Sports History Network

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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.

The discourse surrounding the 30th pick in the NFL Draft reveals a tapestry of historical significance interwoven with the complexities of player selection. I embarked on a thorough examination of this particular slot, engaging in a dialogue with my esteemed colleague, Ed Cleese, who elucidated the nuances and notable statistics associated with pick number 30. Over the span of 90 years, the prevalence of defensive backs selected at this juncture stands out, with a staggering 10% of choices culminating in this position. This discourse is not merely an exploration of numbers; it transcends into a narrative that encapsulates the fortunes and misfortunes of players who have donned the mantle of the 30th pick. We traverse the annals of time, highlighting both the forgettable selections and the heavy hitters that have emerged from this position, culminating in a rich discussion about the implications of these choices on franchises and their legacies. In our conversation, Ed delineates various players, illustrating how the landscape of the NFL Draft has evolved. The analysis extends to the cases of Keith Browner and Andre Johnson, whose stories serve as reminders of the unpredictability inherent in drafting decisions. Browner, a defensive lineman whose career was marred by legal troubles, stands juxtaposed with Johnson, an offensive tackle who, despite being a first-round selection, failed to leave a mark on the field. This juxtaposition underscores the dichotomy of success and failure that haunts the draft, reminding us that the selection process is fraught with risk, and often, the most promising prospects may falter under the weight of expectation. Ultimately, our dialogue culminates in an affirmation of the extraordinary talents that have emerged from the 30th pick, particularly emphasizing the illustrious career of TJ Watt, a player whose prowess on the field has not only redefined expectations but has also solidified his place among the legends of the game. We find ourselves eagerly anticipating the upcoming draft, poised to witness the next chapter unfold in the storied history of the NFL, as we reflect on the past and look forward to the future of football.

In 1957, the North Carolina Tar Heels finished a perfect 32-0 after beating Kansas to win the National Title.

In 1962, a shocking exposé by The Saturday Evening Post was released with accusations leveled against Alabama Head Football Coach Bear Bryant and Georgia's Athletics Director Wally Butts colluding to fix a game.

In 1994, Los Angeles King Wayne Gretzky scored career goal 802, passing his childhood idol Gordie Howe and becoming the all-time leading scorer in the NHL at that point.

A comprehensive analysis of the 31st pick in the history of the NFL draft reveals significant insights into its evolution over the past 90 drafts. The discussion, anchored by the esteemed Ed Cleese and Darren, delves into the notable transitions of pick number 31, which has oscillated between second-round selections and recent first-round prominence. The episode meticulously explores the demographics of players selected at this position, highlighting a notable trend where running backs and offensive tackles dominate the selection history, with twelve players each drafted in these categories. The episode further contextualizes this data within the broader framework of the NFL draft's history, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the strategic importance of pick 31. As the speakers navigate through the statistics, they draw attention to the lack of impact players in recent years, with few selections yielding substantial contributions to their respective teams. This analytical approach not only enriches the listener's appreciation of the draft's complexity but also underscores the often-overlooked narratives that shape the careers of these athletes.

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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

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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.

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

Native American athletes featured this week include Henry Armstrong, Joe Louis, Billy Mills, Ethan Bear, Ross Anderson, Derrick Begay, Tommy Morrison, and Joe Hipp.

This week in NDN All-Stars history features memorable moments across boxing, hockey, rodeo, skiing, and distance running.

Henry Armstrong records several victories during the 1930s and 1940s as he continues building one of the greatest careers in boxing history. Joe Louis also adds another win in Detroit during his dominant championship era.

Moving into more recent decades, Ethan Bear scores the first goal of his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers, while Ross Anderson is inducted into the United States Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Rodeo champion Derrick Begay captures the team roping title at RodeoHouston, and Billy Mills wins the famous Cinque Mulini cross-country race in Italy.

From historic boxing arenas to international sporting events, these moments show the lasting impact Native athletes have made across the world of sports.

Topics Covered

• Henry Armstrong wins multiple boxing bouts in the 1930s and 1940s

• Joe Louis defeats Abe Simon during his heavyweight championship era

• Ethan Bear scores the first NHL goal of his career

• Ross Anderson is inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame

• Derrick Begay wins the RodeoHouston team roping championship

• Tommy Morrison records a technical knockout victory in Tulsa

• Joe Hipp wins a ten-round heavyweight decision in Tacoma

• Billy Mills wins the Cinque Mulini cross-country race in Italy

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 research and retell these stories.

If you would like to support the project directly, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.

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.

Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, and sometimes the athletes themselves—to help connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement.

Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious, this podcast offers 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!

Gridiron Baltic is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

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GRIDIRON BALTIC BACKGROUND

Gridiron Baltic is a monthly podcast exploring connections between American football in the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. On the surface, America’s Game may seem to have little in common with three small-nation states in Eastern Europe. Basketball and ice hockey, however, are not the only North American sports intertwined with the histories of Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian nations.

Among other things, nineteenth century immigration and the shifting political borders of the twentieth century created a multitude of connections and entanglements, both in the West and in the East. From immigrant players in the regional leagues of the United States to the first (un)official games on Soviet and post-Soviet fields, Gridiron Baltic traces how a distinctly American sport intersects with the complex and interconnected histories of the three modern Baltic nations.

New episodes drop on the first day of each month. Some highlight early pioneers who helped build the sport (both in the United States and the Baltic region); others focus on its diffusion and present-day developments in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

HOST - JAMES BAXENFIELD

Hosted by James Baxenfield, a historian, researcher, and chronicler of overlooked stories, Gridiron Baltic invites you on a unique journey through the history of American football—from its significance in immigrant communities to present-day teams and leagues across the Baltic region. Combining guest interviews with scholarship and archival research, Gridiron Baltic brings you the stories of star college players and celebrated coaches of yesteryear alongside Cold War-era gridiron legends.

In 1993, Cleveland Indians pitchers Tim Crews and Steve Olin were killed in a boating accident in Florida during Spring Training. Pitcher Bob Ojeda was also severely injured but survived.

In 1989, Buffalo Sabre goalie Clint Malarchuk suffered a major cut across a main artery in his neck and nearly died on the ice in a game against St. Louis.

Here's the article referenced in the episode:

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/clint-malarchuk-bleeding-out

In 1969, two-time Olympic Marathon gold medalist Abebe Bikila was paralyzed after a car accident in his home country of Ethiopia.

In 1934, the first Masters Tournament was played.

In 1998, John Daly scores an 18 on one hole during a round of the Bay Hill Invitational.

In 1893, it was the first women's collegiate basketball game.

As we approach the NFL Draft on April 23rd, the air is thick with mock drafts and endless speculation. But here at Pigskin Dispatch, we’re taking a different route. Joined by Ed Kleese, we are kicking off a 32-day countdown to the draft by looking at the historical significance of each pick—starting today with Pick Number 32.

In our modern 32-team era, the 32nd pick is the prestigious "caboose" of the first round, usually reserved for the reigning Super Bowl champions. However, looking back through the 90 drafts from 1937 to 2025, Pick 32 has only been a first-round selection 22 times. For the vast majority of NFL history, this was a second or even third-round spot.

Whether it was a first-round investment or a mid-round flyer, Pick 32 has produced a fascinating mix of Hall of Famers, "rock steady" linemen, and the occasional "what happened?" mystery.

Ed Kleese took a deep dive into the last 45 years of draft history to curate a list of the most impactful players taken at this spot. Here is his definitive ranking:

1. Drew Brees (QB, 2001):The undisputed king of this list. Taken 32nd overall by the Chargers (as a second-rounder!), Brees went on to shatter records in New Orleans and cement his place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
2. Logan Mankins (OG, 2005):A seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro for the Patriots. Interestingly, his tenure in New England sat perfectly between their early 2000s dynasty and their 2014 resurgence, meaning he never won a ring despite his dominance.
3. Lamar Jackson (QB, 2018):The Ravens traded back into the first round to snag this MVP at #32. While his story is still being written, he is already one of the most dynamic weapons the league has ever seen.
4. Henry Ellard (WR, 1983):A model of longevity, Ellard racked up over 13,000 yards across 16 seasons with the Rams and Redskins, proving to be a bright spot even during rebuilding years.
5. Ray Donaldson (C, 1980):A pioneer as the first African American starting center in the NFL, Donaldson enjoyed a 17-season career and earned six Pro Bowl nods.

Before the Super Bowl era, Pick 32 yielded some legendary names that football historians will cherish. We can't talk about this slot without mentioning Bob St. Clair (1953), the towering Hall of Fame tackle for the 49ers, or "Dandy" Don Meredith (1960), the original face of the Dallas Cowboys.

On the flip side, the draft is never a sure thing. Ed pointed out the curious case of Mike Elkins (1989), a Chiefs quarterback who threw only two passes in his entire NFL career—one of which was an interception. It serves as a reminder that even at the 32nd spot, the "bust" factor is always lurking.

To wrap up our first day, here’s a bit of trivia for the draft nerds: The University of Southern California (USC) is the most popular school at Pick 32, with four Trojans selected at this spot over the last 90 years.

Join us tomorrow as we move to Pick Number 31!

Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website to see even more Positive football news!

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.

In this episode, we focus on long-time scout and personnel person Dick Haley

To learn more about trailblazing contributors in NFL history, visit our Historical Scouting Reports class, where the greats in NFL history. Check it out at the Football Learning Academy website at www.football-learning-academy.com.

Football Learning Academy Website:

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

Social Media:

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FootballLearn1

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballlearningacademy/

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

In this episode, we highlight the career of Fido Murphy, one of the more colorful characters in pro football scouting history. You’re not going to want to miss this one!

To learn more about trailblazing contributors in NFL history, visit our Historical Scouting Reports class, where the greats in NFL history. Check it out at the Football Learning Academy website at www.football-learning-academy.com.

Football Learning Academy Website:

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

Social Media:

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FootballLearn1

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballlearningacademy/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@footballlearningacademy

Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

In 1970, Slovenian ski jumper Vinko Bogataj plunged off the end of the ramp, becoming the 'Agony of Defeat' soon after.

In 1976, champion US ski racer Spider Sabich was shot and killed by his girlfriend and actress Claudine Longet.

In 1940, golfer Ben Hogan won his first golf tournament after years of grinding on tour.

In 1987, the Providence Friars continued to surprise folks in the NCAA Tournament, beating Georgetown to advance to the Final Four.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter formally announced the US would boycott the 1980 Olympics in the Soviet Union due to the invasion of Afghanistan.

In 1986, Egypt beat Cameroon 5-4 on PKs after being allowed to use a player that had initially been suspended from the game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.