Pigskin Dispatch

The huddle, a ubiquitous feature of modern football, serves a crucial purpose: concealing play calls from the opposing team. But its origin story is far from today's high-tech headsets and complex plays. It's a tale of innovation born from necessity, showcasing the ingenuity of American football players in the early days.

Timothy Brown of Football Archaeology shares the origin and history of the huddle from his original Tidbit, Gather 'Round, Boys: A History of Huddling.

Timothy Brown's FootballArchaeology.com is a website dedicated to preserving pigskin history. Digs into gridiron history to examine how football’s...

Steve Owen's career in professional football spanned nearly three decades, leaving an indelible mark on the New York Giants and the game itself. He carved out a successful path as a player before transitioning into a legendary coach, forever etching his name in Giants' lore.

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The Heisman Trophy recognizes the most outstanding college football player, while the NFL Draft's top overall pick signifies a team's belief in a player's future dominance. So, expectations soar when a Heisman winner becomes the number one pick. But does this translate to NFL greatness?

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Intentional Grounding is not something you see every game, especially in the NFL, where once a QB leaves the pocket, the foul becomes non-existent. The history of the foul is almost as old as the forward pas itself, and our Guest Timothy Brown has written about this football no-no in a recent Tibit titled: How Intentional Grounding Came to Pass

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We have spoken about the history of early NFL Quarterback Benny Friedman and his impact on the Giants in the past. Today, we amp this up as Larry Schmitt shares the history of this player, his impact on the NFL, and the offensive style we see in the modern game.

New York Giants historian. Writes/ research for Big Blue Interactive as well as the Gridiron Uniform Database.

Larry adds after our recording that:

The official first 300-yard passing game in the NFL was 12/5/37 by Pat Coffee of the Chicago Cardinals in a game...

1930s University of Minnesota halfback Pug Lund may have been one of the toughest players in college football history. He was an efficient runner and willing to serve out crushing blocks to keep defenders away from offensive teammates, too. Pug once had a body part chopped off to improve his ability to help his team! His story is truly unique.

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This episode delves into the strategic history of trading out of the number 1 NFL Draft pick. From the early days of the draft to the present, teams have used calculated trades to build their rosters and secure future success. Join us as we unravel this practice's evolution and profound impact on the league. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just curious about the NFL Draft's inner workings, this video will surely provide valuable insights and information. Don't miss out on this fascinating journey through the history of trading the number 1 NFL Draft pick!

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The football helmet symbolizes resilience and power and has radically transformed throughout history. Initially conceived as a rudimentary leather cap, it has become sophisticated protective equipment. But the quest for player safety in this high-impact sport continues. In this episode, Timothy Brown of Football Archaeology explores the evolution of helmet attachments, especially Absorblo, and highlights the ongoing efforts to mitigate the risks associated with football.

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Only one athlete has played on a team that won the World Series and the NFL championship. The legendary Hinkey Haines is a talented athlete who contributed significantly to both pro sports titles.

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Our latest installment of the ongoing Football History Rewind season-by-season segments. This edition discusses the pro football season of 1941, which will be remembered as a marker of the game's significant changes. There were obvious changes due to world events, but the NFL and the style of play were about to undergo one of the most revolutionary changes in decades.

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