Benny Friedman, born March 18, 1905, wasn't your typical football player. In an era dominated by ground-and-pound offenses, Friedman emerged as a passing prodigy, forever changing the game's landscape. This essay explores his remarkable career, highlighting his impact on the sport and his legacy as a true gridiron innovator. We continue with the story of the New York Football Giants in this sixth part of our celebratory series on the franchise's first 100 seasons. I appreciate Larry Schmitt for ...
Mar 19, 2024•13 min•Season 4Ep. 1167
Let's face it: we, as football fans, were subjected to a lot of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during the 2023 FOotball season and postseason. This is not a new thing though as celebrity treatment inundating our favorite sports has gone on for over a century. Timothy Brown of Football Archaeology shares with us his original Tidbit Post of Travis, Taylor, and Teddy Roosevelt III. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up...
Mar 19, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 1166
Jack McBride's football career, which spanned the late 1920s and early 1930s, embodied the versatility that defined the early years of the NFL. He excelled at multiple positions, showcasing his athleticism and adaptability throughout his ten seasons in the league. He was an important player in the New York Giants' first few seasons and helped endear the Big Apple fans to Tim Mara's franchise. We continue with the story of the New York Football Giants in this fifth part of our celebratory series ...
Mar 18, 2024•7 min•Season 4Ep. 1165
Patrick John "Kangaroo Kicker" O'Dea was a unique figure in the early days of American football. The Aussie's football career defies easy categorization. It's a story that transcends statistics and touchdowns, weaving together tales of sporting dominance and an enigmatic later life. We share the story of this legend who was born on March 17, 1872 in Australia Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily footb...
Mar 17, 2024•10 min•Season 4Ep. 1164
Our guest in this episode is longtime historian John Maxymuk. John is the author of over a dozen books and over thirty articles in publications such as the PFRA's Coffin Corner on football history. Maxymuk also dabbles in creating some cards of football legends and shares them in a blog post of his dedicated to the Green Bay Packers called: Packers Past Perfect . We are happy to be able to record a recent conversation with John and talk a little football. John Maxymuk's books include the followi...
Mar 15, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 1163
I have heard of many strange situations during football games throughout the ages. Ill weather, lost balls, and even nonplayers and vehicles out on the field of play. However, when I read the Football Archaeology.com Tidbit titled: Punting From Behind A Barbed Wire Fence It may just take the cake for being the strangest. I appreciate Timothy Brown for sharing his time and knowledge and the great story from yesteryear Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see e...
Mar 12, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 1162
Despite the lack of undisputed champions, the 1939 season was pivotal for college football. It showcased the sport's increasing depth and competitiveness, with multiple teams vying for national relevance. Additionally, it paved the way for future discussions and advancements in determining a national champion, shaping the landscape of college football as we know it today. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to ge...
Mar 08, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 1161
Imagine getting all of your equipment at the beginning of the long football season. Shoulder pads, pants and pads, and of course a helmet. You look and the head piece looks a bit funny... it has no chinstrap. This is how it was in one era of football, and FootballArchaeology.com's Timothy Brown explains. From Tim's original TidBit article: Football Helmets Without Chin Straps Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up t...
Mar 05, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 1160
Nick Webster, John Turney, and others over at the Pro Football Journal have painstakingly helped us know how players prior to the NFL officially adopting some statistics fared in comparison to today's athletes on the gridiron. Nick joins us in this episode to tell us how they did it and bring some good old-time football memories back to our modern times. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football h...
Mar 04, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 1159
John Heisman is one of the more famous early football coaches, especially since he has the college game's most prestigious end-of-the-year award in his honor. Heisman is known for many events and innovations in football history, one of them being the winning coach in the most lopsided contest in history. Please note that the following link, if used to purchase, provides a commission to Pigskin Dispatch. Our guest, Sam Hatcher, gives us a whole new perspective on the 222-0 Georgia Tech win over C...
Feb 29, 2024•57 min•Season 4Ep. 1158
The tipped pass is an exciting play that we see often in the pass-happy offenses of modern times and the athletes on both sides of the ball downfield. The rules we know today concerning the play were very much different than they are today. Find Tim's original Tidbit on the subject at When Tipped Passes Were Live Balls Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox...
Feb 27, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 1157
Our guest is historian and collector Jeff Payne, who joins us to discuss an incredible portion of his vintage gridiron collection concerning the 1948 Cleveland Browns. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football Histo...
Feb 26, 2024•54 min•Season 4Ep. 1156
Two-time Super Bowl Champion Craig Colquitt sat down with us to discuss his amazing College and NFL career, Family, and some amazing stories about his interaction with game legends like Mean Joe Greene, Bum Phillips, Johnny Majors, Chuck Noll, Mike Webster, and more! From Rocky Top to carting his future Chuck Noll around in his rusted-out ride to Lombardi Trophies for him and his talented family, this conversation is a real treat with a great dude! Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the...
Feb 22, 2024•52 min•Season 4Ep. 1155
When most hear the name of Edgar Allen Poe, the author of great literary works, poetry and 19th-century macabre probably come to mind. In football, a famous poet related to a family member by the same name was one heck of a QB for Princeton. Historian and collector Jeff Payne joins us once again to share some pieces he has collected connected with College Football's first All-American Quarterback. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive fo...
Feb 21, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 1154
Those feared fumbles in the end zones can be a disaster for teams trying to score. TO the defense's delight, there can be a recovery for a touchback. Timothy P Brown of FootballArchaeology.com shares the information from his recent post . Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't,...
Feb 20, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 1153
Timothy P Brown of Football Archaeology joins to discuss the first jersey numbers retired in the College game. Here is a link to Tim's original;l Tidbit. The First Three Retired Jersey Numbers Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigski...
Feb 13, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 1152
The NIL and paying college athletes have been all over the news the past few years, but is it really a new thing? Timothy Brown has a story from over 100 years ago that tells us these athletes of the gridiron did receive some cash back then. Tim's original story is found here: Paying College Athletes In The 1920s-1930s Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox...
Feb 06, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 1151
Today, we're diving deep into the storied past of this legendary franchise of the Denver Broncos. From the AFL ugly uniform days to the era of the "Orange Crush" to the Elway era, the Super Bowl triumphs, and the ongoing quest for another ring. Mike High Podcaster Thomas Hall joins us for some exciting history of his favorite NFL team. You can find some of Thomas Hall's work at: Mile High Insiders and follow him on X at https://twitter.com/thomashallnfl Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website an...
Feb 05, 2024•50 min•Season 4Ep. 1150
The 1938 NFL season wasn't just another year in the young league's history; it was a turning point, a crackling crucible where legends were forged and rivalries ignited. Ten teams battled for gridiron supremacy, each with unique stories to tell. Let's step back in time and relive the drama through the lens of the top teams, giant games, and players that defined this historic year. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign...
Feb 02, 2024•14 min•Season 4Ep. 1149
Join us as we examine the American Football League. We also chat about the American Football League after a discussion on the AFL and then get down to business about, you guessed it, the American Football League. Just how many AFLs were there? We have the answer. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber Miss our football by the day of the y...
Jan 31, 2024•10 min•Season 4Ep. 1148
A semi-pro game in the small towns of Illinois brought trouble to multiple levels of football. This rivalry went awry into the devious clutches of greed and cheating, bringing out a very ugly side of the game we hold dear. Tim Brown visits to tell of the present Taylorville scandal. Tim's original Tidbit Post on FootballArchaeology.com titled The Carlinville-Taylorville Scandal Of 1921 is here. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive footb...
Jan 30, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 1147
We journey back to a pivotal year for pro football in 1940 as the NFL season saw an offensive explosion, especially in one big game, as it battled with another rival league. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website ...
Jan 29, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 1146
In this episode of our series on high crimes associated with the gridiron, we're diving into a story that's both heartbreaking and inspiring—a tale that kept the Miami Hurricanes community on the edge of their seats for nearly fifteen years. This isn't just about football stats; it's a story of resilience, friendship, and the pursuit of justice. Join us as we unravel the pages of the Bryan Sidney Pata story—a journey beyond the field. Some of the music used (Clouds and Beginnings) in this episod...
Jan 26, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 1145
Football Archaeology's Tim Brown tells the tale of Princeton Tigers' baseball star who had a tremendously successful day on the gridiron against a rival. Here is Tim's original Tidbit post . Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin ...
Jan 23, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 1144
Our guest, Andrew Stockmann, is trying to preserve sports history. He is wrapping up post-graduate studies with the desire to run a sports museum near you. He is also the host of the Hallowed Ground Podcast , which showcases many museums and sports curators that honor the legends and the legendary. We chat with Andrew about everything from his beloved KC Chiefs to his internship in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and everything in between. Follow Andrew on X at: https://twitter.com/astockmann8 Joi...
Jan 22, 2024•58 min•Season 4Ep. 1143
We're unleashing a blitzkrieg on the evolution of the American Football uniform, a tale of sweat, leather, and, surprisingly... fashion. Don't hang up your cleats just yet, folks, because this will be a wild ride through the sartorial savagery of the gridiron. From the Early Days of Sackcloth to Color Style Icons. Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Em...
Jan 18, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 1142
Before foam and Kevlar dominated the gridiron, a far stranger form of protection reigned: the pneumatic pad. In the early 20th century, players donned inflatable armor, resembling futuristic gladiators more than athletes. This essay delves into the rise and fall of these curious contraptions, a chapter in football history that is both innovative and ultimately deflated. Timothy P Brown of Football Archaeology.com shares the story from one of his recent Daily Tidbits on the people and events of t...
Jan 16, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 1141
Promising fourth-year NFL running back Fred Lane Jr was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Indianapolis Colts in early 2000. Unfortunately, Fred would never play a meaningful down for the Colts. On July 6, 2000, the promising life of the 24-year-old Fred Lane Jr was cut short in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. We cover this case from the AP headlines courtesy of Newspapers.com. You can also follow this story on our YouTube Channel in video form . https://pigskindispatch.com/DxU3 Join u...
Jan 15, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 1140
Few teams in college football history have captured the imagination and garnered the respect of the 1963 Navy Midshipmen. Led by the legendary Roger Staubach and coached by the stoic Wayne Hardin, this squad carved its name into the annals of gridiron glory, etching a legacy of precision, power, and unwavering determination. We have the pleasure of having two expert guests tell the tale of the '63 Midshipmen: The Sports Time Traveler , Len Ferman, and Greg "Giffer" McGiffney - 1985 graduate of t...
Jan 10, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 1139
St. Louis University is remembered for some early football innovation and exceptional play. Their QB Bradbury Robinson was the first known player to throw and complete a legal forward pass. The team later had a trip worth remembering a century later, and Football Archaeology host Timothy P. Brown is here to share the tale. Tim's original Tidbit titled St Louis U's Ill-Fated Trip West July 17, 2023 is ready to read! Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see eve...
Jan 09, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 1138
