Under the Lights: Why September 28 is One of Football’s Most Electrifying Dates
Imagine a football game played under a single light pole in the middle of the field. That’s precisely the history made on September 28, 1892, marking the birth of night football! While that first attempt ended in a scoreless, dimly lit tie, this date has continued to generate absolute fireworks ever since.
From legendary performances that stand the test of time to astonishing statistical anomalies, September 28th is a magnet for the record books. You’ll discover the day Norm Van Brocklin set an untouchable 554-yard passing record, how the 1936 NFL saw a rare penalty-free game, and when Joe Kapp exploded for seven touchdowns. Plus, we celebrate the birthdays of Hall of Famers like Steve Largent and Charley Taylor. Dive in to explore the incredible history packed into this single date!
September 28 American Football History Timeline
- September 28, 1892 – The very first night football game was played in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, between Mansfield State Normal and Wyoming Seminary.
Mansfield hosted the 13th annual Tioga County Agricultural, Mechanical and Industrial Fair in late September 1892. According to an NCAA.com post, one of the highlights of that year’s Fair was a portable generator with a brand-new, fanciful light display. Under the illumination from these lights, a game of football would be played. It was a novelty as advertised, and the Fair attracted over 18,000 patrons, many of whom watched the first football game played at night. The idea for the game originated from the Mansfield football team, which had just started playing a year earlier. They caught the attention of General Electric, which was interested in grandly showcasing the new technology. They had lights all around the playing field and one light pole smack dab in the middle of the field, too. The lighting quality was inferior, though, and on almost every play, few knew where the ball was. The game ended in a scoreless tie after only 10 plays were run, but it was a history-making one nonetheless.
- September 28, 1936 – The Boston Redskins and the Brooklyn Dodgers play an NFL game that does not have one penalty in it! The Redskins prevailed in the penalty-free contest by the score of 30-6, according to Pro Football Reference.com.
RamsBeatYanks 29 Sep 1951, Sat The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
- September 28, 1951 – The Dutchman, Norm Van Brocklin of the LA Rams, threw for an NFL record 554 yards on opening day.
Per the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website. As much as a legend that Van Brocklin is, he was not supposed to start for the Rams that day. Veteran QB Bob Waterfield was penciled in as the starting signal caller, as he had won the preseason quarterback controversy. Still, the injury prevented Waterfield (also a Hall of Famer) from going. The Dutchman connected with three different receivers who had over 100 yards in pass catching for the day, including Elroy’ Crazy Legs’ Hirsch (173 yards), Tom Fears (163 yards), and V.T. Smith (103 yards). But that’s not all, as five other players on the Rams caught balls from the Dutchman that day as well!
KappCrushesColts 29 Sep 1969, Mon The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com
- September 28, 1969 – Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Joe Capp throws 7 touchdown passes against the Baltimore Colts in a 52-14 victory for the purple-clad Norsemen.
- September 28, 1975 – The Louisiana Superdome Hosts Its First Regular-Season NFL Game: The New Orleans Saints officially opened the Louisiana Superdome for regular-season NFL action before 52,531 fans. While the visiting Cincinnati Bengals spoiled the home debut with a 21–0 shutout behind Ken Anderson, the contest christened one of the game’s most storied indoor venues, which went on to host seven Super Bowls and countless iconic postseason clashes.
- September 28, 1986 – University of Rhode Island Tight End Brian Foster catches an NCAA record 18 passes for 327 yards.
- September 28, 1996 – Iowa State’s running back Troy Davis rushes for 378 yards, which, according to iowastatedaily.com, ranks fourth in college football history. This effort of hard running helped the Cyclones defeat the University of Missouri 45-31.
- September 28, 2008 – Sebastian Janikowski’s Record 76-Yard Field Goal Attempt – Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin sent kicker Sebastian Janikowski onto the field with one second remaining in the first half against the San Diego Chargers to attempt a 76-yard field goal. The kick fell well short and San Diego returned it, making it the longest attempted field goal in NFL history. The unconventional call deepened the rift between Kiffin and owner Al Davis, who fired Kiffin just two days later.
September 28 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Here is a list of College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees who celebrate September 28 as their birthday, which consists of: Glen Edwards, Tom Harmon, Lou Michaels, Steve Largent, and Charley Taylor. You can read more about them in the individual bio articles below.
- Harry Van Surdam [1881] – A standout quarterback for Wesleyan University from 1902 to 1905, Van Surdam was a forward-pass innovator who later coached at Marietta, Sewanee, and Texas Mines. Enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1972, he also served as a respected collegiate official and became widely celebrated as the Hall’s oldest living member, living to age 100.
- Glen “Turk” Edwards [1907] – An All-American tackle out of Washington State, Edwards anchored both the offensive and defensive lines as a foundational pillar for the Boston Braves/Redskins franchise from 1932 to 1940. A four-time All-Pro and 1937 NFL Champion, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975, later serving as Washington’s head coach from 1946 to 1948.
- Tom Harmon [1919] – A legendary triple-threat back at the University of Michigan, “Old 98” captured the 1940 Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and unanimous All-American honors after leading the nation in scoring. Enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, Harmon survived two plane crashes as a decorated fighter pilot in World War II before playing two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and embarking on a pioneering sports broadcasting career.
- Lou Michaels [1935] – A consensus two-time First-Team All-American tackle at the University of Kentucky, Michaels finished fourth in the 1957 Heisman Trophy voting and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992. Selected fourth overall in the 1958 NFL Draft, he put together a fierce 13-year pro career—most notably with the Baltimore Colts—excelling as both a hard-nosed defensive end and a premier placekicker.
- Charley Taylor [1941] – Selected third overall in the 1964 NFL Draft out of Arizona State, Taylor earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors as a running back before transitioning into one of the most dominant wide receivers of his era with the Washington Redskins. An eight-time Pro Bowler and Class of 1984 Pro Football Hall of Famer, he retired as the NFL’s all-time receptions leader with 649 career catches along with 9,110 receiving yards and 79 receiving touchdowns.
- Steve Largent [1954] – Renowned for his razor-sharp route running and sure hands, Largent spent 14 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks after being drafted in the fourth round in 1976 out of Tulsa. A seven-time Pro Bowler and 1995 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, he became the first receiver in NFL history to surpass 100 touchdown receptions and retired holding every major all-time NFL receiving record, including receptions (819), receiving yards (13,089), and receiving touchdowns (100).
Conclusion
From the very first chaotic, poorly lit night football game in 1892 to Norm Van Brocklin’s jaw-dropping 554-yard passing record, September 28th has consistently been a day of firsts and unforgettable feats. It highlights the spirit of innovation and the passion for record-breaking that defines American football. Whether it was a penalty-free shutout or a seven-touchdown barrage, this date remains a unique landmark in gridiron history.
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