Football History

The 1931-1940 era in American football was a fascinating decade marked by stability and significant change. Here's a brief overview:

Gridiron Evolution:

-The Golden Age of the Single Wing: This innovative run-heavy offense dominated the early part of the decade, led by legendary coaches like Knute Rockne and teams like Notre Dame and Alabama.

-Rise of the Forward Pass: As defenses adapted, offensive minds like Art Rooney with the Pittsburgh Steelers perfected the forward pass, paving the way for a more open and aerial game.

-Birth of the T-Formation: By the late 1930s, the versatile T-formation began to emerge, offering a balanced attack that would become the foundation of modern offensive schemes.

League Landscape:

[-b]The NFL's Reign:[/b] The National Football League (NFL) solidified its position as the top professional league, expanding to 10 teams by 1940. However, rival leagues like the American Football League (AFL) briefly challenged its dominance before folding.

-Labor Strife: Players began to organize for better pay and working conditions, leading to the formation of the short-lived American Football Players Association (AFPA) in 1946.

College Football Boom: Colleges like USC and Oklahoma dominated the national scene, with iconic figures like Heisman Trophy winners like Jay Berwanger and Byron White capturing the public's imagination.

Beyond the Field:

-Impact of the Great Depression: The decade was marked by economic hardship, but football provided a welcome escape and a source of national pride.

-Radio's Rise: Radio broadcasts like "The Lone Ranger" brought the game to fans across the country, further boosting its popularity.

-Early Roots of Racial Integration: While still largely segregated, the decade saw early inklings of change, with players like Kenny Washington paving the way for future integration in the NFL.

In conclusion, the 1931-1940 era was a pivotal decade in American football, laying the groundwork for the sport's explosive growth in the postwar years. From offensive innovations to league rivalries and the increasing popularity of the game, this period left an indelible mark on the gridiron.

Huddle up, football faithful! Step back in time with us to 1939, a year etched in gridiron lore. It was a season where leather meets cleats, legends rise, and records fall. Imagine, if you will, a landscape dotted with iconic stadiums, their stands crackling with anticipation. The air vibrates with the roar of the crowd, punctuated by the thwack of the pigskin and the bone-jarring crunch of tackles. This, my friends, is the story of the 1939 NFL season, a tale woven with triumph, heartbreak, and the unyielding spirit of the game we love.

Green Bay's Dynasty Reaches Its Zenith:
Led by the indomitable trio of Arnie Herber, Cecil Isbell, and Don Hutson, the Green Bay Packers were a juggernaut. Their innovative passing attack, a marvel of the time, left defenses bewildered and fans awestruck. This year, they aimed for an unprecedented feat: a third consecutive NFL Championship, a feat unmatched in league history.

The 1938 NFL season wasn't just another year in the young league's history; it was a turning point, a crackling crucible where legends were forged and rivalries ignited. Ten teams battled for gridiron supremacy, each with unique stories to tell. Let's step back in time and relive the drama through the lens of the top teams, giant games, and players that defined this historic year.

Rules Revisions

-Protecting the Pocket: The NFL throws its weight behind quarterback safety with a brand new 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Defenders, beware; unleashing your inner linebacker on the quarterback just got much more expensive.

-Kickoff Roulette: No more scrambling for loose balls near the sidelines! Now, if a kickoff sails out of bounds, the receiving team gets a sweet deal: they can take possession at their 45-yard line, setting themselves up for a better starting position.

-Double Pass Penalty Tweak: Throwing two forward passes in a single play was already risky, but the penalty just got slightly sweeter for offenses. Instead of losing a down and five yards, it's a five-yard penalty.

Top Teams Clash: In the East, the New York Giants, led by the legendary coach Steve Owen and the indomitable backfield duo of Ken Strong and Tuffy Leemans, were a force to be reckoned with. Their potent offense, fueled by the "Triple Threat" formation, shredded defenses, while their ironclad defense brutally shut down opponents. The Green Bay Packers, under the steady guidance of Curly Lambeau, were the perennial powerhouse of the West. Their offensive juggernaut, featuring the unstoppable Arnie Arber and the versatile Don Hutson, was beautiful, but their defense lacked the teeth to match.

Games That Etched History: The season's narrative unfolded through epic clashes. The Giants had a 23-17 victory over the Packers in the NFL Championship Game. According to onlookers, the game was dominated by the Giants. However, the Pack trailed by only two points at the intermission.

The halftime session was filled with some drama. Green Bay Packers Coach Curly Lambeau needed clarification walking off the field and into the Polo Grounds Visitors locker room. The Coach made a wrong turn and, by some bizarre circumstance, found himself outside of the stadium! When he tried to return, the gatekeepers did not recognize him and would not believe his story to let him reenter. Eventually, the commotion of Lambeau's pleas was heard by sportswriters who confirmed his identity, and Ole Curly was allowed entrance just in time to go back to the field with the team. So much for halftime adjustments and pep speeches.

The coach's absence did not phase the players as Green Bay eventually marched down the field and kicked a short field goal to take the lead. The New Yorkers responded on the next drive. The Giant Ed Danowski culminated the series with a sharp 23-yard TD pass to Hank Soar. The Giants kicked the extra point, and the teams held each other in check for a final of 23-17.

Stellar Players Shine: The 1938 season showcased some of the most extraordinary talents the league had ever seen. With his dazzling speed and elusive moves, Rookie running back Byron "Whizzer" White of the Pittsburgh Pirates electrified the league, leading the NFL in rushing. Don Hutson, the Green Bay Packers aerial maestro, cemented his legacy as the game's first actual receiving threat, hauling in an incredible 548 yards in an era before the passing game exploded. And on the defensive side, the indomitable Alex Wojciechowicz of the Philadelphia Eagles, nicknamed "The Mad Russian," was a one-person wrecking crew, earning a reputation for bone-crushing tackles and relentless pursuit.

Beyond the Field: The 1938 NFL season wasn't just about football; it was a reflection of the times. The nation was still grappling with the Great Depression, and the NFL offered a much-needed escape, a chance to cheer for heroes and forget the hardships of everyday life. The league also took its first steps towards racial integration, with Kenny Washington becoming the first African-American player in the NFL's modern era.

The 1934 college football season was a rollercoaster of emotions, packed with iconic teams, legendary players, and a controversial finish that left fans arguing long after the final whistle blew. Here's a glimpse into the gridiron drama:

The Rise of the West Coast:

Stanford University football team 1934
For the first time, a team west of the Mississippi tasted national glory. The Stanford Cardinal, led by the unstoppable tandem of quarterback Bobby Grayson and halfback Dick Plasman, cruised through their schedule, culminating in a dominant Rose Bowl victory over Duke.

A Tight Eastern Race:

While Stanford stole the spotlight, the East Coast boasted a heated battle for supremacy. The Minnesota Golden Gophers, powered by the bruising running of Pug Lund, and the Princeton Tigers, featuring the cerebral leadership of Dick Kazmaier, traded wins and losses all season, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

Controversial Champions:

With no playoff system in place, crowning a national champion proved tricky. The East and West were split, with various polls awarding titles to different teams. Ultimately, Minnesota received the AP Poll nod, but not without grumbling from Princeton's supporters.

The 1936 NFL season unfolded like a gritty underdog story. For the first time, all ten teams played an equal schedule, setting the stage for an unpredictable scramble to the top.

Green Bay, fueled by Arnie Herber's passing and Don Hutson's receiving magic, claimed their third consecutive title, cementing a dynasty against all odds. Meanwhile, Boston's "Redskins" (now named Washington Commanders) traded home-field advantage for a neutral site in New York, fearing low attendance in Fenway Park – a sad testament to the league's struggles.

But there were glimmers of hope. The draft's first pick, Heisman winner Jay Berwanger, refused to play, challenging the game's semi-professional status. And in the newly formed AFL, the Boston Shamrocks and Cleveland Rams hinted at a brewing challenge to the NFL's dominance.

So, while 1936 wasn't a season of fireworks, it was a turning point. It laid the foundation for future parity, sowed seeds of player power, and hinted at the rivalries that would soon reshape the gridiron landscape.

The year is 1939. America stands on the precipice of a tumultuous decade, but on the gridiron, a different kind of storm is brewing. This is the season where legends were forged, records shattered, and national champions crowned in a tale as thrilling as any Hollywood blockbuster.

Ironclad Defenses Clash with Offensive Explosions

Imagine, if you will, leather helmets cracking under bone-jarring tackles, the snap of the pigskin echoing through packed stadiums, and the roar of the crowd as a halfback streaks down the sideline, untouched, towards the end zone. This was the 1939 college football season, a collision of brute force and strategic finesse where defenses boasted an ironclad wall and offenses orchestrated aerial ballet with dizzying efficiency.

From Humble Beginnings to Unthinkable Heights

Meet Nile Kinnick, the unassuming Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback whose underdog spirit and pinpoint accuracy would etch his name in the Heisman Trophy's hallowed halls. Witness the unstoppable juggernaut of the Texas A&M Aggies, their suffocating defense and ground-and-pound offense leaving opponents dazed and defeated. And feel the electric energy as Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers weaves through defenders like a phantom, igniting the hearts of Southern Methodist University fans.

A Tapestry of Triumphs and Heartbreaks

But this wasn't just a story of individual heroes. It was a tapestry woven with threads of triumph and heartbreak, of nail-biting comebacks and last-minute gut punches. From the sun-drenched fields of the South to the frost-kissed battlegrounds of the Midwest, every game was a microcosm of human drama, unfolding in grand spectacles of mud, sweat, and tears.

So join us, sports fans, as we rewind the clock, dust off the vintage leather helmets, and step back into the electrifying arena of the 1939 college football season. We'll relive the gridiron battles, celebrate the heroes, and feel the nostalgia of a golden age in American sports. Are you ready for the kickoff?

The 1937 college football season unfolded like a classic gridiron thriller, each play a nail-biter, each game a potential upset. Picture this: leather helmets gleaming under stadium lights, the rhythmic thud of boots on grass, and the roar of the crowd as a halfback dives across the goal line.

It was a year of contrasting styles. West Coast marvels like California wowed with their aerial attack, led by Heisman Trophy winner Clint Frank, while powerhouse teams like Pittsburgh relied on a punishing ground game and granite-hard defense.

The season saw historic moments:

Unbeaten Battles: Both California and Pittsburgh finished the season undefeated, each claiming a mythical national championship (the AP Poll was still new!).
Rose Bowl Heartbreak: Despite going 9-0-1, Pittsburgh missed the coveted Rose Bowl due to a scheduling quirk, leaving fans and experts scratching their heads.
Lonesome LSU: The Tigers, led by the legendary Doc Fenton, dominated the South but remained largely ignored by national media, a testament to the regional focus of the time.
But beyond the stats and scores, 1937 marked a turning point. It showcased the growing popularity of the sport, the evolution of offensive strategies, and the fierce competition that would define college football for generations to come. It was a season etched in gridiron lore, a reminder that even without a definitive champion, the memories made on the field are what truly crown the victors.

So, join us as we delve deeper into this forgotten chapter of college football history, reliving the triumphs, the heartaches, and the enduring legacy of the 1937 season.

Imagine, if you will, a time before television broadcasts brought the gridiron into living rooms. A time when news of college football battles traveled by crackling radio waves and grainy newspaper headlines. This was the 1931 college football season, an era etched in leather helmets and sepia-toned memories, where legends were forged and dynasties born.

Epic Battles and Unforgettable Rivalries:

From the muddy trenches of the Midwest to the sun-drenched fields of the South, rivalries crackled with electric intensity. Michigan and Ohio State waged their annual war for Big Ten supremacy, while Alabama and Tennessee clashed in a battle for Dixie bragging rights. Each game was a microcosm of human drama, unfolding in mud, sweat, and tears, etched forever in the annals of gridiron history.

A Season of Firsts and Controversies:

The 1931 season also saw its share of firsts and controversies. The inaugural Rose Bowl game between California and Texas Christian University marked the beginning of a tradition that would become synonymous with college football. Meanwhile, debates raged over conference affiliations and the legitimacy of national champions, as Notre Dame and Southern California both laid claim to the crown.

So, join us on this nostalgic journey through the 1931 college football season. We'll relive the iconic plays, celebrate the heroes, and savor the raw emotion of a golden age in American sports.

1936 college football crackled with newfound excitement. It was the birth of the AP Poll, crowning Minnesota with the inaugural title as writers traded telegrams and ranked America's gridiron titans. Santa Clara, a West Coast Cinderella, danced on the national stage, upsetting giants and claiming their own championship crown. Meanwhile, legends like Larry Kelley at Yale carved their names in Heisman history with dazzling displays of athleticism. But the season wasn't all sunshine and confetti. Controversies swirled as rival polls disagreed, champions debated, and the fight for legitimacy in a fragmented football landscape continued. It was a year of firsts, upsets, and fierce competition, forever etching itself in the college football tapestry as the dawn of a new era.

Join us in our salute to the history of the 1935 College Football Season in our series titled Football History Rewind Part 76. We cover the big games, top players, and some of the most exciting games of the 1936 CFB season.