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

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

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The American Football Conference’s Central Division was unquestionably the best division in pro football during the 1975 season.  Three of its four teams earned at least 10 wins in a 14-game regular season.  The Pittsburgh Steelers finished that year with a league-best 12-2 record.  The Steelers would eventually go on to win their second straight Super Bowl championship at the end of the 1975 season.....

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. 

This Day In Sports History is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

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In 2000, Boston Celtic Head Coach Rick Pitino had to remind folks that Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parrish were not walking in to save the team.

In 1968, part of the Spectrum Arena roof blew off, leading to a long and drawn out process to get it fixed.

In 1971, Spencer Haywood won his court case allowing him to play in the NBA. The 'Spencer Haywood' rule allowed players less than four years out of high school to play in the NBA.

In 1998, Tiger Woods lost his first and only playoff in his professional golf career. Billy Mayfair beat him on the first playoff hole.

In 1969 Mickey Mantle retired from baseball.

In 2003, Mount St. Mary’s legend Jim Phelan retired after 49 years as head coach of the Mountaineers.

THIS DAY IN SPORTS BACKGROUND

Relive the greatest moments in sports every day of the year. From the triumphs to the tragedies, the first to do it to the last time it happened, the unbelievable to the strange, This Day in Sports History is a 365-day journey remembering those significant events that made a lasting impact.

Mentioned in this episode:

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This episode elucidates significant developments in the realm of football, as we explore breaking news concerning both historical and contemporary aspects of the sport. We delve into the recent modifications proposed by the United Football League (UFL), notably the abolition of the onside kick, which has been replaced by a challenging fourth-and-twelve scenario, thereby introducing a novel strategic element to the game. Furthermore, we discuss the NFL's impending transition towards virtual measurement systems for determining first downs, a technological advancement anticipated to enhance the accuracy of officiating in the sport. In addition, our discourse encompasses the historical significance of the 1903 Franklin All Stars, as we recount my recent interactions with the Venango Historical Society, who are eager to preserve and promote the legacy of this football team. Join us as we navigate through these pivotal narratives that shape the ongoing evolution of football history.

Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber

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.

This episode's special guest is Ben Troupe, former tight end with the Tennessee Titans. In this episode, we discuss the skills necessary to play the tight end position in the NFL.

Ben was an All-SEC and All-American while at the University of Florida. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2004 and stayed with the team until 2007. He then spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders before retiring from football.

The video from this interview can be found in our Historical Scouting Reports Class: https://www.football-learning-academy.com/courses/historical-scouting-reports-and-contributor-profiles

Football Learning Academy Website:

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

This Day In Sports History is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

To register for your chance at a $50 gift card from Homefield Apparel:

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Also, check out StirlingSoap.com

In 1940, W2XBS broadcast a college basketball for the first time.

In 2010, Sidney Crosby scored the game winner to win the Gold medal in the 2010 Olympics.

In 1990, the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings combined for the most penalties in an NHL game. 

In 1971, Jack Nicklaus won his second PGA Championship to secure his second career grand slam.

In 1986, eleven major league baseball players were suspended for their involvement with cocaine.

And 1999, Serena Williams won her first WTA title, beating Amelie Mauresmo in France.

THIS DAY IN SPORTS BACKGROUND

Relive the greatest moments in sports every day of the year. From the triumphs to the tragedies, the first to do it to the last time it happened, the unbelievable to the strange, This Day in Sports History is a 365-day journey remembering those significant events that made a lasting impact.

The 1932 NFL season stands as a pivotal moment in the annals of American football, marking the transition from an era of financial instability to one of burgeoning potential and structural evolution within the league. As the Great Depression cast a shadow over the nation, the NFL grappled with significant challenges, including the dissolution of several franchises and a precipitous decline in attendance. However, amidst this adversity, the season garnered intrigue as three teams contended fiercely for the championship title: the Green Bay Packers, the Portsmouth Spartans, and the Chicago Bears. The culmination of this season was not merely a contest of athletic prowess but the inaugural playoff game in NFL history, a transformative event that would lead to the establishment of a postseason framework. This episode delves into the intricacies of the 1932 championship, exploring the economic context, the teams involved, and the remarkable circumstances surrounding the decisive match that would alter the course of the league's future.

Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber

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.

The focal point of our discourse centers upon the illustrious figure of Knute Rockne, a legendary coach whose indelible contributions to American football have shaped the sport as we recognize it today. We delve into his remarkable journey, commencing with his origins as an immigrant from Norway, which instilled in him a determination that would later define his coaching career at Notre Dame. Our examination reveals not only his celebrated tenure, during which he achieved unparalleled success but also his lesser-known participation in professional football, an experience that enriched his understanding of the game. Furthermore, we elucidate the profound influence Rockne exerted on the National Football League, as many of his former players transitioned into coaching roles, thereby perpetuating his legacy. Through this exploration, we aim to illuminate the multifaceted impact of Rockne, a man whose life and work continue to resonate within the annals of football history.

Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber

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.

The exploration of the Green Bay Packers' historical quest for a three-peat in the 1931 NFL season serves as the focal point of our discussion today. Despite the Kansas City Chiefs' unsuccessful attempt at a similar feat in Super Bowl LIX, we delve into the illustrious past of the Packers, who achieved this remarkable accomplishment during the late 1920s and early 1930s. We will recount the season's pivotal moments, including the financial difficulties faced by teams amid the Great Depression and the emergence of standout players such as Laverne Dillwig and Vern Llewellyn, who played instrumental roles in the team's success. The episode will also feature insights from esteemed historians and experts, comprehensively understanding the era's football dynamics. Join us as we traverse the annals of football history, highlighting the achievements that solidified the Packers' legacy in the National Football League.

NFL historian that works for NFL Films. He has written many books including ones on Joe Carr, Dutch Clark, Columbus Panhandles and Red Grange. PRFA historian that hails from Canton, Ohio Ken Crippen

Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber

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.

Joined by many of our Sports History Network colleagues, Andrew and Dan discuss the lives and legacies of Al Attles, Joe Schmidt, Mercury Morris, Dikembe Mutombo, Pete Rose, Billy Shaw, Luis Tiant, Fernando Valenzuela, Dub Jones, Bela Karolyi, Bob Love, Lou Carnesecca, Rocky Colavito, Rickey Henderson, and Greg Gumbel.

Hello Old Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. Contact the show at [email protected] and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HelloOldSports

Frank Gifford was one of the great football broadcasters. A staple on Monday Night Football with Howard Cosell and Don Meredith, it's fair to say that most people remember Gifford for calling a game. But how many remember him for what he did on the field, or even know that he was one of the best to ever play? As a halfback and flanker, Gifford combined to score 77 touchdowns during his Hall of Fame career with the New York Giants. An all-around star, he also kicked (on occasion), played in the defensive backfield where he also scored a touchdown, and he holds the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a career by a non-quarterback with 14. Yes, Gifford could burn you in so many ways. His career at the University of Southern California was also spectacular. In fact, two years prior to his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gifford was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame. His No. 16 is retired by the Giants as well. On this episode of SFH, Chris Willis, Head Researcher at NFL Films, returns to the show for a wonderful discussion about on eof the game's all-time greats - Frank Gifford.