Sports History Network

David Robinson was an incredibly gifted student who had walked away from basketball at the age of 13 to focus on his studies and playing the saxophone. However, three years later the basketball coach at his high school convinced him to try out for the team. And just five years after that Robinson was the first pick in the 1987 NBA Draft.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Take Care" by Julian Avila

"Horizons" by Roa

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sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

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

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

The final episode of the Hall of Fame series is recorded during Super Bowl week and opens with Dave describing his Super Bowl jackets, patches, and pins, including favorites from Super Bowls VI, X, XIII, and a rare press pin from Super Bowl XXX. The conversation reflects on collecting, nostalgia, and how memorabilia represents personal memories more than monetary value, while also reinforcing that Hall of Fame induction is limited and that not getting in doesn’t erase a player’s greatness.

The discussion then shifts to football nostalgia and how the game has changed, touching on extreme cold-weather games like the Bengals–Chargers “freezer” game, Kenny Anderson’s performance, and concerns about moving future playoff games indoors. They contrast today’s Super Bowl—dominated by commercials, halftime shows, and nonstop media—with earlier eras when the focus was strictly on the game, before closing with lighthearted talk about old episodes, short-form clips, and plans for future shows.

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)

If you’ve ever watched a crowd storm the field to topple a goal post after a massive upset, you know these yellow structures are more than just sports equipment—they are symbols of victory. But the goal posts we see today in the NFL and NCAA are a far cry from the "cheesy, beat-up scrap lumber" used in the early days of the gridiron.

Recently, Darin Hayes sat down with Timothy B. Brown of Football Archaeology to tear down the history of these iconic structures. From the cow pastures of the 1800s to the high-tech "slingshots" of today, here is how the goal post evolved.

The discussion stems from Tim's recent Tidbit titled: A History of Goal Posts.

In the very earliest days of American football—derived from rugby and soccer—the setup was incredibly primitive. Instead of the rigid crossbars we see now, teams would often just erect two wooden posts and stretch a string or rope between them, roughly 10 feet off the ground.

As Tim Brown noted, the rules were simple but familiar: "If you kicked the ball under that rope, it was soccer; if you kicked it over, it was rugby."

For decades, goal posts were the classic "H-style" and were planted directly on the goal line. While this made sense for scoring, it created a massive safety hazard. Imagine a fullback sprinting for a touchdown, only to be stopped not by a linebacker, but by a 4x4 wooden beam.

1. The Harvard-Yale Incident:In 1899, a Harvard player was famously stopped short of a touchdown because Yale defenders literally braced themselves against the goal post to hold the line.
2. The Obstacle Course:A few years later, another Harvard runner knocked himself out by running head-first into the post before anyone even tackled him.

In the early 1900s, an innovator named Edward Manley patented a "safety goal post." His design moved the heavy support posts 3 to 5 yards behind the goal line, using braces to suspend the crossbar over the actual line.

While it was a brilliant idea for player safety, it didn't catch on immediately for one simple reason: Money. Manley charged $50 for every installation—a small fortune in 1900—leading many schools to stick with their dangerous (but free) wooden H-posts.

The location of the goal post has hopped back and forth throughout history, usually to balance the difficulty of kicking:

1. 1927:College football moved the posts to theend line(the back of the end zone) to get them out of the way of runners and provide better angles for kickers.
2. 1932:The NFL moved them back to thegoal lineto encourage more scoring and break a record-high streak of tie games.
3. 1974:The NFL finally moved them back to theend linefor good. With the rise of soccer-style kickers, field goals had become too easy, and the league wanted to make the game more challenging again.

The modern, single-post "slingshot" or gooseneck design we see today didn't arrive until 1966. It was dreamt up by Jim Trimble (former coach of the Philadelphia Eagles) while he was playing with a fork at breakfast!

Made of aluminum, these "Tele-Goal" posts were safer, more durable, and looked much more professional than the shop-class creations of yesteryear.

The history of the game is hidden in the details—from the width of the uprights to the sawdust inside a tackling dummy. If you love learning about the "antiquities" of the gridiron, be sure to check out Tim Brown’s work at FootballArchaeology.com.

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.

The United States Hockey team just won its first gold medal in Men's Olympic Hockey in 46 years.

Almost to the day that team USA pulled off one of the greatest upsets in history, beating the Soviets in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid New York.

In this short podcast bulletin, Historically Speaking Sports Podcast co-host Dana Auguster talks about the other two instances that team USA had won the gold in Olympic Hockey.

Please like and subscribe and to contact the show, please write to us at [email protected]

The narrative unfolds around the dramatic events of August 9, 1910, when New York City Mayor William Gaynor fell victim to an assassination attempt orchestrated by a disgruntled individual named Gallagher. In the midst of the ensuing chaos, it was the formidable figure of William "Big Bill" Edwards, the city street cleaning commissioner, who exhibited remarkable bravery by tackling the assailant and thereby neutralizing the immediate threat to the mayor's life. This episode delves into the multifaceted life of Edwards, a man whose athletic prowess on the football field at Princeton University and subsequent career as a prominent official made him a significant figure in the realm of sports and civic duty. We explore how his steadfast determination and commitment to public service culminated in his recognition with the Carnegie Medal of Heroism for his actions that day. Ultimately, this episode serves to illuminate the legacy of Big Bill Edwards, a paragon of courage and dedication, whose story resonates far beyond the confines of the football field.

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.

NY Giants: Without A Home is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquaters For Sports' Yesteryear.

NY Giants: Without A Home Web Page

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

The harsh realities of playing their "home" games away from NYC are described with reflections from the fans.

SHOW BACKGROUND:

The New York Giants are one of football’s oldest franchises. But in 1973, they didn’t have a home. Yankee Stadium was scheduled to close. They were no longer welcomed by the mayor of New York City, and the opening of their new stadium in New Jersey was well behind schedule. Options had vanished. As a result, the team soon found itself scrambling to find a place to play their home games for the next 3 seasons. The decision they ultimately made would prove to have major implications on all aspects of the organization, including its on-field performance and their fans. The NY Giants – A Team Without a Home.

HOST - JOE SANTOS:

Joe Santos grew up in Massachusetts and is an avid football fan, with a special fondness for the NFL in the early 70s. This Week in Pro Football and NFL Game of the Week were must-see TV back in the day. And living in Massachusetts meant you saw all of the NY Giants games on tv, both home and away, as they were the de facto home team for the NFC.

Due to the blackout rules at the time, only the Patriots away games were shown. Being a huge sports history fan, Joe thought it would be fun to go back in time and tell the backstory of why the Giants would leave NYC for the swamps of New Jersey. Now living in GA, Joe roots for all of the Boston teams.

The NY Giants: A Team Without A Home is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquaters For Sports' Yesteryear.

NY Giants: Without A Home Web Page

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

Backdrop behind the team's decision to leave NYC and the subsequent reaction from city officials.

SHOW BACKGROUND:

The New York Giants are one of football’s oldest franchises. But in 1973, they didn’t have a home. Yankee Stadium was scheduled to close. They were no longer welcomed by the mayor of New York City, and the opening of their new stadium in New Jersey was well behind schedule. Options had vanished.

As a result, the team soon found itself scrambling to find a place to play their home games for the next 3 seasons. The decision they ultimately made would prove to have major implications on all aspects of the organization, including its on-field performance and their fans. The NY Giants – A Team Without a Home.

HOST - JOE SANTOS:

Joe Santos grew up in Massachusetts and is an avid football fan, with a special fondness for the NFL in the early 70s. This Week in Pro Football and NFL Game of the Week were must-see TV back in the day. And living in Massachusetts meant you saw all of the NY Giants games on tv, both home and away, as they were the de facto home team for the NFC.

Due to the blackout rules at the time, only the Patriots away games were shown. Being a huge sports history fan, Joe thought it would be fun to go back in time and tell the backstory of why the Giants would leave NYC for the swamps of New Jersey. Now living in GA, Joe roots for all of the Boston teams.

The NY Giants: A Team Without A Home is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquaters For Sports' Yesteryear.

NY Giants: Without A Home Web Page

SHOW BACKGROUND:

The New York Giants are one of football’s oldest franchises. But in 1973, they didn’t have a home. Yankee Stadium was scheduled to close. They were no longer welcomed by the mayor of New York City, and the opening of their new stadium in New Jersey was well behind schedule. Options had vanished.

As a result, the team soon found itself scrambling to find a place to play their home games for the next 3 seasons. The decision they ultimately made would prove to have major implications on all aspects of the organization, including its on-field performance and their fans. The NY Giants – A Team Without a Home.

HOST - JOE SANTOS:

Joe Santos grew up in Massachusetts and is an avid football fan, with a special fondness for the NFL in the early 70s. This Week in Pro Football and NFL Game of the Week were must-see TV back in the day. And living in Massachusetts meant you saw all of the NY Giants games on tv, both home and away, as they were the de facto home team for the NFC.

Due to the blackout rules at the time, only the Patriots away games were shown. Being a huge sports history fan, Joe thought it would be fun to go back in time and tell the backstory of why the Giants would leave NYC for the swamps of New Jersey. Now living in GA, Joe roots for all of the Boston teams.

The Chicago Bears find themselves at a pivotal crossroads as discussions emerge regarding a potential relocation to Hammond, Indiana. This episode delves into the intricate dynamics of such a move, exploring the ongoing negotiations in Illinois while simultaneously providing a historical context that enriches our understanding of the Bears' journey. We examine the illustrious past of the franchise, tracing its origins from the Decatur Staleys to its current status as a hallmark of professional football. Through the lens of history, we assess the implications of the Bears' possible migration across state lines, a phenomenon not unprecedented in the annals of the NFL. Join us as we navigate the complexities of this unfolding narrative and contemplate the future of the Bears and their storied legacy.

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.

Takeaways:

1. The Chicago Bears are contemplating a potential relocation to Hammond, Indiana, igniting discussions among fans and stakeholders.
2. Negotiations regarding the Bears' future are ongoing, creating uncertainty about their home venue for the upcoming season.
3. Historically, the Bears were originally established as the Decatur Staleys in 1920, which underscores their long-standing presence in the region.
4. The potential move highlights the unique nature of NFL franchises often situated outside their respective cities, a phenomenon not uncommon in professional sports.
5. Hammond, Indiana, has an intriguing football history, as it previously hosted the Hammond Pros, which adds a layer of complexity to the Bears' situation.
6. The ongoing discussions about the Bears' future emphasize the importance of community support and infrastructure in professional sports.

In 2001, a last lap crash at the Daytona 500 claimed the life of Dale Earnhardt.

In 1979, a last lap crash between Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison and subsequent fight made NASCAR more popular across the country.

In 1944, the Cincinnati Reds signed 15 year old Joe Nuxhall.

In 2005, the mom of Detroit Tigers pitcher Ugueth Urbina was rescued after being kidnapped and held for 4 months.

In 2008, Houston pitcher Hunter Pence was involved in a freak accident.