Sports History Network

Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON

From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little

Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley

The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record

America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier

The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence

The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade

EPISODE SUMMARY

CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE

CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER

During the 1970s, there was no better team in the NFL at winning Monday Night Football games than the Oakland Raiders. From 1970 to 1979, Oakland posted an incredible 13-1-1 record on their Monday Night Football games. Only the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins came close to Oakland’s win total. Both the Dolphins and the Redskins each won 12 Monday Night Football games. But both also had at least four losses on their Monday night ledgers......

Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here.

PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND

Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski

Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons. NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today.

During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today. Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history.

Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade. Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s. Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.

Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before. Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast.

When basketball was first invented, nobody thought about height being an advantage. Most coaches looked for players who were fast and athletic. It wasn’t until the 1930s that some coaches started looking for height. Today, the NBA has 70 players that are 7-feet tall or taller. We go through the history of how we got from pro players who averaged 5-foot-8 in height to today’s average of 6-foot-7 in the NBA.

Episode 210 re-air.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"A Slow Day" by Chiro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

Mark and Dave sit down with fellow Sports History Network member, Joe Santos, to discuss his recent mini-series titled THE PATRIOTS: FROM BOSTON TO FOXBORO.

It’s fascinating to look back at the early days of the New England Patriots, a team that transformed from a struggling franchise to a powerhouse in the NFL. You're in for a ride as there's plenty of unbelievable stories packed into this 2-part episode series.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

In 2007, Appalachian State beat Michigan 34-32.

In 1984, Mississippi Valley State's Jerry Rice caught 17 passes for 294 yards and 5 TDs in an 86-0 win over Kentucky State.

In 1964, Masanori Murakami became the first Japanese player to play Major League Baseball.

In 1985, Bill Elliott won the Southern 500, winning the Winston Million in the process.

Timothy P. Brown has unearthed a significant historical first in American football, specifically concerning the illustrious Crescent Athletic Club. This episode delves into the life and work of the prominent sports writer Allison Danzig, who championed the revival of the Crescent Athletic Club in a 1921 article, advocating for opportunities for former college players to continue their football careers. Danzig's insights illuminate the evolving landscape of football during a period when the professional game was in its infancy, scarcely perceived as a viable path for athletes. We explore the implications of Danzig’s vision and the broader context of football's development, highlighting the transition from amateur to professional play. Join us as we navigate this intriguing facet of football history, revealing how perceptions and opportunities have transformed over the decades.

The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: Allison Danzig and the Crescent Athletic Club - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/allison-danzig-and-the-crescent-athletic

⏰ Timecodes ⏰

00:09 Discovering Firsts in American Football

00:39 The Legacy of Allison Danzig

03:44 The Rise of Professional Football

07:57 The Rise of Professional Football

09:49 Exploring Football History

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.

A profound exploration of American football's origins and its intricate historical narratives unfolds in this episode, featuring insights from Timothy P. Brown of FootballArchaeology.com. The focus is primarily on Allison Danzig, a prominent sports writer whose writings encapsulated the sentiments and challenges of the early 20th century sports landscape. In particular, Danzig's call for a revival of the Crescent Athletic Club in 1921 serves as a poignant reminder of the transitional phase of American football following World War I. This club, once a powerhouse comprised of elite collegiate athletes, represents a significant chapter in the history of amateur athletics, highlighting the struggle to maintain competitive relevance amidst the burgeoning professionalization of the sport.

The discussion navigates through the historical context of Danzig's advocacy, revealing how the post-war era presented unique challenges for former collegiate players who sought to continue their football careers. The Crescent Athletic Club, with its roster of talented athletes from esteemed institutions, faced an uphill battle against the established collegiate teams, which often overshadowed their efforts. This dynamic not only reflects the competitive landscape of the time but also underscores the cultural attitudes towards professional athletics, as many, including Danzig, could not foresee the monumental rise of the NFL and its transformation into a dominant force in American sports culture.

As the speakers delve deeper into the implications of Danzig's writings, they highlight the broader societal transformations that influenced the evolution of football. The conversation culminates in an exploration of how the NFL's eventual rise to prominence was catalyzed by various factors, including the advent of television and changing public perceptions of professional athletics. This episode serves as a valuable reminder of the rich tapestry of history that has shaped American football, inviting listeners to appreciate the complexities and narratives that have contributed to the sport's enduring legacy.

The pivotal theme of this podcast revolves around the rich and intricate history of Pennsylvania football, as we engage in a discourse with the esteemed sports historian, Dave Finoli. He elucidates the fascinating narrative of how the Pro Football Hall of Fame could have potentially been situated in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, rather than its current location in Canton, Ohio. Furthermore, we delve into the significant impact of the controversial passenger fence during the 1955 Sugar Bowl, an event that transcended sports and became emblematic of the civil rights movement in America. Our exploration extends to Finoli's latest literary contributions, including "Pennsylvania Made," which encapsulates the diverse sports heritage of the state through compelling essays. As we navigate through Finoli's extensive body of work, we celebrate the indelible legacy of the Keystone State's football history and its implications for the broader tapestry of American sports culture.

Find Dave’s work at: 21-66Books.com

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.

This episode engages in an enlightening dialogue with Dave Finoli, a venerable figure in sports history, as he discusses his extensive work chronicling Pennsylvania's rich football legacy. The discussion highlights an astonishing fact: the Pro Football Hall of Fame was nearly situated in the town of Latrobe rather than in Canton, Ohio, underscoring the significance of this region in the annals of American football. Finoli, who has dedicated over four decades to journalism and historical writing, introduces his recent publications, particularly 'Pennsylvania Made,' which showcases the state's profound relationship with sports through compelling narratives. The conversation delves into various intriguing topics, including the 1897 professional pay dispute between the La Trobe and Greensburg teams, setting the stage for a broader examination of the state's historical contributions to the sport. Furthermore, the episode explores the impact of pivotal events such as the 1955 Sugar Bowl, which became a flashpoint in the civil rights movement, illustrating the intersection of sports and social justice. Finoli's anecdotes captivate the audience, as he recounts the trials and triumphs of athletes whose stories have often been overshadowed by more prominent narratives in sports history. In conclusion, this episode serves as an evocative reminder of the rich tapestry of Pennsylvania football, inviting listeners to appreciate the sport's historical significance. Finoli's wealth of knowledge and narrative prowess make this episode an essential resource for those interested in understanding the intricate relationship between sports and culture in the Keystone State.

NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

This week in NDN All-Stars history, we begin with one of the strangest Olympic marathons ever run — and one of the most important moments in Native American sports history.

At the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, Seneca marathon runner Frank Pierce becomes the first Native American athlete to compete in the Olympics. He will not finish the grueling race, but simply by taking his place in the field, Pierce makes history and begins more than a century of Native participation in the Olympic Games.

And that’s only the beginning.

Cherokee heavyweight Joe Louis battles Tommy Farr for 15 rounds. Iroquois boxing great Henry Armstrong appears throughout the week. Salish and Kootenai boxer Marvin Camel scores a knockout in Texas. Ponca and Otoe heavyweight Tommy Morrison successfully defends his WBO title.

Lumbee gymnast Ashton Locklear captures uneven-bars gold at the Pan American Championships. Lumbee stock car driver Roy Tyner races the Southern 500 at Darlington. Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara boxer Virgil Hill earns a 12-round victory — and later in our journey, captures his first world championship.

Cherokee pitcher Adrian Houser throws a complete-game shutout for Milwaukee. Mohawk racer Dexter Stacey puts together a pair of strong performances during a historic NASCAR Pinty’s Series doubleheader at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. And Assiniboine and Sioux mixed martial artist Hunter Azure earns a unanimous-decision victory at UFC Fight Night.

Travel back with NDN All-Stars as we bring great Native athletes from the past and present back into the spotlight for new generations.

This episode covers August 30 through September 5.

SUPPORT NDN ALL-STARS

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.

NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUND

Hey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is your first time hearing about us, let me tell you what we’re all about.

This podcast is where Native sports history comes alive. Each episode shines a spotlight on the great Native American athletes you should know—past and present. From Hall of Famers to hometown heroes, we tell the stories of Native athletes who made their mark—on the field, on the court, and in history.

We keep it real. No sugar-coating. No museum talk. Just straight-up stories told with pride and purpose—because representation matters, and these All-Stars deserve to be remembered right.

Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, even the athletes themselves—who help us connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement.

Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious—this podcast will give you a new perspective on what greatness really looks like.

So if you're ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little fired up—hit that follow button and join the team.

You can find more stories, merch, and updates at NDNAllStars.com. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—just search for NDN All-Stars and you’ll find us.

NDN All-Stars – Promoting Great Native Athletes – Past & Present!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

In 1905, Ty Cobb made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers. He doubled in his first at-bat.

In 2003, Katie Knida kicked two PATs for the New Mexico Lobos in a 72-8 win over the Texas State Bobcats.

In 1904, the Olympic marathon turned from ridiculous to farce quickly. Nobody died, but a few came close.

In 1905, Ty Cobb made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers. He doubled in his first at-bat.

In 2003, Katie Knida kicked two PATs for the New Mexico Lobos in a 72-8 win over the Texas State Bobcats.

In 1904, the Olympic marathon turned from ridiculous to farce quickly. Nobody died, but a few came close.

The Pro Football Time Machine is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

***********

THE PRO FOOTBALL TIME MACHINE BACKGROUND

PRO FOOTBALL TIME MACHINE WEB PAGE

Every two weeks, you’ll take a trip with me and Zo-Zo the cat to discover events and people who contributed, each in their own way, to building a league that has become the king of professional sports. Sometimes we will visit an event or star player, but to hopefully bring to light something that has always flown under the radar that is an important part of their story.

More often though, we’ll find events and people who’ve been missed by documentaries and books but have stories that need telling. Those are the destinations that are the most fun to discover.

Join me, Tom Pollin, and Zo-Zo the cat as we have fun on our journeys.

HOST - TOM POLLIN BIO

I grew up in the Chicagoland area, Waukegan to be specific and now make my home in Chicago. I’ve been a fan of football, and the Chicago Bears, since I first became aware of the existence of both. Of course, in those years the Bears dwelled at the bottom of the NFL standings but I grew to love the team more as I began to read everything about their storied history that I could get my hands on.

The diving into the Bears history spread into a need to know more about the NFL from the times before its birth, through its formation and growing pains, to the present day.

Writing and talking about pro football history is a labor of love for me. Since I began writing about the NFL in 2011, I’ve written hundreds of articles on teams, games and opinion pieces but the pieces I’ve written about teams, games and players gone by have been the most satisfying of the work I’ve published.