Pigskin Dispatch

By Darin HayesSports Leisure History Football Hobbies

Pigskin Dispatch episodes

October 27 We Trace the Origins of Presidential Attendance at College Football
We state that William McKinley was the first president-elect to attend a college football game, which he did at the Wisconsin versus Carlisle contest on December 19, 1896 at the Chicago Coliseum. I explain that he traveled to Chicago to join family and that the game drew an estimated eight to sixteen thousand spectators. I note that Carlisle defeated Wisconsin eighteen to eight and that this appears to have been the only football game McKinley attended. We also describe that Theodore Roosevelt became the first sitting president to attend a game with the 1901 Army–Navy contest, and that William Howard Taft was the first president to attend a non–Army–Navy game. I invite listeners to consult footballarchaeology.com for further details and to join us for additional explorations of football history.
The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: First President-Elect to Attend a College Football Game - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/todays-tidbit-earliest-president
⏰ Timecodes ⏰
00:11 The First President-Elect to Attend a Football Game
00:36 McKinley: The First President-Elect to Attend a College Football Game
04:36 McKinley's Assassination and the Presidential Presence at Football Games
06:47 From Presidential Attendance to Modern Celebrity Culture
08:27 Visit PigskinDispatch.com — website, social media & comics
Do you want more football history? Grab a copy of our Award-Winning book, "The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars" at https://amzn.to/4rG6uVe
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
12 min
October 26 We Connect a 100-Year Football Story to Today
I recount a centennial episode from October 1926 in which thirteen East High players, led by their captain known as "Blubber" Sullivan, boycotted a scheduled contest over the appointment of local officials, were summarily suspended from all athletics by school authorities, and were subsequently reinstated after parental and administrative arbitration, a sequence that reveals the tensions between student agency and institutional control in early American high‑school football. We relate how the boycott nearly foreclosed the season, how Coach Gus Anderson elected to continue the campaign with alternate personnel, and how the restored team proceeded to a defensive stalemate against Academy High, a contest characterized by extraordinarily low yardage totals. I explicate Gus Anderson’s enduring significance to Erie football, noting his prodigious coaching record across East and McDowell and the later commemorations of his legacy in local athletic infrastructure. We connect this historical vignette to contemporary developments, including the renaming of the former Gus Anderson Field and the ongoing community engagement of alumni such as James Conner, thereby demonstrating the continuity of local gridiron culture across a century. I present these recollections as part of our broader endeavor at Pigskin Dispatch to elucidate football history through day‑by‑day and year‑by‑year narratives, and we invite listeners to consult our timelines for further contextualization.
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
17 min
October 24 He Pivoted Senior Trivia Into Comprehensive Football Guides
I introduced Steve Vernon, author of the Fan Edge IQ Football books, which teach football terms and strategy through trivia questions, clear answers, and IQ notes. We discussed that volumes 1A and 1B contain about 500 questions each and are organized as multiple choice quizzes with explanations. Steve explained that he used AI to help generate and edit the questions and that the books are meant to educate both new and experienced fans. We described the books as useful coffee table reference tools and as teaching aids for coaches and young players. I told listeners the books are titled Fan Edge IQ Football, are available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback, and that Spanish editions are offered in neutral Spanish. We will include links in the show notes and recommend searching for Steve L. Vernon on Amazon.
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
I welcomed Steve Vernon to the Pig Pen to discuss his Fan Edge IQ series and the genesis of his football trivia volumes. I describe how Steve developed the idea while running trivia sessions at a retirement community and how that weekly engagement evolved into hundreds of curated questions. He explains the dual structure of the books: multiple-choice questions paired with explanatory answers and IQ notes that provide historical context and practical insight. I emphasize the clarity of examples such as coverage schemes and no-huddle strategy, which illustrate how the books educate both novice and seasoned fans.
I outline Steve's process for assembling the volumes. He recounts using AI as an efficient research and drafting partner to generate and refine questions, then applying his own editorial direction to ensure varied and pedagogically useful multiple-choice items. I note the book design choices that make the text useful as a reference: a question-based index that directs readers to specific items, bilingual editions in English and neutral Spanish, and formats available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.
I conclude by summarizing the intended audiences and practical uses. I state that the books function well as coffee-table references, teaching aids for youth athletes and coaches, and entry points for new fans seeking to learn terminology and strategy. I underscore Steve's aim to preserve and explain football language and history while offering accessible tools for learning and conversation.
27 min
October 22 We Pick 49ers, Browns, and Key Covers for Week Seven
We present our Week Seven NFL predictions and picks and lead with the main point that we are issuing game-by-game forecasts and tracking both straight-up and against-the-spread results. I state that Ed holds a one-game lead in straight-up picks and that our against-the-spread tracking shows Ed would be up $920 while I would be down $1,810. We go through individual game picks, including Bears over Patriots, Steelers over Saints, 49ers over Falcons, Browns over Titans, Vikings over Colts, Jets over Dolphins, Panthers over Bucs, Bengals over Ravens, Texans over Giants, Broncos over Cardinals, Lions over Packers, Rams over Raiders, Chiefs over Seahawks, and conflicting calls on Eagles vs Cowboys. I note broader themes and concerns such as trouble in the NFC West, the impact of injuries to key wide receivers, and how thin margins can change team fortunes. We invite listeners to follow our picks and to return next week for results and new predictions.
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
23 min
October 21 We Recap Week Six: Upsets, Records, and Injuries
We report that Week Six featured significant upsets, multiple record-setting performances, and a wave of injuries, and notably the Buffalo Bills became the first team ever to win four of their first six games while conceding 30 or more points in four separate contests. I emphasize that this anomaly underscores Josh Allen’s extraordinary influence on the Bills’ offense and the extent to which his play forces high-scoring contests. We also review historic trends, including an unprecedented back-to-back winless stretch for an entire division and the Jets’ prolonged futility in New England. We note franchise milestones such as Caleb Williams surpassing the Bears’ previous passing record and individual achievements like Kenneth Walker’s recent scoring run. We record the Eagles’ sudden slide amid injuries and the emergence of rare final scores, including a 25–14 Panthers victory that ranked among the week’s least common outcomes. We will reconvene to offer week seven predictions and further analysis.
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
27 min
October 20 Revealing the Forgotten Origins of the Cal–Stanford "Big Game"
I spoke with Timothy Brown of FootballArchaeology.com and we trace the Cal–Stanford rivalry to 1892, which produced the first intercollegiate game west of the Rockies. I explain that Cal played clubs and schools in winter and spring until Stanford’s arrival shifted the season, and that early contests sometimes used rugby rules. I recount striking details, including a game at the Haight Street Grounds that was delayed 75 minutes because no one brought a ball and the existence of a “Little Big Game” for freshmen. I note that safety and rule controversies in 1906 led many institutions to suspend football, and that Cal and Stanford resumed varsity play in 1915 and 1919 respectively. I invite listeners to consult footballarchaeology.com for additional research and archival material.
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
16 min
October 19 We Unpack the True Origins of the Redskins and Commanders
I welcome author Mike Richman to unpack his Washington Pro Football Encyclopedia, Redskins and Commanders, the definitive history that traces the team name origins, helmet logo evolution, and the recent return of Native American imagery. Mike explains that the Redskins name arose from three factors: a move to Fenway and a link to the Red Sox, the hiring of coach Lone Star Dietz and Native players, and a 1929 silent film titled Redskin. We review the many helmet designs over time, including the spear, the single R, and the composite chief portrait that became the long‑standing logo. He highlights the book’s new material, which adds season summaries through 2025, expanded player biographies, and sidebars on events such as Sean Taylor’s death and Alex Smith’s recovery. I note that the franchise has begun restoring traditional burgundy and gold, that Redskins merchandise recently sold out to retain the trademark, and that further restoration of imagery or the name may occur with the new stadium.
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
36 min
October 16 Revealing the NFL's Winningest and Worst Franchises Since 1970
Professor Perry presents the definitive accounting of every NFL franchise’s wins and losses since the 1970 AFL–NFL merger, foregrounding the achievement of teams that have reached or approached the 500-win threshold. We delineate that the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the modern era with roughly 530 victories and that the Dallas Cowboys likewise sit above 500 wins, while franchises such as the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals have eclipsed approximately 500 regular-season defeats. I explain the metric of cumulative championships and win–loss totals as the principal lens, and I contextualize anomalies caused by franchise absences and historical schedule variations. We trace franchise trajectories, noting, for example, the Raiders’ temporary fall below .500 and Pittsburgh’s sustained ascendancy that places it well ahead of peers. I describe the book as an annually updated reference that compiles season-by-season records, winning percentages, and interpretive commentary, and I indicate that copies are available on Amazon with the option for author signatures.
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
23 min
October 15 We Predict a Rams Bounce Back and Chiefs Control Their Game
The central point is that we present our Week Six NFL game predictions and discuss the betting results to date. I am Darren Hayes and I am joined by Ed Cleese as we make picks both straight up and against the spread. We note that Ed leads the spread standings and has net winnings, while I have sustained losses. We give specific game calls, including Seahawks over Broncos, Texans over the Jaguars in London, and New Orleans over the Giants, and we debate several close contests. We review team form, injuries, and coaching impacts and offer cautious guidance on wagering. We invite you to visit PigskinDispatch.com for more history and analysis and we will return with further predictions next week.
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
We present a focused and methodical review of our Week Six prognostications and the reasoning that undergirds each selection. I recount the ledger of our season to date, noting that Ed presently leads in both straight-up and spread success and that the financial accounting we maintain has yielded divergent outcomes for our listeners depending upon whether they follow spread advice. We proceed to adjudicate each game in chronological order: Seattle at Denver, Houston in London versus Jacksonville, Chicago at Atlanta, Baltimore at Cleveland, Tennessee at Indianapolis, New England at New York, New Orleans at New York, Philadelphia at Carolina, Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Rams at Arizona, Kansas City at Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo at Las Vegas, Dallas at Green Bay, and San Francisco at Washington. I supply succinct verdicts on winners and likely covers, and we emphasize prudence where uncertainty prevails, especially in rivalry matchups and contests impacted by travel and recent emotional swings.
21 min
October 14 NFL History is Made- Week 5 in the Rear View Mirror
Ed Kleese joins us as we review the history-making Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season. Ed rants about his Commanders' blunder, and we enjoy the week's best moments. Of course, the Scorimangi Index score is released.
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.
Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.
*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.
Contact us directly at [email protected]
Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
25 min

About Pigskin Dispatch

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Get a daily glimpse at the history of American football highlighting the events, people, teams, and anniversaries that took place on the calendar day, the year, or the story that the episode centers…