Sports History Network

In 1971, Jim O'Brien kicked the game winner in an error-filled Super Bowl V. In 1999, Minnesota's Gary Anderson picked a bad time to miss his first field goal in two years. In 1988, Cleveland's Earnest Byner fumbled inside the five to give Denver the ball and the Browns missed out on a Super Bowl. In 1951, a points shaving scandal rocked college basketball.

How a Bouncy Toy Created the "Super Bowl" At the end of every NFL season, the world stops for a spectacle known as the Super Bowl. It’s a name so ingrained in our culture that it feels like it has existed forever. But in 1966, the term "Super Bowl" wasn't just unofficial—it was actually hated by the NFL Commissioner. A Collision of Two Leagues In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the NFL had a probl...

In 2000, Paul Azinger won the Sony Invitational. It was his first win in 7 years and it came three months after his good friend Payne Stewart died in a plane accident. In 1977, the smooth-swinging Bruce Lietzke won the Tucson Open for his first tour win. In 1905, the Dawson City Nuggets traveled 4000 miles to challenge Ottawa for the Stanley Cup. They failed miserably. In 1972, Dallas beat Miami 2...

In 1967, the first Super Bowl was played in Los Angeles. In 1997, Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman kicked a courtside camera guy. In 1990, the origin of the 'Trent Tucker' Rule. In 1878, Harvard's Fred Thayer patented his new invention; the catcher's mask.

The Finality of the Field: Navigating the NFL Divisional Round There are just eight teams left standing. As we enter the divisional round of the 2025 National Football League playoffs, the stakes have never been higher, and the margin for error has never been thinner. On the latest episode of the Pig Pen , Darin Hayes was joined by Ed Kleese to break down a wild Wild Card weekend and look ahead to...

In 1973, the Miami Dolphins beat Washington 14-7. It would have been 17-0 if not for Garo Yepremian's unfortunate error. In 1995, Roberto Duran fought Vinny Pazienza for the second time. In 1954, former New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe. In 1976, NASL's Chicago Sting drafter Playboy Playmate Marilyn Lange.

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear . YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE EPISODE SUMMARY The San Francisco 49ers franchise began in 1946 in the All-American Football Conference. The team posted a winning record in all four seasons of the league's existence and had an impressive 12–2 mark in 1948. But they were in the same division as the Clev...

Gridiron Greats Magazine podcast is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear . EPISODE SUMMARY Part 2 With Football Library Collector and Football Author Ben Carpenter GRIDIRON GREATS MAGAZINE BACKGROUND Gridiron Greats covers 150+ years of North American football history and memorabilia. It was founded in 2002 and published by Franklin Rose who then turned over...

In 1991, Bo Jackson injured his hip and ended his football career. In 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time. In 1968, Minnesota North Star Bill Masterton was knocked out on the ice and never regained consciousness. He died on the 15th. In 1974, the Miami Dolphins beat Minnesota to win their second consecutive Super Bowl. In 2009, the Dallas Covenant girls basketball team from Dallas bea...

The Evolution of the "Pigskin": From Animal Bladders to Modern Valves In the modern era of American football, we rarely give a second thought to the ball itself. We grab it, check the grip, and if it feels a li...

In 1969, the New York Jets shocked the Baltimore Colts and the world, winning Super Bowl III. In 2013, Joe Flacco hit Jacoby Jones for a 70-yard TD pass to tie up an NFL playoff game and then they won in it 2OT. In 1992, Division II's Troy State beat NAIA opponent DeVry 258 -141 for the highest scoring college basketball game.

The Elite Four: Ranking the Most Legendary College Football Players to Wear Jersey Number 4 Introduction In the brutal, high-stakes world of college football, a jersey number is more than just an identifier—it’s a symbol. Some numbers are synonymous with brute force; others, with sheer speed. But the number 4? Among all numbers, it stands out for being worn by elite difference-makers. This article...

In 1956, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Ken Venturi, and Harvie Ward played a memorable match that nearly nobody saw. In 1987, John Elway engineered the 'Drive' on the road at Cleveland to advance to the Super Bowl. In 1983, Edmonton’s Pat Hughes scored two short-handed goals in a span of 25 seconds, breaking a record set by Wayne Gretzky. And in 1953, J. Edgar Hoover turned down a $100,000 offer to tak...

In 1980, newly hired LSU football coach Bo Rein died in a plane accident. In 1982, San Francisco's Joe Montana found Dwight Clark in the back of the endzone for the winning touchdown to beat the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship. In 1982, Cincinnati beat the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game. The temperature at game time was minus 9 but with a sustained wind of 27 miles per hour...

This episode delves into the profound impact that pivotal mistakes in American football can have on players' lives, both on and off the field. We examine several notable blunders throughout history, including a heartbreaking moment involving the Baltimore Ravens' rookie kicker, whose misstep in a critical playoff game underscores the immense pressure faced by athletes. The narrative extends to a h...

The primary focus of this podcast episode is to delve into the illustrious history of the 1918 Naval Station Great Lakes Blue Jackets football team and its significant impact on the early development of professional football in the United States. As the backdrop of World War I unfolded, military bases across the nation began cultivating sports teams, with the Great Lakes Naval Station emerging as...

In 1971, Maryland beat #2 South Carolina in a slow down game. In 1972, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers to end their 33-game winning streak. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar outdueled Wilt Chamberlain. In 1963, Cleveland Browns head coach Paul Brown was fired by owner Art Modell. Brown was a true innovator in the game and went on to start up and coach the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2005, Minnesota's...

If you are a football fan, this weekend is one of the most important weekends of the year. Along with the College Football semifinals taking place, there is also the Wildcard matchups in the NFL postseason. Unlike in previous seasons, there is no clear cut favorite to reach Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX. Yet what's really cool about this weekend in the NFL, the Playoff games are rematches of past...

In 2011, Seattle's Marshawn Lynch broke 8 tackles on his way to a touchdown. The roar from the crowd registered as a tremor on local seismic devices. In 2000, the Tennessee Titans used the 'Home Run Throw Back' to pull off the Music City Miracle agains the Buffalo Bills. In 2012, Tim Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas for the game winner against Pittsburgh on the first play of OT. In 1955, Georgia Tech sh...

In 2017, the Nevada Wolfpack trailed by 19 with 4 1/2 to play, were down 14 with 1:04 left to tie it up and send it to OT and then win it 105-104. In 2007, second ranked LSU beat #1 Ohio State 38-24 to win the National Championship. It was first time that a team with two losses won a title since 1960. In 1980, the Philadelphia Flyers lost. It was their first loss since Oct. 13th. Between, the Flye...

Wild Card Weekend: Picks, Predictions, and The Final Tally Darin and Ed closed out the regular season with a dramatic Week 18 and are now diving into their picks for the six matchups of Super Wild Card Weekend! But first let's look at the teams not in the playoffs... NFL Reverse Power Rankings: Who Will Bounce Back by 2026? The NFL playoffs are finally here! Wild Card Weekend is set, and while the...

The Sky Hook is arguably the most famous shot in NBA history. But how did Kareem Abdul-Jabber learn it in the first place? That is our story for today.  CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher   MUSIC "Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by Mokka Music "Horizons" by Roa   SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshisto...

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear . YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE EPISODE SUMMARY The San Francisco 49ers franchise began in 1946 in the All-American Football Conference. The team posted a winning record in all four seasons of the league's existence and had an impressive 12–2 mark in 1948. But they were in the same division as the Clev...

In 1950, Ben Hogan played his first competitive round after his near fatal car crash 11-months prior. In 1961, Arnold Palmer carded a 12 on a par 4. In 2014, Florida State erased an 18-point deficit to beat Auburn and win the BCS Championship. In 2018, Tennessee Titans QB Marcus Mariotta caught his own pass and scored a touchdown to help beat the Kansas City Chiefs. In 1991, Nancy Kerrigan was ass...

Tim's original Tidbit was the basis of this discussion titled: Before Uniforms Were Uniform - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/todays-tidbit-before-uniforms-were Before the Color-Coordinated Sidelines: When Football Uniforms Weren't Uniform When you watch a football game today, one of the first things that captures your attention is the perfect, spectacular array of colors and matching unifor...