Gridiron America Radio

The Pittsburgh Steelers change the way organizations view the NFL Draft by adopting a philosophy of building a championship team through the draft and selecting four future Hall of Famers in Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Mike Webster. Features interviews with the first ‘draftnik’ Pete Marasco, Lynn Swann, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, and more.

The 1965 Draft was the most fiercely fought event between the rival National and American Football Leagues. It was a fierce battle for such  future Hall of Fame greats Joe Namath, Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers. The two arch-enemies competed for the top college talent by breaking gentlemen agreements, testing limits of NCAA boundaries, and even  sabotaging each other with “dirty tricks” and...

In a draft that included 11 Hall of Famers – more than any other draft in  NFL history – the Dallas Cowboys revolutionize the scarcely covered  player selection meeting and plant the seeds for a national phenomenon  with the selections of Roger Staubach, Bob Hayes and Mel Renfro.  Additionally, the New York Jets lay the foundation for their Super Bowl III championship with the selection of six eve...

Scott and Greg are joined by former CFL All-Star Bryant Turner, Jr., who talks about his love for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, his best memories from his playing days and how important fan/player relationships are in professional football.  From 2011 through 2015 Bryant spent five seasons in blue and gold, followed by two seasons in with the British Columbia Lions. During his time in Winnipeg,...

How do you turn two tons of copper into a statue? Illinois alumnus George Lundeen has been doing this for more than 30 years. Lundeen creates  realistic portrayals of athletes, presidents and animals in his Colorado  studio. Now, Lundeen has been given the honor of creating a 12-foot  replica of one of the University's most famous alumni, Harold "Red"  Grange. As an artist, Lun...

In 1985 the Chicago Bears dominated the game and embodied everything that encapsulated that memorable decade: flash, chaos and a get-out-of-my-way attitude. Their Super Bowl winning season had it all - the birth of Buddy Ryan's 46 Defense, the loss to the Dolphins that ruined their perfect season, the "Super Bowl Shuffle" and a colorful group of misfits who became the toast of football.

Hosted by Jessica Savitch, "An Unauthorized History of the NFL" was the first episode of the long running Frontline. It took a look at the secret connections of the NFL and the world of sports gambling and organized crime.

The National Football League, a multibillion-dollar commercial juggernaut, presides over America’s indisputable national pastime. But the NFL is under assault: thousands of former players have claimed the league tried to cover up how football inflicted long-term brain injuries on many players. What did the NFL know, and when did it know it?

Two weeks into the 1987 season, the NFL's players went on strike. As the strike fanned fires across the country, no one felt the heat more than the 1,500 replacement players, who were caught in the crosshairs of media fueled controversy between owners, players and fans alike.

An intimate look inside one of the great rivalries in the history of the National Football League - Raiders legend Al Davis and former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. Their battle grew so intense that players, owners, franchises - even the League itself - became characters in a three-decade long Shakespearean feud that changed football forever. As the Raiders play their inaugural season in Las Vega...

The Heisman Trophy, named for famed college football coach, John Heisman, was first awarded in 1935. The coveted award, revered in the world of sports, is given to the most "outstanding player in college football" annually.

Scott and Greg are joined by fellow Sports History Network member, Dana Auguster, of the Historically Speaking Sports podcast to talk about the important role African Americans have played in Canada, both on the field, as well as in the front office. Beginning with Robert "Stonewall" Jackson and continuing to the present with Clarence "Pinball" Clemons, the three talk about their contributions and...

College football and professional football have not always co-existed peacefully. The college game was the country's introduction to the game, so when pro football came along, it was first viewed as not only inferior but as intrusive.

Determining the best college football team each season has always been a controversial discussion. Bowl games and the various polls have played major roles over the decades, and today it has evolved into the College Football Playoff.

What defines a "Game of the Century"? What are the necessary criteria? Some of the games highlighted are 1935 Notre Dame-Ohio State, 1966 Notre Dame-Michigan State, and 2006 USC-Texas.

Some of the greatest rivalries in college football are highlighted: Harvard-Yale, Lehigh-Lafayette, Auburn-Alabama, Ohio State-Michigan, USC-UCLA, Florida-Florida State, Iowa-Iowa State, Army-Navy, Texas-Oklahoma, Southern-Grambling

Love them or hate them, Notre Dame set the gold standard for college football in the 1920's, and they remain relevant today because college football fans want them either to win or lose, there's no in between with the Fighting Irish.

Scott and Greg are joined by retired New York firefighter and Vietnam veteran Billy O'Connor , and television producer (four time Emmy nominee) Frank Pace , co-hosts of the A Mick A Mook and a Mic podcast to talk about their new book, "Lamar's Gamble: A Tale of the AFL-NFL Merger."  The authors discuss, in addition to their book and podcast, their thoughts and perspectives on the NFL of today...

The role of television in the growth of college football cannot be underestimated. From hand-held cameras to instant replay to ESPN and voices like Keith Jackson, all played a role in taking the game from a regional to a national game.

As far back as the 1880's coaches figured out they needed the best players in order to win games. From the "ringers" of the early days to the 24/7, day to day grind of the 21st century, recruiting is essential to the college game.

Integration in college football, though slow in its infusion through the '60s and '70s, not only changed the game itself in many ways, more importantly, it allowed many of the game's biggest stars to emerge.

Innovations in the game of college football include better equipment, evolving offensive strategies, defenses trying to keep step with the offensive mindset, strategies of physical conditioning, nutrition and injury recovery.

College football is more than just a sport -- it's a cultural phenomenon. To understand the game, you have to understand how much everything around it matters, too -- from the team colors to the uniforms to the bands, the mascots and more.

The SEC has a run of seven straight national titles, and nine in 12 years. Expansion in 2012 gives the conference 14 schools. Meanwhile, Nick Saban arguably becomes the greatest coach in the history of college football.

Nick Saban comes to LSU in 2000 and eventually wins the Tigers' first national championship since 1958 - a feat matched by Les Miles. At Florida, Tim Tebow becomes a cult hero and wins two national titles with Urban Meyer's Gators.