Gridiron America Radio: Recent Episodes
Gridiron America Network
Gridiron America Radio is where football is celebrated through game replays, old radio shows, and documentaries in the public domain that cover the history, remembrances, culture, lore, and legends of pro football in Canada, America and around the world. Additionally, you can also find replays of the "From the 55 Yard Line" podcast on The Sports History Network, as well as simulcasts of Gridiron Japan Radio, and replays of USFL America Radio, and Gridiron America FM Radio public domain game broadcasts.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Our Greg St. James is also the host of the Gridiron Japan podcast, and sits down with his cohost, John Gunning, of Inside Sport Japan, to chat with quarterback Aaron Ellis, of Japan's X-League's Dentsu Caterpillars, to talk about his experiences in playing in Japan, Europe, and Mexico. He compares the X-League with the European League of Football and Mexico's Liga-de Fútbol Americano, where has played, and in doing so holds the distinction of being the only professional football player to have played in all three major international leagues outside of Canada and the United States.
Gridiron Japan livestreams over at Gridiron Japan Television on YouTube at www.gridironjapantv.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GridironJapan.jp, and soon over on Twitch!
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yard Line is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Greg, now back from America and settled back in over in Japan, dusts off the controls in the studio, and gathers the crew to talk about what has been happening in the WNBA, NWSL, CFL and the other leagues, including the UFL, since last they got together in May.
We are in need of an additional 24 followers for our Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/Fromthe55 so that we can go live on our page. The new Facebook rules require 100 subscribers and followers for pages to be able to stream content live, and we are 24 clicks short.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Greg and Dave are joined by Don and Heath of the Third Down Gamble podcast for the second year in a row to preview, here in the third week of the preseason, the upcoming CFL season. We start in the far east with defending Grey Cup champion Montreal and move our way west, team by team, and end with this year's Grey Cup host, the British Columbia Lions. The Third Down Gamble is going on five years and truly is "audio worth watching!"
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Fran, Dave and Greg are back to discuss the impending failure that is the new version of the Arena Football League, as it struggles with franchise losses in just its first week. They then discuss the United Football League, which is seemingly holding its own in the face of low expectations. For more online about the UFL, checkout Fran's column's on the league over at OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes a weekly column about the league, as well as other minor league sports. They guys also discuss both the recently completed NFL and CFL drafts, as well as the news from Roger Goodell that the Super Bowl will soon be more of a national holiday than what it already is in America.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
With Fran on assignment and covering the UFL for OurSportsCentral.com, Dave fills in Greg on what he is missing with the league and puts to rest his doubts about the viability of the league, at least for the short-term. They also reminisce about the time when OJ was a killer on the field, and when he was a suspect off of it. Finally, they talk about the Shohei Otani gambling scandal in which Greg injects his "expert" opinion on the outcome of the federal case involving the star's interpreter.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe5
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Fran is MIA, as Dave and Greg (whose new microphone is trash and being returned soon to Amazon) tackle baseball and the Shohei Otani gambling scandal, with zero apologies to Pete Rose, that is currently rocking America and Japan. Of course Greg is able to cram in a mention of the movie "Mr. Baseball." They also talk some minor league ball, and ponder what we might see for the upcoming United Football League season.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
On the 3rd week of the LFA regular season, what was to be a Gridiron Mexico episode was immediately changed as a result of the breaking news of Justin Fields being traded from Greg's sweet home of Chicago to Pittsburgh. Dave and Greg talk about the trade, as well as the stadium issues faced by Chicago's south side teams. They also talk about the state of the CFL, particularly the Elks ownership issues, and their observations about the LFA as it enters in to its third week of the spring football season.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yard Line is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Since the end of the NFL season there has been a lot going on outside of the gridiron bubble, and our regular contributor Fran Stuchbury covers it all over at Our Sports Central with his weekly column. With Dave unavailable, Fran reviews the happenings in the other leagues as the two talk about what is happening in the world of minor league sports.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear. The video livestream for this episode and past ones can be found on both the show's YouTube and Facebook pages
EPISODE SUMMARY
With approximately three months to go before the kick off of the Canadian Football League season, Greg and Dave sit back down with Howie Mooney in the second "test" livestream and talk CFL free agency. In addition to free agency the also talk some CFL history and even squeeze in some Montreal Expos memories.
Howie Mooney, co-host of the Sports Lunatics Show, is the author of numerous books, including "Third & Long: the Proud History of Football in Ottawa", "Crazy Days & Wild Nights". and "More Crazy Days & Wild Nights".
FROM THE 55 YARDLINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Howie Mooney from the Sports Lunatics Show returns to the 55 yardline to chat with Dave and Greg about his latest book, "More Crazy Days and Wild Nights" in which he again regals readers with more outlandish and detailed detailed stories of wild events that took place over the last fifty years! The guys also get back to the roots of the show and talk Canadian football. With more Canadian football talk and perspective promised for the months ahead on the show, as he recovers from surgery.
FROM THE 55 YARDLINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
On Super Bowl eve, Dave and Fran, along with OurSportsCentral.com contributor Fran Stuchbury, talk a little bit about the upcoming game, with Greg pondering the question, "why do old white guys hate Taylor?" Fran then provides his summary of around the minor leagues, and talks about his recent trip to Atlanta to sample the minor league sports scene in the Peach state. Lastly, they talk about the Pro Football Hall of Fame selectees, particularly those who played on the Chicago Bears. specifically Mongo, and also address the direct messages from followers on Twitter, who may or may not be bots.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yard Line is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Greg and Dave spend a morning (Japan)/evening (America) with Pro Football Researchers Association member and World Football League historian Mark Speck. Mark is the foremost expert on the defunct league and has written four books and counting on the league and two of the league's more unique franchises, the Detroit Wheels and Florida Blazers. The conversation runs the gambit from a story of stolen player identity, the legend of King Corcoran, the fabled Hawaiians, and much more! You can find all of Mark's books for purchase on Amazon, and also connect with he and other WFL experts over at the WFL Project on Facebook, and the Florida Blazers page, also on Facebook.
Mark also previously appeared on the sports history podcast "Good Seats Still Available," with friend of the show Tim Hanlon, at Good Seats Still Available, the episode of which is a must listen!
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode, which is part two of the previous episode, Greg sits down with Zach Keilman of Pro Football Newsroom, the UFL Podcast, and the Inside the Walls Podcast, to talk about the upcoming year in spring professional football, both outdoor with the UFL and indoor with the relaunched Arena Football League. Zach and Greg also reminisce about how they came to launch the Gridiron Japan podcast.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode, Greg. Dave, and Fran sit down and go around the world to talk about the latest sports news that has gone under the radar screens with hockey, women and men's soccer, rugby, Canadian football and more as reported at OurSportsCentral.com. Afterward, Greg sits down with Zach Keilman of Pro Football Newsroom, the UFL Podcast, and the Inside the Walls Podcast, to talk about the upcoming year in spring professional football, both outdoor with the UFL and indoor with the relaunched Arena Football League. Zach and Greg also reminisce about how they came to launch the Gridiron Japan podcast.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode, Greg and Fran cover down for Dave as he digs out of the snow near Buffalo, and react to the news of the day of the demise of Sports Illustrated and what the magazine meant to them growing up. They then dive into a discussion of the lack of responsible journalism within the ranks of the United Football League media, and why not just any blogger can considered a sports journalist. Fran then takes Greg around the minor leagues with OurSportsCentral.com and talks women soccer, rugby, and hockey. They then talk a little football movie talk and then reminisce about the World League of American Football and what lessons still need to be learned about growing the gridiron game internationally, including in Japan, where Greg cohosts the Gridiron Japan podcast.
FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND
From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.
In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.
The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com.
David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
In part one of the podcast (apologies in advance for the audio quality due to a bad undersea cable), Greg sits down with the legendary Upton Bell, former NFL executive with both the '60s era Baltimore Colts and '70s era New England Patriots, owner of the Charlotte Hornets of the WFL, Boston media personality, author, and scion of the famous Bell family, whose grandfather helped found the NCAA, and whose father, Bert Bell served as the commissioner of the NFL from 1946 through 1959. Commissioner Bell's influence on professional football is still felt today, from the NFL draft to the league's cultural dominance, and Upton is a living legacy who has crossed paths with nearly everyone in the world of professional football, including Vince Lombardi, Johnny Unitas, Don Shula and Howard Cosell (who Greg forgot to ask him about). Part two of the podcast begins around the 1:20 mark, in which Dave, Greg, and OurSports Central contributor, Fran Stuchbury, talk NFL playoffs, indoor football and women's hockey.
To learn more about Upton Bell's life and career, please read his book, check out his website, and explore his collections at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He can also be found on Twitter where he is very active and provides running commentaries on sports, politics and life.
On a Sunday night, John, BJ and Greg are joined by Rice Bowl and X-League champion, as well as the most famous American playing football in Japan, Al-Rilwan Adeyemi of the Fujitsu Frontiers. They discuss with him the key moments of the game that led to the Frontiers' big win and also talk about his recent NFL360 spotlight on the NFL Network. Lastly, they discuss with him the upcoming Dream Japan Bowl that is taking place in Tokyo on January 21, 2024.
To learn more about American football in Japan, please visit www.gridironjapan.jp
The real men of genius, Dave (who checks in toward the end of the show) and Greg sit down with sports journalist Fran Stuchbury, of OurSports Central, and discuss his wide ranging career covering alternative football and minor league sports. They discuss the UFL, XFL, in all its different versions, USFL, AAF and (after Dave's arrival), America's indoor football leagues. They also talk about the state of sports journalism in the 21st Century with the rise of countless fan "news" sites, social media and podcasting.
Real men of genius Dave and Greg talk football and earthquakes in this episode. Specifically, the talk about the upcoming matchup in the college football playoffs of Washington vs. Michigan and how much college bowl coverage has changed since they were kids. Greg talks about the Rice Bowl in Japan, in which the Fujitsu Frontiers defeated the Panasonic Impulse 16-10 at the Tokyo Dome. They also talk about beers and fandom, specifically the hypocrisy of those who boycott, but then imbibe. They also discuss the merger of the USFL and XFL and their hopes of the league's success, their current sports book reads, as well as the New Year's Day earthquake in Japan.
In the first part of the podcast John, BJ and Greg preview the upcoming matchup of Japan's championship game, which will be played on January 3rd, 2024 at the Tokyo Dome and feature a battle of two unbeaten teams, the Fujitsu Frontiers and Panasonic Impulse. During the second part the guys talk about the recent NFL360 episode, entitled "Ikigai", in which NFL Films puts a spotlight on the inspiring story of the Fujitsu Frontiers' Al-Rilwan Adeyemi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsO0SNgVe6w
Follow Gridiron Japan on all podcast platforms and at www.gridironjapan.jp
In their first episode together of the rebooted From the 55 Yard Line podcast, Greg and Dave pick up on their last on air conversation and follow-up on the previous episode about the future of spring football. They then discuss the Grey Cup and the subject of future expansion of the league. After which they talk about Dave's Bills and their chances in the upcoming NFL postseason, and also their favorite reads in football books. Additionally, on the anniversary of his death, they talk about John Madden and Greg tells Dave how Frank Caliendo once imitated the Coach surfing the web for porn.
With the "soft" reboot of the From the 55 Yard Line podcast, Greg introduces his new co-host, due to Scott's retirement, and explains how the show is shifting from one focused on Canadian football to one that encompasses the entire world of sports. He then sits down and discusses the topic of spring football with sports historian, Tim Hanlon of the Good Seats Still Available podcast, and XFL insider and Pro Football Newsroom contributor, Michael Lathrop of the Player 54 Podcast. The three talk about the past, present and future of the spring game, both outdoor and indoors, as the sports world awaits the announcement of what form the XFL and USFL merger will take.
In this episode, with BJ away at team practice, John and Greg sit down with Nojima Sagamihara Rise linebacker Colby Campbell to talk about his life and journey to Japan. From South Carolina to Finland to Germany and to Japan, Colby has had an interesting and varied journey during his young gridiron career! The three discuss not just his life on the field, but also his experiences off the field in Japan.Colby can be found online at his YouTube channel where he is presently publishing videos on his travels, as well as on X and Instagram.
From 2021, the Gridiron Japan podcast's inaugural episode with hosts Zach Keilman and Greg James on the lesser-known but still very competitive Japanese football scene! The two kick things off asking the question of what exactly the sport in Japan is like in terms of structure, culture, and more. They discuss all these points with Inside Sport Japan founder and content director John Gunning.
The Gridiron Japan podcast is now in its third season and features Greg, John, as well as retired Japanese professional football star BJ Beatty. You can find the Gridiron Japan podcast on podcast platforms everywhere, and follow them at www.gridironjapan.net, on X-Twitter @GridironJapan, Instagram @GridironJapan, as well as Facebook!
After a month away Greg and Dave return to give their honest assessments of how the league did as it heads toward the conclusion of what can be termed a mediocre debut for the first season. However, with the USFL in full swing, we hold out hope that Dany and Dwayne will learn from their unforced boardroom and off-field errors and improve what we both see as a great product on the field.
Dave and Greg are back after a week hiatus to compare and contrast how the league performed in the ratings between being broadcast on traditional over the air television and on cable/satellite. The guys also take the XFL media to task over their coverage of the league and continuing failure to ask the hard questions regarding the business of the XFL and how lip service seems to be paid to stories of the players as several print "news" outlets seem to want to instead continue to cater to the egos of the Rock and Dany. Lastly, Greg also acknowledges his error from the previous show regarding the number of people who are cutting the chord in America.
On a morning where the cherry blossoms were blooming and Scott was watching his UAB Blazers lose a heart breaker at the NIT, Greg sat down with Ken Crippen, founder and executive director of The Football Learning Academy, to discuss the mission of the FLA and his thoughts on how the game has changed over the decades. The online academy is the first educational institution devoted to the instruction on the history of the gridiron game, with proceeds benefiting retired players. Ken is also the former president of the Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA). He has been researching and writing about pro football history for over twenty years. In that time, he has published two books, including one about the original Buffalo Bills, and numerous articles. He has also won multiple writing awards, including the 2012 Professional Football Writers Association (PFWA) Dick Connor Writing Award for feature writing, and the 2011 Ralph Hay Award by the PFRA for lifetime achievement in pro football history.
The game was played on November 20, 2022, at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan. It marked the fourth Grey Cup game to be held in Regina, and the first to be held at the new Mosaic Stadium as opposed to Taylor Field. The game was played between the West Division champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the East Division champion Toronto Argonauts; the Argonauts won 24–23 and earned their league-leading 18th Grey Cup, preventing the Blue Bombers from becoming the first team to win three consecutive Grey Cups since 1980.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was cancelled and the start of the 2021 season was delayed, pushing the game to December 12, 2021. The 108th Grey Cup was a rematch of the 107th Grey Cup in 2019 between the defending Grey Cup and West Division champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the East Division champion Hamilton Tiger-Cats, at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.
On the day in which Japan won the world championship of baseball over America, Greg and Dave talk about the tanking ratings of the XFL and frustrations over the league's seemingly deaf tone towards their fans and continued making of unforced errors off the field, particularly as it relates to marketing and fan engagement. The guys sit down and dissect the numbers and debate whether streaming matters at all and if the move to antenna TV will stop the bleeding of viewers. After the recording stopped, Greg went back to the internet to educate himself on how antenna usage in America is soaring, thus their hope for a ratings increase is now buoyed by the possibility the old way in which the guys watched TV as kids might actually be what saves the XFL from ratings ruin in the short term. Old technology rules!!
In the annals of professional football, aside from the American Football League, only one other league has truly challenged the dominance of the NFL, and that was the United States Football League of the 1980s. Unlike other spring leagues, all of which are small potatoes comparatively, the USFL forever changed how we look at professional football and how we not only watch the game, but also view upstart leagues. Unlike the XFL, which is small bug on the windshield of the NFL's largess, the USFL crashed into it and cracked the shield in many places as numerous high-profile players and draft choices decided to play in the spring. As a result, NFL salaries rose as players quickly had leverage, which many used to their advantage. Numerous NFL/CFL hall of famers and players began their careers in the USFL, such as Steve Young, Jim Kelley and Doug Flutie, and it is for them and the countless others who played in the league that The USFL Project was created.
In this episode, Greg speaks with Kyle Smith, the Executive Director of The USFL Project, which is a long-term project documenting and preserving the history and story of the fabled United States Football League, so as to leave a foundation of knowledge for future generations. They talk about not just about the history of the league, but also many of the key personalities aside from the former president, who were instrumental in the founding, success, and ultimate demise of the league. An award-winning journalist, Kyle has spent many years in the entertainment industry as well as being both a host and guest on numerous radio shows and podcasts. In recent years, his attention has been focused on The USFL Project with him and his team growing the group to over 4,000 members of Facebook. The USFL Project can also be found on Twitter.
In a weekend where many expected the XFL to fall flat, and despite continuing to fall in the ratings, the league put on a great show in most of its venues, with the Battlehawks setting the all-time attendance record for spring football. Hold on. What a second... That's wrong, the first USFL set that record, back in the 1980s. However, despite The Rock's continued hyperbolic statements about the league, Battlehawks attendance, and lack of meaningful information coming out from the league, with the exception of spin, the XFL did not lose as many viewers on broadcast television than was expected with its continued issues with changing times and channels. However, dark clouds are on the horizon as the league enters week five and March madness begins.
On March 13, 1960, the city of Chicago lost its original NFL team, the now Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals were birthed on Chicago's southside and played most of their seasons at Comiskey Park; however, despite their being the city's original NFL team, they were not its flagship franchise, with that distinction going to their northside rivals, the Bears, who played their games at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. In this episode, Greg and noted Cardinal history researcher and author, Joe Ziemba, talk about the events and factors that led up to the team eventually moving to St. Louis. They also, for the first part, talk about Greg's life as a gridiron fan in the Land of the Rising Sun, after which they take a deep dive into the Cardinals Chicago history. Joe is the award-winning author of the books "When Football Was Football: The Chicago Cardinals and the Birth of the NFL," "Cadets, Cannons and Legends: The Football History of Morgan Park Military Academy," and "Bears vs. Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry."
Joe is a life-long resident of the south side of Chicago, Joe first became interested in the history of football after discovering that his father was a draft choice for the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League in the 1940s. He is now recognized nationally for his knowledge of the early days of the game and has been a resource for articles, photos, or reports in Sports Illustrated, the New York Times, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Arizona Republic, ESPN, the Daily Southtown, NBC Sunday Night Football, CBS Football, and many others. Joe has appeared on the WGN documentary “Football in Chicago,” a Comcast Sports special on the Chicago Bears, as well as on radio stations such as WBBM and WSCR in Chicago. He has spoken on the history of football throughout the country at schools, libraries, service clubs, and conferences, and shares the humor and challenges that football pioneers faced in the early days of the game. Joe is an instructor at the Football Learning Academy, and also the host of the podcast "When Football Was Football" on the Sports History Network which explores forgotten topics in the long history of football in the Chicago area. He can be reached at chicagocardinals1947@gmail.com or follow his Facebook page “Chicago Cardinals.”
At the dawn of the 21st Century, in the winter of 2001, a new gridiron football league appeared on the sports scene. The brainchild of wrestling promotor Vince McMahon and television executive Dick Ebersol, the XFL sought to become the premier weekly sporting event in America during the NFL off season. As most football fans, the original XFL fell short and, as the name of the title suggests, failed spectacularly on television and most importantly, in the ratings. During the season, Brett was there with the league every step of the way as a young freelance writer. His book, Long Bomb, is a compelling tale of hubris and the lessons the league soon learned as ratings fell and America tuned out of a television product few had been clamoring for outside of the cult of spring football.
Brett is currently a national security investigative reporter for TheWall Street Journal. He was formerly a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine, where he reported on sports and crime and was a member of the staff that won the National Magazine Award for general excellence. His last film was the ESPN/ABC true-crime documentary, Pin Kings, an Emmy finalist. He is the author of The Big Fix, an international crime bestseller in development as a feature film at Netflix, as well as Long Bomb. Brett’s international-affairs reporting has appeared in Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, Time, Foreign Policy, and Playboy. For a decade, he worked in Russia, Ukraine, and Brazil. He has reported from 50 countries, and his articles have been syndicated in more than 30 languages. His work has appeared in The Best American Science and Nature Writing.
You can find all of Brett's books on Amazon and at other major booksellers. Additionally, his writings are also available at this web site, www.brettforrest.com.
In addition to this podcast, Brett also appeared recently on the X Fan Show videocast.
For week three Dave and Greg look at the game both on and off the field as week three provided plenty of excitement as fan attendance increased, but ratings continued to nosedive. Also talked about is why San Antonio and not St. Louis was granted the XFL championship game and the unionization of the players, as well as the perceived move of desperation from FX to ABC.
The 107th Grey Cup game was played on November 24, 2019, before 35,440 fans at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
The 106th Grey Cup game was played on November 25, 2018, before 55,819 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
The 105th Grey Cup game was played on November 26, 2017, before 36,154 fans at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa.
The second episode of the season finds Greg James joined by former sports executive Dave Cieslinski for a candid look as to how the XFL performed in weeks one and two. Dave provides a perspective that you won't find on other XFL podcasts. He knows what it takes to put bottoms in the seats and to get fans interested so that they return. The two discuss ticket sales, attendance and ratings, and Dave explains why streaming numbers will likely remain a mystery to the public. They discuss not just the current incarnation of the XFL, but also the past attempts at spring gridiron, as well as the sloppy speculation by the XFL media hubs of the Toronto Argonauts moving to the XFL.
In the world of sports history podcasting, there is a curious little one that has carved out a niche covering the world of defunct leagues and teams from yesteryear. "Good Seats Still Available" has its roots in Tim Hanlon's youth, when he fell in love with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League, who unfortunately, like the league itself departed us to soon, and thus began for him an obsession for the stories of the teams and leagues of yesteryear. His pioneering podcast, which is soon approaching its 300th episode, has covered defunct leagues and teams from all sports, and Tim has interviewed many gridiron legends and icons, including Larry Csonka, Upton Bell, and Dave Meggyesy, all of whom helped shape the world of professional football in America. During this episode, Tim and Greg talk about his podcast and the challenges facing start up leagues in the 21st Century in the midst of a changing media and technological landscape.
For this third episode we move up to the Great White North as Greg sits down with Don and Heath of the Third Down Gamble podcast, where they go team by team through the Canadian Football League and review last year's performance and review all that has happened in the off season. The three also talk about the ownership struggles within the league and the challenges presently faced by the teams in an ever-changing media landscape.
The 104th Grey Cup game was played on November 27, 2016, before 33,421 fans at BMO Field in Toronto.
In the inaugural episode of his new XFL podcast, Greg James adds his laid-back historical approach to the crowded XFL field. Unlike the other XFL shows, he does not mince words as to what he believes was an under-performing week one. Specifically, he calls out the league for catering to the white male wrestling crowd and talks about how the marketing sucks. He also discusses what he believes were poor ratings when compared to the 2020 edition of the league and how the attendance numbers were nothing to brag about.
It is XFL kickoff eve in America! In this episode Greg sits down with the elder half of The World of Football podcast dynamic duo, Randy Snow. Randy is the Adam West to his own son Adam's Burt Ward, both of whom who broadcast weekly from the Man Cave news and history lessons that encompass the gridiron game around the world, including where Greg is, in Japan. Greg and Randy review the news out of the CFL of the Alouettes being placed in receivership by the league, look ahead to the upcoming XFL and USFL seasons, and discuss the state of indoor arena football in America. In addition, Greg and Randy reminisce about their summer road trips to visit the resting places of American gridiron legends.
The World of Football on Spotify
The Adam Snow Movie Show
In this episode, Greg sits down with Canadian football historian and scholar, Dr. Frank Cosentino, to talk about his playing career and the CFL as a cultural institution in the 20th Century, especially during the time he played. They also discuss how the CFL dealt with the threat of the WFL in the 1970s, during which John Bassett planned on placing a franchise in Toronto. Lastly, they discuss the American expansion, changing sports landscape and the prospects of a successful CFL/XFL merger, should one ever be pursued again.
Scott was slated to join the conversation; however, just minutes before recording tornado warnings were issued for Birmingham and power went out. We are happy to report that eventually the weather cleared and power was restored.
Grey Cup champion, Vanier Cup champion, hall of famer, scholar, teacher, and professor emeritus are just a few of the ways one describes the greatest Canadian sports historian who has authored 18 books, and not just only on football. Drafted by the Hamilton Tiger Cats in 1960, Dr. Cosentino was in five consecutive Grey Cup games, 1961-65, including the first overtime Grey Cup game in 1961, the “fog bowl” in 1962 and the “wind bowl” of 1965. The team’s two Grey Cup wins were in 1963 and 1965. As a Tiger Cat he also played in the last of the CFL vs NFL exhibition games against the Buffalo Bills,in which Hamilton prevailed and he passed for the team's final touchdown.
In 1967, Dr. Cosentino was traded to Edmonton in 1967, led the team to a 9-6-1, and was named Edmonton’s nominee for the Best Canadian Schenley Award, after which he was traded to Toronto for the 1969 season. He finished his career after the 1969 season, playing in 141 regular season games and starting in 41, posting 20 wins, 19 losses, and two ties. He completed 482 passes out of 996 attempts for 7,678 passing yards with 53 touchdowns.
While playing in the CFL, Dr. Cosentino continued his education, earning both a master's and doctor of philosophy degree. After his playing days ended, in 1970, he was named head football coach at the University of Western Ontario and assistant professor. In 1976 he moved to York University where he was professor and chairman of physical education and athletics for a five-year term. As a professor, he taught courses in sport history, and as a coach, won two Vanier Cups at Western in 1971 and 1974. He is a member of Halls of Fame at McMaster, York, Western, and Ontario University Athletics; and in 2018, was named to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Though retired, Dr. Cosentino continues to write and all of his wonderful books, which are required reading for students of Canadian football, are available at his website- www.valleyoldtimers.com.
From Japan, it's Greg James of CFL America Radio and the Sports History Network with a new show filled with commentary and observations about the XFL, as well as analysis of league news, and those important items that affect the business of gridiron football.
Welcome to the first episode of "Gridiron America," where Japan based Greg James (co-host of the "From the 55 Yard Line" and "Gridiron Japan" podcasts) sits down with fellow podcasters and gridiron experts to talk about the game outside of the lines. In this inaugural episode ("the beta episode") Greg sits down with fellow Sports History Network member, Aron Harris of "The Football Odyssey" to review the Super Bowl, and talk about the business of football, including the upcoming XFL season and the challenges to grow the game beyond North American shores.
The Football Odyssey is an eclectic show that features Aron's dulcet NFL Filmsesque voice (with an excellent accompanying companion website) covering topics that touch on the cultural impact of the sport. On air Aron provides reviews of classic books and movies, and also has in-depth conversations with authors and contributors to the game, as well as the gridiron heroes of our youth, including Dan Fouts and Phil Villapiano. The Football Odyssey podcast is available via Spotify, Apple, and all other podcast platforms.
The 103rd Grey Cup game was played on November 29, 2015, before 36,634 fans at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg.
When one thinks of Howie Mooney, their first thought is about sports and sports history. Currently, he is the host of the Sports Lunatics Show, a sports history podcast, on the FiredUp Network, a Toronto website. He also writes a sports history column there. Indeed, his first venture into the world of sports history came when he began researching his first Canadian sports history calendar back in 1986. His success with that venture led to Howie becoming the host of "The Ultimate Sports Quiz," an interactive call-in sports trivia program, on local television in Ottawa, Canada in 1991, which he hosted through the decade of the ’90s.
Howie soon found himself covering the CFL’s Ottawa Rough Riders and the OHL’s Ottawa 67s for television. He was also selected out of many who auditioned to be the color commentator for Triple-A Ottawa Lynx baseball broadcasts and also covered the NHL’s Ottawa Senators for the magazine show "Overtime." Howie is also the co-author of "Third and Long: The Proud History of Football in Ottawa," which is available to read for free at www.archive.org. Howie’s new book, "Crazy Days & Wild Nights," is a collection of incredible and true stories taken from the pages of sports history. The audio book will be available on his website this year, with the book out for purchase in the summer.
In this episode, Howie recounts a number of stories from the book, including tales from the Toronto Argonauts sidelines, and the legend of Taro Tsujimoto. In addition, Greg and Howie talk about the upcoming spring football season in America and the CFL, including where the league is headed into 2023.
One of the most popular genres of science fiction literature is that of alternate history, and in sports one of the most common questions asked among fans of all sports is, "what if?" For instance, what if Bo Jackson did not get hurt in that playoff game against the Bengals? What if Bartman had not interfered with that foul ball in Wrigley Field during the NLCS in 2003? What if Babe Ruth played his entire career in Boston? What if Muhammad Ali had lost or quit in his first fight against Sonny Liston? What if the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants had never moved to the West Coast? What if Vince Lombardi had become head coach of his hometown Giants instead of heading to Green Bay? What if Browns had not moved to Baltimore and displaced the CFL's Stallions? How would sports history, and our perception of it, be different today? The questions are of course endless...
In his book, "Gridiron Cup, 1982," Keegan Dresow asks two important questions... What if Bert Bell had been successful in getting war torn Europe to embrace the spectacle of gridiron football? And, what if Joseph Stalin had decided the Soviet Union would learn the sport and use it to wage a proxy war against the west on the gridiron. For fans of the TV show, "For All Mankind," in which the question of what if the Soviets had landed on the moon first is explored, readers will not be disappointed. "Gridiron Cup, 1982," is available exclusively on Amazon Kindle. His book imagines a world where it is gridiron football and not soccer football that is the most dominate team sport on the planet, and expertly weaves facts with fiction to present a look at a sports world that gridiron football fans can only dream about.
Keegan Dresow previously served as the head coach of the Avedøre Monarchs, in Denmark, and is the author of "Offensive Football Systems," which is also available on Amazon. Presently, Keegan, a 2010 graduate from the UC Davis School of Law, is an attorney and is also a 2006 graduate of Pomona College, where he played four years of gridiron football for the Sagehens. His website is TotalAmericanFootball.com
The 102nd Grey Cup was played on November 30, 2014, before 52,056 fans at BC Place in Vancouver.
The 101st Grey Cup was played on November 24, 2013, before 44,710 fans at Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field in Regina.
The 100th Grey Cup was played on November 25, 2012, before 53,208 fans at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The 99th Grey Cup was played on November 27, 2011, before 54,313 fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The 98th Grey Cup was played on November 28, 2010, before 63,317 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
The 97th Grey Cup game was played on November 29, 2009, before 46,020 fans at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
The 96th Grey Cup game was played on November 23, 2008, before 66,308 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
The 95th Grey Cup game was played on November 25, 2007, before 52,230 fans at Rogers Centre in Toronto. It was the first Grey Cup meeting between the two teams.
The 94th Grey Cup game was played on November 19, 2006, before 44,786 fans at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg.
The 93rd Grey Cup game was played on November 27, 2005, before 59,157 fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The 92nd Grey Cup was played on November 21, 2004, before 51,242 fans at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.
The 91st Grey Cup was played on November 16, 2003, before 50,909 fans at Taylor Field in Regina.
The 90th Grey Cup was played on November 24, 2002, before 62,531 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
The 89th Grey Cup was played on November 25, 2001, before 65,255 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
The 88th Grey Cup was played on November 26, 2000, before 43,822 fans at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
The 87th Grey Cup game was played on November 28, 1999, before 45,118 fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The 86th Grey Cup game was played on November 22, 1998, before 34,157 fans at Winnipeg Stadium in Winnipeg.
The 85th Grey Cup game was played on November 16, 1997, before 60,431 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
The 84th Grey Cup game was played on November 24, 1996, before 38,595 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton.
The 83rd Grey Cup game was played on November 19, 1995, before 52,064 fans at Taylor Field in Regina. This was the first Grey Cup to be played in the province of Saskatchewan, and again featured a U.S.-vs-Canada match up.
The 82nd Grey Cup was played on November 27, 1994, before 55,097 fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. It was the first championship in professional football history to feature a U.S.-vs-Canada match up.
The 81st Grey Cup was played on November 28, 1993, before 50,035 fans at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
The 79th Grey Cup was played on November 24, 1991, before 51,985 fans at Winnipeg Stadium in Winnipeg. With a kickoff temperature of -16C, this was the coldest Grey Cup final ever.
The 79th Grey Cup was played on November 24, 1991, before 51,985 fans at Winnipeg Stadium in Winnipeg. With a kickoff temperature of -16C, this was the coldest Grey Cup final ever.
The 78th Grey Cup was played on November 25, 1990, before 46,968 fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The 77th Grey Cup game was played on November 26, 1989, before 54,088 fans at the Sky Dome in Toronto.
The 76th Grey Cup game was played on November 27, 1988, before 50,604 fans at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa. This was the first Grey Cup game between two teams from west of Ontario.
The 75th Grey Cup game was played on November 29, 1987, before 59,478 fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The 74th Grey Cup game was played on November 30, 1986, before 59,621 fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The 73rd Grey Cup game was played on November 24, 1985, before 56,723 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
The 72nd Grey Cup was played on November 18, 1984, before 60,081 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. This was the first Grey Cup ever held in Edmonton.
The 71st Grey Cup was played on November 27, 1983, before 59,345 fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The 70th Grey Cup was played on November 28, 1982, before 54,741 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.
The 69th Grey Cup was played on November 22, 1981, before 52,478 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
The 68th Grey Cup was played on November 23, 1980, before 54,661 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.
The 67th Grey Cup game was played on November 25, 1979, before 65,113 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
The 66th Grey Cup game was played on November 26, 1978, before 54,695 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.
The 65th Grey Cup game, also known as The Ice Bowl, was played on November 27, 1977 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. The game set a Grey Cup attendance record of 68,318.
The 64th Grey Cup game was played on November 28, 1976, before 53,467 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. Notably, all the points scored in this game were by Canadians.
The 63rd Grey Cup game was played on November 23, 1975, before 32,454 fans at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. It remains the only Grey Cup game in the modern era in which no touchdowns were scored.
The 62nd Grey Cup was played on November 24, 1974, before 32,450 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. This was the last Grey Cup game played at Empire Stadium.
The 61st Grey Cup was played on November 25, 1973, before 36,653 fans at CNE Stadium in Toronto.
The 60th Grey Cup was played on December 3, 1972, before 33,993 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton. Before 2021, it was the last Grey Cup to be played in December.
The 59th Grey Cup was played on November 28, 1971, before 34,404 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. This game was notable for its steady rainfall and first-ever play on artificial turf.
The 58th Grey Cup was played on November 28, 1970, before 32,669 fans at CNE Stadium in Toronto.
The 57th Grey Cup game was played on November 30, 1969, before 33,172 fans at Montreal's Autostade. This game begin the tradition to play for the Grey Cup on a Sunday.
After a nearly two month break, Scott and Greg return to talk about the upcoming season with the radio voice of the Toronto Argonauts, Mike Hogan. In an easygoing Sunday morning conversation, the three talk about his love of the CFL and the Argos, and his memories of seasons pas
The companion documentary to the must read book, "Year of the Rocket," by Paul Woods. This is the story of the 1991 Toronto Argonauts, a year in which the Argos were purchased by Bruce McNall, John Candy, and Wayne Gretzky, who then signed Raghib "Rocket" Ismail to what was at the time, the largest contract in football history, and then went on to win the coldest Grey Cup ever played, in storybook fashion.
The 56th Grey Cup game was played on November 30, 1968, before 32,655 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.
The 55th Grey Cup game was played on December 2, 1967, before 31,358 fans at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.
Struggles in the 1990 NFC Championship Game and an elbow injury cause Joe to be traded in 1993.
Montana turns a grim 1988 season into a Super Bowl XXIII victory, followed by another win.
The 54th Grey Cup game was played on November 26, 1966, before 36,553 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. This was the Saskatchewan Roughriders's first Grey Cup championship.
Not that far removed from his second Super Bowl ring, Joe encounters a few hurdles in his career.
Joe leads the 49ers to two Super Bowl victories before marrying the girl of his dreams in 1985.
Though Joe starts his career on the bench in 1979, he wins the NFC Championship two years later.
Doubt from Joe's coaches makes his transition from Pennsylvania to Notre Dame difficult.
The 53rd Grey Cup game was played on November 27, 1965, before 32,655 football fans at CNE Stadium in Toronto. It is commonly known as the Wind Bowl, with wind speeds reaching 64 km/h.
A look at the legacy and inspiring life of CFL legend Chuck Ealey. Experience the joys and the highs, the electricity and the love, the pains and the sorrows, the perseverance and fight for equality.
The 52nd Grey Cup was played on November 28, 1964, before 32,655 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.
Although Warren Moon was overlooked time and again throughout his career, his perseverance led to an unusually long and extremely successful stint as a quarterback in the NFL. In addition to having to fight against the perception that he didn't have what it takes to lead an NFL team, he also had to fight against prejudice in a league that had few black quarterbacks. After being passed over by the NFL, Moon went to Canada and led his Edmonton Eskimos to five Grey Cups before being the subject of a bidding war among NFL teams. He would play professional football for 23 years and become the first quarterback to pass for over 60,000 yards in his career. Moon was the first 40-year-old to throw five touchdowns in a game and pass for 400 yards. He is also the only player in both the American and Canadian football halls of fame.
When a person talks of dynasty in football, usually the thoughts go to the Pittsburgh Steelers of the seventies, the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers of the nineties or the modern-day New England Patriots or even Alabama Crimson Tide or Clemson Tigers. However, in Canada, football dynasty talk invariably leads to the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos of the late seventies and early eighties. In the United States, the City of Pittsburgh claims the moniker of “City of Champions.” Between the Eskimos and the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL, that claim may rightfully belong to Edmonton. This mini documentary takes a look back at one of the greatest football teams in sports history.
The 51st Grey Cup was played on November 30, 1963, before 36,545 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver.
Centered largely on the 30 years after his Hall of Fame coaching career, this documentary explores football icon John Madden’s extraordinary impact on America’s most popular sport, the indelible mark he made on broadcast television and how he revolutionized the video game industry.
Maybe the most important decision Fran Tarkenton ever made was in 1957, when as a high school senior leading Athens High School to the Georgia state championship, he went with his heart and chose to go to the University of Georgia over Georgia Tech and Auburn. The rest is football history. "Scramblin' Fran" tells the story of the quarterback's unlikely rise at Georgia, highlighted by a memorable SEC title in 1959. The film traces his steps toward a long, successful pro career that saw him go from an unconventional, trailblazing "scrambler" with the Vikings to veteran savior with the Giants, to an icon in Minnesota who, in his second stint with the team, led them to three Super Bowls. Now a successful entrepreneur, Tarkenton will proudly retrace his steps - from his beginnings in Georgia all the way to a return visit to Athens for "G-Day" in 2018 - in this documentary about a football legend.
A replay from August 2021, in which Scott and Greg are joined by fellow Sports History Network member, Dana Auguster, of the Historically Speaking Sports podcast to talk about the important role African Americans have played in Canada, both on the field, as well as in the front office. Beginning with Robert "Stonewall" Jackson and continuing to the present with Clarence "Pinball" Clemons, the three talk about their contributions and look back at the greatest players many Americans may never have heard of or seen play.
Fritz Pollard grew up in Rogers Park, Illinois, a largely white suburb of Chicago. The seventh of eight children, young Fritz experienced racism first hand and learned from his family how to pick his battles and subdue his emotions in order to achieve his goals in a predominantly white world. A three-sport athlete at Lane Tech High, Pollard had notions of attending Dartmouth to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Leslie. But fate intervened. During a stopover in Providence in January 1913, Fritz had his first view of the Van Wickle gates sparkling in the sun; his career at Brown had begun.
During the 1915 and 1916 Brown football seasons, Pollard achieved legendary status, compiling “firsts” as frequently as he gained first downs. The first black to play in the Rose Bowl (1916), Fritz was also named to Walter Camp’s All America Team, and was the first African American in Camp’s backfield. Nicknamed “the human torpedo,” Pollard had almost single-handedly defeated Yale and Harvard (Brown’s first win over the Crimson) in 1916. The Bruins were the first college team to defeat both Ivy powerhouses in the same season. For his exploits at Brown, Pollard was elected to the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 — the first African American ever chosen.
As a professional player, Pollard continued to garner “firsts” in spite of the overt racism of the period. He was among the first African-Americans in the APFL and NFL leagues and, along with Jim Thorpe, was the major gate attraction. A Black man playing football in a predominantly white environment was a novelty in the 1920s. Fritz Pollard was the first African American to play on a championship team (1920), as well as the first Black quarterback (1923) and coach (1919).
Pollard’s efforts on behalf of African American athletes were Herculean. He organized Black teams such as the Chicago Black Hawks and the Brown Bombers in order to promote integrated competition in professional football.
A true renaissance man, Pollard broke barriers of every sort — in business and the entertainment industry, as well as in sports. At various times, he ran a newspaper, an investment advisory firm, and a coal company. His outgoing, engaging personality smoothed many a pathway in the business and professional worlds, and even led to some dabbling in politics.
The 50th Grey Cup between Hamilton and Winnipeg, also known as the Fog Bowl, was played at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto on December 1, 1962 before 32,655 fans. It remains the only Grey Cup game ever suspended during play.
Complete game broadcast from 1974 World Football League game between the Philadelphia Bell and the Chicago Fire.
The 49th Grey Cup between Hamilton and Winnipeg was played on December 2, 1961, before 32,651 fans at CNE Stadium in Toronto. This was the first Grey Cup to go into overtime.
Upton Bell was the owner of the long defunct Charlotte Hornets of the World Football League, a short-lived league that played one full season in 1974 and half of the 1975 season. But, man, it was an exciting time! This story has an unlikely cast of characters, from a world-renowned TV mogul to a world-class con man, a cantankerous sports announcer, an immortal pro golfer, and hey, what story would be complete without a world famous kidnapping victim? The Charlotte Hornets football team was also a financial nightmare! But Upton Bell wouldn't change one minute of it!
In their first podcast of 2022 Scott and Greg sit down and talk about Scott's impressions about the new USFL and the news conference he attended in Birmingham for the hub city in season one of the fledgling league. After which, Scott and Greg talk with PFRA and CFL historian Ryan Christiansen to discuss his newly published book Border Boys, about the men who brought Winnipeg their first Grey Cup championship. Available in both the United States and Canada, the book details the history of Canadian football prior to the official start of the CFL when rugby unions governed the sport and how Canadian football evolved and was influenced by American innovations. With an in-depth discussion of how football on the continent evolved, Ryan introduces readers to the American and Canadian matchups that predated the NFL/CFL exhibitions of the 50s and 60s. Further, the book details the football legacy and traditions of North Dakota State University, Concordia College, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and University of North Dakota, and the contribution of the "Swede Belt's" Robert Fritz, Fritz Hanson, Bud Marquardt and Herb Peschel to the total Canadian/American team effort that was the 1935 Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Winnipegs of the Manitoba Rugby Football Union.
The 48th Grey Cup between Ottawa and Edmonton was played on November 26, 1960, before 38,102 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver.
Madden's passion and excitement for the game was infectious. His legacy will live forever. He helped teach generations about the game of football through all of the media he was involved in. A humble spirit, a man who didn't care about looks, a man who didn't judge a book by its cover. As a coach, he allowed his players the freedom to be themselves, be it to sit on their helmets or grow out their hair if they wanted. He made his players realize their inner potential when he coached for the Raiders. He didn't care about wearing ties. He was a man's man. He was the type of guy you could sit down and have a beer with.
The 47th Grey Cup game between Hamilton and Winnipeg was played on November 28, 1959, before 33,133 fans at CNE Stadium in Toronto.
From 2015, Amin and the Vassals review George R. R. Martin’s "The Last Super Bowl" in a spoiler filled discussion that was recorded before the Super Bowl, which thus explain their pro-Seahawks hopes.
Sports are universally beloved. Geographically, athletic competitions take on various forms; the NFL, NBA, MLB are strong in America; NHL in Canada; Premier League in Europe; and Cricket in India.
But the now legendary George R. R. Martin wrote about the downfall of them all in “The Last Super Bowl,” a fantastically written short story in February 1975’s issue of Gallery Magazine, a men’s magazine.
The story is actually two tales, as he covers the last Super Bowl which takes place in January 2016 and interjects the depiction of that Super Bowl, between the Green Bay Packers and the Hoboken Jets, and the downfall of real sports. Real sports, in the 2016 of Martin’s fictional world, have been overtaken in popularity by simulated sports.
Simulated sports are controlled by a computer that can put any team, from any era, against any other for the enjoyment of the spectators. The technology he describes in the computers that control the simulated sports may have been a thing of science fiction in 1974, when I assume he wrote the piece, but here in 2022, our computers are powerful enough to create those simulations. Just look at video games like Electronic Arts’ Madden and FIFA series.
The implications that computer simulated games would overtake the real thing isn’t so far fetched now, but back in 1975, Martin was looking to a future where the complexities of computers and their power seemed infinitely abundant.
The last Super Bowl – just think about it. No more National Football League, no more National Basketball Association, no more Major League Baseball, the players all replaced by pixels and simulations. The piece is entitled “The Last Super Bowl” because the NFL was the last sport to fall to the computerized simulations. Martin explains that the NBA and NHL disbanded in 2010, while the MLB lasted just until 2014, with the NFL holding on just long enough to have one last Super Bowl in 2016.
Why have the real leagues folded to simulations? Money, of course, which is the underlying scariest thing about this piece. The power of the media, which still exists to a certain degree, functions in Martin’s simulation to make decisions not in the interest of art or tangible implications for the cultures we live in but for profit and a healthier bottom line. These are things that aren’t science fiction, as they are now an overt fact of our society.
You can read it here at Sportsmaster Simulations...
The 46th Grey Cup game was played between Winnipeg and Hamilton on November 29, 1958, before 36,567 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. This was the first Grey Cup game to be played under the aegis of the newly formed Canadian Football League.
The 45th Grey Cup game between Hamilton and Winnipeg was played on November 30, 1957, at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. This was the first Grey Cup game to be covered on coast-to-coast television.
A celebration of his life and influence on football and our popular culture, from both the Coach himself and the funny man who will no doubt keep his spirit alive for many years to come.
The 44th Grey Cup game between Edmonton and Montreal was played on November 24, 1956, before 27,425 fans at Varsity Stadium in Toronto.
The 43rd Grey Cup game between Edmonton and Montreal was played on November 26, 1955, before 39,417 football fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. This was the first Grey Cup played in Vancouver.
The 42nd Grey Cup of Edmonton versus Montreal was played on November 27, 1954, before 27,391 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto.
On the eve of the Grey Cup, author Paul Woods returns to talk about his best selling book, "Year of the Rocket," about that one time in CFL history where the league upstaged the NFL and with a trio of celebrity owners set about making the CFL cool again. The book tells the story of how Rocket Ismail came to Canada and signed the largest contract in sports, and also how John Candy became the unofficial commissioner of a league that in the 21st Century could use some of that celebrity magic and cache to help it become relevant and cool again. With history as our guide we also talk about the future of the league, American press coverage of it, and how the lessons of the past apply to the CFL today.
For the first time in NFL History, a Super Bowl Champion was crowned on their own home turf as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers captured their second Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tampa Bay made history with Tom Brady turning the franchise 17-year playoff win drought into Super Bowl glory, with a 31-9 victory over the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The magical story of the 2019 Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs who earned the franchise their first-ever NFL and post merger Super Bowl championship in 50 years!
The magical story of the 2017 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles who earned the franchise their first-ever Super Bowl and first NFL championship in 57 years!
Re-live the story of the 2016 New England Patriots and their run to Super Bowl LI told through the eyes of Julian Edelman, Dont'a Hightower and LeGarrette Blount. Narrated by Chris Evans.
Re-live the story of the 2015 Denver Broncos and their run to Super Bowl 50 told through the eyes of Von Miller, Demarcus Ware and Peyton Manning.
Re-live the story of the 2013 Seattle Seahawks and their run to Super Bowl XLVIII told through the eyes of Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman and Head Coach Pete Carroll. Narrated by Jim Caviezel.
On the eve of the Grey Cup semi-finals Scott and Greg sat down with Rich Podolsky, author of the best selling book "You Are Looking Live!: How The NFL Today Revolutionized Sports Broadcasting" to discuss with him his reflections and remembrances of his time at CBS Sports on the ground breaking pregame show where he was a writer. They talk about Brent Musburger and the entire NFL Today team, including Jimmy The Greek and Greg's school boy crush, Jayne Kennedy. In addition to the NFL Today, Rich also talks about Winnipeg Blue Bomber great and CFL Hall of Famer, Indian Jack Jacobs, whose talents are indeed remembered by Oklahoma University were he was a star, and whose achievements were profiled by Rich in an amazing article he wrote for the Oklahoma University Foundation's Sooner Magazine.
Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, Linebacker Ray Lewis & Head Coach John Harbaugh Recount the Baltimore Ravens’ 2012 Super Bowl winning season. “We weren’t pretty. We weren’t perfect… But at least we were us.”– John Harbaugh
Re-live the story of the 2011 New York Giants and their run to Super Bowl XLVI through the eyes of Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Victor Cruz & Head Coach Tom Coughlin. Narrated by Alec Baldwin.
This documentary details the exciting story of the 2010 Super Bowl XLV Champion Green Bay Packers, as told through voices of Head Coach Mike McCarthy, Cornerback Charles Woodson, and Quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
A look back at New Orleans Saints' 2009 Super Bowl triumph over Indianapolis Colts at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. Despite trailing 10-6 at the half-time interval, the Saints rallied in the second half to secure a 31-17 victory, claiming their first Super Bowl title in the process
With the toughest schedule in the league, the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers faced a rough road to a record sixth Super Bowl victory. Find out what philosophy SS Troy Polamalu lives and plays by, how QB Ben Roethlisberger felt to achieve every football players' dream, what coaching point Head Coach Mike Tomlin made after watching practice tape that paid off with an interception being returned for touchdown and more
The story of Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants. Featuring interviews with Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, head coach Tom Coughlin, and defensive end Michael Strahan. Narrated by James Gandolfini.
The story of Super Bowl XLI champion Indianapolis Colts. Featuring interviews with Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning, head coach Tony Dungy, and center Jeff Saturday. Narrated by Donald Sutherland.
For most NFL players, the onset of retirement is a sad occasion. Not so for Jerome Bettis. After Super Bowl XL, Bettis, the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers, hung up his cleats with the Vince Lombardi Trophy in his hands. Entering the 2005 season, many thought Bettis prolific career was still incomplete. Nicknamed The Bus for his battering runs, he was one of the leagues greatest players to have never won a world title. Still, the Steelers team around him had all the markings of a champion; a precocious quarterback, a physical defense, and the motivation to win a ring for their future Hall of Famer. It didn't come easy. After an 11-5 regular season, Pittsburgh became the first sixth-seeded team to reach a Super Bowl, winning three dramatic playoff games on the road. Then, in Bettis hometown of Detroit, the Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks, 21-10, allowing the veteran to call it quits in storybook fashion.
The first 30 days of October in 2004 were pure bliss for sports fans in New England. The Patriots were the darlings of the NFL, boasting two Super Bowl victories over the past three years, and an NFL-record 21-game winning streak. But Halloween proved to be a nightmare for New England. In Pittsburgh, the Patriots fell to Ben Roethlisberger's Steelers, and also lost their All-Pro cornerback, Ty Law, to a season-ending injury. In the weeks that followed, other key defensive backs missed time as well, leaving a once-dominant defense vulnerable to the pass. Such losses would be too great to overcome for most teams. But the Patriots bounced back better than anyone imagined possible. Utilizing a patchwork secondary, which included 33-year-old wide receiver Troy Brown as a nickel back, New England defeated Peyton Manning's Colts in a divisional playoff, and then won the rematch against Big Ben in Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship. All that stood between the Patriots and a third world title in four seasons was the most fearsome receiver in the game, Philadelphia's Terrell Owens, in Super Bowl XXXIX. So join NFL Films as they tell the story of the '04 Patriots, a team as resilient and creative as any in NFL history. America's Game uses exclusive interviews from Bill Belichick, Brown and Tedy Bruschi to recount New England's bid to become a dynasty.
Bill Belichick admitted it was one of the toughest coaching decisions he'd ever had to make. Less than a week before the start of the 2003 season, his New England Patriots released Pro Bowl safety and team captain Lawyer Milloy. It was the kind of move that might ruin most teams. But the Patriots weren't like most teams. Plus, New England had a capable replacement at safety in Rodney Harrison. Despite his newcomer status, Harrison won over teammates with his aggressive play, and was voted a defensive captain after only a few games. With Harrison patrolling the secondary, and linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Willie McGinest up front, the Patriots defense allowed the fewest points in the league that season. Yet even with all that defensive firepower, this was still Tom Brady's team. The New England quarterback, just 26 at the time, went on to win his second Super Bowl MVP award in three years by out-gunning the Carolina Panthers, 32-29. Join NFL Films as they retell the story of the '03 Patriots, a club well on their way to becoming a dynasty.
Jon Gruden was ahead of the curve when it came to coaching football. At 31, he was already an offensive coordinator in the pro ranks. At 34, he became one of the youngest NFL head coaches ever. So the asking price for his services was steep in 2002: Two first round picks, two second round picks, and $8 million. But for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it proved to be a bargain. Gruden inherited a Buccaneers team that was already playoff-caliber, as Tampa Bay reached the postseason four times in the previous six years. But the organization wanted more from Gruden. With a star-studded defense that included Warren Sapp, John Lynch and Derrick Brooks in place, the Buccaneers asked their new hire to lead them to a world title. The workaholic Gruden soon won over his charges, and advanced the team to Super Bowl XXXVII against his former team, the Oakland Raiders. With first-hand knowledge of Oakland`s system, Gruden prepared Tampa Bay for its opponent as well as any team in Super Bowl history.
On the day the USFL was "rebooted and reimagined," Scott and Greg sat down with sports historian and Baltimore native Ron Snyder to discuss his book on the CFL Colts/Stallions entitled "The Baltimore Stallions: The Brief, Brilliant History of the CFL Champion Franchise," as well as the rich legacy of football in Baltimore and how the departure of the NFL Colts opened the door for the team to claim the unofficial title of "America's CFL Team." Not only are the Stallions and football history of Baltimore discussed, but they also embark on a conversation about the future of the sport, through the lens of learned history and knowledge gained (through amazing books like Ron's) that provide lessons on how leagues can avoid the mistakes of the past in starting up and also older leagues looking to expand beyond their borders.
It was the hit felt from Boston to Bangor. In Week 2 of the 2001 season, New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe absorbed a vicious blow from Jets linebacker Mo Lewis, shearing an artery behind his ribs. He was out indefinitely. The 2001 season appeared lost. But in stepped backup Tom Brady, a former sixth round draft choice, and New England sports history was changed forever. Over the next few weeks, Brady compiled a 5-3 record as a starter. When Bledsoe returned to reclaim the starting role, many assumed the job was his. Instead, head coach Bill Belichick made a gutsy call in Week 11, opting to stay with Brady for the rest of the year. The move, or non-move, paid off handsomely. Brady led the Patriots to an unforgettable win over the Raiders in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, Brady drove the Patriots 53 yards in the final two minutes, setting up the biggest kick of Adam Vinatieri's career - a 48-yarder for the title. Join NFL Films as they retell the story of the '01 Patriots, the club that launched a dynasty.
The debate over the NFLs greatest defense has raged for some time. Fans in Dallas are squarely behind the Doomsday Defense. Minnesota had the Purple People Eaters, while Chicago had the 46. Still, in 2000, the Baltimore Ravens were as good as any in that group, and possibly even better. Statistically speaking, the Ravens defense was without equal. Led by Pro Bowlers Ray Lewis, Sam Adams and Rod Woodson, Baltimore allowed the fewest points ever in a 16-game season - 165, an average of just over 10 per contest. Amazingly, they played even better in the postseason, allowing just 16 points combined in wins over the Broncos, Titans and Raiders. But it was the Ravens efforts in Super Bowl XXXV against the Giants that clinched their inclusion amongst the greatest defenses of all time. Baltimore's offense, with Trent Dilfer at quarterback, held it's own and the defense took care of the rest, forcing five turnovers in one of the most dominating performances ever. Join NFL Films as they retell the story of the 2000 Ravens.
This documentary uses the insight of Kurt Warner, Dick Vermeil and D'Marco Farr to tell the story of the 1999 Rams. With the humble Warner at the controls, the team's high-powered offense including: Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Marshall Faulk, became known as "The Greatest Show on Turf." Warner saved his best for the game's ultimate stage, throwing for 414 yards and two touchdowns to win Super Bowl XXXIV.
The 1972 Miami Dolphins were getting antsy. Their title as the league's only undefeated team was in jeopardy. With just three games left in the 1998 season, the 13-0 Denver Broncos played relentlessly and boasted a Hall of Fame talent in exactly the right spot. At quarterback, 38-year-old John Elway played with the joy of an athlete in the prime of his career. Plus, star tailback Terrell Davis was on his way to becoming just the fourth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in one season. Add to this mix the Orange Crush defense, and the Broncos believed they had the stuff for an unbeaten season. But it wasn't to be. The New York Giants upset the Broncos in Week 15. Still, Denver didn't allow the letdown affect them for very long. The Broncos may not have matched the '72 Dolphins, but they did wallop the '98 Dolphins and the Jets in the playoffs en route to Super Bowl XXXIII. There, John Elway won MVP honors in his final game, throwing for 336 yards as Denver won back-to-back world titles.
This documentary chronicles a team which posted the NFL's best regular-season record before losing in the NFC Championship Game. Their story is told by former head coach Dennis Green, wide receiver Cris Carter, and defensive tackle John Randle.
By 1997, there was little else for John Elway to prove. Entering his 15th NFL season, the Denver quarterback was in third place in most major passing categories, behind only Dan Marino and Fran Tarkenton, and had made the two-minute offense into his own personal playground. But something was missing from Elway's resume: a Super Bowl ring. The Broncos no longer relied on Elway to win games by himself. Terrell Davis, a former sixth-round draft choice, led the AFC in rushing with 1,750 yards and 15 touchdowns. The defense, led by Steve Atwater and Pro Bowl newcomer Neil Smith, had plenty of star power. Even better, head coach Mike Shanahan was considered one of the most innovative minds in the NFL. Denver finished the regular season with a 12-4 record, and then won three playoff games as a wild card entry to reach Super Bowl XXXII. There, against the defending champion Green Bay Packers, Elway captured that elusive championship.
Scott and Greg put on their parachute pants and fire up the Commodore 64 as they sit down with prolific sports author Jeff Pearlman to talk about the United States Football League and stories from his book, "Football for a Buck," about the wild times of a league that left us way to soon and whose impact has gone beyond the field and with us still today, be it in the form of an attempted coup or the two point conversion. We do discuss, albeit briefly, the topic of the new Fox Sports league coming in 2022 that is planning on using the USFL's logos and names.
During the conversation Scott represented his Birmingham Stallions, and Greg his Chicago Blitz, as Jeff tells tales of a league that, had the owners not listened to one thinned skinned man and foolishly sued the NFL and put a drunk Howard Cosell on the witness stand, at least a few of the teams might still be around today, except for teams like definitely neither the New Jersey Generals or "the Gunslingers of San Antoin..." The book, as Jeff tells it, was inspired by a high school term paper project, which goes to show that no matter our age, football truly is a sport that keeps all of us fans forever young.
The Lombardi Trophy was on its way back to Lombardi Country. Vince Lombardi's Packers won Super Bowls I and II in the mid-1960s by playing with confidence and faith. Nearly 30 years later, Green Bay's 1996 team, led by coach Mike Holmgren, used those same virtues to carry the franchise to its third Super Bowl title. Holmgren was known for his intensity on game days, and an ability to mentor quarterbacks, qualities that would serve him well with the Packers. By '96, Holmgren had molded Brett Favre into an NFL MVP who could use his West Coast system in spectacular fashion. Statistically speaking, the Packers had never played better. Led by Favre and All-Pro defensive end Reggie White, Green Bay tied a franchise record for wins, led the league in scoring, and gave up the fewest points. But on a team renowned for its star power, it was return man Desmond Howard -- considered a disappointment in the pros at that point - who made the greatest impact against New England in Super Bowl XXXI. Yes, there was a 29-year wait between celebrations. But in Titletown, U.S.A., it was worth it.
Dominance in the NFL starts at the very top. There have been only five NFL dynasties during the Super Bowl era -- four of them were forged by the vision of a single head coach. The 1995 Dallas Cowboys were the exception. They won their third world championship of the 1990s under new leadership in Barry Switzer. Despite being without Jimmy Johnson, who had led the Cowboys to two Lombardi Trophies, and being burdened with free agent losses, off-the-field distractions and injuries, Dallas was determined to capture its third title in four years. The Cowboys overcame these obstacles thanks largely to the stellar play of "the Triplets" -- Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin -- and the acquisition of a fourth superstar, All-Pro cornerback Deion Sanders. Still, it was the player opposite Sanders who made the biggest impact in Super Bowl XXX. Cornerback Larry Brown became one of the unlikeliest MVPs in Super Bowl history, intercepting two passes in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. At last, Dallas was a dynasty.
Prior to the 1994 season, quarterback Steve Young had already enjoyed great success in the NFL. A two-time All-Pro with the San Francisco 49ers, Young was considered one of the NFL's most nimble and accurate passers. But Niners fans felt differently about him. In their estimation, Young had a flaw that was difficult to overcome: He wasn't Joe Montana. Montana led San Francisco to four Super Bowl victories. Young, as the starter, had yet to win one. So the team was determined to build a champion around their talented quarterback in '94. The front office went on a shopping spree in the free agent market, landing, among others, superstar cornerback Deion Sanders. Those additions -- and a career year from Young -- helped put the team in the same class as any of the 49er clubs from Montana's era. San Francisco went 13-3 to earn home-field advantage in the playoffs, where it swept past the Chicago Bears, and its chief rival, the Dallas Cowboys, to reach Super Bowl XXIX. There, Young surpassed his legendary predecessor with a record-breaking performance against the San Diego Chargers.
Talent is a cure-all in the NFL. That's the lesson of the 1993 Dallas Cowboys. That season, the Cowboys were saddled with injuries, a key holdout, and tension between the owner and head coach. But Dallas overcame all those distractions thanks largely to the star power of its roster. For starters, the Dallas "Triplets" were in their primes. Quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith and wide receiver Michael Irvin were among the best at their positions. In all, 11 Cowboys were named to the Pro Bowl, including eight on offense. Still, the Cowboys got off to a discouraging start, losing their first two games while Smith sat out due to a contract dispute. From there, Smith got his new deal, and the team had new life. Dallas became the first team to begin a year 0-2 and go on to win a Super Bowl. Join NFL Films as they retell the story of the '93 Cowboys, a club that never succumbed to controversy.
In 1992, many pundits felt that the Dallas Cowboys were too young to contend for a Super Bowl title. But head coach Jimmy Johnson and team knew otherwise. The Cowboys set out to prove they were already a force to be reckoned with. And so they did. Dallas shined thanks in part to its "Triplets" on offense: quarterback Troy Aikman, receiver Michael Irvin, and the NFL's leading rusher, Emmitt Smith. The defense was just as impressive. Linebacker Ken Norton Jr. and pass rusher Charles Haley inspired a stingy unit to become a championship-caliber one by the playoffs. The Cowboys then peaked at the right time, beating the 49ers in an epic NFC Championship Game in San Francisco, and dominating the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII.
In 1991, Joe Gibbs took note of Mark Rypien's ability to throw an accurate, deep pass which, combined with the speed of wide receivers Art Monk, Ricky Sanders and Gary Clark, helped lead the Redskins to victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. The story of Super Bowl XXVI champion Washington Redskins. Featuring interviews with head coach Joe Gibbs, Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, and defensive lineman Charles Mann. Narrated by Donald Sutherland.
This audio documentary focuses on the team that was defined by a missed 47-yard field goal that kept them from winning the big one in Tampa. Bills fans know the story of the team's rise from oblivion in the 1970s and 1980s to AFC superpower in the 1990s, when it lost four Super Bowls in a row. But even knowing the downer ending, the hour special narrated by Alec Baldwin manages to be suspenseful, humorous and loaded with history lessons. Much of the entertainment is supplied by former Bills linebacker Darryl Talley, the self-proclaimed Rodney Dangerfield of the defense who always got media respect for being a quote machine. Early on, Talley recalled the dark days of the Bills, when the team was the target of knock-knock jokes. When asked who was there, the answer would be "Owen. Like 0-8." Whether he is explaining his nickname for quarterback Jim Kelly (Heathcliff), what he would have called the Bickering Bills or envisioning coach Marv Levy charming aliens, Talley is a super entertainer. "If we had aliens on this planet," praised Talley, "I bet Marv could sit down and talk to them."
When Phil Simms sprained his foot against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15, an unproven Jeff Hostetler was thrust to the forefront. Hostetler exceeded expectations by winning four straight starts, including two playoff games, to reach Super Bowl® XXV. Veteran Otis Anderson, a fill-in for the hobbled Rodney Hampton, rushed for 102 yards as New York beat Buffalo, 20-19, in one of the most thrilling Super Bowls ever.
What's the best way to replace a coaching legend? Quietly. When Bill Walsh retired from the San Francisco 49ers following the 1988 season, the team opted not to sign a big name as his successor. Instead, the organization stayed in-house, hiring defensive coordinator George Seifert. It was perfect casting. The stoic Seifert promptly led the team to new heights in his first year on the job. The 49ers were already a dynasty, winning three Super Bowls over the decade, so Seifert wasn't pressed to make any great changes. The team's West Coast offense then kept humming along. Joe Montana completed over 70 percent of his passes, a personal best, while throwing to one of the NFL's greatest receiving tandems: Jerry Rice and John Taylor. The 49ers were a force against the pass as well, with Charles Haley leading the defense with 10.5 sacks. Blessed with all that firepower, the Niners went 14-2 during the regular season, and then rolled through the playoffs to reach Super Bowl XXIV. There, San Francisco was at its best on both sides of the ball against the Denver Broncos.
The story of the 1988 Cincinnati Bengals, considered one of the best teams to fall just short of winning a Super Bowl. Featuring interviews with quarterback Boomer Esiason, head coach Sam Wyche, and defensive lineman Tim Krumrie. Narrated by Jeffrey Wright.
A world championship was at stake, and the San Francisco 49ers were in a panic. Trailing 16-13 late in Super Bowl XXIII, the offense was 92 yards away from a championship. It was a moment for legends. Bit by bit, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana marched the 49ers the length of the field. His 10-yard scoring strike to John Taylor with 34 ticks left on the clock lifted the Niners to a third Super Bowl title. The drive was a culmination of a season's worth of execution, raw athleticism, and tenacity for the '88 49ers. Despite a quarterback controversy and a 6-5 start, the team never lost their focus.
During the 1987 season, Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs had a lot of explaining to do. He told backup quarterback Doug Williams he was being traded to the Raiders, and then reconsidered just hours later. The coach also demoted Jeff Bostic from starting center to snapper on punts, angering the veteran to the point of demanding a trade. Worse yet, Gibbs had to counsel his entire team as they sat out on strike -- while coaching their replacements. But Gibbs had all the right answers that year. Washington went 3-0 during the player's strike, and Williams and Bostic joined the starting lineup due to injuries. Both quarterback and center were at times spectacular during the regular season, and the team won the NFC East title with an 11-4 record. Washington ran through the playoffs and into Super Bowl XXII, where Williams provided one of the greatest single-game performances in NFL History. Down 10-0, Williams and the Redskins exploded for five second-quarter touchdowns enroute to a stunning 42-10 victory.
The New York Giants hadn't won an NFL championship in 30 years before Bill Parcells' led them to two Super Bowl victories in 5 years. 1986 the Giants were loaded. On defense, Lawrence Taylor, considered by many to be the best Outside Linebacker ever to play the game, won the NFL MVP Award. He and Middle Linebacker, Harry Carson, both future Hall of Famers, led an overwhelming defense. On offense, the Giants were led by Tight End Mark Bavaro, 1500 yard rusher, Joe Morris and Quarterback Phil Simms, a good quarterback who had yet to prove he could be great. In Super Bowl XXI he did just that with a precision passing game that is unmatched as the Giants defeated the Broncos 39-20.
The 1985 Chicago Bears were larger than life. They had in-your-face personalities. They boasted Hall of Fame-caliber players. But most importantly, the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Chicago dominated opponents like few others. The Bears offense was a reflection of their hard-nosed head coach, Mike Ditka. First and foremost, Ditka liked to establish the run, with Walter Payton rushing for 1,551 yards on 324 carries. Still, the coach could be creative, too. He occasionally used a 300-pound rookie named William "Refrigerator" Perry at the goal line, to the delight of teammates and fans alike. Perry was also a part of Chicago's "46 Defense", which is widely considered the best in league history. The scheme -- designed by defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan -- so overwhelmed opponents a world title seemed inevitable. And it was. Chicago lost just one game prior to reaching Super Bowl XX, where it whipped the New England Patriots for their first NFL championship since 1963.
The fabled West Coast offense wasn't invented in San Francisco, but the father of the system, Bill Walsh, certainly perfected it there as head coach of the 49ers. With quarterback Joe Montana at the controls, the Niners were a dominant passing team, winning four Super Bowls in the 1980s. And of those four, their record-setting season in 1984 may have best captured the deadly efficiency of the West Coast attack. The Niners receiving corps had many ways to beat you. To move the chains, Montana found Dwight Clark, and Russ Francis. For the deeper routes, Joe Cool had Renaldo Nehemiah, then the world record holder in the 110-meter hurdles, and Freddie Solomon, a former college quarterback. With Walsh scripting the first 15-20 plays of each game, Montana soon found the hot receiver and the Niners became the first team in NFL history to go 15-1 during the regular season. Practicing against the West Coast offense had its privileges, too. The 49ers defense was well-versed in defending the pass, and it showed on the game's grandest stage. San Francisco picked off two Dan Marino passes in a 38-16 win over Miami in Super Bowl XIX, the team's second world title in four seasons. Join NFL Films as they retell the story of the '84 49ers, a club as balanced as any in pro football history.
Led by head coach Tom Flores, the 1983 Los Angeles Raiders entered Super Bowl XVIII as underdogs. But the Raiders proved that they were the NFL's best as they manhandled the highest scoring team in the league, the Washington Redskins, 38-9 to win their third Vince Lombardi Trophy. Al Davis has done more than anybody in the history of the game - through personal achievement, team achievement and contribution to the game - and has demonstrated more than ever that he is and always will be committed to excellence. Flores' unit sported a 12-4 record, led on offense by Jim Plunkett, Marcus Allen and Cliff Branch. The defense was anchored by Hall of Famers Howie Long, Ted Hendricks and Mike Haynes, as well as star cornerback Lester Hayes. Interviews with Marcus Allen, Todd Christensen and Howie Long take you inside all of the action of one of the greatest teams in NFL history. Al Davis summed up Super Bowl XVIII perfectly: "Not only in my opinion are you the greatest Raider team of all-time, I think you rank with the great teams of all time that have ever played any professional sport.
The 1982 NFL season wasn't a marathon, it was a sprint. A players strike reduced a 16-week schedule to nine that season, leaving teams scrambling to reach the playoffs. Most clubs appeared frantic and rusty after the layoff. But the Washington Redskins dominated all comers under head coach Joe Gibbs. Washington hired Gibbs in 1981, and just one season later, had molded the team in his hardnosed image. The offensive line, nicknamed The Hogs, was equally adept at blasting holes for fullback John Riggins as they were protecting their Pro Bowl passer, Joe Theismann. Powered up front, Washington muscled through the final stretch and lost only once during the regular season. From there, the postseason was expanded to four rounds and included 16 teams. But while the road to Super Bowl XVII was a unique one, Gibbs Redskins won the NFL title by sticking with its tried-and-true running game. Led by a big day from Riggins, Washington ran over the Miami Dolphins, 27-17.
Three teams have won 5 Super Bowls. The San Francisco 49ers were the first to do it. In 1981, just 2 years after finishing with a 2 and 14 record, Head Bill Walsh's "West Coast Offense" fueled the 49ers victory over the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI. The story of San Francisco's 1981 season is told by Wide Receiver Dwight Clark, Offensive Lineman, Randy Cross and Hall of Fame Defensive Back, Ronnie Lott.
The story of the 1981 San Diego Chargers, considered one of the best teams to fall just short of winning a Super Bowl. Featuring interviews with quarterback Dan Fouts, tight end Kellen Winslow, and running back Hank Bauer. Narrated by Tom Selleck.
Nobody loves reclamation projects more than Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. Jim Plunkett knew this. A former Heisman winner out of Stanford, Plunkett was cast out of New England and then released by San Francisco before arriving at Davis' doorstep in 1978. It proved to be a perfect match. In week 6 of the 1980 season, head coach Tom Flores gave Plunkett his chance. From there, he rewarded the team's confidence in him by leading Oakland to Super Bowl XV. There, backed by a renegade defense led by the incredible Lester Hayes, Plunkett won game MVP honors with two touchdown passes to Cliff Branch as Oakland beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10.
By the fall of 1979, Pittsburgh was known as the City of Champions. That October, the Pirates defeated the Baltimore Orioles to win the World Series, their second championship of the decade. Meanwhile, the Steelers had constructed a dynasty, boasting three world titles over the past five years. The fan base no longer hoped for victories. Now they expected them. So the standards were high for the 79 Steelers. But every player on the team was confident it could meet them. Once you have the taste of victory, it's awful hard to give that up, recalled John Banaszak. The attitude was: Were going to win this every year. Banaszak was one of several lesser-known Steelers who played a prominent role that year due to injuries. Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Franco Harris and Lynn Swann, all future Hall of Famers, were lost for parts of the season. But their backups capably filled in the gaps, and the Steelers went 12-4 during the regular season enroute to a win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
Terry Bradshaw was always at his best on Super Bowl Sundays. The Pittsburgh quarterback went a perfect 4-0 in Super Bowl play during the 1970s, throwing for 932 yards and nine touchdowns combined as the Steelers became a dynasty. But Bradshaw's most validating season during that run, and perhaps in his entire career, came in 1978. Bradshaw led the AFC in passing as the Steelers went 14-2 during the regular season. His main target was Lynn Swann, who posted career highs in catches and receiving yards. In the playoffs, Bradshaw found a new hot receiver in John Stallworth, who caught 10 passes against Denver, and caught one touchdown versus Houston in the AFC Championship game. Finally, in Super Bowl XIII, Bradshaw out-dueled Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach by throwing for four touchdowns in what became a classic shootout.
With an imaginative, high-scoring offensive and a crushing defense, Dallas cruised through the regular season, the playoffs and the Super Bowl. The story of the 1977 Cowboys is told by Tony Dorsett, Thomas Henderson, Charlie Waters and Drew Pearson and each relate contribute to the story of their championship season. Each former player is able to offer insights (often humorous!) into their championship run.
Tony Dorsett, Heisman Trophy winner, was the super-rookie that everyone expected to be the final piece of the puzzle in Dallas' return to championship form. It took him a while to learn the complex Dallas offense, but when he did, he was exciting to watch! Thomas Henderson was the maverick who gave himself his own nickname of "Hollywood Henderson" and rubbed everyone the wrong way! Charlie Waters was the safety who was the leader of the "Doomsday Defense" anchored by a defensive line composed of Harvey Martin, Randy White and Ed "Too Tall" Jones. Waters was the brain behind Doomsday who kept all the "personalities" working. Drew Pearson was Mr. Clutch because when team leader Roger Staubach needed a pass completion, he looked for the man who gave clutch performances when the game was on the line. These very different men talk about the struggles, the successes and the eventual victory in Super Bowl XII in which the often hated Dallas Cowboys rode to victory with a powerful defense and a well-executed offense.
In 1976, the Oakland Raiders reached the summit of professional football by defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. It was the culmination of more than a decade of excellence under the leadership of Raiders owner/coach, Al Davis. The 1976 Raiders suffered some early setbacks, losing several defensive linemen to injury. Head coach John Madden found a quick solution, dropping his 4-3 scheme in favor of a 3-4. Offensively, the Raiders had an embarrassment of riches. Four starters -- receiver Fred Biletnikoff, tight end Dave Casper, and the left side of the line, guard Gene Upshaw and tackle Art Shell, are in the Hall of Fame, while quarterback Ken Stabler, and wide receiver Cliff Branch were among the finest at their position. The regular season felt like a formality, as Oakland tied a club record with 13 wins. In the playoffs, Oakland squeaked past New England and stormed past the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers. The Raiders' performance in Super Bowl XI, including a breathtaking interception return by Hall of Fame cornerback Willie Brown, places them among the greatest teams of all time.
The 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers quickly discovered that one of the most difficult feats in all of sports is defending a world title. At the beginning of the season, coach Chuck Noll's team didn't even look like they had the stuff to reach the playoffs, let alone win back-to-back championships. Fresh off an upset in Super Bowl IX, the Steelers were not a dynasty just yet, not even with nine future Hall of Fame players. In Week 2, the team lost at home to O.J. Simpson's Buffalo Bills for a 1-1 start. But thanks to their defense, which featured a front four called the "Steel Curtain," the club pounded out 11 straight wins, much to the delight of their blue-collar fans. Still, Pittsburgh's season may be best remembered for the ballet-like moves of wideout Lynn Swann. In Super Bowl X, Swann set a record with 161 receiving yards on four catches, including a game-sealing, 64-yard touchdown grab to beat the Dallas Cowboys and clinch their second-straight Super Bowl title.
It was perhaps the finest collection of talent in NFL history - and in 1974 nearly no one knew it. For five seasons, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll had meticulously built the team in his own image - tough and physical. In 1974, he added a draft class that included four future Hall of Famers. By the postseason, the team that would become the decade's best was ready to arrive. The Steelers rose to the top of the football world by upsetting the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX. It would be the first of four world championships in six years.
It was a dilemma no other NFL team had ever faced: How do you improve on perfection? The 1972 Miami Dolphins became the first team in pro football history to finish a season unbeaten, going 17-0 with a Super Bowl title. That kind of success could make anyone complacent. But head coach Don Shula was not going to allow it. He believed his Dolphins could perform even better. Still, the 1973 Dolphins did not match the same level of success as the season prior. They exceeded it, according to Shula. In Super Bowl VIII, Miami pummeled the Minnesota Vikings for its second-straight world championship. "I think that we're a better football team than we were a year ago at this time," said Shula afterward. "I think us going back-to-back in Super Bowls is more meaningful."
In this episode Greg sits down for a conversation with Ottawa sports historian Howie Mooney, co-author of Third & Long: The Proud History of Football in Ottawa, co-host of The Sports Lunatics podcast, and feature writer with the Fired Up Network, to talk not just Rough Rider, Renegade, and RedBlack history, but also the sports landscape in Canada. Howie tells a number of stories and the two also talk about the world of podcasting. Lastly, the delve in and geek out with a talk about simulation sports, as both Greg and Howie are both avid board and computer gamers.
The team wasn't especially big, quick, or flashy. It rarely blew away opponents. Its best player was a fullback, its defense was anonymous, and it played without its Pro Bowl quarterback for most of the year. Still, the 1972 Miami Dolphins are the only team to finish a season undefeated -- 17-0, to be exact -- in National Football League history. Fresh off a Super Bowl loss the season prior, Miami played like a team determined to win a championship, racking up 14 straight regular season wins. The Dolphins offense relied heavily on their ground game, running the ball 613 times and boasting the first pair of 1,000-yard runners in Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris. On the other side of the ball, the "No Name Defense" was no less dominant, giving up the fewest points in the league. Then, in the postseason, Miami enjoyed the return of quarterback Bob Griese, who was sidelined most of the season due to leg and ankle injuries. In Super Bowl VII, Griese threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Howard Twilley for the game's first score before a few scares by George Allen's Redskins threatened the Dolphins' bid for an unbeaten year.
In the episode Scott and Greg sit down with noted professional football historian Michael MacCambridge, whose award-winning book "America’s Game: The Epic Story of How Pro Football Captured A Nation" is widely considered the definitive modern history of pro football in America. We discuss his current book, which is devoted to professional football in England, entitled "Red Letters: Two Fervent Liverpool FC Supporters Correspond through the Epic Season That Wouldn’t End," his thoughts on the state of professional football and fandom, as well as his upcoming future book about professional sports in the America of the 1970s.
Halfway through the 1971 season, the Dallas Cowboys had every reason to be worried. A quarterback controversy brewed between Craig Morton and Roger Staubach. A contract dispute had brought star running back Duane Thomas to a vow of silence. Making matters worse was a 38-0 beating by the St. Louis Cardinals. It seemed certain that the team that "couldn't win the big one" would fall short of a title yet again. With a 4-3 record after seven weeks, head coach Tom Landry named Staubach the team's starter. Dallas wouldn't lose another game that season. With Staubach firmly at the controls, the Cowboys barreled through the rest of the regular season and the playoffs enroute to Super Bowl VI. There, against the Miami Dolphins, Dallas changed its runner-up identity forever with a 24-3 victory.
By any other standard, it was a season of triumph. Eleven regular season wins, two more in the playoffs, and then the crowning glory of victory in Super Bowl V. But for the 1970 Baltimore Colts, the victory remained in the shadow of a devastating defeat - their crushing upset loss to the Jets two years earlier in Super Bowl III. America's Game relives the Colts bittersweet season from their regular-season rematch against the Jets, through the first year of a merged NFL, to the comedy of errors that was Super Bowl V. As told by men who lived it - Bubba Smith, Bill Curry, and Mike Curtis - the story of the 1970 Baltimore Colts offers a rare glimpse into the proud heart of a champion. For some, it was a moment of sweet redemption. For others, it was a reminder of what could have been.
They entered Super Bowl IV as 13-point underdogs. But the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs' decisive victory over the Minnesota Vikings put to rest any questions as to whether the fledgling American Football League could compete against the established NFL. It also validated the careers of five future Hall of Fame players and their flamboyant head coach Hank Stram. To become world champions, Kansas City had to overcome more than its share of adversity. Quarterback Len Dawson missed nearly half the season with a knee injury, then was forced to deal with family tragedy and a shocking news story.
Prior to the 1968 season, the AFL was considered a minor league compared to the more established NFL. The league had already lost Super Bowls I and II. So the success of the New York Jets, and their quarterback, Joe Namath, could not have come at a better moment. Namath, who had a quick release and charisma to burn, piloted a Jets offense that set a franchise record by scoring 419 points that season. Still, his high-flying attack played into the perception that the AFL had finesse teams. But the Jets also led the league in defense, and possessed a punishing ground game that produced 22 touchdowns. This was a veteran group that bowed to no one - not even the powerful Baltimore Colts of the NFL. The Colts were heavily favored over the Jets entering Super Bowl III, which made Namath's now famous, guarantee of victory before the game, all the more surprising. "Broadway Joe" then orchestrated one of the greatest upsets in pro football history, winning a world title for New York ... and the AFL at large.
The Green Bay Packers have long been one of the most celebrated franchises in football history, and this documentary focuses on one of the team's greatest seasons. The 1967-1968 squad had one of the most memorable post-seasons in NFL history including the epic "Ice Bowl" victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Players from that team offer their memories and insights into that campaign.
This episode chronicles the first team to win a Super Bowl, the 1966 Green Bay Packers, led by legendary head coach Vince Lombardi and quarterback Bart Starr. The Green Bay Packers were rated as the 6th greatest Super Bowl winning team by a Blue Ribbon panel of experts.
The team credo of the 1969 Minnesota Vikings was "40 for 60." In extreme cold with no heaters, in wins, in losses, all 40 members of the team gave it their all for all 60 minutes of the game. The 1969 Vikings, known for their "Purple People Eaters" defensive line and 12 consecutive victories set a record for consecutive wins and defeated the Cleveland Browns in the NFL championship game to reach Super Bowl IV before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs. Their story is told by Hall of Fame head coach Bud Grant, star quarterback Joe Kapp, and defensive end Jim Marshall, who played for 20 seasons and never missed a game.
Larry Csonka, the late Jim Kiick, and Mercury Morris are still remembered for achieving something that no other NFL team ever has: Perfection. These three running backs were a part of what is still seen in history as the best football team of all time: the 1972 Miami Dolphins. “We did one thing: we hit perfection. When you become a definition, not just a number, then you are in a special place.” – Larry Csonka
In this documentary, Kiick and Morris traveled to Alaska where they are reunited with Csonka. The three teammates reminisce about their past while fishing, highlighting the incredible bond that was forged between them.
The documentary primarily focuses on two ex-players: Jim Otto and Roger Stillwell. Otto was a star center for the Oakland Raiders during the 1960s and 1970s. On the surface, his story seems to represent all that is right about pro football; after a long career he was elected to the NFL’s Hall of Fame and then enjoyed great business success as a restaurant franchise owner. Viewers learn, however, that Otto’s health is terrible, though he was just 46 at the time of filming. The most-moving story in Disposable Heroes belongs to Roger Stillwell, a 6-foot-6 defensive lineman from Stanford University, who achieved a brief moment in the sun with the Chicago Bears. Stillwell’s career ended in an instant during a 1977 game against the Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers drops in the draft while waiting in the Green Room, while former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi enjoys his best draft ever. Features interviews with Aaron Rodgers, Justin Tuck, Mike McCarthy, Bill Polian, Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown and more.
When number one overall pick Eli Manning refuses to play for the San Diego Chargers, it triggers the biggest showdown between an organization and player in two decades and alters the fortunes of quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. Additionally, the University of Miami (FL) sets an NFL record for most first-round selections with six. Features interviews with Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Mike Mayock, Leigh Steinberg, Peter King, Mel Kiper, Jr. and more.
Despite wowing at the NFL Scouting Combine, workout warrior Mike Mamula struggles on the field. Highly-touted running back Kijana Carter has a disappointing career, while draft afterthoughts Terrell Davis and Curtis Martin become stars. Features interviews with Tom Coughlin, Tony Dungy, Derrick Brooks, Curtis Martin, Terrell Davis, Kijana Carter and more.
Against the backdrop of highly-touted quarterbacks Trent Dilfer and Heath Shuler jockeying for position, a verbal on-air spat between ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. and Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Tobin, and the NFL becoming a year-round sport, the NFL Draft becomes the must-see event it is today. Additionally, players such as Kurt Warner, Rod Smith, Jeff Garcia and D’Marco Farr go undrafted. Features interviews with Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Bill Tobin, Trent Dilfer, Mel Kiper, Jr., Peter King and more.
Bill Walsh trades up with the New England Patriots and lands wide receiver Jerry Rice. But was that the original plan? For the first time, former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Sam Wyche reveals Walsh’s frantic efforts to trade for the top-billed receiver in the draft, Eddie Brown, while Bernie Kosar stuns the world by entering the supplemental draft and landing in Cleveland. Features interviews with Jerry Rice, Bruce Smith, Randall Cunningham, Doug Flutie, Herschel Walker, Ernie Accorsi and more.
Engaged in a bidding war with the USFL, the 1984 NFL Draft takes place in one marathon day after the USFL Draft had concluded. Future Hall of Famers Reggie White and Steve Young signed with the USFL, while Boomer Esiason fell to the second round of the NFL Draft after saying he did not want to play in the USFL. Additionally, the first overall pick is traded twice and NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. makes his ESPN debut. Features interviews with Boomer Esiason, Steve Young, Irving Fryar, Peter King, Mel Kiper, Jr. and more.
In a draft that would be remembered for Walter Payton, top pick Steve Bartkowski sets the NFL world afire by asking his college dorm-mate Leigh Steinberg to negotiate his contract. Features interviews with Leigh Steinberg, Gil Brandt, Hollywood Henderson, Dan Fouts, Steve Bartkowski, Robert Brazile and more.
The Pittsburgh Steelers change the way organizations view the NFL Draft by adopting a philosophy of building a championship team through the draft and selecting four future Hall of Famers in Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Mike Webster. Features interviews with the first ‘draftnik’ Pete Marasco, Lynn Swann, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, and more.
The 1965 Draft was the most fiercely fought event between the rival National and American Football Leagues. It was a fierce battle for such future Hall of Fame greats Joe Namath, Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers. The two arch-enemies competed for the top college talent by breaking gentlemen agreements, testing limits of NCAA boundaries, and even sabotaging each other with “dirty tricks” and deceptions that mirrored the real-world Cold War and the spy movies and TV shows of the era. Features interviews with Joe Namath, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Craig Morton, Fred Biletnikoff, Ron Wolf and more.
In a draft that included 11 Hall of Famers – more than any other draft in NFL history – the Dallas Cowboys revolutionize the scarcely covered player selection meeting and plant the seeds for a national phenomenon with the selections of Roger Staubach, Bob Hayes and Mel Renfro. Additionally, the New York Jets lay the foundation for their Super Bowl III championship with the selection of six eventual starters, and number one overall pick Dave Parks later makes history by being the first marquee player to challenge the league on player movement. Features interviews with Roger Staubach, Bill Parcells, Peter King, Bobby Beathard, Dan Daly and more.
Scott and Greg are joined by former CFL All-Star Bryant Turner, Jr., who talks about his love for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, his best memories from his playing days and how important fan/player relationships are in professional football. From 2011 through 2015 Bryant spent five seasons in blue and gold, followed by two seasons in with the British Columbia Lions. During his time in Winnipeg, as a defensive tackle, he appeared and started in 71 games, in which he recorded 26 sacks, five forced fumbles and 75 total tackles. He also appeared in three playoff games for the Bombers, including the 2011 Grey Cup.
How do you turn two tons of copper into a statue? Illinois alumnus George Lundeen has been doing this for more than 30 years. Lundeen creates realistic portrayals of athletes, presidents and animals in his Colorado studio. Now, Lundeen has been given the honor of creating a 12-foot replica of one of the University's most famous alumni, Harold "Red" Grange. As an artist, Lundeen is faced with the task of creating a piece encompassing the persona of an individual whose very name is synonymous with Illinois Football. This program is a companion piece to the sculpture that now stands west of Memorial Stadium in Champaign. This documentary takes viewers behind the scenes at Lundeen's studio to learn how he envisioned his giant likeness of Grange. Alongside the progression of Lundeen's work, viewers will also learn the history of Red Grange at Illinois. The program takes us past Grange's accomplishments on the gridiron, to reveal him as an the first sports superstar and a man who transformed the NFL.
In 1985 the Chicago Bears dominated the game and embodied everything that encapsulated that memorable decade: flash, chaos and a get-out-of-my-way attitude. Their Super Bowl winning season had it all - the birth of Buddy Ryan's 46 Defense, the loss to the Dolphins that ruined their perfect season, the "Super Bowl Shuffle" and a colorful group of misfits who became the toast of football.
Hosted by Jessica Savitch, "An Unauthorized History of the NFL" was the first episode of the long running Frontline. It took a look at the secret connections of the NFL and the world of sports gambling and organized crime.
The National Football League, a multibillion-dollar commercial juggernaut, presides over America’s indisputable national pastime. But the NFL is under assault: thousands of former players have claimed the league tried to cover up how football inflicted long-term brain injuries on many players. What did the NFL know, and when did it know it?
Two weeks into the 1987 season, the NFL's players went on strike. As the strike fanned fires across the country, no one felt the heat more than the 1,500 replacement players, who were caught in the crosshairs of media fueled controversy between owners, players and fans alike.
An intimate look inside one of the great rivalries in the history of the National Football League - Raiders legend Al Davis and former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. Their battle grew so intense that players, owners, franchises - even the League itself - became characters in a three-decade long Shakespearean feud that changed football forever. As the Raiders play their inaugural season in Las Vegas with a brand-new stadium, something Al Davis often dreamed of building himself, it's time to examine the adversarial relationship between the two visionaries most responsible for building the league to its current greatness and who, in the course of trying to destroy each other, created the NFL landscape that thrives today.
The Heisman Trophy, named for famed college football coach, John Heisman, was first awarded in 1935. The coveted award, revered in the world of sports, is given to the most "outstanding player in college football" annually.
Scott and Greg are joined by fellow Sports History Network member, Dana Auguster, of the Historically Speaking Sports podcast to talk about the important role African Americans have played in Canada, both on the field, as well as in the front office. Beginning with Robert "Stonewall" Jackson and continuing to the present with Clarence "Pinball" Clemons, the three talk about their contributions and look back at the greatest players many Americans may never have heard of or seen play.
College football and professional football have not always co-existed peacefully. The college game was the country's introduction to the game, so when pro football came along, it was first viewed as not only inferior but as intrusive.
Determining the best college football team each season has always been a controversial discussion. Bowl games and the various polls have played major roles over the decades, and today it has evolved into the College Football Playoff.
What defines a "Game of the Century"? What are the necessary criteria? Some of the games highlighted are 1935 Notre Dame-Ohio State, 1966 Notre Dame-Michigan State, and 2006 USC-Texas.
Some of the greatest rivalries in college football are highlighted: Harvard-Yale, Lehigh-Lafayette, Auburn-Alabama, Ohio State-Michigan, USC-UCLA, Florida-Florida State, Iowa-Iowa State, Army-Navy, Texas-Oklahoma, Southern-Grambling
Love them or hate them, Notre Dame set the gold standard for college football in the 1920's, and they remain relevant today because college football fans want them either to win or lose, there's no in between with the Fighting Irish.
Scott and Greg are joined by retired New York firefighter and Vietnam veteran Billy O'Connor, and television producer (four time Emmy nominee) Frank Pace, co-hosts of the A Mick A Mook and a Mic podcast to talk about their new book, "Lamar's Gamble: A Tale of the AFL-NFL Merger." The authors discuss, in addition to their book and podcast, their thoughts and perspectives on the NFL of today vs. the time period in which their book is based. They also leave room for a discussion with Scott and Greg on New York vs. Chicago style pizza, the football cathedral that is Wrigley Field, as well as somber moment of Billy's firsthand recollections of September 11th.
The role of television in the growth of college football cannot be underestimated. From hand-held cameras to instant replay to ESPN and voices like Keith Jackson, all played a role in taking the game from a regional to a national game.
As far back as the 1880's coaches figured out they needed the best players in order to win games. From the "ringers" of the early days to the 24/7, day to day grind of the 21st century, recruiting is essential to the college game.
Integration in college football, though slow in its infusion through the '60s and '70s, not only changed the game itself in many ways, more importantly, it allowed many of the game's biggest stars to emerge.
Innovations in the game of college football include better equipment, evolving offensive strategies, defenses trying to keep step with the offensive mindset, strategies of physical conditioning, nutrition and injury recovery.
College football is more than just a sport -- it's a cultural phenomenon. To understand the game, you have to understand how much everything around it matters, too -- from the team colors to the uniforms to the bands, the mascots and more.
The SEC has a run of seven straight national titles, and nine in 12 years. Expansion in 2012 gives the conference 14 schools. Meanwhile, Nick Saban arguably becomes the greatest coach in the history of college football.
Nick Saban comes to LSU in 2000 and eventually wins the Tigers' first national championship since 1958 - a feat matched by Les Miles. At Florida, Tim Tebow becomes a cult hero and wins two national titles with Urban Meyer's Gators.
The 1990s bring change, with expansion and the sport's first-ever conference championship game. Florida's Steve Spurrier fashions an era of high-octane offense, and his Gators form a rivalry with Tennessee and QB Peyton Manning.
The 1980s begin with Herschel Walker leading Georgia to a national title as a freshman. After Bear Bryant retires in 1982 and passes away four weeks later, control of the SEC is eventually transferred to Pat Dye and Bo Jackson at Auburn.
Scott and Greg discuss with Joe Ziemba, noted author of When Football Was Football: The Chicago Cardinals and the Birth of the NFL and Cadets, Cannons and Legends: The Football History of Morgan Park Military Academy, the impact of Chicago in the formation of American professional football, and how it was the Cardinals and not the Bears who were the city's original entry into the NFL. We then follow the story of the Cardinals from their birth on the South Side to their eventual departure from the city, but not before they played the Toronto Argonauts during their last season in Chicago.
As a new decade dawns, quarterbacks Archie Manning, Bert Jones and Condredge Holloway build memorable legacies. Bear Bryant begins a new run of dominance at Alabama, and the rise of television sports transforms the SEC.
On the cusp of the long awaited 2021 CFL season, Scott and Greg sit down for a lengthy conversation with Canadian football legend, two time Grey Cup champion, author, hall of famer and all around great guy, Matt Dunigan. We talk about his long and storied career, his first years in Edmonton, his time in Toronto, and the challenges facing the league. Additionally, he regaled us with his story of the fajita incident with Bruce McNall.
In the 1960s, as Georgia Tech leaves the conference and the Civil Rights Movement becomes embedded in the history and image of the region, Bear Bryant, hired in 1958, becomes the face of Alabama - and SEC football.
Multiple SEC schools claim national titles from the 1930s through the '50s, including LSU with star running back Billy Cannon in 1958, prior to Cannon's epic game-winning punt return against powerhouse Ole Miss a year later.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, America's South is looking to put the past behind it, and finds one path in a growing cultural passion of the North - football. In December 1932, the Southeastern Conference is officially formed.
"We need to exemplify the history and tradition…making sure we're leaving this a better place, for the next generation." - Mike McCarthy. Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
"Thank goodness I got to live out my dream…because I don't know if I would've done very well at anything else." - Brett Favre. Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
On what is our tenth interview show (remember, the first 55 Yard Line show was just Scott & Greg, so that doesn't count) on the Sports History Network and CFL America Radio, from Vancouver, Jim Mullin, the president of Football Canada, host of Gridiron Nation on TSN, and member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame selection committee, joins us to talk not only about the upcoming season, but also Canadian football, CFL and British Columbia Lions history. As to what we learned, among the many things is that the CFL does not own the Grey Cup!
"It's one of the greatest turnarounds in league history." - Bob Harlan. Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
"They had one good season in 1989, and that turned out to be a fluke!" - Cliff Christl. Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
"The glory years had ended and Green Bay was still Green Bay." - Larry McCarren. Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
"Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing." - Vince Lombardi. Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
"I can say to you sincerely…the best way for you to guarantee the current and future success of the Green Bay Packers is to build a new stadium." - George Halas, Chicago Bears Founder. Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
For those of us over a certain age, who have loved professional football, be it in Canada or America, we have come to it through two primary means- books and film. For those of who truly love books we have gained a deeper understanding of the game through the words and literary artistry of writers like Chris Willis, who is the resident historian at NFL Films, where he oversees all aspects of research for the company and their producers. In 2002 he was nominated for an Emmy for his work on the HBO documentary- The Game of Their Lives: Pro Football in the 1950's." He is a member of the Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) since 1993 and writes for the Pro Football Journal.
In addition to his work with NFL Films, he has authored many fine books. His first, Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935, was published in 2005 by Scarecrow Press. Old Leather was given the 2005 Nelson Ross Award by the Professional Football Researchers Association for recent Achievement in Football Research and Historiography. His second book, The Columbus Panhandles : A Complete History of Pro Football's Toughest Team, 1900-1922, was published in 2007 by Scarecrow Press. His third book was released in September of 2010, The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr is a biography of the former NFL president from 1921-1939. His fourth book, Dutch Clark: The Life of an NFL Legend and the Birth of the Detroit Lions, is about the man who played seven seasons in the NFL and was the first big star for the Lions.
His fifth book, A Nearly Perfect Season: The Inside Story of the 1984 San Francisco 49ers, and contains over 30 interviews from that team that went 18-1 and won Super Bowl XIX and is considered one of the NFL's greatest teams. In 2017, he wrote Walter Lingo, Jim Thorpe and the Oorang Indians, another story about the early days of the NFL, and in 2019 he completed his full-scale biography, Red Grange- the Galloping Ghost, which was published in conjunction with the NFL's 100th season. Currently Chris is working on a biography of Bronko Nagurski, former Chicago Bears Hall of Fame fullback, which is scheduled to be published in August of 2022.
In this episode, Chris joins the show to talk about his career as an author and as part of the team of creative geniuses at NFL Films. He tells us about his approach to his writing and research, how many of his books came to be, and he also shares with us personal stories of the man your hosts and guest continue to idolize and be inspired by- Steve Sabol.
"You have to give credit to Lambeau, to the people running the ball club…and of course, the fans!" - Charley Brock. Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
"I was intrigued that a little town like Green Bay could play in the National Football League and hold their own." - Clark Hinkle
Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
"The Packers' improbable, unprecedented success is living proof that truth is stranger than fiction." - David Maraniss Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team's humble beginnings to its centennial season.
As the 2021 CFL season approaches, Dave Naylor of Canada's TSN takes time with us to talk about where the league is headed using history as a guide. In particular we talk in-depth about the American expansion of the 1990s when the CFL first sought to expand its reach south.
Narrated by Jack Fleming. They were the first, those Pittsburgh Steelers, to win three straight Super Bowls with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII. Relive the glory that was the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1978 many times over.
Narrated by Jack Fleming. They were perhaps the finest collection of football players ever to grace an NFL gridiron. In the 1970’s the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the fabled “Steel Curtain” defense, a powerful running attack and an electric passing game, rolled to four Super Bowl Championships. The best of the lot had to be the 1975 team that capped off a celebrated season with a thrilling Super Bowl victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
In this episode, Don Charabin from the Third Down Gamble podcast, and Rob Vanstone of the Regina Leader-Post join us and reminisce about growing up in the prairie towns of the province of Saskatchewan where one team symbolizes what makes the Canadian Football League so special. We recall the heroes of the game whom they idolized in the 60s and 70s, and talk about the era when the wheat grew tall and the Chinook wind blew cold, in a community where only two TV channels were on the air, and as a young football fan you got your sports news and box scores from the newspaper.
Narrated by Tom Hedrick. The responsibility of a lifetime was upon their shoulders and they came through. The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs proved that parity in the world of the NFL had arrived with a stunning upsets of the highly touted Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
Narrated by Ted Moore. Play-by-play highlights of one of the greatest and certainly most legendary teams in NFL history. The Green Bay Packers of Vince Lombardi capture three straight in NFL championships including the memorable "Ice Bowl" game with the Dallas Cowboys in 1967.
Featuring the exciting play-by-play action of Bill King, highlights and interviews of the Oakland Raiders 1976 World Championship season.
Narrated by Verne Lundquist. The 1977 Dallas Cowboys end the six year run of AFC supremacy with an NFC championship and a Super Bowl victory of the Denver Broncos. They were America's Team in their finest moment.
Narrated by Bob Trumpy. When you hear the name Paul Brown, you automatically think of a legend. Paul took the Cleveland Browns to success and he set out to do the same thing when he started the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968. After back to back four and twelve years, followed by a record of six and ten in 1980, die hard Bengal fans were wondering if this team would never win.
Everyone knew the Bengals had talent, lots of talent. Something had to be done about the direction in which the team was taking. When Forest Gregg was hired the first thing he had to straighten out was the attitude of the team. Forest had to convince the players that they could win. It didn't take long. The Cincinnati Bengals made it to Super Bowl XVI just one year after the former Green Bay Great came to the Queen City.
From six and ten to the Super Bowl was proof enough that the Bengals Franchise was alive and well. The 1981 season could be termed a "Cinderella" one but that's such an overused term in this instance. Starting wtih the come from behind wins at the beginning of the year to the "November to Remember" to the great playoff wins over Buffalo, then San Diego in the coldest game ever played. This year, 1981, was the year in which the Bengals would savor.. A taste of success. This is the story of the 1981 Cincinnati Bengals, the American Football Conference Champions.
After two decades of being pro football's doormats the Denver Broncos of the "Orange Crush" fame capture their first championship and earn a chance to play in the Super Bowl. Featuring the exciting play-by-play action, highlights, and interviews of the Denver Broncos' 1977 Championship Season! In 1977, it all came together. The Broncos were the sensation of the NFL, winning twelve of fourteen games. In the playoffs they kept right on going. They won the AFC Championship by knocking off the teams that had won the last three Super Bowls... Pittsburgh and Oakland.
The Broncos won the team play. And they made Bronco-mania a national phenomenon. The country turned orange.
The Broncos were a team of contrasts... There was a head coach "Red" Miller. For seventeen pro seasons, he had been a successful assistant coach. Then in his first chance as head coach, playing "one game at a time", he took his charges to the Super Bowl. ... There was a quarterback Craig Morton. His addition to the Broncos' roster provided the on-the-field offensive leadership that had been missing. ... There were the remaining members of the offensive unit... a group of multi-talented and dedicated athletes who had the big play ready when it was needed. ... Finally, there was the Orange Crus Defense. Already respected as one of the best in the NFL, they continued to wreak havoc on opposing offenses in 1977.
Yes, the 1977 Denver Broncos were a special kind of team. They gave all they had and, as a result, took themselves and their fans to the Super Bowl.
Narrated by Curt Gowdy. All the play-by-play highlights and interviews of the first fourteen Super Bowls. Recapture all the excitement as a single day event in January of each year became the most celebrated sports day on the sporting calendar.
Narrated by Bill Mercer. It seemed they were forever the bridesmaid. They were continually coming up short in the championship games. That was until 1972 and now you can relive the magic of a group that became known as “America's Team”. In Super Bowl VI, the Cowboys crushed the Dolphins 24-3, in which they rushed for a record 252 yards and their defense limited the Dolphins to a low of 185 yards while not permitting a touchdown for the first time in Super Bowl history.
Dallas converted Chuck Howley's recovery of Larry Csonka's first fumble of the season into a 3-0 advantage and led at half time 10-3. After Dallas received the second-half kickoff, Duane Thomas led a 71-yard march in eight plays for a 17-3 margin. Howley intercepted Bob Griese's pass at the 50 and returned it to the Miami 9 early in the fourth period, and three plays later Roger Staubach passed 7 yards to Mike Ditka for the final touchdown. Thomas rushed for 95 yards and Walt Garrison gained 74. Staubach, voted the game's most valuable player, completed 12 of 19 passes for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Narrated by Chuck Thompson, Bill O'Donnell and Jim Karvellis. In 1968 the Colts put together one of the finest teams in the game's history. With a precision offense and violent defense the Colts stampeded to 13 victories and 1 defeat on the way to the NFL championship and a stunning loss to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III.
Narrated by Merle Harmon. A look back at the team who changed the face of professional football --- the 1968 New York Jets. With a brash young quarterback at the helm the Jets topple the mighty Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Recapture the excitement of a season never to be duplicated.
Narrated by Rick Weaver. Relive the molding of one of the greatest football teams ever assembled, graduating from an expansion team to one of the NFL's best, as the 1971 Miami Dolphins storm through the AFC and a date in Super Bowl VI.
The CFL has no luxury of a warm weather site, if you don't count BC Place. As a result, the CFL has been impacted by weather on numerous occasions, the most famous being the interruption of the 1962 Grey Cup that was suspended due to fog in the 4th quarter and continued the next day. Prior to floodlights being installed in most stadiums, games in the late fall were sometimes suspended for darkness, to either be replayed or continued on a future date. Otherwise, CFL games have been played in every imaginable condition in ice, snow, mud and gale force winds.
Narrated by Rick Weave, this audio documentary from the 1970s features a no-name defense, a quarterback who came off the bench, two running backs who rushed for 1000 yards each, all of which equated to a perfect 17-0 season. They made believers out of everybody. Relive the exciting story and highlights of that incredible season.
25 years before their first Super Bowl championship, the 1976 New England Patriots came within an official’s call of what might have become postponed glory. Now you can relive that infamous 11-3 season as the New England Patriots, in America’s bicentennial year, give all they had in their quest to be called the NFL’s best.
For our seventh episode on the Sports History Network, CFL fan and Grey Cup attendee Upton Bell, joins us. Upton is the former director of personnel of the Baltimore Colts, general manager of the New England Patriots, and owner of the New York Stars and Charlotte Hornets of the World Football League. After football, Upton transitioned into sports broadcasting in the New England area where he was the host of "Calling All Sports", "Sports Nightly", "Sports Line", and "Sports Beat." Upton was also the color commentator for the Boston Breakers, Boston Celtics, Boston College and Ivy League football, as well as an interviewer for the Patriots pregame show. He also served as co-host of the first nationally televised NFL draft on PBS in 1977. In the 1980s Upton transitioned to talk radio in Boston where he interviewed three presidents and countless other national figures. Upton is the son of former NFL Commissioner Bert Bell, and, in 2017, he, along with Ron Borges, authored "Present at the Creation: My Life in the NFL and the Rise of America's Game."
When you think of the old Baltimore Colts, the first flashback that comes to mind are the black and white films with Johnny Unitas leading the team in the 1950’s. Then another thought stirs up images of Bert Jones, Lydell Mitchell and the mid 1970’s version with Head Coach Ted Marchibroda. You follow-up that thought with the green and yellow Mayflower trucks moving the team to Indianapolis in the middle of the night in 1984. Yet sandwiched between the first and second of these events is the most forgotten champion in modern football history- the 1970 Baltimore Colts.
Six-man football is played at more than 250 high schools in Texas and for many, it’s not just a game – it’s the lifeblood of tiny communities where the largest employer is often the lone high school. Featured here is a documentary that spent a full season exploring the games, towns and people of the unique sport for an in-depth, multiplatform presentation. The story follows several compelling stories – on and off the field – at five public schools playing in the smallest division in west and central Texas.
Despite what the NFL says, the league actually began play in 1898 when the Arizona Cardinals began play as the “Morgan Athletic Club” located on the south side of Chicago; which was a neighborhood gym where boxing was the utmost activity. A local painting contractor named Chris O’Brien started the team from members of the club. Back then, teams would form and play other neighborhoods or nearby towns/cities and called it professional football because they charged a gate and divided up the proceeds after all the expenses were covered. That meant there might be several teams in a large city such as Chicago alone and sometimes would play only a handful of games and then disband when interest waned or players simply quit. Scheduling games against local and regional teams cut down on travel expenses. Most teams were comprised of factory workers, policemen, shop owners, dock workers, mechanics, coal miners, former college athletes and men from all walks of life. Since that time, Chicago has been instrumental in the growth and rise in popularity of professional football, and in many ways, because of the Cardinals (who would leave the city in 1959), it is where the NFL truly began.
More than any other sports figure, Vince Lombardi transformed football into a metaphor of the American experience. The son of an Italian immigrant butcher, Lombardi toiled for twenty frustrating years as a high school coach and then as an assistant at Fordham, West Point, and the New York Giants before his big break came at age forty-six with the chance to coach a struggling team in snowbound Wisconsin. His leadership of the Green Bay Packers to five world championships in nine seasons is the most storied period in NFL history. Lombardi became a living legend, a symbol to many of leadership, discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, and to others of an obsession with winning.
Don Shula’s football life almost ended before it began. Wanting to play football as a sophomore in high school against his mother’s wishes, Shula forged his parents’ signature. Then, after earning a scholarship from John Carroll University, he almost gave up the game for the Priesthood. However, after he decided to continue playing and with a career game vs. Syracuse while legendry head coach was Paul Brown in attendance, Shula was drafted into the NFL. The Ohio native soon discovered the foundation was laid for his true calling – coaching. During his tenure with the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins, NFL’s most consistent winner accumulated 328 regular-season wins, 19 playoff victories which includes two Super Bowls, and became synonymous with perfection.
September 11th, reflecting on how the NFL reacted to the crisis of September 11, 2001, and the deep and lasting impact of the day's events. This one-hour show tells the story of how the events of September 11, 2001 impacted the entire NFL and specifically the New York Giants, New York Jets and Washington Redskins, from the decision to cancel the games the following week to personal stories of those directly impacted by the day's events.
This documentary tells the story of the moment when a film producer christened the Dallas Cowboys "America's Team," setting a decades-long debate over whether or not the franchise deserves that lofty designation. It details America's obsession with the Cowboys and the team's rise to mythic levels. With the disappearance of Western icons such as John Wayne, America was looking for new heroes and found them in the team with the blue star on their helmets. The one-hour show features interviews with former Cowboys players such as Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman and Drew Pearson, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and NFL Films producer Bob Ryan – the man behind the historic nickname – each reflecting on the cultural significance of the Cowboys in America and how the team represents the entire nation.
Prior to the 1967 NFL season, the state of Louisiana did not have a football team. That the city of New Orleans was granted a team was due, in large part, to local sports entrepreneur Dave Dixon, who had petitioned for a permanent team to be assigned to the city with 5 years of exhibition games — which regularly sold out the 80,000 seat Tulane stadium. At the time the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) were in the process of merging, pending congressional approval. What originated as the brainchild of Dixon was brought to life in a backroom deal between Congressman Hale Boggs, Senator Russell Long, and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, which effectively finalized the merger between the AFL and the NFL — and thus the New Orleans Saints were born. Since then, the legacy was losing and near loss, as a hurricane in 2005 almost destroy city, but not its soul. However, in 2006 the losing ended with one blocked punt and since then the soul of city, in the eyes of many, was reborn into a city of winners and finally, in 2009, champions.
In the first of what we hope is many Sports History Network and Canadian Football Podcast Network crossover events, "Super Fan" Mike Smith-Knutsen, the unofficial Edmonton Elks historian and co-host of The Turf District podcast, joins Scott and Greg to talk the history of the legendary franchise from its early days to its 21st Century rebranding. We talk about legends and barrier breaking players like Normie Kwong and Warren Moon, the history of Commonwealth Stadium, the new name of the team, and much more! And though the old team name is retired, we could not but help at the end to share with you one of the catchiest football marches ever heard in North America.
Not only are the Packers the only fan-owned team in any of North America’s major pro sports leagues, but Green Bay—population 104,057—is also the smallest city with a big-time franchise. The Packers are, in other words, unlikely candidates to be pro football's preeminent team. And yet nobody in the NFL has won more championships. The story of Titletown, USA, is the greatest story in sports. This documentary chronicles the what the team team means to its town and town, and a fan base. No other team in pro sports is so bound to the place that gave birth to it. Here is the continuing legacy of the Packers and of Green Bay—from the days of the French fur traders who settled on the shores of La Baie in the seventeenth century, to the team’s pursuit of its fourteenth NFL championship in its second century.
Once you get to know the nine teams of the CFL, you quickly realize that not only does the league have a lot of moxie, but they have some great personalities and characters. For instance, there is Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca, fierce competitors on and even off the field. Who can forget that time the geriatric hall of famers exchanged punches at a charity event, the incident of which was fortunately caught on camera. For every CFL fan there is a personality they either love or hate, like Henry Burris, Leo Cahill and the all time winningest coach Wally Buono.
The riveting story of the unprecedented merger between the well-established National Football League and the upstart American Football League, giving birth to the modern-day NFL. The merger also created the uniquely American spectacle called the Super Bowl, which transformed sports and culture in America.
Howard Cosell was one of the most recognizable and controversial figures in American sports history. His colorful bombast, fearless reporting, and courageous stance on civil rights captured the attention of listeners everywhere. No mere jock turned "pretty-boy" broadcaster, the Brooklyn-born Cosell began as a lawyer before becoming a radio commentator. In "telling it like it is," he covered nearly every major sports story for three decades, from the travails of Muhammad Ali to the tragedy at Munich. Featuring a sprawling cast of athletes such as Jackie Robinson, Sonny Liston, Don Meredith, and Joe Namath, Howard Cosell also re-created the behind-the-scenes story of that American institution, Monday Night Football. Cosell's endless complexities are brilliantly explored in this haunting work that reveals as much about the explosive commercialization of sports as it does about a much-neglected media giant who should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In 1953, the city of Baltimore was awarded a new National Football League franchise. The team was nicknamed the Colts, the second pro football club to bear that name in a seven-year period. Earlier in 1947, a Baltimore Colts team was founded in the All-America Football Conference. Three years later, as part of the peace agreement between the AAFC and NFL, the Colts became an NFL member. But this venture failed and the franchise was disbanded after the 1950 season. However, Baltimore was presented with a second chance for an NFL team three seasons later when the Dallas Texans franchise was cancelled by the league. NFL Commissioner Bert Bell challenged the city to sell 15,000 season tickets within six weeks. The successful sale took just over four weeks and, on January 23, 1953, Carroll Rosenbloom became the principal owner of the new Baltimore Colts.
In 1954, Weeb Ewbank was named the Colts' head coach and he began a steady building program that put his team over .500 for the first time in 1957. The Colts didn't have another losing season for the next 14 years. Powered by a sensational young quarterback, Johnny Unitas, and a strong supporting cast that included such future Pro Football Hall of Famers as Artie Donovan, Gino Marchetti, Raymond Berry, Lenny Moore and Jim Parker, the Colts won NFL championships in both 1958 and 1959 and again in 1968. The 1958 NFL title clash against the New York Giants, played before the largest television audience ever up to that time, did much to increase fan enthusiasm for pro football. With Unitas craftily engineering long drives that led to the tying field goal and winning touchdown, the Colts won 23-17 in overtime.
Both the Colts and Ewbank were involved in a second game 10 years later that would share ranking as a pivotal game in creating far-reaching fan enthusiasm. The game was Super Bowl III and the Ewbank-led New York Jets stunned the heavily-favored Colts 16-7. Under Don Shula, who replaced Ewbank in 1963, the Colts won NFL Western conference championships in 1964 and 1968. Shula moved to Miami in 1970 but the Colts, who had moved to the new American Football Conference at the time of the merger, won the first AFC Eastern division title and Super Bowl V. Robert Irsay, who acquired the Los Angeles Rams franchise in 1972, engineered an historic trade of teams with Carroll Rosenbloom that year. Twelve years later on March 28, 1984, Irsay moved the Colts to Indianapolis, where they now play in Lucas Oil Stadium.
There have been quite a few CFL players to make their way to the NFL. Stars like Cameron Wake, Brandon Browner, and Joe Horn, in fact, all got their big breaks at the CFL (for the B.C. Lions, Calgary Stampeders, and Memphis Mad Dogs, respectively). There have also been a handful of NFL players who have taken their talents to Canada. One such player is Johnny Manziel, who, unfortunately, seems to have blown his shot at football redemption in the CFL. The players in this list, however, are unlike Manziel, have been the tops in both leagues.
After a disappointing 1977 season, the '78 Steelers dominated the opposition, winning 14 game in the NFL's first 16 game regular season. Pittsburgh then dismantled the defending AFC champion Broncos in the first round of the playoffs before crushing divisional rival Houston in the AFC title game, 34-5. In Super Bowl XIII, Bradshaw, the 1978 NFL MVP, set a then Super Bowl record with 318 yards and four touchdowns in Pittsburgh's 35-31 victory over the Cowboys in a matchup that determined who would be forever known as the "Team of the 70's."
CFL America Radio has been recognized as one of the Top 15 Canadian Football League Podcasts by Feedspot @ www.feedspot.com
Originally nicknamed by the media during the highlight film in 1978, the Dallas Cowboys, also known as America’s Team, stuck as The Voice of God opened with the nickname, and it continues to represent the team today. During the opening game of the 1979 season, the announcer for CBS called the Dallas Cowboys by their new nickname, and from that point on, it became part of the team as fans, announcers, and even team members, used the nickname. Coach Tom Landry wasn’t thrilled by the new nickname for his team and felt strongly that the name would push their opponents to play harder. However, as strongly as he felt against the name, he really had no choice. The nickname for the Dallas Cowboys did not come without controversy, and even today, teams across the league battle it out to determine who America’s Team really is.
CFL America Radio has been recognized as one of the Top 15 Canadian Football League Podcasts by Feedspot @ www.feedspot.com
Fritz Pollard grew up in Rogers Park, Illinois, a largely white suburb of Chicago. The seventh of eight children, young Fritz experienced racism first hand and learned from his family how to pick his battles and subdue his emotions in order to achieve his goals in a predominantly white world. A three-sport athlete at Lane Tech High, Pollard had notions of attending Dartmouth to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Leslie. But fate intervened. During a stopover in Providence in January 1913, Fritz had his first view of the Van Wickle gates sparkling in the sun; his career at Brown had begun.
During the 1915 and 1916 Brown football seasons, Pollard achieved legendary status, compiling “firsts” as frequently as he gained first downs. The first black to play in the Rose Bowl (1916), Fritz was also named to Walter Camp’s All America Team, and was the first African American in Camp’s backfield. Nicknamed “the human torpedo,” Pollard had almost single-handedly defeated Yale and Harvard (Brown’s first win over the Crimson) in 1916. The Bruins were the first college team to defeat both Ivy powerhouses in the same season. For his exploits at Brown, Pollard was elected to the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 — the first African American ever chosen.
As a professional player, Pollard continued to garner “firsts” in spite of the overt racism of the period. He was among the first African-Americans in the APFL and NFL leagues and, along with Jim Thorpe, was the major gate attraction. A Black man playing football in a predominantly white environment was a novelty in the 1920s. Fritz Pollard was the first African American to play on a championship team (1920), as well as the first Black quarterback (1923) and coach (1919).
Pollard’s efforts on behalf of African American athletes were Herculean. He organized Black teams such as the Chicago Black Hawks and the Brown Bombers in order to promote integrated competition in professional football.
A true renaissance man, Pollard broke barriers of every sort — in business and the entertainment industry, as well as in sports. At various times, he ran a newspaper, an investment advisory firm, and a coal company. His outgoing, engaging personality smoothed many a pathway in the business and professional worlds, and even led to some dabbling in politics.
Unless you’re a member of the 2009 Montreal Alouettes or a die hard fan, the mistake made in the Grey Cup game that year is what will be remembered by most who think about it. The city of Cleveland watched its pro sports teams suffer for 52 long, miserable years before its championship drought ended in 2016. Pins in the tragic roadmap of that journey include The Drive and The Fumble for the Browns; The Shot and The Decision for the Cavaliers and The Catch and a couple of curses for the baseball team. They’re the kinds of things that can haunt teams and cities, that worm their way into the psyche of fans and sometimes even the teams themselves. A similar moment was created for Riders fans on Nov. 29, 2009. We’ll probably always think of The 13th Man when we look back to that game but when you look at it from the Alouettes’ perspective, that’s somewhat unfair. As then-Als head coach Marc Trestman explains there were 100 other moments in that classic of a game that helped shape the outcome and it wasn’t just the one that lives forever in highlight packs.
A poignant documentary that chronicles the 1985 season of the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL, and of team owner John Bassett and his final battle with cancer. Had John Bassett been healthy one cannot but help but wonder how he would have countered Donald Trump's tremendous negative influence as he sought to move the league to the autumn and put the final nails in the coffin of a league that many say could have been successful had smart men like Bassett had more influence and been the guiding force.
In 1974 and most of 1975, the World Football League positioned itself as a rival of the National Football League. Though it didn't succeed in placing franchises throughout the world as they initially hoped (Honolulu being the most distant franchise from the Continental U.S.), the players and hardcore fans loved the game and the league. Through interviews with the executives, players and fans this documentary chronicles the short-lived professional league that is mostly forgotten by casual football fans.
On a football Sunday morning on what should have been the start of the CFL preseason for Scott and Greg, the pair sit down with Jack Gilden to discuss his book, "Collision of Wills", about the relationship of Johnny Unitas and Don Shula and the times they lived in. They discuss Jack's interviews with the Unitas family, Don Shula, Joe Namath and Earl Morrall, as well as the history of Baltimore football from the Colts, through the Stallions and Ravens, and the legacy the player and coach have had on football history.
CFL America Radio has been recognized as one of the Top 15 Canadian Football League Podcasts by Feedspot @ www.feedspot.com
The 14-minute piece takes an in-depth look at the unique and friendly feud that has fueled football fans in Ottawa for generations. It’s a territorial rite of passage between those located in the South Side Stands and those in the North Side Stands at the grounds of Lansdowne Park. The piece weaves through the history and myth that surrounds the now epic chants that echo off each grandstand as both football and fandom has transitioned from Frank Clair Stadium to TD Place, culminating with the ultimate unifying cheer of an Ottawa Redblacks win earlier this year. Numerous interviews with fans from both sides of the divide provide insight on what has become a football tradition in Canada's capital. The documentary explores the roots of the rivalry and examines how the split remains, despite a new team and a new stadium. The entire story builds towards the Redblacks’ inaugural game at TD Place – a tightly-contested 18-17 victory over the Toronto Argonauts.
In many ways, the Bears embody and even define the NFL. Chicago is the second-oldest franchise in existence today. They are also one of the NFL's most decorated and storied franchises, having more retired numbers and Hall of Famers than any other team. From "The Monsters of the Midway" to "Sweetness" to "The Super Bowl Shuffle" to points beyond, this iconic franchise represents football in America. The following is an overview of the team's first 75 years, from their beginnings as a company-sponsored football club in 1920 to the modern day.
Scott and Greg sit down with professional football historian and co-host of The World of Football podcast, Randy Snow and talk about the National Football League, Canadian Football League and Arena Football League moments he has shared with his children, and showing us how football has the power to bring families together with memories to last a lifetime. They also discuss Randy's love and long suffering fandom of the Detroit Lions and some of the best books about the team, as well as his love and admiration for the Canadian brand of professional football.
CFL America Radio has been recognized as one of the Top 15 Canadian Football League Podcasts by Feedspot @ www.feedspot.com
For those players who remain, the scars still run deep when it comes to the infamous “Ice Bowl,” played December 31, 1967, between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. There are players even today who suffer the ravages of frostbite and lung damage from a game many of the players never thought should have been played. As one player said, “It was just too damn cold. Who plays football in that weather?” But play they did in the minus 45 degree wind-chill (that dropped to 65 below by the end of the game) because the NFL championship, and a spot in the second Super Bowl, was on the line.
What resulted was a game that has become part legend, part myth. There are a thousand stories from players and fans alike about a game that, more than 50 years later, remains embedded in NFL lore because of its sheer drama. Everyone remembers the remarkable way the Packers won, capping off a decade-long dynasty. The Cowboys, meanwhile, used the game as a building block that would propel them into NFL domination for 20 years. But what few remember is that this was. In every way imaginable, a game of survival, pitting man against the worst nature could deliver. This is a story about a football game, the men who played it, the people who watched it, those who were inspired by it and it’s a story, even a half century later, that remains unforgettable.
The story of the rise and fall of the United States Football League, focusing on two owners: John Bassett, who wanted the league to compete in the spring; and Donald Trump, who wanted to take on the NFL and play in the fall.
This documentary tells the story of the overnight relocation of the Baltimore Colts to the city of Indianapolis. It explores the reactions of the fans, the various actions and interviews with the teams owner and finally how the band kept the spirit of a professional football team alive until the arrival of the Baltimore Ravens in 1996.
On Saturday, December 24, 1977, The Oakland Raiders and the then-Baltimore Colts collided in what would go down in history as one of the most exciting and memorable games in professional football. In an AFC Divisional Playoff game at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, the Raiders and the Colts slugged it out for nearly four hours. The contest would be decided in double-overtime, and would be forever remembered for one critical play – “The Ghost to the Post.”
Wearing borrowed uniforms, practicing on obscure college campuses, and led by a former Marine Corps W.W. II fighter ace as commissioner, the American Football League (AFL) debuted in the Fall of 1960 to challenge the monopoly of the well-established National Football League. Within ten years it had won two Super Bowls and had forced a merger with its rival, splitting the NFL into the National and American Football Conferences. This colorful history of the AFL and its unforgettable cast of characters, from Billy Cannon to Joe Namath to its "Foolish Club" of team owners recounts the startling success of an upstart league that prevailed against long odds.
A bold challenge, a fearless experiment and ultimately, a spectacular failure. In 2001, sports entertainment titans Dick Ebersol and Vince McMahon launched the XFL. It was hardly the first time a league had tried to compete with the NFL, but the brash audacity of the bid, combined with the personalities and charisma of Ebersol and McMahon and the marketing behemoths of their respective companies - NBC and WWE - captured headlines and a sense of undeniable anticipation about what was to come. Bringing together a cast of characters ranging from the boardrooms of General Electric to the practice fields of Las Vegas, "This Was the XFL" is the tale of - yes - all that went wrong, but also, how the XFL ended up influencing the way professional team sports are broadcast today. And at the center of it all - a decades long friendship between one of the most significant television executives in media history and the one-of-a-kind WWE impresario. This documentary explores how Ebersol and McMahon brought the XFL to life, and why they had to let it go.
Paul Woods is a journalist, Canadian football historian and author of Bouncing Back: From National Joke to Grey Cup Champs, which chronicled the Toronto Argonauts winning the championship in 1983 after 31 years of futility and misery. In this episode, Paul discusses with Scott and Greg the history of the Argonauts, including the John Candy years, as well their recent issues both on and off the field. His next book, about the 1991 Argonauts, will be published in Summer 2021.
When it comes to great teams in Raiders history, many teams come to mind. Between the 70's and 80's, the Oakland Raiders were the winningest team in all of professional sports. However no team epitomized the Oakland Raiders quite like the team of 1976. No team was as crazy off the field, especially with their owner's approval. No team struck quite as much fear into opposing teams on the field. Al Davis and John Madden had a great philosophy for running their team: You can be who you are off the field as long as you win on Sunday. This meant many practices with hangovers, late nights before games, and whatever antics the players brought with them. It also meant a lot of wins.
Leading the team at quarterback was Ken "the Snake" Stabler, known for his 4th quarter comebacks and off the field antics. Though not in the typical sense of the word, Stabler was a true leader who had the respect of his teammates and opponents alike. Stabler was blessed with a great set of targets to throw to. Hall of Famer, Fred Biletnikoff, was the prototype hard-nosed possession receiver, while tight end Dave Casper, also a Hall of Famer, was always a big clutch play waiting to happen. However, most teams feared the speedy deep ball artist, Cliff Branch, even more than Casper and Biletnikoff.
The offense was also fueled by a great offensive line. Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, and Dave Dalby made up arguably the best left side of any offensive line in the history of the game. This line made life easy for running backs like Clarence Davis and Mark Van Eeghen. The defense struck fear into all opposing offenses. Jack "the Assassin" Tatum and George Atkinson made the hardest hitting safety duo in the game's history, while Hall of Famer Willie Brown and Skip Thomas, a.k.a. Dr. Death, made one of the best cornerback duos ever. As if that secondary wasn't enough, Hall of Famer Ted "the Mad Stork" Hendricks and Phil Villapiano made a linebacking corp no team looked forward to facing. It was also the Raiders first year with the late John Matuszak at defensive end, a giant who was a crazy on the field as he was off of it.
The Raiders dominated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. Oakland's offense put up 32 points, led by the stellar performance of Super Bowl MVP, Fred Biletnikoff. Meanwhile, the Vikings offense was shut out in the first half and managed 14 points in the second half. The Raiders defense showed up in full force as rookie receiver Sammie White found out when Jack Tatum and Skip Thomas knocked his helmet off with a vicious hit. The Oakland Raiders of 1976 were the most feared team of all. They had seven Hall of Famers (if you include John Madden) and quite a few more players who should be in there. They were and still are the true epitome of the Silver and Black.
Who better to talk about and teach about the legends and history of Notre Dame football than God himself? In this documentary are reflections on the careers of famous head coaches Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy, and its Heisman Trophy winning players. It also examines Notre Dame's rivalries with USC and Army and some of Notre Dame's greatest games.
What do Teddy Roosevelt, Knute Rockne, George Carlin, the Atomic Bomb, the Hail Mary Prayer, Marcia Brady’s broken nose and “American Pie” all have in common? The Forward Pass.
As ubiquitous as it is now, throwing the football was once unimaginable. For the first four decades of football’s existence, the forward pass was illegal. However, with rising safety concerns surrounding the game of football, President Roosevelt intervened. It was his demand that rules makers open up the game by legalizing the forward pass that saved football from abolition and created the sport we love.
This one-hour documentary examines the implementation of the forward pass into the game of football and the profound affect it has had on the game and its players, as well as on how football is viewed in society. It also tells the story of one of North America’s greatest inventions and how it transformed football from a lackluster rugby-style game of running and kicking into the uniquely North American spectacle it has become.
The Edmonton Eskimos finished their season with a record of 14-4 (their best performance since 1989 in which they went 16-2). The Calgary Stampeders, the defending Grey Cup champions, finished with the same record as the Eskimos after the regular season. However, Edmonton clinched first place in the division (and a playoff bye) by virtue of defeating Calgary in two of three regular season contests. The two teams then met again in the Western Final after Calgary defeated the BC Lions 35–9 in the Western Semi-Final. The Eskimos earned the right to represent the West in the Grey Cup game by virtue of a 45–31 victory against the Stampeders at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. The 2015 Western Final game was the first time in CFL history where both teams came in with a 14-4 record in the regular season. Quarterback Mike Reilly was the offensive catalyst for the Eskimos as he passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more in the win. Edmonton reached its first championship game since winning the 93rd Grey Cup ten years earlier, making the 103rd Grey Cup the first of the modern era to be played by two teams that had not been any of the preceding nine championship games.
The flamboyant James "King" Corcoran had a long and successful career as a minor league pro quarterback, achieving a near-legendary status due to his performance on the field and eccentric behavior off of it. He spent the better part of his first six seasons in the Atlantic Coast Football League. With Wilmington in 1966, he led the ACFL in pass attempts (247) and with Waterbury in 1967 topped the circuit in attempts (309), completions (141), yards (2065), and TD passes (19). Corcoran was cut by the AFL’s Denver Broncos during both the 1966 and ’67 preseasons and was signed to the New York Jets’ taxi squad.
He started the 1968 season with Bridgeport, which acted as a minor league team for the Jets, and after he was sold to another AFL club, the Boston Patriots, continued in the ACFL with Lowell, Boston’s minor league affiliate. Corcoran again led the league in pass attempts (333), completions (166), yards (2158), and TD passes (20). He also played in two games for the Patriots, throwing seven passes, two of which were intercepted. In 1969, after failing to catch on with the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, Corcoran joined the Pottstown Firebirds for two seasons and led them to an 11-1 record in ’70, a year in which he topped the ACFL in pass attempts (297), completions (164), completion percentage (55.2), yards (2129), and TD passes (24), although an injury caused him to miss the league championship game, which the Firebirds won. He was named to the ACFL All-Star team.
After another failed trial with the Eagles in 1971, Corcoran returned to the ACFL and the Norfolk Neptunes, leading the league in completion percentage (52.6) and TD passes (17) as the club won the championship. He joined the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL for 1972 but quit rather than be a third-string quarterback and moved on to Chambersburg of the Seaboard Football League, but was injured midway through the season. He spent the ’73 season with Flint of the Midwest Football League. Corcoran joined the Bell of the new WFL for 1974, reuniting with Head Coach Ron Waller, who had been an assistant with Pottstown and head coach at Norfolk, as well as a number of other players who had been teammates with both of those clubs.
Minor league football is – and always has been – so far off the radar in this country that it’s impossible to speak of there being any iconic teams. The sport offers nothing like the Hershey Bears hockey team or Rochester Red Wings baseball club that have entertained locals for upwards of a century. To the extent that minor and semi-pro football at least has a cult favorite team – the sport’s answer to the Durham Bulls – it’s likely the short-lived Pottstown Firebirds of the defunct Atlantic Coast Football League.
The Firebirds were a colorful and talented bunch. They played at the local high school football stadium in Pottstown, 40 miles north of Philadelphia. The team was backed by a local underwear manufacturer named Ed Gruber and took their name and team color from a loose affiliation with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. Though the club lasted only three seasons, they won two minor league titles.
The team’s 15 minutes of fame came thanks to Steve Sabol’s NFL Films. The young company documented the Firebirds’ final championship season in 1970. More than a year after the team’s demise, the documentary Pro Football Pottstown PA aired prior to the national broadcast of Super Bowl VI in January 1972. The following year, the author Jay Acton published The Forgettables, a book that chronicled the Firebirds behind the scenes during that same 1970 season. (Acton later became a serial minor league baseball investor himself).
Founded in 1968, the Pottstown Firebirds (also known as the Pennsylvania Firebirds in their final season) came into existence at a time when minor league football was enjoying some measure of popularity in North America, particularly in the Midwest and Atlantic states. Members of the Atlantic Coast Football League, the Firebirds were owned by underwear magnate Ed Gruber.
The team became a farm club of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) and played its home games at Pottstown High School’s Grigg Memorial stadium. The roster, like that of a minor league team in any sport, was a mixture of players at the end of their careers, a few who still hoped to move up, and those who just wanted to play the game and had no real prospect of playing in the National or American Football Leagues.
On the field, the Firebirds were led by quarterback Jim “King” Corcoran who had played college football at Maryland before landing on the roster of the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 1966. His only NFL action came with the Boston Patriots during the 1968 season in which he appeared in two games. An adequate signal caller, his off-field antics and larger-than-life personality (he used to congratulate himself out loud after throwing a touchdown pass, dressed flamboyantly, and was a bit of a womanizer), likely kept him from returning to the NFL.
And the people watched in wonder, how they'd laugh and how they'd cheer! And there used to be a ballpark right here. Now the children try to find it, and they can't believe their eyes. 'Cause the old team just isn't playing, and the new team hardly tries. And the sky has got so cloudy when it used to be so clear, and the summer went so quickly this year. Yes, there used to be a ballpark right here...
And there used to be a ballpark where the field was warm and green. And the people played their crazy game with a joy I'd never seen. And the air was such a wonder from the hot-dogs and the beer. Yes, there used to be a ballpark right here. And there used to be rock candy, and a great big 4th of July with the fireworks exploding all across the summer sky...
In America football has a unique sound to each fan. For many, it is these voices that elevate the sport to a higher level; however, among them all, there is only one true Voice of God.
After the Jets' victory in Super Bowl III, a contentious debate over realignment erupts; Joe Namath considers retirement; the Chiefs score another victory for the AFL in Super Bowl IV; the dawn of Monday Night Football boosts the popularity of the NFL after the final merger.
The AFL's credibility suffers after the Raiders are soundly beaten in Super Bowl II. The following year, the Jets' Joe Namath delivers an unforgettable upset in Super Bowl III after guaranteeing a win over the Baltimore Colts.
The AFL begins to lure top college prospects away from the NFL; the Jets are revived by the arrival of Joe Namath; and the ongoing battles over signing top players lead to a merger between the leagues, leading ultimately to the birth of the Super Bowl.
The impact of JFK's assassination and the Civil Rights Movement; San Diego's high-powered offense under Sid Gillman; back-to-back titles in Buffalo; an African-American boycott of the All-Star game.
The history of the American Football League is recalled. The series opener looks at the birth of the league after founder Lamar Hunt's attempt to buy an NFL franchise was rejected. Included: comments from players and owners; footage of early games played in mostly empty stadiums; and the landmark 1962 title game, which went into double overtime.
A graduate of Wittenburg College, Ron Lancaster started his career with the Ottawa Rough Riders. The eastern Riders were blessed with another outstanding QB in Canadian Russ Jackson and the two split the pivot duties for three years with Lancaster also seeing some action as a defensive back during that period. In his rookie season in 1960, Lancaster threw 201 passes and had three interceptions as a defensive back. Lancaster was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and became their starting QB for the next sixteen years. Teamed with fullback George Reed, Lancaster made the green Riders a force to be reckoned with year in and year out. Lancaster's greatest accomplishment might be the 1966 Grey Cup when he led the Riders to their first ever Grey Cup victory. At the time of his retirement, he was the leading passer in CFL history for total yards thrown. Lancaster was a seven time West All-Star (1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1975 and 1976), a four time All-Canadian (1970, 1973, 1975 and 1976), and was named the Outstanding Player in the CFL in 1970. After his retirement as a player, Lancaster has remained active in the CFL as a coach and GM. He was best known for being a smart quarterback with great vision on the field. No lead was ever safe from Lancaster as long as there was time on the clock. The "Little General" died from cancer on September 17, 2008.
Although Warren Moon was overlooked time and again throughout his career, his perseverance led to an unusually long and extremely successful stint as a quarterback in the NFL. In addition to having to fight against the perception that he didn't have what it takes to lead an NFL team, he also had to fight against prejudice in a league that had few black quarterbacks. After being passed over by the NFL, Moon went to Canada and led his Edmonton Eskimos to five Grey Cups before being the subject of a bidding war among NFL teams. He would play professional football for 23 years and become the first quarterback to pass for over 60,000 yards in his career. Moon was the first 40-year-old to throw five touchdowns in a game and pass for 400 yards. He is also the only player in both the American and Canadian football halls of fame.
On July 7th, 1993, the first regular season game of an American CFL franchise was played at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, between the now defunct Sacramento Gold Miners and Ottawa Rough Riders.
Known for the famous "Hail Mary" pass against University of Miami while at Boston College, Doug Flutie went on to play first in the United States Football League before heading to the NFL to play with the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots. He then left the NFL for the Canadian Football League for eight years, where he was a marquee attraction, being named the league's Most Outstanding Player an unprecedented six times and winning three Grey Cup Championships. Flutie went on to sign with the National Football League's Buffalo Bills in 1998 where he was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl, carried the Bills to the Playoffs and was honored as "NFL Comeback Player of the Year." At the age of 38, he signed a contract with the San Diego Chargers to become their starting quarterback. After four seasons with the Chargers, Flutie had the opportunity to finish his career with his hometown team, the New England Patriots where he played one season (with his last play being a score of a drop kick) before retiring in 2006.
"I have loved football as an almost mythic game since I was in the fourth grade. To me, the game wasn't even grounded in reality. The uniform turned you into a warrior. Being on a team, the mythology of physical combat, the struggle against the elements, the narrative of the game." ~ Steve Sabol
Without Steve Sabol, for many of us, we would not love pro football as passionately as we do...
Scott and Greg are back in their 55 yard line cheap seats this month talking all things blue and gold with Winnipeg Blue Bomber historian Roy Rosmus ("@heartobluegold" on Twitter), author of five books that span from the team's inception to their 2019 Grey Cup championship- "The Beginning- Through the Golden Years," "Dieter Brock Through the Championship Years," "The Jonas Era," "Quiet Hero: The Ken Ploen Story," and the upcoming "Good Years, Lean Years, The Cup Returns".
The year, 1974. The date, Dec. 21. The occasion, AFC Divisional Round playoff— with the winner advancing to the AFC Championship Game with the legendary Bill King calling the game on radio.
The Miami Dolphins had made a habit of being here, playing in the AFC Championship Game the prior three seasons in succession. It was just expected that they’d be there under Don Shula.
The Raiders, meanwhile, had plenty of success in that same time span under the legendary John Madden. But defeating the greatest team of the early ‘70s was quite a task.
Though the Raiders were hosting the game in Oakland, defeating the mighty Dolphins would still count as an upset. As such, team officials, and others in Oakland, had gotten the word out to fans who were attending the game to make it a “blackout”.
Not only did the fans show up and give AC/DC inspiration for a future song (no idea if that’s true or not), but they were loud. Some Raiders staffers and players said it was the loudest they had ever heard it in the stadium.
And that was during the pregame ceremonies.
Once the kickoff occurred, they were silenced for a bit. Nat Moore returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, forcing the fans to sit down and be quiet.
The Dolphins had done what every road team since the dawn of competition has aimed to do: take the crowd out of the game.
And it seemed that it was working awfully well for much of the first half. Though the Dolphins’ three-headed monster at running back was mostly unsuccessful, Shula’s defense stymied the Raiders’ deep passing attack, by getting pressure on Kenny Stabler and playing physical with Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch on the outside.
Led by veteran quarterback Damon Allen and a two-headed backfield monster of Sean Millington and Robert Drummond, the Cinderella story of 2000 was completed with a two-point victory by B.C. over heavily-favored Montreal. Allen rushed for two touchdowns, while Drummond’s 44-yard scamper early in the fourth quarter forced Anthony Calvillo and the Alouettes to play comeback. And they almost did. After Calvillo hit Ben Cahoon for a 59-yard major in the final minute, his two-point convert attempt sailed incomplete and the Lions escaped for their fourth title in club history.
His is the voice of football poetry squarely rooted in all that is the magical tradition of the game, whose baritone voice and dulcet tone will forever be known as that which must be that of God.
A look at the CFL's greatest teams, from the Toronto Argonauts to the Baltimore Stallions.
The final chapter in a ten part documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
During the 97th Grey Cup, the Saskatchewan Roughriders received a last-minute “13th man” penalty, spoiling their championship hopes. In the wake of defeat, fans stood by their team proving that they are, and will forever be, the team’s “13th man”.
The ninth chapter in a ten part documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
The eighth chapter in a ten part documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
Following the 1965 All-Star Game in Vancouver, a plane carrying five players crashed, killing everyone on board. The tragedy sent shockwaves through the league that can still be felt to this day as the descendants of one of the athletes retrace the footsteps of the fateful flight.
It had been almost 29 years to the day since the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hoisted the Grey Cup, this was not lost on Bombers fans who had endured three decades of heartbreak, but there was something different about the 2019 Blue Bombers. Every time they've faced adversity, they had been able to keep moving forward and with a never-say-die attitude ended their championship drought. Here is their journey to Calgary.
A 14-year CFL standout, Matt Dunigan is one of the CFL's most accomplished and celebrated players. In 2006, Dunigan received the CFL's highest honor with his induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and was also named one of the TSN Top 50 CFL Players of the modern era. Dunigan played with six CFL teams throughout his professional career: Edmonton Eskimos (1983-1987), B.C. Lions (1988), Toronto Argonauts (1989-1991), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1992-1994), Birmingham Barracudas (1995), and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1996).
Known as "The Golden Arm," Johnny Unitas is considered to be one of the best and toughest quarter backs to ever play. As a member of the Baltimore Colts, he played in what is arguably the greatest game in American pro football history. In 1958, he led his team to a championship in the first overtime and first nationally-televised American championship game.
During his 19-year CFL career, Anthony Calvillo never talked a lot about his past. It was known the Canadian Football League’s all-time passing leader grew up in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles and that he chose football over a life of street gang crime, but over the years he gave few details of just how difficult it was. Director Shelley Saywell’s documentary “The Kid From La Puente” shows both the horrifying and uplifting aspects of the star quarterback’s upbringing that he had kept mostly to himself. It features a boy growing up in La Puente, a crime-ridden, mostly Hispanic community east of Los Angeles, with a violent, alcoholic father and an older brother David who was drawn into a street gang and later jailed for attempted murder.
The seventh chapter in a ten part documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
The sixth chapter in a ten part documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
The Photograph focuses on a picture of the 1942 Toronto Royal Canadian Air Force Hurricanes, a team that inspired a nation en route to winning the first ever non-civilian Grey Cup game. On Dec. 5, 1942, the Hurricanes beat the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers 8-5 in front of a sellout crowd on a frozen field at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium, boosting the country’s morale during the Second World War while thousands of Canadian soldiers listened overseas on radio.
Through the turbulent decade of the 1960s, which was defined in American by assassinations, the Space Race, the Vietnam War, and the struggle for civil rights and equality, a rebel league took on an established major American sports entity, and not only survived, but thrived, ultimately forcing a merger prior to the 1970 season that helped create the modern-day behemoth American football has become.
In 1970, professional football in America picked up where it left off in the 1960s, when the game truly started to make the leap as America's No. 1 pastime. This era of pro football saw Dallas, after years of heartbreaking championship defeats, finally break through as champions. The decade also bore witness to the Miami's perfect season, the rise of Oakland's autumn wind and the birth of the Iron City's dynasty. It can be argued that this period in pro football had more dominant teams at one time than at any other period in the game's 100-year history in America. This era also included several compelling rivalries between teams that were perennially in the mix of the championship chase. These rivalries helped either start or end some of the greatest dynasties in American pro football history. In the process, the rivalries further increased the game's popularity, as it was the undisputed king of the hill as far as professional sports was concerned as the '70s drew to a close.
To quote the dean of football myth making, "I have loved football as an almost mythic game since I was in the fourth grade. To me, the game wasn't even grounded in reality. The uniform turned you into a warrior. Being on a team, the mythology of physical combat, the struggle against the elements, the narrative of the game." That is what the championship chase is all about.
For gridiron fans in Canada, America and everywhere around the world, the game of football is more than X's and O's. It is a sport filled with drama and story, all of which make it more than a game.
A nostalgic look back on the year in which the top tier of modern day American professional football took shape.
The fifth chapter in a ten part documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
In their first Grey Cup appearance in 20 years, the 1971 Toronto Argonauts committed a last-second fumble, spoiling their run. Now, the stars of the team reunite to relive the game and the wild days in Toronto.
Western Swagger shares the genesis of an East vs. West rivalry both on and off the football field that reached a fever pitch in November 1981. As the Edmonton Eskimos embarked on an unprecedented Grey-Cup winning streak, former Eskimo and Alberta Premier, Peter Lougheed, was in a battle off the field with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau over a National Energy Program – the implementation of which could send Alberta’s economy into a tailspin – and collaborating with his fellow Premiers during a Constitutional crisis that had the country on the brink of chaos.
The fourth chapter in a ten part documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
The third chapter in a ten part documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
Set against a backdrop of violence in Québec in the late ‘60s, quarterback Russ Jackson was determined to win what was destined to be one of the greatest games in CFL history.
The second chapter in a ten part documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
Doug Flutie was a superhero on the field with the football in his hands, all of which earned him legendary status in Canada in America. He was small, mighty and had the characteristics of a proper role model. Flutie led the Argos to back-to-back Grey Cups in 1996 and 1997 and earned the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player both years. His final professional play, in a career that spanned three leagues, was a drop kick that went right through the uprights and was good!
Professional football in America is a special game, a unique game ... It is a rare game. The men who play it make it so. All of them are fearless. All of them are strong, quick. And all of them are part of a story that began long ago. A story written by men who found, in the sport, a demanding measure for their own courage and ability.
The opening chapter in a ten chapter documentary series detailing the history of football and the Canadian Football League through the early 21st Century. The series is also available for viewing at www.cfl-films.ca
In 1965, Ed Sabol discovered John Facenda in a bar where when he overheard him describe some football footage playing on the screen. Facenda was then a popular local television news anchor. Impressed, Ed Sabol approached him with an offer to narrate NFL Films footage and so began an inextricable vocal-film partnership. Sabol himself described Facenda as a stentorian baritone. Facenda and Jack Whitaker, a CBS Sports television legend, worked together on Philly TV in the 1950s and 60s. Facenda’s sepulchral Voice of God articulated in somber narrative, battle ridden NFL marathons. His recordings were orchestrated symphonically, against the musical soundtrack of composer Sam Spence. How many NFL fans love to attempt an imitation of Facenda’s “On the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field?” Every letter is articulated diligently and enunciated perfectly. Sadly, he passed away in 1983, with his final voice-over work being the highlight film covering Super Bowl XVIII.
A 1953 documentary (available at CFL-Films.ca) on the Edmonton Eskimos from the National Film Board of Canada with Fred Davis, and featuring Rollie Miles, Normie Kwong, coach Daryl Royal.
A look at the legacy and inspiring life of CFL legend Chuck Ealey. Experience the joys and the highs, the electricity and the love, the pains and the sorrows, the perseverance and fight for equality.
The award winning documentary ''True Double Blue'' that examines John Candy's passion for the Toronto Argonauts and his role in the high-profile ownership group with Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall.
From NorthAmericanPodcast.com- PBS Producer Robert Reid's Love Letter to the CFL — "Wait, is Football Canadian or American?"
In their pilot episode, co-host Greg James discusses with fellow co-host Scott Adamson his book on professional football history in Birmingham, Alabama entitled "The Home Team: My Bromance with off Brand Football." They discuss Birmingham's teams of the WFL, USFL, WLAF, CFL, XFL and AAF, as well as the future of Canadian football.
Join Scott and Greg at CFL America Radio (WCFL.us, CFL-Radio.us and CFL-Radio.ca) for discussions on football history and fandom in North America and all around the world...
To paraphrase John Facenda, professional football in Canada is a special game, a unique game ... It is a rare game. The men who play it make it so. All of them are fearless. All of them are strong, quick. And all of them are part of a story that began long ago. A story written by men who found, in the sport, a demanding measure for their own courage and ability.... This podcast is dedicated to the celebration of them, for this is our game.