Sports History Network

When Football Is Football is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

NETWORK SPONSORS

Row One - the vintage shop for sports history fans!

HIGHLIGHTED SHOW

I am Chad Cain your host of One Guy with a Mic Presents: History of Dingers and Dunks. I am going to be bringing the history of baseball and basketball to life. For every one of you that doesn’t know anything about the history of baseball or basketball, this is your place to learn.

If you know some knowledge about baseball and basketball this is your place to know more. If you have more knowledge than others around you this is your safe space. I can always learn from each and every one of you as well.

Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

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Fantasy Football Origin Stories is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this 30th episode, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright rides shotgun in the DeLorean, to take us back in time and learn about his Fantasy Football Origin Story. This is actually a replay for listeners of The Football History Dude podcast, as this was episode #102 for my original podcast and one of my early interviews. We talk about many topics, including:

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When Football Is Football is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

NETWORK SPONSORS

Row One - the vintage shop for sports history fans!

HIGHLIGHTED SHOW

I am Chad Cain your host of One Guy with a Mic Presents: History of Dingers and Dunks. I am going to be bringing the history of baseball and basketball to life. For every one of you that doesn’t know anything about the history of baseball or basketball, this is your place to learn.

If you know some knowledge about baseball and basketball this is your place to know more. If you have more knowledge than others around you this is your safe space. I can always learn from each and every one of you as well.

Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

In a thorough exploration of football's historical intricacies, Timothy Brown articulates the concept of 'linebuck,' a term denoting a vigorous running strategy executed by running backs. This discussion provides invaluable insights into the early formations of football, particularly the tee formation that was prevalent at the dawn of the 20th century. Brown meticulously describes the alignment of players within this formation, which was pivotal for executing hard runs into the defensive line. By examining these foundational strategies, we are invited to appreciate the rich tapestry of tactics that have shaped the evolution of football over the decades. As we navigate through the conversation, Brown highlights the significant regulatory changes that have impacted the game. The episode sheds light on the 1903 rule modification which allowed the quarterback to advance the ball after receiving the snap, a transformative shift that broadened the offensive capabilities of teams. This pivotal moment not only changed the dynamics of play but also redefined the roles of players within the game. Brown's examination of these historical shifts encourages listeners to reflect on the interplay between regulation and strategy, illustrating how the fabric of football has been woven through both rules and tactics. Ultimately, this episode serves as a compelling narrative that intertwines history, strategy, and the evolution of football. By engaging with the past, we are better equipped to understand the present landscape of the sport. Brown's thorough analysis fosters an appreciation for the complexities of football, urging us to recognize the profound connections between historical practices and contemporary gameplay. Through this exploration, we gain a richer perspective on the game and the enduring legacy of its foundational strategies.

Pigskin Dispatch website

The discourse presented in this episode is centered around the historical evolution of football, articulated with precision by Timothy Brown, a distinguished author in gridiron history. Brown meticulously recounts the regulations instituted in 1896, which stipulated the necessity for offenses to have five players on the line of scrimmage. This requirement was fundamentally designed to curtail the chaotic nature of mass plays that characterized the early iterations of the game. As the conversation unfolds, we encounter the consequential amendments introduced in 1903, which escalated the requirement to seven players on the line of scrimmage within the vital 25-yard areas. Such alterations not only redefined the structural integrity of offensive formations but also prompted teams to innovate their strategies surrounding blocking and ball handling. Brown's narrative compellingly illustrates how these regulatory changes necessitated a reevaluation of gameplay tactics. He expounds on the tactical adaptations made by teams, who, in response to the new regulations, began to reposition their ends, tackles, and guards into the backfield to fulfill dual roles of both blocking and carrying the ball. This duality is further accentuated by the fact that the linemen of that era were frequently similar in size to the backs, creating a unique and dynamic interplay within offensive formations. The conversation also underscores the notable absence of passing plays during this period, which compelled teams to rely heavily on running strategies, where deception became a pivotal element to outmaneuver opponents. Ultimately, this episode serves as a rich exploration of the foundational elements that have shaped modern football. Brown's insights into the evolution of the game's rules and their subsequent influence on offensive strategy provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the sport's historical context. The intricate weaving of tactical innovation and regulatory framework presented in this discussion highlights the remarkable adaptability of football as it has progressed through the years.

Our special guest this week is former NFL linebacker Reggie Walker. In this interview, we talk about his football career, the struggles that he has faced throughout his life, and what he’s been doing since he retired from football. You're not going to want to miss this episode!!

There will be no Pro Football History Nugget of the Week. We want Reggie’s powerful message to stand on its own.

Reggie is on the National Advisory Board:

www.1in6.org

Football Learning Academy Website:

To learn more about the FLA, go to: https://www.football-learning-academy.com

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-84.

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

The 1971 season started poorly for the 49ers. They lost their opening game to the Falcons 20–17. After easy wins over the Saints and Eagles, they lost to the Rams 20–13. They won their next three games to up their record to 5–2.

Week eight was a rematch with the Vikings, whom they had upset in the playoffs last season. Again, the game was played in Metropolitan Stadium, and again, it was cold, with a wind chill factor of 7 degrees.

Minnesota was having another great season, going into this game with a 6–1 record. The "Purple People Eaters" defense had allowed just 26 points in their last five games. The 49ers didn't fare much better against that defense, scoring only 13 points. But the 49ers defense was no slouch, holding the Vikings offense to three field goals......

You can read the full blog post here.

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)

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

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. 

One of the top experts in early football rules history, Timothy P. Brown, joins us in discussing his research on the evolution of the football scoreboard and its designer, Arthur Irwin.

Here is Tim's original TidBit on Arthur Irwin's Innovation.

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.

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

In 1976, the nation we call the United States of America was celebrating its 200th birthday. It was a grand celebration from sea to sign shining sea, for 365 days. It almost seemed appropriate that the New England Patriots would invest in the patriotic fervor of that time by having their best season so far in the decade of the 1970s. You could make an argument that the Patriots and not the Dallas Cowboys were the real America's team.

They naturally had red, white, and blue uniforms, their team played their home games in the region of the country where the American Revolution began, and for their logo, they had a continental soldier perched as a center ready to snap the football. What more could you ask for in the form of patriotism?.....

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

PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND

Pro Football in the 1970s is a podcast dedicated to teaching fans about the history of the NFL during the 1970s, a time when the host (Joe Zagorski) grew up as a rabid fan of the game. Joe is also an author of multiple NFL books. See Joe's books below.

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

The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence

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