Football History

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A great post on the legendary center of the Lions, Alex Wojciechowicz, from the Vintage Detroit website .

Steve Owen was an American football player and coach. He is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame from success and longevity as the head coach the New York Giants for 24 seasons, from 1930 to 1953. We have a collection of stories and games Owen was involved with.

Stephen Joseph Owen, nicknamed "the Stout Steve," wasn't just a football player; he was a trailblazer who left a lasting legacy on the New York Football Giants and the NFL itself. While his playing career was respectable, it's his coaching achievements that solidify his place in football history.

Owen began his professional career in 1924, bouncing between several teams before landing with the Giants in 1926. While he played seven seasons for the team, injuries cut his playing time short. However, in 1930, he began to co-coach, transitioning fully to coach in 1931. This marked the beginning of a remarkable 24-season reign.

Owen's coaching philosophy was rooted in fundamental football and a strong defense. He emphasized discipline and teamwork, building a culture of toughness and resilience. Despite no formal contract (he coached based on a handshake with ownership), Owen led the Giants to eight NFL championship games, winning four: 1934, 1938, 1941, and 1946.

His innovative strategies played a significant role in these victories. He implemented the T-formation offense, utilizing two tight ends for better blocking and pass protection. He also recognized the importance of special teams, emphasizing their role in the overall game. Owen's impact extended beyond the Giants. He served as president of the NFL Coaches Association and advocated for improved equipment and player safety. He also mentored several future Hall of Fame coaches, including Vince Lombardi.

Though his later years were less successful, Owen's legacy remains significant. He holds the record for most games coached (322) and seasons coached (24) with a single franchise. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967, a testament to his lasting impact on the game.

Born August 1, 1978 - Immokalee, Florida - Edgerrin James, the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back of the Indianapolis Colts and later the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.

Edgerrin attended and played football for the Miami Hurricanes enjoying a stellar collegiate career. It was when he was picked up by the Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft that this young runner really found his groove though according to the ProFootballHOF.com. Edge earned NFL Rookie of the year honors in 1999 when he rushed for 1553 yards leading all runner in the League!

He accomplished winning the NFL rushing title again in 2000 with 1709 yards on the ground matching his TDs scored in 1999 at 13 times crossing the wide field stripe.

In fact during his 11 year career James blasted past the 1000 yard rushing mark an amazing 7 times edging past 1500 in four of those! FOr his career he recorded 12246 yards rushing with 80 scores, played in four Pro Bowls and was honored to be on the All-2000's NFL team. Let's not forget that he also hauled in 433 catches many from HOF QBs Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner for an additional 3364 yards of offense.

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Born August 25, 1965, in Birmingham, Alabama was Cornelius Bennett was a former linebacker from the University Alabama. This prolific LB remarkably is one of only two Bama players to have ever been names as an All-American three times (LB Woodrow Lowe being the other.)

He is remembered in the College Football Hall of Fame, where he entered as part of the induction class of 2005. Bennett went on to play professionally for the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts at LB. He also was selected to 5 Pro Bowls and was the AFC Defensive Player of the Year two times in 1988 and 1991.

Bennett played in all four of Buffalo's Super Bowl appearances in the 1990's and then he played in a fifth SB with the Falcons.

Born December 5, 1957 - White Plains, New York - The University of Syracuse legendary wide receiver Art Monk was born. Monk played at Syracuse from 1976 through 1979 and won the Lambert Trophy for being the top college player in the East according to his bio on footballfoundation.org.

Art Monk, a name synonymous with consistency and reliability in the NFL, crafted a Hall of Fame career defined by his understated brilliance. A product of his environment, Monk's journey from a relatively unheralded high school player to a record-breaking wide receiver is a testament to his unwavering dedication.

Possessing exceptional route-running skills and a knack for finding open spaces, Monk excelled in the Washington Redskins offense. His partnership with quarterback Joe Theismann formed one of the most potent passing combinations of the era. Monk's ability to consistently make tough catches and move the chains earned him the respect of teammates, opponents, and fans alike. His longevity and durability were equally impressive, as he maintained a high level of play throughout his career. While not the flashiest receiver, Monk's impact on the game was undeniable, and his contributions to the Redskins franchise solidified his status as a true football legend.

His great athleticism earned him First-Team All-America honors for the 1979 season. Art Monk entered into the prestigious College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. After he left Syracuse Art was a first round pick by the Washington Redskins in the 1980 NFL Draft. He played 16 seasons in the NFL in Washington as well as with the New York Jets and as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Pro Football Hall of Fame states that his career catches were counted at 940 and that he played 183 straight games where he caught at least one pass. Monk was an All-Pro twice and was voted into three Pro Bowls. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Art Monk in 2008.

Born May 22, 1940, in Lexington, Nebraska, was Mick Tingelhoff is an NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Center who played for the Minnesota Vikings for 17 seasons.

He was selected in the Hall of Fame in the 2015 class. Mick played his college football at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and did not become the starter there until his senior season.

The Hall of Famer also went undrafted and signed with the Vikings as a free agent in 1962 and became the starter as a rookie! His hard work earned him the right to play in six consecutive Pro Bowls in the late 1960s. After the 1969 season, Mr. Tingelhoff was voted as the NFL's Top Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Born May 8, 1957, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was Bill Cowher the North Carolina State defender who played a bit in the Pros. Cowher was not known for his time as a player but what he did from the sidelines after he hung up his helmet.

At the age of 34 years old he took over the reigns of the Pittsburgh Steelers from legend Chuck Noll and kept the Steel City franchise in contention for much of his 15 years as the head coach. From 1980 to 1984 he was a linebacker for both the Browns and the Eagles according to Steelers.com.  He then served as an assistant coach at various positions for the Brown and the Chiefs until the Rooney Family hired him as the face of their franchise in early 1992.

His brilliant coaching career with the Black and Gold is highlighted by what the Pro Football Hall of Fame describes as occurred during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Cowher guided an injury-plagued team to a franchise record 15 wins that season. His 2005 team became the first team ever to win nine road games and the first sixth-seeded team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. The amazing playoff run was capped by 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL. The Pro Football Hall of Fame gave Coach Bill Cowher the honor of enshrinement into their Canton, Ohio Museum in 2020. 

Born June 8, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a Pro Football Hall of Fame Defensive Back for the Green Bay Packers. Herb ended his career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Prior to being picked by the Packers in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft as an offensive halfback, Adderly had played collegiately for Michigan State. In his rookie season facing the fact that the Pack already had two great backs in Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung, the Green Bay coaches flipped him over to the defensive side of the ball as an emergency fill in for an injured corner Hank Gremminger and Adderly thrived as a cornerback.

Adderly accounted for 48 interceptions in his career and did some damage returning them as he averaged 21.8 yards per pick for a total of 1046 yards. Herb played in five NFL title games, and four Super Bowls! One of his biggest moments as a pro was a 60 yard pick six in Super Bowl II. The ball-hawking back also made it into five Pro Bowl games, as he was also an All-Pro in five different seasons. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Herb Adderly in 1980 to their Canton, Ohio museum.

Joseph Paul Schmidt wasn't just a linebacker; he was a pillar of defensive dominance, an immovable object in the heart of the Detroit Lions' most formidable defenses. For thirteen seasons, his name echoed through the gridiron, sending shivers down offenses and inspiring unwavering confidence in his teammates.

Emerging from a Pittsburgh steel town, Schmidt brought that same unyielding tenacity to the football field. Drafted by the Lions in 1953, he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His physical presence, clocking in at 6'2" and 220 pounds of pure muscle, was matched only by his football IQ. He diagnosed plays with lightning speed, disrupting running lanes and leaving quarterbacks scrambling for protection.

But Schmidt wasn't just a bruiser. He was an artist of tackling, wrapping up ball carriers with textbook technique and precision. His relentless pursuit of the football earned him the nickname "The Lion Tamer," a fitting title for the player who seemed to control the chaos of the game with his calm yet determined presence.

His impact transcended individual statistics. He was a captain nine times, his leadership radiating from the huddle onto the field. He was the quarterback of the defense, calling plays and directing his teammates with a quiet confidence that demanded respect. His work ethic was legendary, inspiring younger players and pushing even the veterans to their limits.

Schmidt's career wasn't without challenges. Injuries and the changing landscape of the game ultimately shortened his time on the field. Yet, his legacy extends far beyond his playing days. He earned two Super Bowl appearances with the Lions, ten All-Pro selections, and induction into the Football Hall of Fame.

But his true testament lies in the memories he etched in the minds of Detroit fans. The bone-crunching tackles, the game-saving interceptions, the unwavering leadership – these are the echoes of Joe Schmidt's greatness, resonating through the stands of Ford Field long after his retirement. He wasn't just a football player; he was a symbol of Detroit's toughness, heart, and unyielding resilience.

When we speak of the iconic players who wore the Honolulu blue, Joe Schmidt's name stands tall among them. He wasn't flashy, but his quiet force changed the game.