September 20 marks pivotal moments in NFL history, from the end of a legendary streak to the start of a new season for an iconic team. On this day in 1987, the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off a new campaign, marking the beginning of a memorable season. But that’s not all. A significant era for the San Francisco 49ers ended as Pro Bowl wide receiver Dwight Clark’s impressive streak came to a close. Meanwhile, in a classic NFC battle, Walter Payton, the legendary Chicago Bears running back, found the end zone with a game-winning score to seal the victory. Dive into the archives with us as we revisit these and other unforgettable football anniversaries.
September 20 American Football History Timeline
- September 20, 1933 – The Pittsburgh Steelers franchise, known as the Pirates from 1933 through the 1940 season, played its first game. The home team, the Pirates, lost 23-2 to the New York Giants that day at old Forbes Field.
It wouldn’t take long for the upstart team to find victory, though, as the very next week the Pittsburgh Professional Football Club defeated the Chicago Cardinals 14-13 in the friendly confines of Forbes Field.
Art Rooney Sr. applied to have his proposed franchise entered on May 19, 1933. Less than two months later, on July 8, 1933, then National Football League President Joe Carr announced in a newsletter that Rooney was approved to join the 10-team League in the fall of 1933 to fill a vacancy caused by the withdrawal of the Staten Island franchise.
The team had to play early and nighttime weekday games until a new Pennsylvania law allowed them to play games on Sundays. The team suffered through some dreadful losing seasons, including two during World War II, where they had to join forces with the Cardinals and Eagles, respectively, due to player shortages, for over 40 seasons until Mr. Rooney would finally have a winner. Art Rooney’s Steelers would go on to win 4 Super Bowls in the 1970s and then add a couple more in later decades. The Rooney family still holds the majority stake of the franchise and still calls the Steel City their home.
- September 20, 1987 – Wide Receiver Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers ends his NFL record streak of 105 consecutive games with a reception. Although Clark didn’t catch a pass in the game, the visiting Niners still squeaked out a 27-26 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
- September 20, 1987 – The great Walter Payton helped the Chicago Bears earn a 20-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he scored an NFL record career 107th rushing touchdown.
September 20 Birthdays of Football Hall of Famers
Happy Birthday to these ferocious tackling machines and defensive anchors! As we celebrate September 20, we honor two dominant linebackers who rewrote record books at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Here is the list in order of birth:
- Tommy Nobis [1943] – A legendary two-way force at Texas who won both the Maxwell and Outland trophies, “Mr. Falcon” was the very first draft pick in Atlanta Falcons history and immediately earned 1966 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. A five-time Pro Bowler and College Football Hall of Famer, he anchored Atlanta’s defense for 11 seasons and remains celebrated as one of the most punishing, prolific tacklers the gridiron has ever seen.
- Ronald McKinnon [1973] – A Division II icon at North Alabama, McKinnon became the only defensive player to win the Harlon Hill Trophy after leading the Lions to three consecutive NCAA Division II national championships. Enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008, the undrafted thumper forged a remarkable 10-year NFL career, primarily anchoring the middle of the Arizona Cardinals’ defense with over 1,000 career tackles.
