Sports History Network

In 1980, the San Francisco 49ers pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history.

In 1935, Washington's Byron Haines scored all the points for both teams in a college football game.

In 2006, Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns duelled with Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets in a 2OT thriller.

In 1977, Gordie Howe scored career goal #1000

In 1963, instant replay made its debut during a football game.

In 1925, the Pottsville Maroons beat the Chicago Cardinals 21-7 to win the unofficial NFL championship.

In 1925, Red Grange and the Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants in front of 70,000 at the Polo Grounds.

In 1970, the Oakland Raiders beat the New York Jets on a final play miracle.

In 1992, San Francisco 49ers WR Jerry Rice caught his 101st TD, passing Steve Largent for most TD receptions.

In 1997, the Tennessee Volunteers turned the ball over 6 times and still managed to beat Auburn in the SEC Title game.

In 1961, Syracuse RB Ernie Davis became the first African American to win the Heisman trophy.

Mentioned in this episode:

Stirling Soap Christmas - This DiSH

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Tonight, it will be the 28th Annual Silent Night Game at Taylor University. The students are silent until the Trojans scores their 10th point. The last two minutes are spent singing 'Silent Night' in unison.

In 1974, the Birmingham Americans played the Florida Blazers in the first ... and only World Bowl. The Americans beat the Blazers 22-21.

In 1969, the #1 Texas Longhorns played at #2 Arkansas. President Richard Nixon was at the game and awarded Texas a National Championship plaque after the game.

In 2002, Roone Arledge passed away at the age of 71. He was the most influential person in broadcast television sports.

In 1947, Joe Louis beat Jersey Joe Walcott in a controversial split decision.

In 1977, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost their 26th game in a row to set the current NFL record for consecutive games without a win.

In 1971, the Tennessee Volunteers snapped Penn State's 15-game winning streak thanks to Bobby Majors and 6 Nittany Lion turnovers.

In 1988, Oklahoma State beat Texas Tech in a shootout in Tokyo. Sanders won the Heisman earlier in the day and then rolled up 257 yards rushing and over 300 all-purpose yards and 4 touchdowns against the Red Raiders in a 45-41 win.

In 1960, Baltimore's Johnny Unitas threw a TD pass for the 47th straight game to set an NFL record that stood for more than 50 years. But Detroit scored on the final play of the game to win it.

In 1961, Floyd Patterson defended his heavyweight title against a less than impressive challenger.

The 2025 football season is shaping up to be a compelling saga of triumph and unprecedented milestones, particularly within the New England Patriots organization, which has successfully navigated the complexities of a post-Brady era. Their current standing as the number one seed in the American Football Conference is a testament to their resilience and strategic prowess, driven by the remarkable performances of second-year quarterback Drake May. With an impressive 3,412 passing yards and 23 touchdowns under his belt, May's emergence as a leading figure in the league symbolizes a transformative period for the Patriots, who are redefining their identity on the field.

Furthermore, the landscape of rushing statistics has also undergone a significant transformation this season. Jonathan Taylor's dominance as the leading rusher with nearly 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns reflects a shift towards a new generation of running backs. The contributions of players such as James Cook and Devon Akane highlight the depth of talent present in this year's league, while Jameer Gibbs' rapid ascent in the Detroit Lions' rushing records positions him as a player to watch in the coming years, drawing connections to legendary figures in football history.

The podcast episode culminates in a celebration of remarkable athletic feats witnessed during week 13, where breathtaking receptions by players like Brock Bowers and Puka Nakua captivated audiences and reinforced the notion that the modern game continues to evolve. These moments not only serve to entertain but also to connect fans with the rich tapestry of football history, emphasizing the podcast's mission to honor the legacy of the sport while simultaneously celebrating its current evolution. Through these narratives, we aim to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of football's past and present, highlighting the interconnectedness of historical achievements and contemporary performances.

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 Philadelphia Eagles without throwing a single pass. It's the last time an NFL team has gone an entire game without a pass attempt.

In 1950, LA Ram WR Tom Fears caught 18 passes to set a new NFL record. It was not broken for another 50 years.

In 1950, Detroit Lion Cloyce Box had 12 catches for 302 yards and 4 TDs. His 302 yards receiving came up just a yard short of tying the previous record.

In 1989, Philadelphia Eagle Randall Cunningham, usually the QB, stepped in as the punter and boomed a 91-yarder.

In 1992, US sprinter Butch Reynolds was awarded $27 million in a suit against the IAAF but to this day has not seen a penny of it.

In 1967, golfer Marty Fleckman won his first PGA Tour event in his first professional start. He never won again.

The calendar turning from Thanksgiving signaled more than just the start of December; it marked the official dividing line for the 2025 NFL season. As Darin Hayes and Ed Kleese settled in for their weekly breakdown, the mood was a mix of holiday hangover, relief over fantastic games, and sober reflection on the 12 teams (a full third of the league) that, according to Ed, are now "officially done."

This sentiment—that the excitement for a third of the league's fan bases fades as they shift their focus to the NFL Draft and coaching changes—set the stage for a dramatic discussion. While the players remain locked in, fighting for jobs and contracts, Ed argues that many fans have emotionally checked out, especially in places like Cleveland where another "let’s get this over with" season is grinding to an end.

The most shocking development of Week 13, however, wasn't about the teams checking out, but one legendary special teams disaster that has already become a viral meme.

Amidst the discussion of the Steelers’ (Darin’s team) humiliating loss to the Bills—a loss Darin described as watching a "plane crash that continues to happen"—the conversation pivoted to the absolute low point of the weekend: the Giants kicker's now-infamous special teams gaffe.

After the Giants’ defense had already surrendered a long kick return and a 94-yard punt return touchdown, the kicker provided the capper. The consensus among the hosts was that this moment, which saw the kicker attempt a dropkick only to have the ball roll forward for a turnover, was perhaps the most embarrassing special teams play in modern NFL history. Darin summarized the debacle perfectly: “At least I’m not the Giants kicker.”

Despite the chaos on the field, our two prognosticators had a solid, if uneven, week, resulting in a shocking tie in their season-long head-to-head competition.

Host

Week 13 Total

Running Total

Ed Kleese 6 Points 60 Points

Darin Hayes 4 Points 60 Points

Ed’s Week 13 Breakdown (6 Points): Ed secured a solid week thanks to his Thanksgiving picks. He correctly nailed Jordan Love as the MVP of the Packers' impressive win over the Lions, a victory he noted felt controlled by Green Bay despite the close score. He earned a full two points for his "no analysis needed" pick of the Jets over the Falcons. However, he dropped points on the Black Friday game (missing the Eagles’ offensive struggles) and his bold prediction that the struggling Commanders would upset the Broncos.

Darin’s Week 13 Breakdown (4 Points): Darin managed to stay afloat, earning a bonus point by correctly predicting Joe Burrow would be the offensive MVP of the Thanksgiving night game. His biggest win was correctly taking the Texans over the Colts in what proved to be a compelling and fun game. Unfortunately, Darin took a zero for betting on his beloved Steelers to beat the Bills, admitting the team looked "tired." He also lost points predicting a Chiefs victory over the Cowboys, noting he was "more shocked... by their defense" than their inability to score.

With 50 possible points remaining in the season, both hosts are now locked in a 60-60 tie, setting up a thrilling photo finish over the next five weeks.

With the season turning cold, our hosts wasted no time diving into their Week 14 predictions, starting with a unanimous upset pick.

Here is a summary of the Week 14 predictions made by Ed Kleese and Darin Hayes, followed by the remainder of their conversation.

-Jets vs. Dolphins Jets Win. No analysis necessary. Based partly on the cold weather factor affecting Miami. Unanimous Upset Pick.

-Bengals vs. Bills Bills Win. Bills offense scores 31 or more points against the Bengals' inconsistent defense. Bills score 31+ points.

-Titans vs. Browns Titans Win. Upset based on public betting (The "public is loaded up" on the Browns). Upset pick over the favored Browns.

-Rams vs. Cardinals Rams Win by 10 or more points. Predicts an "easy breezy win" as the Cardinals officially check out. Double-digit blowout (10+ point victory).

-Packers vs. Bears Packers Win by 10 or more points. Predicts the Packers will control the game and take control of the division. Double-digit blowout (10+ point victory).

-Jets vs. Dolphins ~ Jets Win, squashing the Dolphins for their biggest win of the season. Unanimous Upset Pick.

-Bengals vs. Bills ~ Bengals Win in a shootout (e.g., 35-31 or 38-35). Joe Burrow exposes the Bills' inconsistent defense. Bengals win with a high score (35+).

-Lions vs. Cowboys Cowboys Win in a shootout, with Dak Prescott tossing four touchdowns. Dak Prescott throws 4 TDs.

-Packers vs. Bears Packers Win, stopping the Bears streak, aided by Parsons having a three-sack game. Persen achieves 3 sacks.

-Chiefs vs. Texans Chiefs Win by seven points. Believes the Chiefs' talent and coaching staff will "figure it out." Chiefs win by exactly 7 points.

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.

Kareem Abdul-Jabber spent one season as an assistant coach at Alchesay High School, a Native American school. This is the story of that season where he learned as much as he taught the boys on the basketball team.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"The Heartbeat of Mother Earth" by Carlos Carty

"Horizons" by Roa

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

Muhammad Ali's boxing career is well documented, so instead of going over his entire career, I will focus on the four times Ali was knocked down.

1. Sonny Banks
2. Henry Cooper
3. Joe Frazier
4. Check Wepner

You can read the full blog post here.

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)

In 1985, after the Miami Dolphins put 31 points on the Chicago Bears, Head Coach Mike Ditka and Defensive Coordinator Buddy Ryan may or may not have come to blows in a dispute at half.

In 1972, Auburn blocked two punts and returned them for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to turn a 16-0 deficit into a 17-16 win in the Iron Bowl.

In 1950, Navy snapped Army's 28-game winning streak preventing the Cadets a National Title in the process.

In 1995, the Detroit Red Wings scored 9 goals on Montreal Canadiens goalie Patrick Roy in less than two periods. Roy was not happy getting embarrassed and demanded a trade.

In 2000, golfer Joe Daley had a disastrous triple bogey on the 17th hole of the final round of PGA Tour qualifying. His putt for double bogey hit the back of the cup and popped out. He missed getting his tour card by one shot.

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Stirling Soap - Shave Soaps - This DiSH Testimonial

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