Sports History Network

The focal point of today's discussion revolves around the phrase "three yards and a cloud of dust," a term deeply entrenched in the lexicon of American football. We are privileged to host Timothy P. Brown of Football Archaeology, who elucidates the historical origins of this expression, which is often erroneously attributed to the renowned coach Woody Hayes. Brown reveals that the phrase's inception can be traced back to various regional contexts, with its earliest documented usage occurring in 1957. The evolution of the term, as articulated by Brown, underscores a fascinating narrative that intertwines the changing dynamics of football strategy and terminology across decades. As we delve into this topic, we invite our audience to reflect on how such phrases contribute to the rich tapestry of football history and culture.

This conversation on the history of the phrase stems from one of Tim's Tidbits titled: Terminology... Three Yards and A Cloud of Dust

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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.

Between the years of 1985 thru 1996, the New Orleans Saints had risen from the cellar of the NFL to become a perennial playoff team.

Though they never won a playoff game during that time, the Saints, behind quarterback Bobby Hebert and a legendary linebacking corps known as the Dome Patrol, became one of the NFL's elite teams. Behind it all was the quotable head coach with ties to the USFL, Jim Mora.

In this episode of the podcast, hosts Dana Auguster and Charles Combs will talk about the key players and moments from that time in Saints history along with there own personal memories of that team, both growing up in Louisiana at the time.

Later in the show we will send a shout out to the Who Dat Chant. a chant, which actually became famous in the 1960s thanks to high school and colleges in the area but actually predates the NFL itself and we will settle....sort of ...the debate which have raged on for decades. Which came first the Who Dat chant in New Orleans or the Who Dey chant in Cincinnati?

To contact the show you could send an e-mail to [email protected].

In 1990, Colorado got an extra down by mistake and used it to score the game-winning touchdown.

In 2007, the Stanford Cardinal beat the #2 USC Trojans despite being a 41-point underdog.

In 2007, LSU overcame a 10-point deficit to beat Florida.

In 1993, Michael Jordan retired from the NBA for the first time. Was it due to his gambling debts?

In 1845, it was the first time an umpire was used to officiate a baseball game. 

In 1965, Sandy Koufax refused to pitch game one of the World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur.

In 1926, Babe Ruth became the first major leaguer to hit three home runs in a World Series game.

In 1966, Jim Palmer became the youngest player to ever throw a shutout in the World Series. He was 20 years 11 months old.

The discourse in this episode centers around a detailed exploration of the ten most exemplary teams that have unfortunately succumbed to defeat in the Super Bowl. Our esteemed guest, Ed Kleese, delineates the intricate narratives of these teams, beginning with the historical context of their respective seasons and culminating in the pivotal moments that defined their losses. These reflections not only highlight the prowess exhibited by these teams throughout their campaigns but also underscore the profound sense of disappointment that often accompanies such near victories. Among the teams discussed, we delve into the factors that rendered them formidable contenders, yet ultimately led to their unceremonious defeats on the grandest stage of American football. Join us as we navigate this somber yet compelling examination of football history, paying homage to the remarkable feats of these teams that, despite their losses, have etched their names into the annals of the sport.

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 1985, the New York Jets beat Buffalo 14-13 in the 'givin' him the business' game.

In 2001, Barry Bonds hit his 71st home run of the season to become the single season home run King.

In 2003, Dante Hall, a.k.a. the Human Joystick, returned a punt for a touchdown. It was his fourth straight game with a return for a touchdown.

In 1985, Grambling Head Football Coach Eddie Robinson became the all-time winningest football coach in NCAA history, passing Bear Bryant.

In 1941, the Brooklyn Dodgers found a unique way to lose a World Series game.

In 1991, Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Sam Wyche was fined $30,000 for not allowing female reporters in the locker room.

We travel back in time to half a century ago and discuss the major events in sports in the year 1975. In the first of two parts we cover baseball and boxing--highlighted by the Thrilla in Manilla and one of the most exciting World Series in baseball history. Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe, Jack Nicklaus, and Bruno Sammartino all come up as well. Enjoy and look out for Part 2 soon!

Books to Complement This Episode:

The Boxing Kings: When American Heavyweights Ruled the Ring

The 12 Greatest Rounds of Boxing: The Untold Stories

Smokin' Joe: The Life of Joe Frazier

Ali: A Life

Red Sox Nation

Game Six: Cincinnati, Boston, and the 1975 World Series

The Machine (1975 Reds)

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 1995, the New York Yankees won a post-season thriller in the 15th inning.

In 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers won the decisive game 7 of the World Series against the New York Yankees.

In 1997, the Kentucky Wildcats beat the Alabama Crimson Tide for the first time since 1922.

In 1992, a hilarious prank was pulled off during a mid-game giveaway against Toronto's Derek Bell.

In 2003, the Indianapolis Colts scored 21 points in the final five minutes to force overtime against Tampa Bay and then they won it in OT 38-35.

In 1920, the first NFL game was played between the Columbus Panhandles and the Dayton Triangles.

In 1989, the Oakland Raiders hired Art Shell as their head coach. Shell was the first black coach in the MODERN NFL.

In 1951, New York Giant Bobby Thomson blasted the 'Shot Heard 'round the World' to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers to win the NL Pennant.

In 2013, Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar celebrated their President's Cup win in a unique way.

In 1988, Roy Jones, Jr was robbed of a Gold Medal in the Olympic middleweight title fight.

In 1978, New York Yankee Bucky Dent hit a dramatic three-run home run against the Boston Red Sox in a one-game playoff.

In 1968, St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Bob Gibson set a World Series record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers.

In 1995, the Chicago Bulls, needing rebounding help, added Dennis Rodman to the roster.

Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON

From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little

Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley

The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record

America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier

The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence

The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade

EPISODE SUMMARY

CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE

CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER

How many NFL teams during the 1970s do you remember that lost all six of their preseason games, yet still went on to earn a playoff spot in the same season? I know of one…the 1972 Cleveland Browns.  Yes, they were coming off a playoff season in 1971, but the 1972 Browns looked like a team that had its share of troubles…especially at the beginning of that year.  They lost their regular season opener to the Green Bay Packers, and it appeared as if this might not be the year for Cleveland to expand on their past winning pedigree.....

Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here.

PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND

Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski

Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons.  NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today.

During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today.  Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history.

Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade.  Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s.  Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic. 

Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before.  Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast.