Sports History Network

In 1978, Ohio State's Woody Hayes punched Clemson linebacker Charlie Bauman after a turnover. It led to Hayes' firing a few days later.

In 1982, Alabama's Paul 'Bear' Bryant coached his final game.

In 1963, the Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants to win the NFL Championship. YA Tittle had five interceptions.

In college football, a jersey number is more than just identification; it’s a symbol. It can denote a position, a tradition, or, most often, a legacy. Few numbers boast the sheer star power and positional diversity of Number 2. From Heisman winners to defensive legends and unstoppable all-purpose weapons, this digit has been a magnet for generational talent.

While names like Cam Newton and Charles Woodson instantly spring to mind, the conversation about the best to ever don the double-deuce must begin with the original electric weapon: David Palmer, aptly nicknamed “The Deuce.”

Before the era of positionless football became mainstream, there was David Palmer, the human highlight reel for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the early 1990s. Palmer wasn't just a wide receiver; he was an offensive coordinator's dream—a dangerous runner, a reliable pass-catcher, and even a wildcat quarterback before the term existed.

Palmer's dominance was immediate and explosive. In only his fourth collegiate game against Vanderbilt, he racked up 212 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, marking his first punt return score of the season. Just two weeks later, against Tulane, he found the end zone three times, highlighted by a breathtaking 69-yard punt return. This sheer, unfiltered explosiveness earned him the moniker "The Deuce" and cemented his status as one of college football’s most exciting players of that era. Palmer set an impossibly high standard for anyone wearing the number at Alabama, a tradition that current stars like Ryan Williams continue today.

If Palmer set the bar for versatility, the Heisman winners who followed wearing No. 2 made it untouchable.

Charles Woodson (Michigan) remains one of the most unique and historically significant Heisman winners. In 1997, he became the only primarily defensive player to capture the trophy, leveraging his exceptional play as a cornerback, his impact as a wide receiver, and his dazzling skill as a punt returner to lead the Wolverines to a National Championship. Woodson truly defined the term "impact player."

A decade later, Cam Newton arrived at Auburn for one of the most dominant single seasons in history (2010). After transferring, Newton became an unstoppable force, combining an elite passing arm with unbelievable power and speed in the running game. He won the Heisman, led the Tigers to an undefeated season, and captured the BCS National Championship, delivering a performance that redefined the dual-threat quarterback position.

The third Heisman winner to wear No. 2, Derrick Henry (Alabama), demonstrated unparalleled dominance at running back in 2015. Henry captured the Heisman, Doak Walker, and Maxwell Awards after rushing for an SEC-record 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns, powering the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The legacy of Number 2 is defined not just by Heisman winners but by elite performers across every position.

Defensively, the number has been legendary. Deion Sanders (Florida State) remains arguably the most exciting college defensive back ever, capturing the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award. Mike Doss (Ohio State) stands as one of only eight Buckeyes to earn three-time All-American honors, serving as the defensive anchor for the 2002 National Championship team. More recently, Patrick Surtain (Alabama) secured unanimous All-American status and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award before leading the Tide to a national title in 2021.

Then there are the ultimate Swiss Army knives, like Adoree’ Jackson (USC), who, like Woodson, won the Jim Thorpe Award as a cornerback while excelling on offense and special teams, and Sammy Watkins (Clemson), who is one of only two players in Tigers history with over 5,000 all-purpose yards and scored a touchdown via catch, run, return, and pass.

The significance of the jersey is reinforced by the traditions built around it. Eastern Michigan University (EMU) retires the number 2 in honor of the late wide receiver Demarius Reed, but it is annually awarded to the team’s best or senior receiver, signifying the responsibility of upholding Reed's legacy. Similarly, South Carolina retired the number for Sterling Sharpe, who earned First-team All-American honors twice, placing him among a select few in the program’s history. Even Shannon Sharpe, Sterling's brother, built his own Hall of Fame career after dominating at Savannah State while wearing the jersey.

The players who wore No. 2 were not just statistics; they were game-changers, record-breakers, and cultural icons.

After weighing the Heisman trophies, national championships, and positional dominance, our list of the greatest college football players to wear the number 2 includes:

1. Charles Woodson(Michigan)
2. Cam Newton(Auburn)
3. Deion Sanders(Florida State)
4. Derrick Henry(Alabama)
5. Mike Doss(Ohio State)

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.

Going all the way back to the days of George Mikan, the NBA's Lakers have dominated the sport like no other team. But in recent years self-centeredness and shortsightedness both on and off the court have put this proud franchise in peril.

In this episode, author Yaron Weitzman joins us to talk about his book, "A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the Lebron Lakers". The book tells the tale of the modern-day dysfunction of one of the most historically important franchises in sports history,

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 1958, the Baltimore Colts beat the New York Giants to win the NFL Championship.

In 1975, the Dallas Cowboys beat the Minnesota Vikings with a dramatic TD in the final minute of the game.

In 1902, Syracuse and the New York Knickerbockers played the first indoor football game at Madison Square Garden. Syracuse won 6-0.

In 2000, Boston's Milt Palacio stole the ball and the show, sinking a buzzer beating game winner against the Nets.

In 1953, a Bobby Layne to Jimmy Doran pass and catch with under 2 minutes to play won the Championship for the Detroit Lions over Cleveland.

In 1998, Emmit Smith ran for two touchdowns to pass Marcus Allen to become the all-time leader in rushing touchdowns.

In 1974, Ohio State's Archie Griffin won the first of his two Heisman trophies. Did he deserve the second one?

In 1991, Tim Hardaway Sr. set an NBA record for futility when he took 17 shots and missed every one of them which is an unfortunate record for misses without a make.

In 2020, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completed what Patrick Mahomes called, 'the greatest no-look pass ever' to rally the Miami Dolphins over the Las Vegas Raiders.

In 1993, Green Bay's LeRoy Butler scored after a Raiders turnover and then leaped into the awaiting arms of Packers fans. It was the first 'Lambeau Leap.'

In 1977, the Minnesota Vikings beat the LA Rams 14-7 on a rain-soaked field to advance to the NFC Championship game.

In 2001, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson was given two technicals but instead of being tossed from the game, the techs were rescinded.

In 1919, the deal to send Babe Ruth from Boston to New York was struck.

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

Back in the prehistoric days of professional football, a family of rugged, tough as steel brothers, the Nessers, ruled pro football gridirons throughout the Midwest. The Nesser brothers competed against celebrated pioneers of the game, notably Jim Thorpe and brought professional football to thousands of fans, helping to ensure the success of the early NFL. Yet, the Nessers never received Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration and are forgotten pioneers today.

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.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

In 1985, the New York Knicks erased a 25 point Boston Celtic lead to win in OT. Rookie Patrick Ewing scored 32.

In 1986, Ewing delivered a game winning shot against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

In 2004, Shaq's Miami Heat beat Kobe's LA Lakers in their first meeting against each other after Shaq's trade to South Florida.

In 1971, the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs played the first game the NFL ever played on Christmas Day and it turned out to be the longest NFL game played on any day.

In 1862, a baseball game played in Hilton Head Island, SC is credited with helping the game grow after the Civil War ended.

In 1956, Detroit Red Wings great Gordie Howe scored 3 goals and assisted 3 others in an 8-1 win over the New York Rangers. His six points was the most he ever scored in a game in his 26-year career.

The current state of the National Football League has been profoundly altered as we approach the conclusion of 2025, marked notably by the extraordinary return of quarterback Philip Rivers to the field after a five-year hiatus. At the age of 43, Rivers, now a grandfather, has rejoined the Indianapolis Colts, prompting a discussion on the unprecedented nature of such a return in the league's storied history. This episode delves into the implications of Rivers' comeback, examining not only his performance thus far but also drawing parallels to historical figures who have similarly reentered the league after significant absences. We explore the compelling narratives surrounding these athletes, highlighting the resilience and tenacity required to return to a profession that demands peak physical condition. Through our discourse, we aim to honor both Rivers and his predecessors, celebrating their contributions to the rich tapestry of football history.

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 1950, the Cleveland Browns beat the Los Angeles Rams after Lou Groza kicked the go ahead field goal.

In 1969, Curt Flood delivered a letter to MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn expressing his desire to sign with a team he choice.

In 1967, Joe Namath threw for 343 yards to become the first QB to throw for than 4,000 hards.

In 1960, the Boston Celtics set an NBA record by grabbing 112 rebounds in a game.