rookie, he showcased his explosiveness, leading the league in rushing touchdowns (12) and earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. The following season, the Raiders unleashed a potent one-two punch with Allen and quarterback Jim Plunkett, culminating in a Super Bowl XVIII victory over the Washington Redskins. Allen's dominant performance, including a game-clinching 74-yard touchdown run, cemented his place as a rising star.

-Taking the Lead and Championship Glory

By 1985, Allen emerged as the focal point of the Raiders' offense. Number 32 became the very first player in the League’s history to rush for more than 10,000 yards while also having receiving yards exceeding 5000 yards. This dominance propelled the Raiders back to the Super Bowl stage, facing the Washington Redskins once again. In Super Bowl XXV, Allen solidified his legacy, rushing for a then-Super Bowl record 209 yards and earning the game's Most Valuable Player award.

-Career Longevity and Adaptability

While Allen's peak years were undeniably impressive, his career extended beyond the late 1980s. He displayed remarkable adaptability, adjusting his playing style as his speed diminished.

He spent the last five with the Kansas City Chiefs. For his pro career Marcus compiled 12243 yards rushing with 123 touchdowns and another 21 scores from catching passes with 5411 yards receiving. Allen was a 2 time All-Pro and played in 6 Pro Bowls.

Allen spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and finally returned to the Raiders before retiring in 1997. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined the great Marcus Allen in 2003.