Sports History Network

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

This week’s episode of This Week in NDN All-Stars History covers a wide range of moments—from early baseball debuts to championship performances across multiple sports.

We highlight Bob Johnson stepping onto the field for the first time, Jim Thorpe beginning his Major League journey, and Tiger Woods capturing his first Masters title. Along the way, we also recognize standout performances from athletes like Jonathan Cheechoo, Shoni Schimmel, and T.J. Oshie, along with historic achievements from Joe Louis and Tarzan Brown.

These are the moments that continue to build the legacy of Native athletes across generations.

• Bob Johnson’s MLB debut with the Philadelphia Athletics
• Joe Louis knockout victories in Detroit
• Kyle Losey’s complete game shutout
• Cody Jamieson reaching 1,000 career points in the NLL
• Tiger Woods winning his first Masters Tournament
• Jim Thorpe’s Major League Baseball debut
• Shoni Schimmel selected in the WNBA Draft
• Chief Meyers’ MLB debut with the New York Giants
• Jonathan Cheechoo wins the Rocket Richard Trophy
• T.J. Oshie’s “Goal of the Year” rookie moment
• Angel Goodrich drafted into the WNBA
• Pepper Martin’s MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals
• Henry Armstrong’s early boxing victory
• Jim Thorpe Day proclaimed in 1973
• Mike Edwards’ first PBA Tour title
• Tarzan Brown’s Boston Marathon victory
• George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah fight results
• Roy Johnson’s MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers

If you’re enjoying these stories and want to help us keep sharing the history of great Native athletes, head over to NDNAllStars.com to explore the collection.

You can also follow the podcast, share this episode, and help us continue growing the visibility of Native athletes—past and present.

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.

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 1987, Augusta's native son Larry Mize sank a miracle birdie chip to beat Greg Norman and win the Masters.

In 1954, Sam Snead beat Ben Hogan in an 18-hole playoff to win his third and final Masters Green Jacket.

In 1980, Ted Stepien bought the Cleveland Cavaliers. It turned into such a disaster that the NBA would institute the Stepien Rule after he sold the team.

In 1877, Harvard's James Tyng became the first catcher to wear a mask.

The Pro Football Time Machine is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Land on Kent McCloughan’s page on Pro Football Reference and it’s likely that you’d barely give it a glance before moving on.

Stay and you’ll see a six season career that had a brilliant start but disappointing finish. The two, first team All Pro honors will grab your eye but a look at the final three seasons of McCloughan’s career and it will have you wondering, what happened?

The fact is, McCloughan left a lasting mark on the NFL that I say extends to the present day.

During McCloughan’s brief time in professional football, he stamped his name on what became known as “bump and run” pass coverage.

You can read the full article on the Sports History Network site here.

THE PRO FOOTBALL TIME MACHINE BACKGROUND

PRO FOOTBALL TIME MACHINE WEB PAGE

Every two weeks, you’ll take a trip with me and Zo-Zo the cat to discover events and people who contributed, each in their own way, to building a league that has become the king of professional sports. Sometimes we will visit an event or star player, but to hopefully bring to light something that has always flown under the radar that is an important part of their story.

More often though, we’ll find events and people who’ve been missed by documentaries and books but have stories that need telling. Those are the destinations that are the most fun to discover.

Join me, Tom Pollin, and Zo-Zo the cat as we have fun on our journeys.

HOST - TOM POLLIN BIO

I grew up in the Chicagoland area, Waukegan to be specific and now make my home in Chicago. I’ve been a fan of football, and the Chicago Bears, since I first became aware of the existence of both. Of course, in those years the Bears dwelled at the bottom of the NFL standings but I grew to love the team more as I began to read everything about their storied history that I could get my hands on.

The diving into the Bears history spread into a need to know more about the NFL from the times before its birth, through its formation and growing pains, to the present day.

Writing and talking about pro football history is a labor of love for me. Since I began writing about the NFL in 2011, I’ve written hundreds of articles on teams, games and opinion pieces but the pieces I’ve written about teams, games and players gone by have been the most satisfying of the work I’ve published.

The eleventh pick in the NFL draft is often regarded as a pivotal juncture, presenting the opportunity to secure either a foundational cornerstone for a franchise or a potential liability. This episode meticulously examines the historical significance of this particular draft position, highlighting the juxtaposition of illustrious successes, such as Hall of Famers J.J. Watt and Ben Roethlisberger, against notable disappointments. We delve into the complexities surrounding the eleventh pick, exploring its rich history that encompasses both legendary figures and infamous busts. Furthermore, we engage in a comprehensive ranking of the most consequential players drafted at this position, as well as an analysis of recent selections that have shaped the trajectory of their respective teams. Join us as we navigate the intricate landscape of the eleventh pick, illuminating its profound implications in the realm of professional football.

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.

In 2009, Boston University scored two goals in the final minute of regulation to force overtime and then scored the game winner in OT to win the National Championship.

In 1989, Philadelphia Flyers' goalie Ron Hextall scored an empty net goal, becoming the first goalie to score in a Stanley Cup playoff game.

In 2003, the Miami Heat retired Michael Jordan's #23.

In 1966, Emmett Ashford became the first black umpire in Major League Baseball.

The twelfth overall pick in the NFL draft has proven itself to be a veritable treasure trove for discovering exceptional talent, particularly in the realm of defensive prowess. This episode meticulously explores the illustrious history associated with pick number twelve, highlighting the emergence of Hall of Fame-caliber athletes such as Warren Sapp and Marshawn Lynch, alongside contemporary standouts like Micah Parsons. As we approach the 2026 draft, we engage in a comprehensive countdown of the top five players who have transformed this selection into a formidable nightmare for opposing teams. Our discourse endeavors to elucidate the patterns and trajectories that define the successes and challenges encountered by players drafted at this pivotal juncture. Join us as we delve into the nuances of football history and celebrate the remarkable contributions of these athletes to the sport.

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.

In 1949, Sam Snead won his first Masters and became the first to receive a green jacket. Past winners were given a green jacket retroactively.

In 1975, Lee Elder became the first black man to play in The Masters.

In 1999, the Chicago Bulls only managed 49 points in a loss to the Miami Heat. It's the lowest point output in an NBA game in the shot clock era.

In 1938, French race car driver René Dreyfus, who was also Jewish, drove to a win in the Pau Gran Prix in his French built Dalahaye race car. Finishing second was a Mercedes Benz driven by famed German drivers Rudolf Caracciola and Hermann Lang.

The thirteenth pick in the NFL Draft has historically proven to be a remarkable selection, as evidenced by the illustrious careers of numerous Hall of Fame players. This episode meticulously delineates the quintessence of the legends who were chosen at this auspicious position, highlighting their profound impact on their respective franchises. From the extraordinary careers of Aaron Donald and Tony Gonzalez to the pivotal contributions of other notable players, we examine how selections at this number have often heralded success and dynamism in the league. We shall enumerate the top five individuals who epitomize excellence at this draft slot, illustrating how their legacies have reshaped the narrative of professional football. Join us as we explore the unparalleled significance of the thirteenth pick, an entry point into a pantheon of football greatness.

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.

In 1965, the Houston Astrodome opened for business featuring an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and the Astros.

In 2024, Boston and Milwaukee set an NBA record when the two teams combined for just 2 free throws. Boston became the first and only team (so far) to not attempt a free throw in an NBA game.

In 1989, golfer Scott Hoch missed a 2-foot par putt on the first playoff hole that would have won the Masters. Nick Faldo won on the following playoff hole.

In 1981, LA Dodger rookie Fernando Valenzuela pitched on opening day in place of veteran Jerry Reuss. Fernando Mania soon began.

The 14th overall pick in the NFL Draft has proven to be a veritable crucible for greatness, yielding a lineage of Hall of Fame caliber defenders. This episode meticulously delineates the illustrious history associated with this specific draft position, spotlighting the foremost five players who epitomize excellence derived from the 14th selection. Through an engaging dialogue with our esteemed guest, Ed Cleese, we traverse the annals of football history, examining significant figures ranging from Jim Kelly, who orchestrated the Buffalo Bills to unparalleled success, to Darrelle Revis, whose defensive prowess redefined the cornerback position. As we embark on this analytical journey, we invite our audience to reflect upon the exceptional talents that have emerged from this pivotal draft slot. Join us as we celebrate the legacy of these extraordinary athletes and their indelible impact on the gridiron.

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.