Sports History Network

Under the Radar is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

He's 'Under the Radar' now, but from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, Mac Wilkins was a top-ranked 4-time world record holder in the discus - representing the last time the US won medals in this throwing event. Hear what he's up to now and his thoughts on multiple topics.

UNDER THE RADAR BACKGROUND

Under the Radar: Olympic Athletes Ya Gotta Meet is a podcast dedicated to highlighting the stories of unsung Olympic athletes past and future who are little-known and yet well worth getting to know. True to the Olympic spirit, these athletes have either demonstrated their heroism in past Games or have a chance to shine in future ones. Your host is Doug Levy, a retired sportswriter, reporter, lobbyist, and business owner who brings his love for all things Olympic Games to each podcast.

Every month, Doug will help you learn about athletes who competed just outside the limelight – or have yet to bask in the media spotlight. Each episode will feature an interview with athletes about the Olympic Games journey they took or the Olympic Games story they hope to write. So, sit back and learn about some competitors that NBC-TV and the mainstream media either never really discovered -- or have yet to uncover.

HOST - DOUG LEVY

Doug Levy is a lover of all things sports with a special affinity for the magic that comes come with every rendition of Summer and Winter Olympic Games. A 1984 University of Oregon graduate, he began his career as a sportswriter and columnist, news reporter, and political reporter for two daily newspapers in Washington State. He then spent 35 years in government affairs and politics, including 25 years owning/operating his lobbying business.

After retiring from lobbying at the end of 2022, Doug returned to his roots and spent two years of research, interviews, and writing for his first book, “Hero Redefined: Profiles of Olympic Athletes Under the Radar.” The book was published in late January 2025 and has earned words of praise from Olympic athletes and sports luminaries such as Sebastian Coe, Frank Shorter, Mac Wilkins, Mitch Gaylord, Willie Banks, and the President of the Golden State Warriors, Brandon Schneider. Doug lives just outside of Seattle, Wash., with his wife of nearly 40 years, Teri, and their dog Riley. They have two sons, Zach, 33, and Cody, 30. To learn more about Doug, visit www.authordouglevy.com

HERO REDEFINED: PROFILES OF OLYMPIC ATHLETES UNDER THE RADAR (Amazon link)

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

In 1976 and 1977, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers experienced what is probably the worst two seasons to begin a modern franchise in pro football history. Most fans and historians of the NFL know that the Buccaneers had ended their inaugural season of 1976 with the embarrassing record of zero wins and 14 losses. But did you know that even though they earned a 2-12 mark in 1977, their 1977 season was actually worse in a statistical sense than their winless season of 1976. It’s true!

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.

In 2014, US goalkeeper Tim Howard set a World Cup record with 16 saves.

In 1902, Philadelphia's Rube Waddell pitched an immaculate inning.

In 1990, New York Yankee Andy Hawkins pitched a no-hitter but lost.

How are the New York Mets, Bobby Bonilla, and Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff connected?

When Chuck Klein broke into Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1928, few knew about the power he possessed. In just 64 games, he connected for 11 home runs and hit .360. A great debut. What followed was six of the most prolific seasons in not just Phillies history, but MLB history, too! From 1929 through 1933, he averaged 36 home runs a season, averaged .359 a season, and averaged 138 RBI a season. He won an MVP, won a triple crown, four times he led the National League in total bases, twice in hits, twice in doubles, and he even led the National League in stolen bases one season. As if all that isn't enough, he set the record for most assists as an outfielder with 44 in 1930. Back to total bases, his 445 in 1930 rank fourth all-time, and his 420 in 1932 ranks ninth all-time. Lou Gehrig is the only other player to appear in the top 10 twice. Yet, for all Klein accomplished, his career is largely overlooked. When he played, the Phillies' home field was the Baker Bowl, and it was only 280 feet down the right field line. But the right field wall was 60-feet-tall. Many experts hold the 280-feet against Klein despite the height of the wall. Yet, those same experts don't hold the dimensions of 314 feet down the right field line against left-handed hitters in the Yankees lineup, or the 258 feet down the right field line against Mel Ott of the New York Giants, or the 310 feet in left field with the 37-foot wall in Fenway Park against right-handed batters. Klein's numbers were phenomenal. Klein retired, for good, after the 1944 season with 300 homeruns and a career batting average of .320. Yet, it took until 1980, 36 years after he retired, before he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, by the Veterans Committee. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, the host of Midnight Library of Baseball podcast, Ben Orlando, joins for a terrific discussion about a forgotten baseball great - Chuck Klein.

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

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

The first USA Women's National Championships were held on May 23, 1981, in Waterloo, Iowa. There were only 29 competitors, and only one woman, Judy Glenney, was able to snatch more than her bodyweight. Lifting in the 67.5-kilo weight class, Glenney easily won the best lifter award with a 75-kilo snatch and a 97.5-kilo clean & jerk. Seventeen of the 29 competitors were unable to clean & jerk their bodyweight, but it was a start.......

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)

NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY is presented by the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

The first USA Women's National Championships were held on May 23, 1981, in Waterloo, Iowa. There were only 29 competitors, and only one woman, Judy Glenney, was able to snatch more than her bodyweight. Lifting in the 67.5-kilo weight class, Glenney easily won the best lifter award with a 75-kilo snatch and a 97.5-kilo clean & jerk. Seventeen of the 29 competitors were unable to clean & jerk their bodyweight, but it was a start.......

You can read the full blog post here.

SHOW BACKGROUND

My name is Mark Morthier, and I host yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network. As many of you know from reading my articles and listening to my podcasts, I am not only an avid weightlifter but a fan of the sport as well. I’m excited to share my newest adventure, a show dedicated to promoting weightlifting, while also looking back at some weightlifting history. I’ll share some of my own stories and interview weightlifters from both past and present.

I competed in Olympic Weightlifting from 1981 to 1989 and powerlifting from 2011 to 2019. Although I wasn’t what one might call “a naturally gifted lifter,” I managed to clean & jerk 140 kilos/308 lbs at 179 lbs body weight. In my later years, I achieved a 600-pound deadlift and a 431-pound front squat in my mid-fifties. Although I was more successful in powerlifting, setting New Jersey and New York State records in Masters Competitions, I’ll always consider myself an Olympic Weightlifter. I’ve also written a book on weight training titled No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training, which is available on Amazon.

No Nonsense, Old School Weightlifting book (Amazon affiliate link)

I hope that you will enjoy the show, and please leave a comment or offer a suggestion. And if you’re an Olympic lifter, past or present, let me know if you’d like to set up an interview, and I’ll do my best to have you on the show. Stay strong and God bless!

CHECK OUT YESTERDAY'S SPORTS (MY ORIGINAL SHOW)

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

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

Rare or Expensive? Bob Swick and his Co-host Joe Squires discuss this topic with regards to the 1949 Silber's Bakery cards and 1894 Mayo football card set. Joe also talks about his experience at the World Cup in Mexico.

GRIDIRON GREATS MAGAZINE BACKGROUND

Gridiron Greats covers 150+ 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.

In 1905, Nap Lajoie developed a blood infection that was attributed to his dyed socks running into a cut in his leg.

In 1978, the Chicago White Sox named Larry Doby as their manager, becoming the second black major league manager.

In 1984, the LA Express and Michigan Panthers played the longest game in Pro Football.

In 1929, Bobby Jones won his third US Open in a 36-hole playoff.

1936 Minnesota Football Team Hotel Fire: Timothy Brown detailed an incident from 1936 where the University of Minnesota football team, coached by Bernie Beerman, experienced a hotel fire while traveling for a game against Washington. While the team was staying at the 175-room Florence Hotel in Missoula, Montana, a fire broke out at 4:00 in the morning. Because the building lacked an alarm system, a newspaper reporter discovered the smoke, prompting a manual evacuation. Although two players were initially missing, they were safely located after using a fire escape. While the team lost many personal belongings, such as watches, jewelry, and national championship charms, their game equipment remained safely on the Pullman train cars. The team traveled to Seattle and won their game 14-7, and the Minnesota company Joins later replaced the lost championship charms.

The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: When The Gophers Played With Fire (1936)- https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/todays-tidbit-when-the-gophers-played

⏰ Timecodes ⏰

00:06 The Gophers and Their Fiery Challenge

02:35 The Lawrence Hotel Fire Incident

04:25 The Aftermath of the Fire

06:16 The Aftermath of the Fire

07:16 Exploring the Depths of Football History

Grab a copy of our latest book, "Red Grange & Chicago Bears 1925-1926 Barnstorming Tour: 100th Anniversary Scrapbook" written by NFL Film's Chris Willis, and compiled by Darin Hayes https://amzn.to/4r8rVyp

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.

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Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.

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Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.