American Football in History

Events in Sport

  • 1899-01-07 Walter Camp publishes his 1st All-American football team in Collier's
  • 1906-09-05 Saint Louis University quarterback Bradbury Robinson throws first legal forward pass in the history of American football for a TD to Jack Schneider at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wisconsin; Saint Louis wins, 22-0
  • 1937-09-10 2nd American Football League plays 1st game (LA 21, Pittsburgh 0)
  • 1940-09-15 3rd American Football League plays 1st game (Milw 14, Columbus 2)

Brown to Coach Cleveland

1945-02-08 Paul Brown agrees to coach the new American football expansion team in Cleveland, which would later be named the Cleveland Browns after their coach

  • 1950-03-03 National-American Football League reverts to calling itself the NFL after 3 months
  • 1959-08-14 First (American Football League) meeting is held in Chicago; charter memberships handed to Dallas, NY, Houston, Denver, LA and Minneapolis-Saint Paul; 'AFL' named following week
  • 1959-08-22 American Football League officially named at a meeting in Dallas, Texas; charter members Dallas, NY, Houston, Denver, LA and Minneapolis-Saint Paul
  • 1959-10-28 American Football League awards Buffalo Bills franchise to Ralph C Wilson
  • 1959-11-16 Boston business executive Billy Sullivan is awarded eighth and final franchise of developing American Football League (AFL); later branded Boston Patriots
  • 1959-11-22 American Football League (AFL) conducts its first draft in Minneapolis with the 8 clubs selecting their playing rosters for the inaugural 1960 season
  • 1960-01-26 Oakland Raiders enter the American Football League
  • 1960-09-09 Denver Broncos beat Boston Patriots, 13-10 in the American Football League's first game before 21,597 fans at Nickerson Field in Boston

Sports History

1965-08-16 American Football League's 9th franchise is officially awarded to Joe Robbie and television star Danny Thomas; Miami Dolphins start play in AFL's Eastern Division in 1966

Sports History

1966-04-08 American Football League votes in 36-year-old Al Davis as commissioner after Joe Foss resigns; appointment lasts 3 months when AFL merges with NFL

  • 1988-11-20 Boston College beats Army 38-24 in the 'Emerald isle Classic' at Dublin's Lansdowne Road Stadium, the first NCAA American Football game to be played in Europe
  • 1989-07-19 NFL owners vote unanimously to form World League of American Football - operated 1991-2007
  • 1991-02-24 End of World League of American Football's (WLAF) 1st draft
  • 1991-03-23 1st World League of American Football games, London beats Frankfurt 24-11, Sacramento beats Raleigh-Dur 9-3 & Mont beats Birmingham 20-5
  • 1998-01-22 World League of American Football renamed as NFL Europe
  • 2019-02-10 The eight centrally owned and operated team Alliance of American Football gets underway; Orlando Apollos beat Atlanta Legends, 40-6 at Spectrum Stadium, Orlando, FL
  • 2019-02-18 NHL hockey team Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon agrees to invest $250 million into the Alliance of American Football; named new chairman of the AAF

Birthdays in Sport

Birthdays 1 - 100 of 405

  • 1859-04-07 Walter Camp, father of American football (Yale), born in New Britain, Connecticut (d. 1925)
  • 1879-02-03 Charles Follis "The Black Cyclone", American football halfback (1st black pro player Shelby Blues 1902-06), born in Cloverdale, Virginia (d. 1910)
  • 1884-02-01 Bradbury Robinson Jr., American football pioneer (threw first legal forward pass at a game at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin 1906), born in Bellevue, Ohio (d. 1949)
  • 1899-03-28 Buck Shaw, American College Football HOF coach (NC State, Nevada, Santa Clara, California, Air Force; NFL: SF 49ers; NFL Championship 1960 Philadelphia Eagles), born in Mitchellville, Iowa (d. 1977)
  • 1903-04-24 Mike Michalske, American football NFL guard (NY Yankees, Green Bay Packers), born in Cleveland, Ohio (d. 1983)
  • 1909-08-02 Ace Gutowsky, Russian/American football fullback (Portsmouth Spartans, Brooklyn Dodgers; NFL C'ship 1935, Detroit Lions), born in Komolty, Russian Empire (d. 1976)
  • 1910-01-12 Tony Morabito, American football executive who founded and co-owned the San Francisco 49ers, born in San Francisco, California (d. 1957)
  • 1911-09-30 Ed Danowski, American football quarterback and halfback (NFL Championship 1934, 38; New York Giants; Pro Bowl 1938), born in Jamesport, New York (d. 1997)

Vince Lombardi (1913-1970)

1913-06-11 American Pro Football Hall of Fame coach (Green Bay Packers 1959-67; NFL Coach of the Year 1959, 61; Super Bowl I, II), born in Brooklyn, New York

Woody Strode (1914-1994)

1914-07-25 American football end (LA Rams, Calgary Stampeders) and actor (Posse, Cotton Club, Vigilante, Scream), born in Los Angeles, California

  • 1914-10-23 Frank "Bruiser" Kinard, American College-Pro Football HOF tackle (Ole Miss; 6 × First-team All-Pro; 5 × NFL All-Star; Brooklyn Dodgers/Tigers, Fleet City, NY Yankees), born in Pelahatchie, Mississippi (d. 1980)
  • 1914-12-08 Corbett Davis, American football fullback (#1 overall pick NFL Draft 1938 Cleveland Rams), born in Lowell, Indiana (d. 1968)
  • 1915-04-17 Joe Foss, American fighter ace, football executive (Medal of Honor-1943; first commissioner American Football League) and politician, born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (d. 2003)
  • 1916-04-11 Dan Fortmann, American College/Pro Football HOF guard (3 × NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43 Chicago Bears; 6 × First-team All-Pro; 3 × Pro Bowl), born in Pearl River, New York (d. 1995)
  • 1916-09-25 Jim Benton, American football end (All Pro 1945, 46; NFL 1940s All-Decade Team; Cleveland/LA Rams, Chicago Bears; first to rush 300+ yards 1945), born in Carthage, Arkansas (d. 2001)
  • 1917-02-14 Red Hickey, American football coach (HC SF 49ers 1959-63; devised shotgun formation), born in Clarksville, Arkansas (d. 2006)
  • 1920-06-02 Tex Schramm, American football team president and general manager (d. 2003)
  • 1920-07-26 Bob Waterfield, American football quarterback (NFL MVP 1945; First-team All-Pro 1945, 46, 49; Pro Bowl 1950, 51; Cleveland/LA Rams), born in Elmira, New York (d. 1983)
  • 1922-06-20 Tommy Mont, American football quarterback (Washington Redskins) and coach (University of Maryland 1956-58, DePauw University 1959-76), born in Mount Savage, Maryland (d. 2012)
  • 1924-01-25 Lou Groza, American football placekicker & offensive tackle (9 × Pro Bowl; 4 × First-team All-Pro; Cleveland Browns), born in Martins Ferry, Ohio (d. 2000)
  • 1924-12-29 Dub Jones, American football halfback (Pro Bowl 1951, 52; First Team All Pro 1951; Cleveland Browns) and coach (Cleveland Browns 1963-68), born in Arcadia, Louisiana
  • 1925-07-01 Art McNally, American Pro Football HOF referee and executive (NFL Head of Officiating 1968-91), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2023)
  • 1925-09-26 Shirley Wilson, American football coach (Elon University 1967-76; Duke University 1979-82; 88–61–3), born in Madison, North Carolina (d. 2021)

Pete Rozelle (1926-1996)

1926-03-01 American football executive (NFL Commissioner 1960-89), born in South Gate, California

  • 1926-12-21 Joe Paterno, American College Football HOF coach (Penn State 1966-2011; NCAA C'ship 1982, 86; Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of 1986), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 2012)
  • 1927-01-01 Doak Walker, American College and Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1948; Pro Bowl 1950-51, 53–55; First-team All-Pro 1950–51, 53–54; Detroit Lions), born in Dallas, Texas (d. 1998)
  • 1927-01-24 Jerry Burns, American football coach (University of Iowa 1961-65; Minnesota Vikings 1986-91), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2021)
  • 1927-05-19 John Thompson, American football executive (GM Seattle Seahawks 1976-82; NFL Executive of the Year 1978), born in South Bend, Washington (d. 2022)
  • 1927-10-24 Paul Roach, American football coach (University of Wyoming; assistant Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, GB Packers) and administrator (AD Wyoming 1986-96), born in Spring Green, Wisconsin (d. 2023)
  • 1929-02-28 Hayden Fry, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (SMU 1962-72, North Texas State University 1973-78, University of Iowa 1979-98), born in Eastland, Texas (d. 2019)
  • 1929-04-01 Bo Schembechler Jr., American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Miami U), coach (Miami U 1963-68, University of Michigan 1969-89; career record 234–65–8), and administrator (Michigan), born in Barberton, Ohio (d. 2006)
  • 1929-10-06 Phil Krueger, American football quarterback (Southeast Missouri State), college coach (Fresno State, Utah State) and NFL executive (GM TB Buccaneers), born in LaSalle, Illinois (d. 2020)
  • 1929-11-08 Bobby Bowden, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Florida State 1976-2009; National C'ship 1993, 99), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2021)
  • 1930-09-01 Pete Brewster, American football end and coach (NFL Pro Bowl 1955, 56; Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Portland, Indiana (d. 2020)
  • 1931-01-05 John McVay, American football coach (NY Giants 1976-78) and executive (AD Uni of Dayton 1972, 73; GM SF 49ers 1998-99), born in Bellaire, Ohio (d. 2022)
  • 1931-02-17 Buddy Ryan, American football coach (Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals), born in Frederick, Oklahoma (d. 2016)
  • 1931-08-21 Pete Retzlaff, American football halfback, tight-end (5 x Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1958, 65 Philadelphia Eagles) and executive (GM Philadelphia Eagles 1969-72), born in Ellendale, North Dakota (d. 2020)
  • 1931-10-08 Pepper Rodgers, American football coach (University of Kansas, UCLA, Georgia Tech; USFL: Memphis Showboats), born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 2020)
  • 1931-10-18 Ed Biles, American football coach (College: Xavier 1962-68; NFL: Houston Oilers 1981-83), born in Reading, Ohio (d. 2020)
  • 1931-11-30 Cotton Davidson, American football quarterback & punter (AFL All-Star 1961, 63; AFL All-Star Game MVP 1961; Baltimore Colts, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders), born in Gatesville, Texas (d. 2022)

Tom Brookshier (1931-2010)

1931-12-16 American football defensive end (Philadelphia Eagles) and broadcaster (CBS), born in Roswell, New Mexico

  • 1932-04-27 Chuck Knox, American football coach (LA Rams, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks; AP NFL Coach of the Year 1973, 80, 84), born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania (d. 2018)
  • 1932-10-07 Dick Szymanski, American football center (Pro Bowl 1955, 62, 64; Baltimore Colts) and executive (GM Baltimore Colts 1977-82), born in Toledo, Ohio (d. 2021)
  • 1933-06-10 Chuck Fairbanks, American football coach (New England Patriots 1973-78; University of Oklahoma 1967-72, University of Colorado 1979-81), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2013)
  • 1933-11-16 Mike Giddings, American football coach and scout (HC University of Utah, Denver Broncos director pro scouting; pioneer independent scouting & NFL analytics), born in Newport Beach, California (d. 2023)
  • 1934-03-16 Howard Schnellenberger, American football coach (National C'ship Uni of Miami 1983; Uni of Oklahoma, Uni of Louisville, Florida Atlantic Uni; Baltimore Colts), born in Saint Meinrad, Indiana (d. 2021)
  • 1934-07-16 George Perles, American football coach (Michigan State University 1983-94; Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2020)
  • 1935-01-25 Don Maynard, American Pro Football HOF wide receiver (Super Bowl 1969; First-team All-AFL 1968, 69; AFL All-Star 1965, 67–69; NY Titans/Jets), born in Crosbyton, Texas (d. 2022)
  • 1935-10-04 Eldon Danenhauer, American football offensive tackle (AFL All Star 1962, 65; Denver Broncos 1960-65), born in Clay Center, Kansas (d. 2021)
  • 1935-12-15 Joe Walton, American football coach (New York Jets 1983-89; Robert Morris University), born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania (d. 2021)
  • 1936-03-12 Ernie Zampese, American football coach (San Diego State University 1967–75; SD Chargers asst. head coach 1983-85), born in Santa Barbara, California (d. 2022)
  • 1936-04-29 Bernie Parrish, American football cornerback (Pro Bowl 1960, 63; Cleveland Browns; best-selling book, 'They Call It A Game'), born in Long Beach, California (d. 2019)
  • 1936-07-12 Frank Ryan, American football quarterback (NFL C'ship 1964, 3 × Pro Bowl, NFL passing TD leader 1964, 66; Cleveland Browns), born in Fort Worth, Texas (d. 2024)
  • 1936-07-17 Bill Groman, American football wide receiver (All-AFL 1960; AFL C'ship 1960, 61, 64, 65; Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills), born in Tiffin, Ohio (d. 2020)
  • 1936-12-27 Lee Grosscup, American football quarterback (NY Jets, NY Titans) and sportscaster (college football analyst ABC; Cal Berkeley), born in Santa Monica, California (d. 2020)
  • 1936-12-31 Jerry Sturm, American football tackle (AFL All-Star 1964, 66; Denver Broncos, NO Saints), born in English, Indiana (d. 2020)
  • 1937-02-13 Angelo Mosca, American football defensive tackle (CFL All Star 1963, 70 Hamilton Tiger-Cats), born in Waltham, Massachusetts (d. 2021)
  • 1937-07-09 Clemon Daniels, American football halfback and AFL player of year 1963 (Oak, Dallas, San Francisco), born in McKinney, Texas
  • 1937-08-10 Ed Meador, American football cornerback (First-team All-Pro 1968, 69; 6 × Pro Bowl; Los Angeles Rams), born in Dallas, Texas (d. 2023)
  • 1937-11-05 Al Jamison, American football offensive lineman (AFL All Star 1961, 62; AFL C'ship 1960, 61; Houston Oilers), born in Toledo, Ohio (d. 2021)
  • 1938-01-04 Rick Lantz, American football coach (World Bowl XII 2004 Berlin Thunder; NFL Europe Coach of the Year 2004), born in New Britain, Connecticut (d. 2023)
  • 1938-02-20 Jack Bicknell, American football coach (Boston College, Barcelona Dragons), born in North Plainfield, New Jersey
  • 1938-03-17 Fred Akers, American football coach (University of Wyoming; University of Texas, Austin; Purdue; career college record 108–75–3), born in Blytheville, Arkansas (d. 2020)
  • 1938-06-04 Pat Studstill, American football wide receiver (Pro Bowl 1965, 66; NFL receiving yards leader, record 99-yard TD reception [tied] 1966; Detroit Lions, LA Rams), born in Shreveport, Louisiana (d. 2021)
  • 1938-06-08 Vince Promuto, American football guard (Pro Bowl 1963, 64; Washington Redskins), born in New York City (d. 2021)
  • 1938-06-17 Wayne Hawkins, American football guard (5 × AFL All-Star 1963–1967; Oakland Raiders), born in Fort Peck, Montana (d. 2022)
  • 1938-06-27 Jake Crouthamel, American football halfback (Boston Patriots), coach (Dartmouth College 1971-77) and administrator (AD Syracuse University 1978–2005), born in Perkasie, Pennsylvania (d. 2022)
  • 1938-08-22 Paul Maguire, American football commentator, born in Youngstown, Ohio
  • 1938-11-22 John Gregory, American football coach (CFL Grey Cup 1989 Saskatchewan Roughriders; South Dakota State Uni), born in Webster City, Iowa (d. 2022)
  • 1938-12-10 Bill Mathis, American football halfback (AFL All Star 1961, 63; New York Titans/Jets), born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina (d. 2020)
  • 1938-12-11 Fred Cox, American football kicker (NFL C'ship 1969; Pro Bowl 1970; Minnesota Vikings all-time leading scorer), born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania (d. 2019)
  • 1939-01-08 Bob Talamini, American football guard (Super Bowl 1968 NY Jets; 3 × First-team All-AFL; 6 × AFL All-Star; Houston Oilers), born in Louisville, Kentucky (d. 2022)
  • 1939-01-14 Fred Arbanas, American football tight end (All-AFL 1962–67; Super Bowl 1970; Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2021)
  • 1939-06-22 Don Matthews, American football coach in the CFL
  • 1939-07-18 Jerry Moore, American football player and coach, born in Bonham, Texas
  • 1939-07-27 Irv Cross, American football cornerback (Pro Bowl 1964, 65; Philadelphia Eagles) and broadcaster (CBS), born in Hammond, Indiana (d. 2021)
  • 1939-07-31 Norm Snead, American football quarterback (Pro Bowl 1962, 63, 65, 72; NFL completion % leader 1972 NY Giants; Philadelphia Eagles), born in Halifax County, Virginia (d. 2024)
  • 1939-11-13 Charley Ferguson, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965; AFL C'ship 1964, 65; Buffalo Bills), born in Dallas, Texas (d. 2023)
  • 1940-01-22 George Seifert, American football coach
  • 1940-02-02 Wayne Fontes, American football coach
  • 1940-02-22 Larry Eisenhauer, American football defensive end (AFL All-Star 1962, 63, 64, 66; Boston Patriots), born in Hicksville, New York (d. 2020)
  • 1940-03-10 Joe Bugel, American football coach (offensive line Washington Redskins 'Hogs', Super Bowl 1982, 87; Phoenix Cardinals, Oakland Raiders), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 2020)
  • 1940-04-20 George Andrie, American football defensive end (Super Bowl 1971; First Team All Pro 1969; 5 x Pro Bowl; Dallas Cowboys), born in Grand Rapids, Michigan (d. 2018)
  • 1940-05-04 Dick Curl, American football coach (World Bowl 1999 Frankfurt Galaxy; NFL Europe Coach of the Year 1998, 99), born in Chester, Pennsylvania
  • 1940-08-08 Fred Miller, American football defensive tackle (Super Bowl 1970 Baltimore Colts; Pro Bowl 1967, 68, 69), born in Homer, Louisiana (d. 2023)
  • 1940-08-14 Galen Hall, American Football Coach (University of Florida, Orlando Thunder, Rhein Fire), born in Altoona, Pennsylvania
  • 1940-09-26 Frank Maloney, American football coach (Syracuse University 1974-1980), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2020)
  • 1940-11-02 Ed Budde, American football guard (Pro Bowl 1970, 71; Super Bowl IV KC Chiefs; 5 × AFL All-Star; First-team All-AFL 1966, 69), born in Highland Park, Michigan (d. 2023)

Joe Gibbs (83 years old)

1940-11-25 American Pro Football HOF coach (Super Bowl 1982, 87, 91 Washington Redskins; NFL Coach of the Year 1982, 83) and auto race team owner (5 × NASCAR Cup Series), born in Mocksville, North Carolina

  • 1941-01-26 Gary Moeller, American football coach (University of Michigan 1990-94; Uni of Illinois 1977-79; Detroit Lions), born in Lima, Ohio (d. 2022)
  • 1941-02-18 Homer Jones, American football wide receiver (Pro Bowl 1967, 68; NFL record: career yards per reception: 22.3; NY Giants, Cleveland Browns), born in Pittsburg, Texas (d. 2023)
  • 1941-04-18 Walt Sweeney, American football offensive lineman (9 × Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1967, 68; San Diego Chargers), born in Cohasset, Massachusetts (d. 2013)
  • 1941-07-17 Daryle Lamonica, American football quarterback (Pro Bowl 1970, 72; AFL MVP 1967, 69; Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills), born in Fresno, California (d. 2022)
  • 1941-08-18 Dennis Claridge, American football quarterback (NFL C'ship 1965, Green Bay Packers; Atlantic Falcons), born in Phoenix, Arizona (d. 2018)
  • 1941-08-20 Rich Brooks, American football player and coach (University of Oregon 1977-94; St. Louis Rams 1995-96), born in Forest, California
  • 1941-09-03 Dave Herman, American football offensive guard (Super Bowl 1969; AFL All-Star 1968, 69; All-AFL 1967, 68, 69; New York Jets), born in Bryan, Ohio (d. 2022)
  • 1941-11-06 Ray Perkins, American football coach (New York Giants, University of Alabama, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arkansas State University), born in Mount Olive, Mississippi (d. 2020)
  • 1941-11-25 Kenny Graham, American football safety (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 68, 69 San Diego Chargers; Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Texarkana, Texas (d. 2023)
  • 1942-02-10 Howard Mudd, American football OL (Pro Bowl 1966–68; All-Pro 1967-68; SF 49ers, Chicago Bears) and coach (Super Bowl 2006; OL Indianapolis Colts), born in Midland, Michigan (d. 2020)
  • 1942-06-19 Willie Frazier, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 69; All-Pro 1965; Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers), born in El Dorado, Arkansas (d. 2013)

Deaths in Sport

Deaths 1 - 100 of 146

  • 1910-04-05 Charles Follis "The Black Cyclone", American football halfback (1st black pro player Shelby Blues 1902-06), dies of pneumonia at 31
  • 1925-03-14 Walter Camp, American, father of American football, dies at 65

John Heisman (1869-1936)

1936-10-03 American football coach (legalised forward pass, originated the center-snap; Heisman Trophy named after him), dies from pneumonia at 66

  • 1949-03-07 Bradbury Robinson Jr., American football pioneer (threw first legal forward pass at a game at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin 1906), dies from complications following routine surgery at 65
  • 1957-10-28 Tony Morabito, American football executive who founded and co-owned the San Francisco 49ers, dies of a heart attack at 47
  • 1968-05-28 Corbett Davis, American football fullback (#1 overall pick NFL Draft 1938 Cleveland Rams), dies of a ruptured spleen in a boating accident at 53
  • 1971-04-15 Dan Reeves, American NFL team owner (Cleveland, LA Rams), dies at 58
  • 1976-12-04 Ace Gutowsky, Russian/American football fullback (Portsmouth Spartans, Brooklyn Dodgers; NFL C'ship 1935, Detroit Lions), dies of cancer at 67
  • 1977-10-17 Cal Hubbard, American Baseball HOF umpire (AL 1936-51) and Pro/College Football HOF tackle (4 × NFL C'ship 1927, 29–31; 4 × First-team All-Pro; NY Giants, GB Packers), dies of cancer at 77
  • 1981-04-28 Cliff Battles, American College/Pro Football HOF halfback (West Virginia Wesleyan College; 3 x First-Team All-Pro; NFL rushing yards leader 1932, 37; Boston Braves/Redskins, Washington Redskins), dies at 70
  • 1983-05-02 Norm Van Brocklin, American Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback (NFL MVP 1960; First-team All-Pro 1960; 9 × Pro Bowl; LA Rams, Philadelphia Eagles) and coach (Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons), dies from a heart attack at 57
  • 1983-10-26 Mike Michalske, American football NFL guard (NY Yankees, Green Bay Packers), dies at 80

Woody Strode (1914-1994)

1994-12-31 American football end (LA Rams, Calgary Stampeders) and actor (Posse, Cotton Club, Vigilante, Scream), dies of lung cancer at 80

Pete Rozelle (1926-1996)

1996-12-06 American football executive (NFL Commissioner 1960-89), dies of brain cancer at 70

  • 1997-02-01 Ed Danowski, American football quarterback & halfback (NFL Championship 1934, 38; New York Giants; Pro Bowl 1938), dies at 85

Tom Landry (1924-2000)

2000-02-12 American NFL player, 1949-55 (NY Giants) and coach, 1960-88 (Dallas Cowboys), dies of leukemia at 75

  • 2000-05-28 Eric Turner, American football safety (First-team All-Pro 1994; Pro Bowl 1994, 96; NFL interceptions co-leader 1994; Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens), dies of stomach cancer at 31
  • 2000-11-29 Lou Groza, American football placekicker & offensive tackle (9 × Pro Bowl; 4 × First-team All-Pro; Cleveland Browns), dies from a heart attack at 76
  • 2001-03-28 Jim Benton, American football end (All Pro 1945, 46; NFL 1940s All-Decade Team; Cleveland/LA Rams, Chicago Bears; first to rush 300+ yards 1945), dies at 84
  • 2001-06-10 John McKay, American College Football HOF coach (4 x NCAA C'ship 1962, 67, 72, 74 ; 5 x Rose Bowl USC; NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976-84), dies at 77
  • 2002-05-09 Dan Devine, American football coach, dies at 77
  • 2003-01-01 Joe Foss, American fighter ace, football executive (Medal of Honor-1943; first commissioner American Football League) and politician, dies at 87
  • 2003-01-03 Sid Gillman, Pro & College Football Hall of Fame end (Ohio State U) and coach (U of Cincinnati, LA Rams, Houston Oilers), dies at 91
  • 2003-07-15 Tex Schramm, American football team president and general manager (b. 1920)
  • 2003-08-26 Jim Wacker, American football coach (Southwest Texas State), dies of cancer at 66
  • 2005-02-22 Reggie Roby, American football punter (3 × Pro Bowl; All-Pro 1984, 94; NFL 1980s All-Decade Team; Miami Dolphins), dies from a heart attack at 43
  • 2005-07-04 Hank Stram, American Pro Football Hall of Fame coach (KC Chiefs Super Bowl 1970), dies of diabetes complications at 82
  • 2005-08-05 Jim O'Hora, American football coach (b. 1915)
  • 2005-11-15 Preston Robert Tisch, American businessman (co-founder of Loews Corp), and NFL co-owner (NY Giants, 1991-2002), dies from brain cancer at 79
  • 2006-03-30 Red Hickey, American football coach (HC SF 49ers 1959-63; devised shotgun formation), dies at 89
  • 2006-06-29 Randy Walker, American football fullback (Miami University) and coach (Miami University 1990-98, Northwestern University 1999-2005), dies of a heart attack at 52
  • 2006-09-08 Erk Russell, American football, basketball, baseball and track coach, dies at 80
  • 2006-11-07 Bryan Pata, American football defensive tackle (University of Miami) (murdered) (b. 1981)
  • 2006-11-17 Bo Schembechler Jr., American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Miami U), coach (Miami U 1963-68, University of Michigan 1969-89; career record 234–65–8), and administrator (Michigan), dies at 77
  • 2007-06-19 Terry Hoeppner, American football coach (b. 1947)

Bill Walsh (1931-2007)

2007-07-30 American Pro Football HOF coach (Super Bowl 1981, 84, 88; NFL Coach of the Year 1981; SF 49ers; Stanford University 1977–78), dies of leukemia at 75

  • 2008-01-18 Georgia Frontiere, American businesswoman (co-owner Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams 1979–2008), dies at 80
  • 2008-10-20 Gene Hickerson, American football Hall of Famer (b. 1935)
  • 2009-04-13 Bruce Snyder, American college football coach (Utah State, California, Arizona State), dies from melanoma at 69

Tom Brookshier (1931-2010)

2010-01-29 American football defensive end (Philadelphia Eagles) and broadcaster (CBS), dies of cancer at 78

  • 2011-01-10 Cookie Gilchrist, American football fullback (AFL All Star 1962-65; AFL MVP 1962; CFL All Star 1956-60), dies of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at 75
  • 2011-04-10 Homer Smith, American football coach (b. 1931)

Al Davis (1929-2011)

2011-10-08 American businessman and NFL executive (owner Oakland Raiders), dies of heart failure at 82

  • 2011-10-18 Kent Hull, American football center (First-team All-Pro 1990, 91; Pro Bowl 1988, 89, 90; Buffalo Bills), dies from chronic liver disease at 50
  • 2012-01-01 Tommy Mont, American football quarterback (Washington Redskins) and coach (University of Maryland 1956-58, DePauw University 1959-76), dies of heart failure at 89
  • 2012-02-13 Freddie Solomon, American football wide receiver, dies from colon and liver cancer at 59
  • 2012-03-03 Alex Webster, American football coach (NY Giants), dies at 80
  • 2013-02-02 Walt Sweeney, American football offensive lineman (9 × Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1967, 68; San Diego Chargers), dies from pancreatic cancer at 71
  • 2013-04-02 Chuck Fairbanks, American football coach (New England Patriots 1973-78; University of Oklahoma 1967-72, University of Colorado 1979-81), dies from brain cancer at 79
  • 2013-05-07 George Sauer, Jr., American football wide receiver (AFL All Star 1996-99; Super Bowl 1969; New York Jets), dies from heart failure at 69
  • 2013-09-05 Willie Frazier, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 69; All-Pro 1965; Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers), dies at 71
  • 2013-10-18 Bum Phillips, American football coach (Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints), dies at 90
  • 2013-11-13 Todd Christensen, American football tight end (Super Bowl XV, XVIII; First-team All-Pro 1983, 85, 86; 5 × Pro Bowl; Oakland/LA Raiders) and sportscaster (NBC Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports Network), dies from complications during liver transplant surgery at 57
  • 2014-09-20 Rob Bironas, American football placekicker (First-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, PFW Golden Toe Award 2007; Tennessee Titans), dies in a car crash at 36
  • 2016-03-24 Kevin Turner, American football fullback (Philadelphia Eagles) and plaintiff against NFL (concussion case), dies of ALS at 46
  • 2016-06-28 Buddy Ryan, American football coach (Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals), dies from cancer and stroke complications at 85
  • 2018-05-01 Dennis Claridge, American football quarterback (NFL C'ship 1965, Green Bay Packers; Atlantic Falcons), dies at 76 from bladder cancer
  • 2018-05-12 Chuck Knox, American football coach (LA Rams, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks; AP NFL Coach of the Year 1973, 80, 84), dies of dementia at 86
  • 2018-06-04 Dwight Clark, American football wide receiver ("The Catch" 1981 Super Bowl SF 49ers; First team All-Pro 1982; 2 × Pro Bowl) and executive (SF 49ers, Cleveland Browns), dies of ALS at 61
  • 2018-07-22 Tony Sparano, American football coach (Miami Dolphins 2008-11; Oakland Raiders 2014), dies of a heart attack at 56
  • 2018-08-21 George Andrie, American football defensive end (Super Bowl 1971; First Team All Pro 1969; 5 x Pro Bowl; Dallas Cowboys), dies from dementia at 78
  • 2019-01-12 Bob Kuechenberg, American football guard (6 x Pro Bowl; Super Bowl 1972, 73 Miami Dolphins; First-team All-Pro 1975, 78), dies of a heart attack at 71
  • 2019-10-23 Bernie Parrish, American football cornerback (Pro Bowl 1960, 63; Cleveland Browns; best-selling book, 'They Call It A Game'), dies of prostate cancer at 83
  • 2019-11-20 Fred Cox, American football kicker (NFL C'ship 1969; Pro Bowl 1970; Minnesota Vikings all-time leading scorer), dies at 80
  • 2020-01-03 Pete Brewster, American football end and coach (NFL Pro Bowl 1955, 56; Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers), dies at 89
  • 2020-01-07 George Perles, American football coach (Michigan State University 1983-94; Pittsburgh Steelers), dies from Parkinson's disease at 85
  • 2020-01-29 Larry Eisenhauer, American football defensive end (AFL All-Star 1962, 63, 64, 66; Boston Patriots), dies at 79
  • 2020-03-30 Frank Maloney, American football coach (Syracuse University 1974-1980), dies from brain cancer at 79
  • 2020-04-05 Ed Biles, American football coach (College: Xavier 1962-68; NFL: Houston Oilers 1981-83), dies from leukemia at 88
  • 2020-04-10 Pete Retzlaff, American football halfback, tight-end (5 x Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1958, 65 Philadelphia Eagles) and executive (GM Philadelphia Eagles 1969-72), dies at 88
  • 2020-05-14 Pepper Rodgers, American football coach (University of Kansas, UCLA, Georgia Tech; USFL: Memphis Showboats), dies at 88
  • 2020-05-16 Michael McCaskey, American football executive (Chicago Bears president 1983-98; chairman 1999-2011), dies from cancer at 76
  • 2020-06-01 Lee Grosscup, American football quarterback (NY Jets, NY Titans) and sportscaster (college football analyst ABC; Cal Berkeley), dies at 83
  • 2020-06-17 Bill Groman, American football wide receiver (All-AFL 1960; AFL C'ship 1960, 61, 64, 65; Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills), dies at 83
  • 2020-06-17 Jerry Sturm, American football tackle (AFL All-Star 1964, 66; Denver Broncos, NO Saints), dies from dementia at 83
  • 2020-06-22 Phil Krueger, American football quarterback (Southeast Missouri State), college coach (Fresno State, Utah State) and NFL executive (GM TB Buccaneers), dies at 90
  • 2020-06-28 Joe Bugel, American football coach (offensive line Washington Redskins 'Hogs', Super Bowl 1982, 87; Phoenix Cardinals, Oakland Raiders), dies of bone cancer at 80
  • 2020-07-22 Carlton Haselrig, American football guard (Pro Bowl 1992; Pittsburgh Steelers) and wrestler (6 x NCAA titles; Pitt-Johnstown), dies from liver disease at 54
  • 2020-08-12 Howard Mudd, American football OL (Pro Bowl 1966–68; All-Pro 1967-68; SF 49ers, Chicago Bears) and coach (Super Bowl 2006; OL Indianapolis Colts), dies after a motorcycle accident at 78
  • 2020-08-26 Dan Yochum, American football offensive lineman (CFL All-Star 1975, 76, 77, 78; Grey Cup 1974, 77; Montreal Alouettes; CFHOF), dies at 70
  • 2020-10-20 Bill Mathis, American football halfback (AFL All Star 1961, 63; New York Titans/Jets), dies at 81
  • 2020-12-07 Fred Akers, American football coach (University of Wyoming; University of Texas, Austin; Purdue; career college record 108–75–3), dies at 82
  • 2020-12-09 Ray Perkins, American football coach (New York Giants, University of Alabama, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arkansas State University), dies from heart disease at 79
  • 2021-01-08 Shirley Wilson, American football coach (Elon University 1967-76; Duke University 1979-82; 88–61–3), dies at 95

Marty Schottenheimer (1943-2021)

2021-02-08 American football coach (Cleveland Browns, KC Chiefs; NFL Coach of Year 2004, San Diego Chargers), dies from Alzheimer's disease at 77

  • 2021-02-21 Doug Wilkerson, American football guard (Pro Bowl 1980–82; First-team All-Pro 1982; SD Chargers), dies at 73
  • 2021-02-28 Irv Cross, American football cornerback (Pro Bowl 1964, 65; Philadelphia Eagles) and broadcaster (CBS), dies from ischemic cardiomyopathy at 81
  • 2021-03-27 Howard Schnellenberger, American football coach (National C'ship Uni of Miami 1983; Uni of Oklahoma, Uni of Louisville, Florida Atlantic Uni; Baltimore Colts), dies at 87
  • 2021-04-17 Fred Arbanas, American football tight end (All-AFL 1962–67; Super Bowl 1970; Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs), dies at 82
  • 2021-05-01 Al Jamison, American football offensive lineman (AFL All Star 1961, 62; AFL C'ship 1960, 61; Houston Oilers), dies at 83
  • 2021-05-12 Jerry Burns, American football coach (University of Iowa 1961-65; Minnesota Vikings 1986-91), dies at 94
  • 2021-06-01 Vince Promuto, American football guard (Pro Bowl 1963, 64; Washington Redskins), dies of congestive heart failure at 82
  • 2021-06-07 Jim Fassel, American football coach (University of Utah 1985–89; New York Giants 1997-2003), dies from a heart attack at 71
  • 2021-06-23 Eldon Danenhauer, American football offensive tackle (AFL All Star 1962, 65; Denver Broncos 1960-65), dies at 85
  • 2021-08-13 Charlie Johnson, American football defensive tackle (Pro Bowl 1979-81; All Pro 1980; Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings), dies at 69
  • 2021-08-15 Joe Walton, American football coach (New York Jets 1983-89; Robert Morris University), dies at 85
  • 2021-08-21 Floyd Reese, American football administrator (GM Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans 1994-2006) and analyst (ESPN's NFL Live, ESPN.com), dies from cancer at 73
  • 2021-09-02 David Patten, American football wide receiver (Super Bowl 2001, 04, 05; New England Patriots), dies in a road accident at 47
  • 2021-09-04 Tunch Ilkin, American football offensive tackle (Pro Bowl 1988, 89; Pittsburgh Steelers) and broadcaster (Pittsburgh Steelers TV & radio 1998-2020), dies of ALS complications at 63
  • 2021-10-16 Pat Studstill, American football wide receiver (Pro Bowl 1965, 66; NFL receiving yards leader, record 99-yard TD reception [tied] 1966; Detroit Lions, LA Rams), dies at 83