Sports History Network

The year 1920 marks a pivotal moment in the annals of football history, as it heralded the inception of the American Professional Football Association, which would eventually evolve into the National Football League. This episode delves into the myriad events that transpired during this transformative year, including the celebrated Rose Bowl, where Harvard triumphed over Oregon in a closely contested match, symbolizing a return to normalcy following the turmoil of World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic. We examine the establishment of a professional football organization, showcasing the inaugural game between the Dayton Triangles and the Columbus Panhandles, a significant milestone that laid the groundwork for future leagues. The discussion extends to the emergence of iconic teams and players, as well as the cultural significance of these developments within the broader context of American sports. Join us as we explore the legacy of 1920 and its enduring impact on the game of football.

Do you want more football history? Grab a copy of our latest book, "When Greasy Met the Wonder Coach, The Story of the Coaches of the 1922 Rose Bowl Greasy Neale and Andy Smith." https://amzn.to/4eyrdVQ

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.

The narrative of 1920 in football is replete with significant events that collectively heralded a new era for the sport. Central to this story is the formation of the American Professional Football Association (APFA) on September 17, 1920, in Canton, Ohio, which laid the groundwork for organized professional football. This episode meticulously examines the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the APFA, emphasizing its role in fostering a more structured and ethical framework for professional play. Furthermore, the discussion contextualizes this development within the broader historical milieu, including the impacts of World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic, which had previously disrupted the sport and its traditions. The resurgence of college football, exemplified by Harvard's triumph in the 1920 Rose Bowl against Oregon, serves as a poignant reminder of the sport's enduring appeal and the revival of competitive spirit following a tumultuous period.

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

This week in NDN All-Stars history features championship boxing, historic baseball moments, NHL milestones, golf victories, and world-record performances.

Joe Lewis headlines the week with some of the most significant victories of his legendary career, including wins over James J. Braddock, Max Schmeling, Primo Carnera, and Jersey Joe Wolcott. Henry Armstrong also continues his remarkable run with multiple victories during the week.

We also highlight Kyrie Irving becoming the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft, Carey Price making NHL history during his award-winning season, and Chris Wondolowski becoming the first Native American to appear in a FIFA World Cup match.

Additional milestones include Notah Begay III earning a PGA Tour victory, Billy Mills helping set a world record, SilentRain Espinosa making softball history, and Tommy Morrison adding two more victories to his professional boxing career.

From world championships and record-setting performances to groundbreaking firsts, these stories showcase the enduring impact of Native athletes across generations.

• Joe Lewis wins the Heavyweight Championship of the World

• Joe Lewis defeats Max Schmeling, Primo Carnera, and Jersey Joe Wolcott

• Kyrie Irving is selected first overall in the NBA Draft

• Carey Price sweeps the NHL Awards

• Chris Wondolowski becomes the first Native American to play in a FIFA World Cup match

• Notah Begay III wins the FedEx Saint Jude Classic

• Billy Mills helps set a six-mile world record

• Tommy Morrison records two professional victories

• Ashton Locklear wins a national gymnastics title

• SilentRain Espinosa signs with the USSSA Pride

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!

In 1978, Argentina beat Peru 6-0 to advance to the final of the World Cup. Some believe Peru were coerced into laying down.

in 1970, Brazil beat Italy 4-1 to win its third World Cup with Pelé scoring a goal and assisting two others.

In 1988, the LA Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons in seven games to win back-to-back NBA titles. But this game ended weirdly. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIs_G4zpjis

In 2012, the Miami Heat beat OKC to win the NBA title. LeBron James was named series MVP and it was his first championship.

In 1994, Steffi Graf was beaten in her first round match at Wimbledon by Lori McNeil. Graf, the three-time defending champ, became the first defending champ in the open era to lose in the opener.

In 1982, Tom Watson sank a tricky chip in to take the lead at the US Open and went on to beat Jack Nicklaus by two shots at Pebble Beach.

In 1999, Payne Stewart won his second and final US Open at Pinehurst.

In 1964, Ken Venturi nearly died on his way to winning the US Open at Congressional.

In 1984, Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry testified as a character witness for his QB Danny White.

New York has McGraw, Holzman, and Stengel. Boston has Belichick and Auerbach, Los Angeles offers Riley and Lasorda. In this episode we name the Coaching Mt. Rushmores of these and many other cities.

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

In 1986, former Maryland basketball star and recently drafted Boston Celtic Len Bias died.

In 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 in game 7 to win the Stanley Cup.

In 1943, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles merged due to a player shortage due to WWII.

StatMan and Robin is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

During the Orioles Magic era (1979-83) there were two weekend series that jumped out to us as truly magical. In part one, we go back to the final series of the 1982 season, where the Orioles hosted the Brewers needing a sweep to win the AL East. It was also the time to bid farewell to manager Earl Weaver.

STATMAN AND ROBIN BACKGROUND

The city of Baltimore has a rich sports history dating back to the “Hit ‘em where they ain’t” Orioles of the 1890’s. Since then, the Colts, Orioles, Ravens and nearby Maryland Terrapins have provided fans with thrilling victories and crushing defeats, and we’ve been there for them all going back to the 1966 World Series champion Orioles.

We’ll bring you the stories of our teams through the years featuring not just the action on the field, but memories of the players, coaches, executives and the city itself. From the champs to the bad teams that make us appreciate the good ones even more, there are stories we want to share for posterity. We hope the younger fans learn, and older fans relive those memories and perhaps learn something they didn’t know.

We’ll also occasionally add stories of some lesser-known Baltimore teams, in sports like indoor soccer, lacrosse, and even Canadian football. Also, don’t forget the Baltimore Bullets.

We hope you will enjoy our bi-weekly shows as much as we will enjoy reliving these great times of our lives.

HOSTS - JIM JOHNSON & ROBIN HAINES

Jim Johnson bio:

I’m Jim Johson (aka StatMan), one of the co-hosts of Baltimore Sports History. I escaped the doldrums of Washington, DC sports in the 1960s when I moved to the Baltimore area during the 1970 World Series, which the Orioles won, and met Robin Haines. We quickly bonded over sports, a bond that lasted past school years through families and careers.

I have written about sports for various websites over the years. I did “The Courtmaster” column covering ACC and Maryland Terps men’s basketball (and a National Championship) in the early 2000’s. I also wrote about college football in the mid 2000’s. More recently, I wrote about Baltimore football history and the AFC North for Baltimore Sports and Life from 2021-2023. Now happily retired, I enjoy going back to the history of my favorite teams and sharing it with Robin, and you.

Robin Haines bio:

I'm Robin Haines, a retired R.N. and lifelong Baltimore area resident who grew up hearing my dad talk about the pre-1954 minor league Orioles. The seed was planted for my growth into a die-hard Baltimore sports follower (and when you're named after a baseball Hall of Famer-well, there's a story there).

I met Jim Johnson when we were both around 12 years old, and we have shared the ups and downs (and many quirks) of the Baltimore sports scene for most of our lives. You know how a sports story or event you share with someone can instantly take you back to an earlier version of yourselves? That's how it is with Jim and me, and I hope to share that connection on this podcast.

In 2000, Tiger Woods blitzed the field at the US Open, winning by a record 15 shots.

In 1985, four golfers competed at TPC Sawgrass to determine the World's Worst Avid Golfer.

In 1941, Joe Louis narrowly escaped with a win, knocking out Billy 'the Kid' Conn in the 13th round.

In 1953, the Boston Red Sox scored a modern major league baseball record 17 runs in the inning.

In 1970, a flurry of goals by West Germany and Italy in extra time in a World Cup Semifinal had some calling this the best World Cup game ever.

In 2002, the US beat Mexico 2-0 in a round of 16 match at the World Cup.

In 1973, Johnny Miller shot a 63 to win the US Open. It was the lowest round at a US Open until 2024.

In 1994, the OJ Bronco chase enraptured television viewers despite there being several sporting events taking place such as the NBA Finals, the World Cup starting and Arnold Palmer playing his final round in his US Open career.

On September 17, 1914, a pivotal gathering occurred in Canton, Ohio, wherein a confluence of football team owners convened to establish the nascent framework of professional football, an event that would ultimately culminate in the formation of the National Football League. This episode delves into the disorganized state of American football prior to this meeting, characterized by rampant player poaching, spiraling salaries, and a complete lack of structure. We explore how Ralph Hay, an automobile showroom owner, recognized the urgent need for order amidst chaos and took it upon himself to invite other team owners to collaborate on a solution. The ensuing discussions led to the establishment of foundational principles aimed at regulating player contracts and ensuring the integrity of the sport. As we recount the birth of what would become a $200 billion industry, we reflect on the profound legacy of that fateful meeting and the enduring impact of the structures instituted by those early visionaries.

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.