Football History of September 1

Today, for September 1, we are going to talk about a bit of action that happened down in Junction, Texas.

Some NCAA records and firsts that occurred in Baltimore and Carolina, an Appalachian State upset, as well as some big legends of the game, especially a couple from Miami who are celebrating today in just a moment. This is the Pigskin Daily History Dispatch, a blog that covers the anniversaries of American football events throughout history on a day-to-day basis.

We are here to bring you the latest football history news, and we’re going to start with September 1. So let’s get at it.

September 1 American Football History Timeline

• September 1, 1937 – The fourth annual Chicago Charities College All-Star Game was played in the Windy City as the Green Bay Packers were defeated by the College Players, 6-0, in a nail-biter with over 84,000 fans watching at Soldier Field.

If you recall the Chicago Charities College All-Star Game, it lasted from the 1930s to the mid-1970s, and it typically featured the NFL champion and the defending champion playing against a team of College All-Stars, the best that college football could offer. And in the beginning, the College Players were probably the favorites in the game because college was king back then, and more and more of the NFL started picking up steam, but this was a little bit of a surprise with the College Players knocking off the Green Bay Packers. So we can reflect on that to 1937.

• September 1, 1954, in Junction, Texas, the legendary head coach of the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide opened up his 10-day camp for his players. Yes, that was Bear Bryant who inspired both the book and its subsequent TV movie called The Junction Boys.
• September 1, 1984 – NCAA College Football, Willie Totten of Mississippi State University passed for over 536 yards and 9 touchdowns, setting a record for Division I-AA college football.

The leading receiver in that game, catching Taughton’s passes? Well, it was none other than the legendary Jerry Rice, who dragged in 17 catches and a total of 294 yards and 5 trips to the end zone for the great receiver Jerry Rice.

• September 1, 1996 is a fast forward to, in Baltimore, Ravens quarterback Vinny Testaverde leads the Ravens over the Oakland Raiders 17-14 for the first win by the franchise in their new city with their new colors and nickname. The franchise, as you remember, was formerly the old Cleveland Browns.

Art Modell moved the team that season in 1995, much to the dismay of everybody in Cleveland, but to the joy of everybody in Baltimore. The rest is history. They’re still playing in Baltimore.

• September 1, 1996 – At Erickson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, opened up as the Carolina Panthers outlasted the Atlanta Falcons 29-6.

• September 1, 2006 – A new era in NFL management began on September 1. It starts as Roger Goodell takes over the reins as the NFL commissioner from the retiring Paul Tagliabue.

• September 1, 2007 – A significant shocker occurred in the NCAA when Appalachian State pulled off what many believe to be the most crucial upset in NCAA football history. When they knocked off the University of Michigan, 34-32. App State’s Cory Lynch blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt by Michigan kicker Jason Gingwell at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to preserve the win.

September 1 Hall of Fame Birthdays

It is that time when we want to recognize and gain a little glimpse of history from each of those famous players, and what better way to do it than on the anniversary of their birthday?

Happy Birthday to these legendary pioneers, innovators, and defensive titans! As we kick off September 1, we celebrate an incredible roster spanning championship architects, two-way college greats, and Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame teammates.

Here is the list in order of birth:

• Ray Flaherty [1903] – After playing alongside Red Grange and starring as an end for the New York Giants, Flaherty made his greatest mark as head coach of the Boston/Washington Redskins, innovating the screen pass and leading the franchise to two NFL titles (1937, 1942). Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976, he compiled an outstanding .676 winning percentage across the NFL and AAFC, famously besting George Halas‘s powerhouse Chicago Bears in two out of three championship clashes.
• Johnny Mack Brown [1904] – An electrifying halfback for the University of Alabama, Brown became an immortal figure in Crimson Tide lore by scoring two touchdowns to win the 1926 Rose Bowl and secure Alabama’s first national championship. The 1957 College Football Hall of Fame inductee took his blazing speed from the gridiron to the silver screen, starring as a celebrated Hollywood leading man in western classics like 1930’s Billy the Kid.
• Ed Bock [1916] – A dominant, relentless two-way guard for Iowa State in the late 1930s, Bock made school history in 1938 by becoming the Cyclones’ very first consensus first-team All-American. Enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970, his prowess in the trenches and leadership on both sides of the ball established a standard of line play that earned his permanent place in Iowa State sports lore.
• Brian Kelley [1951] – A standout linebacker who led California Lutheran to an NAIA national title in 1971, Kelley earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010 before anchoring the NFL trenches for 11 seasons with the New York Giants. Alongside Harry Carson, Lawrence Taylor, and Brad Van Pelt, he served as a cornerstone of New York’s legendary “Crunch Bunch”—widely regarded as one of the most punishing and cohesive linebacker units in NFL history.
• Zach Thomas [1973] – A dynamic, undersized tackling machine out of Texas Tech, Thomas defied the odds as a fifth-round draft pick to become the emotional heartbeat of the Miami Dolphins’ defense for over a decade. Enshrined in both the College (2015) and Pro Football (2023) Halls of Fame, the five-time First-Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler averaged nearly 10 tackles per game and amassed over 1,700 career stops with his peerless instincts.
• Jason Taylor [1974] – A towering, athletic edge rusher out of Akron, Taylor terrorized opposing offenses for 15 NFL seasons, racking up 139.5 career sacks primarily with the Miami Dolphins. The Class of 2017 Pro Football Hall of Famer and 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year was a six-time Pro Bowler and all-decade selection who also established an NFL record for defensive linemen with six career fumble returns for touchdowns.

Conclusion

September 1 serves as a vivid reminder of how football history is written at every level of the sport. Whether reflecting on the record-shattering connection between Willie Totten and Jerry Rice, stadium inaugurations that reshaped franchises, or celebrating the birthdays of legendary defenders who defined defensive excellence, these milestones showcase the rich tapestry of the gridiron. Each anniversary on this date continues to echo across modern college campuses and NFL stadiums alike.