Football Daily

Born September 9, 1878 in Galesburg, Illinois, was Willie Heston, a college football player and coach who is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the University of Michigan. He played halfback from 1901 to 1904, and led the Wolverines to four consecutive undefeated seasons and two national championships.

Willie attended San Jose Normal School (now San Jose State University) before transferring to Michigan. He was a two-way player for the Wolverines, excelling at both running and passing. He was also a superb punter and kicker.

Heston was a consensus All-American in 1903 and 1904. He was also named the captain of the 1904 team. In his four years at Michigan, Heston scored 72 touchdowns, which is still a school record. He also rushed for 2,339 yards and passed for 1,003 yards.

After graduating from Michigan, Heston played professional football for the Canton Bulldogs in 1905. He suffered a broken leg in his first game, and this ended his playing career.

Heston then turned to coaching. He was the head coach for Drake University in 1905 and North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now North Carolina State University) in 1906. He then returned to Michigan to practice law. Heston was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.

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.

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Here is our story about the 1965 Rose Bowl game.

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.

Duke Slater, born December 9, 1896, was more than just a football player. He pioneered and defied racial barriers and paved the way for future generations of African-American athletes. With his remarkable talent and unwavering determination, he carved his name in football history as a true legend.

Early Life and College Football:

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Slater grew up in a time of blatant racism and segregation. Despite these challenges, his athletic talent shone through. He excelled in football and track at Wilberforce University, where he led his team to multiple championships.

Breaking Barriers in the NFL:

In 1922, Slater made history by becoming the first African-American player in the newly formed National Football League (NFL). He signed with the Rock Island Independents, marking a significant moment in the fight for racial equality in professional sports.

Dominating the Gridiron:

Despite facing discrimination and prejudice, Slater quickly established himself as a dominant player. He was a versatile and skilled athlete, excelling as a running back, defensive end, and kicker. His athletic prowess earned him the nickname "The Brown Bomber" and a reputation as one of the toughest players in the league.

A Champion and a Pioneer:

Slater's career was marked by numerous accolades. He won two NFL championships (1922 and 1925) with the Chicago Bears and was named an All-Pro five times. His success and tenacity inspired countless future black athletes, paving the way for their inclusion in professional football.

Beyond the Game:

Slater's impact extended beyond the football field. He became a role model for young athletes and a vocal advocate for social justice. He even served as a bodyguard for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, showcasing his courage and dedication to duty.

Legacy of a Legend:

Duke Slater retired from football in 1928, leaving behind a legacy that transcended the sport. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972, cementing his place among the greatest players of all time.

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.

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!

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Learn when the University of Buffalo Bulls Program started