Sports History Network

Magic Johnson’s greatest performance as an NBA player came in his rookie year, and in the most clutch moments against the Philadelphia 76ers. Not only did he have to fill in for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but he scored 40 points in a closing Finals Game and took the Finals MVP trophy for himself.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"60s and 70s Rock" by Hyde

"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.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Welcome back to part two of our Thanksgiving special on "Yesterday's Sports," where host Mark Morthier and guest Dave DePaolo continue their deep dive into the history of the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving games. This episode takes listeners back to the thrilling 1974 matchup between the Cowboys and the Redskins, a game filled with dramatic plays and pivotal moments.

Mark and Dave relive the excitement of the Cowboys' strategic plays, including a memorable fake punt and the unexpected heroics of rookie quarterback Clint Longley. As they recount the game, they share anecdotes about key players like Roger Staubach, Walt Garrison, and Dwayne Thomas, painting a vivid picture of the era's football landscape.

Whether you're a fan of classic football or just love a good underdog story, this episode is packed with nostalgia and insights that will transport you back to one of the most iconic games in Cowboys history. Don't miss the continuation of this Thanksgiving saga!

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)

The Official PFRA Podcast is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

LINKS

The Official PFRA Podcast Website

The Professional Football Researchers Association Website

EPISODE SUMMARY

Jon and George talk with former Cleveland Brown Joe Righetti. He is also the author of a book about his life titled "Fourteen Mile Orange" which can be ordered on Amazon.

THE OFFICIAL PFRA PODCAST BACKGROUND

The Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) was founded in Canton, Ohio in 1979 to foster the study of professional football as a significant and athletic institution; to establish an accurate historical account of professional football; and to disseminate research information. In each episode of The Official PFRA Podcast, co-hosts George Bozeka and Jon Bozeka will discuss the storied history of pro football, including interviews with prominent pro football historians and authors, and former players.

Born in Canton within walking distance of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, George is the current President of the PFRA. He has had a number of articles published in the PFRA’s official magazine The Coffin Corner and he is the lead editor for the PFRA’s Great Teams in Pro Football History book series.

Jon has been a radio broadcaster in the Canton area since 2014. He has been involved in every facet of radio sports coverage including play-by-play and color commentary for local high school and college football broadcasts. He is also a stringer for CBS Radio’s Eye on Sports show covering all Cleveland Browns Sunday home games.

Join us as we explore the fascinating story of Glenn McCarthy and his ambitious plans for a giant stadium in Houston, Texas, which was never built. Timothy Brown from footballarchaeology.com shares insights about this larger-than-life character, who was inspired by the grandeur of the film "Giant" and envisioned a 100,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof. Despite his efforts, including hosting the glamorous Shamrock Bowl in 1949, McCarthy's dreams of bringing professional football to Houston faced numerous challenges, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the AFC shortly after. This episode delves into the rich history of football in Texas, highlighting the colorful personalities and extravagant ambitions that shaped the sport. Tune in for a captivating tale that not only preserves football history but also reveals the entertaining quirks of its lesser-known figures.

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.

Darren Hays and Timothy Brown engage in a compelling dialogue that centers around the untold story of a proposed giant stadium in Houston, Texas, envisioned by the eccentric Glenn McCarthy in the late 1940s. As they explore McCarthy's dream of a 100,000-seat stadium featuring a retractable roof, the episode provides a rich historical context of American football during a time when cities were vying for NFL franchises. The discussion highlights the challenges Houston faced due to inadequate facilities and how McCarthy's audacious plans aimed to fill this gap, showcasing his commitment to community and the sport.

Brown elaborates on McCarthy's life, revealing the intriguing connections between his experiences and the cultural landscape of Texas. With anecdotes about his flamboyant personality, his rise and fall in the oil business, and his eventual inspiration for the character Jet Rink in the film 'Giant', the episode portrays McCarthy not just as a businessman but as a larger-than-life character who sought to leave a lasting mark on the city. The conversation also reflects on the broader implications of stadiums in shaping the identity of communities and their sports culture, emphasizing how these structures are often emblematic of local pride and ambition.

Ultimately, this episode serves as a reminder of the dreams that once fueled the quest for football greatness in cities like Houston, even if those dreams did not come to fruition. Through Brown's historical insights and Hays's engaging hosting, listeners gain a newfound appreciation for the complex narratives that weave together the fabric of American football history.

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

Clarence "Taffy" Abel: Breaking Ice and Barriers in Olympic Hockey

📘 Summary:

In this powerful episode of the NDN All-Stars Podcast, I sit down with hockey historian George Jones—nephew of NDN All-Star #61 Clarence "Taffy" Abel (Chippewa), the first Native American to compete in the Winter Olympics and the first Indigenous player in the NHL. George shares rarely heard stories from his family history and Taffy's quiet but groundbreaking achievements, including serving as the U.S. flag bearer at the 1924 Winter Games in Chamonix and earning a silver medal in Olympic hockey. We talk about the pride, the hidden heritage, and the work still ahead to ensure Taffy receives the full recognition he deserves.

Topics Covered:

• George’s personal memories of his uncle, Taffy Abel
• How Taffy got his start in hockey in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
• The Native American influence behind his competitive spirit
• Being forced to "pass" as white to avoid Indian boarding schools and gain Olympic eligibility
• Taffy’s journey to the 1924 Winter Olympics and role as the U.S. flag bearer
• Scoring 15 goals as a defenseman and helping Team USA win silver
• The missing Olympic medal and George’s efforts to repatriate it from a private collection
• Taffy's NHL debut with the New York Rangers in 1926—breaking the NHL’s color line
• The lack of Native American recognition in the NHL today
• Why Taffy's story is essential for future Native hockey players to know

Guest Bio:

George Jones is a hockey historian and the nephew of Clarence "Taffy" Abel. A dedicated advocate for Native representation in hockey, George has spent years researching, preserving, and promoting his uncle’s legacy, including his place as the first Indigenous Olympian in Winter Games history and the first Native NHL player.

Resource Links:

• Learn more about Taffy Abel's legacy: https://www.taffyabel.com/

Learn More:

Visit ndnallstars.com to explore merch, read athlete stories, and discover more about Native contributions to sports. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for fresh stories each week.

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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.

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ABOUT NDN ALL-STARS

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!

The NFL Season is moving along and so are we.

In this episode of the NFL Historical Matchups for Week 11, we have four games that we are highlighting.

The first one may be one of the most famous and the most important games in NFL History. It may not have been a classic as for as a close game or having a fantastic finish, but Super Bowl III between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Jets helped create the current NFL.

It was more than the biggest upset in Super Bowl history, it added legitimacy to the upstart American Football League as the merger between the AFL and NFL was on the horizon.

The second game was the 1981 AFC Championship game between the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The game played in conditions that were better suited for the Iditarod Sled dog race in Alaska, saw the Bengals advance to their first Super Bowl by winning the game known as the "Freezer Bowl".

The third game we are remembering was referenced in a Sports Illustrated article that previewed the game at the time as Super Bowl 8 1/2 .

But after it was over, the game had earned another name that has lived on to this day.

The 1974 AFC Divisional playoff game between the Miami Dolphins and the Oakland Raiders is remembered as the "Sea of Hands Game".

Rounding out our games that we are looking back on is the 1966 AFL Championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills were looking to win their third consecutive AFL Championship game but more importantly play in the inaugural Super Bowl. But it would be the Chiefs that would advance to the first Super Bowl in a muddy, cold day at the stadium known as the Rockpile.

To contact the show you could e-mail us at [email protected] or hit us up on Twitter @Historically Sp2.

Football Is Family is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sports' Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Today we talk about the college football season at this point. Who makes it to the playoffs? Which SEC school gets eliminated in the next few games? Are you ready for more football?

ABOUT FOOTBALL IS FAMILY

Do you bleed your favorite football team’s colors each weekend? Does the difference of a W or L in the box score dictate how you respond for the rest of the week? Or do most of your conversations with your family and friends revolve around your favorite football team?

If you answered yes to any (or maybe all) of these questions, then you are in the right place. The host of this podcast truly believes that “Football Is Family” and he is on a mission to share the stories of other fans out there sharing how they have been touched by the greatest sport on Earth. Listen below to the trailer and learn more about the host and show.

HOST - JEREMY MCFARLIN

Growing up in Middle Tennessee, I didn’t have a pro football team that was close enough to me to feel a part of. My first memory of pro football was Super Bowl 22. I picked the Broncos to win, and, even though they didn’t win, I followed them from that point on.

John Elway was (and is) my favorite player. I have played as the Broncos on Tecmo Bowl, Tecmo Bowl Super Bowl, Madden, and 2K Sports. I fondly remember the moments when the Broncos won Super Bowls 32 and 33.

Around this time, the Oilers came to Tennessee. I was hooked. I finally had a team just down the road from my hometown of Bon Aqua. Oiler (and later Titans) mania hit this area. Jerseys, hats, footballs, merchandise, and several autographs later, I’m a Titans fan through and through.

It’s the dedication, the love, and the passion for football that helps me realize that football is family. Each fan base has a story, a history, and a love for their team. That’s what I want to talk about each and every podcast.

You can follow me @jeremy_mcfarlin. Message me if you want to share your reasons why your football team is family.

Gridiron Greats Magazine podcast is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Bob and Joe talk about the unopened Football wax pack and wax box market along with some other interesting items in today's open forum

GRIDIRON GREATS MAGAZINE BACKGROUND

Gridiron Greats covers 140+ years of North American football history and memorabilia. It was founded in 2002 and published by Franklin Rose who then turned over to Bob Swick and Swick Enterprises starting with Issue 23.

Editor and publisher, Bob Swick has been collecting football cards since 1965. He has written about football cards and memorabilia since 1990 for several major sports collecting publications including Sports Collectors Digest and had his own column, Turning The Pages.

He self-published Bob Swick’s Football Times in the 1990s; he has been interviewed in Tuff Stuff, the Giants Report, the Packers Report, and the Beckett Football Monthly magazine. He has also been a contributor to the Beckett Annual Football Price Guide. Bob also collects programs, yearbooks, media guides, ticket stubs, pocket schedules, and team photos of the Green Bay Packers, of which he is a shareholder.

He is also a member of The Professional Football Researchers Association. Bob brings his expertise to the magazine in the form of his love of all things football-related. His BA in journalism and MS in Economics brings a unique focus to the niche of football memorabilia and history.

We want to thank everyone who takes the time to subscribe to and support Gridiron Greats Magazine. Besides our knowledgeable, generous contributors and most talented illustrator, Jared Kraus, all administrative activities are performed by Bob Swick and his wife, Brenda. Thank you all for your support. We are ever so grateful.

See our Contributors page for a bio on some of our fantastic writers. Without them, this magazine would not exist. We are grateful for their continuing support.

If you would like to be a contributing writer, or subscriber or want to advertise in Gridiron Greats, please contact the Publisher via the information above. Portions of the material presented are the opinion of the contributing writers and not necessarily those of Swick Enterprises, LLC. 

CONTACT US If you are interested in any particular football topic that you would like to either see featured in Gridiron Greats or would like to write about, and if you have a Super Collection you want to be considered for an upcoming publication please feel free to contact Bob via email. 

Boston Globe Columnist Chad Finn joins Dan to talk about, The Boston Globe Story of the Celtics: 1946-Present: The Inside Stories and Acclaimed Reporting on the NBA’s Banner Franchise. Chad compiled the stories in the book, which featured legendary sportswriters like Bob Ryan, Jackie MacMullan, Leigh Montville, and many more. We talk about the book and the importance of the Celtics to the City of Boston.

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

Spencer Haywood was the first player to try to enter the NBA early. There was a rule at the time that a player could not enter the NBA until he was four years removed from high school, but Haywood was already playing in the ABA and wanted to jump to the NBA. In the end the U.S. Supreme Court had to decide the matter.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic

"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]