Sports History Network

Sports History Network
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The Sports History Network was founded in May of 2020 to bring together podcasters and bloggers covering the history of sports. Our mission is to create the Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear by providing a “home field advantage” for our partners by helping them “fill their stadiums” with fans of their work.

  1. 9m ago

    We Detail Historic Performances and Records from Week 1

    We open by noting that Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season produced 791 points, tying the league record set in 2012. My co-host and I examine the many record-setting performances and notable statistics from the weekend. We detail high scoring affairs, rare final scores, and individual milestones, including the Bears’ 59-37 victory and Kenneth Walker’s 173-yard debut following his Super Bowl MVP season. I outline historical comparisons, including unusually low kickoff-game totals and long-running team week-one records. We introduce a new Scoragami index to quantify score rarity and report a Week 1 value of 53.75. We encourage listeners to follow our continued analysis and daily football history at pigskindispatch.com. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. We open with the scale of Week 1 and the volume of offense that reshaped expectations. I describe the league tying total of 791 points and how that contrast with the kickoff game that finished 13-10. We note high-scoring affairs such as the Bears’ 59-37 win and Kansas City’s late contributions on Monday night. We explain how many teams produced explosive starts — the Ravens, Bears and others — and how defenses that had been expected to control games were frequently outmatched. We emphasize the most striking team trends: the 49ers’ unblemished record in international play, the Browns’ prolonged week-one struggles across three decades, and the Packers surrendering 39 points in the opener for the first time since 1971. I close with the practical takeaway: Week 1 demands fresh assessment of offenses and forces a recalibration of preseason assumptions. This summary communicates the episode’s primary narrative and the statistical backdrop that shaped our analysis.

    We Detail Historic Performances and Records from Week 1

  2. 21h ago

    The Best Pro Football Teams Countdown (Teams 27 thru 20)

    Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear. YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE EPISODE SUMMARY With the NFL about to begin its 107th season, I have a question for my followers. Among the 32 teams, which would you say has had the most success? I'm not asking which team had the best single season, the best decade, or the best dynasty. I'm talking about going all the way back to each team's first season and judging how well or poorly they have performed overall. There are many ways to calculate it, but I chose to keep it simple by basing it solely on the number of championships each team has won. The Green Bay Packers have won more titles than any other NFC team. They have won eleven NFL titles, three NFC titles, and four Super Bowl titles. Pretty impressive! But before you Packers fans start bragging, remember that your team has played 105 seasons and has not won a title in the past 25 years. The New England Patriots have won more titles than any other AFC team. They have won twelve AFC titles and six Super Bowl titles. However, unlike the Packers, they have existed for only 66 years. If we're going to be fair about this, we need to take into account how many years a team has existed and compare that to the number of titles it has won. We also need to determine what counts as a title and what doesn't. I had a difficult time deciding whether to count titles won between 1920 and 1932. I wasn’t going to at first, for two reasons. #1 — There wasn’t a title game during those thirteen seasons. The title was awarded to the team with the best record. #2 — Most of the teams that played during that time didn’t last long. The Akron Pros, who won the first NFL title (then called the American Professional Football Association), lasted only seven seasons before folding. The Canton Bulldogs, who won the NFL title in 1922 and 1923, folded after six seasons. The 1924 Champion Cleveland Bulldogs lasted only four seasons. The 1926 Champion Frankford Yellow Jackets disbanded after eight seasons. The Providence Steam Roller lasted seven seasons and won the NFL title in 1928. Ultimately, I changed my mind and decided to include the titles awarded from 1920 to 1932. I am also including the Cleveland Browns' four All-American Football Conference titles won between 1946 and 1949. Some may think those titles should not be included, but I disagree. The Browns proved those titles were legitimate by reaching the NFL title game for the next six seasons, winning three of them. I will also include all AFL titles won between 1960 and 1969, and all NFL titles won between 1933 and 1969. All AFC and NFC titles will also be included. Every title, other than the Super Bowl, will count as one point. All Super Bowl victories count as two points. This is because it is more difficult to win a Super Bowl than the aforementioned titles. I will then take the total number of points and divide it by the number of years the team has existed. I considered awarding a quarter or half a point for each appearance in a title game, but decided it would make things more complicated than necessary. I will start at #34 and work my way down to #1. How did I get 34, you ask? I am counting the current Cleveland Browns and the original Browns as two separate teams. I am also counting the Baltimore Ravens as two separate teams, one that began in 1996 and the original Cleveland Browns. You can read the full blog post here. YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below. No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

    The Best Pro Football Teams Countdown (Teams 27 thru 20)

  3. 23h ago

    Steve Carlton's 19 Ks in an 'L', Redskins 99-yard TD connections, and Gannon and Griffin start streaking - This DiSH for Sept. 15

    In 1969, Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton struck out 19 but lost 4-3 to the New York Mets. In 1963, Washington QB George Izo connected with Bobby Mitchell for a 99-yard TD to tie the record. In 1968, Washington QB Sonny Jurgensen hit Jerry Allen for a 99-yard TD to equal the record again. In 2002, Raiders QB Steve Gannon threw for 403 yards in a game against Pittsburgh to being a string of 6-consecutive 300 yard passing games. In 1973, Archie Griffin rolled up 129 yards on the ground against Minnesota, beginning a string of 31 consecutive 100 yard rushing games; a record that still stands in the FBS record book. In 1974, the NFL played the first games with the goalposts in the back of the endzone.

  4. 1d ago

    We Trace the Origins of Jersey Front Numbers from 1928 San Francisco

    We state that the first clearly documented use of numbers on the fronts of football jerseys occurred on September 15, 1928, when the Presidio team in San Francisco wore front numbers. I explain that teams had used numbers on their backs since the early 1900s, but front numbering did not become common until that Presidio game. We say that adding numbers to the front helped stadium announcers, radio broadcasters, and fans identify players more easily. I note that several colleges adopted front numbers soon after and that the NCAA required numbers on both front and back by 1937. We credit Timothy P. Brown and Football Archaeology for researching and publishing this history and for bringing attention to this important development in the sport. The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: Football’s First Numbers on Jersey Fronts - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/footballs-first-numbers-on-jersey ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ 00:10 Guest Introduction: Football Archaeology's Timothy P. Brown 00:39 Football's First Jersey Numbers — Origins on the Field 04:17 The Presidio: First Recorded Team to Wear Jersey Numbers 08:05 The History and Significance of Jersey Numbers 09:42 Show Closing and Announcements Do you want more football history? Grab a copy of our Award-Winning book, "The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars" at https://amzn.to/4rG6uVe Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. I recount a specific act of innovation on the football field and its wider consequences. I describe how the military team at the Presidio in San Francisco adopted numbers on the front of jerseys on September 15, 1928. I explain that the practice of numbering players on the back had existed for decades, with examples such as a 1905 Iowa State–Drake game and Pitt adopting numbers consistently from about 1907. I then show how the Presidio’s front-number experiment attracted attention when Stanford, under Pop Warner, adopted front numbers for the remainder of that season and how other programs soon followed. The narrative traces a clear arc from isolated trials to broad adoption, concluding with the NCAA mandate in 1937 that required numbers on both front and back. I assert that what now seems inevitable was once controversial, resisted by coaches who feared individualism and competitive exposure, and that the change ultimately reflected a shift toward accommodating fans and emerging media. I emphasize the historical importance of that date and place. I note that front numbers solved practical problems for press boxes, stadium announcers, and early radio broadcasts. I close by insisting that the humble jersey number reveals much about the interplay of technology, media, and sport. I position the event as less than a century old yet foundational to how we watch and report the game.

    We Trace the Origins of Jersey Front Numbers from 1928 San Francisco

  5. 1d ago

    Griffeys go Back-to-Back, Marshall Faulk's Record Breaking Debut, and Denny McLain won his 30th of the year - This DiSH for Sept. 14

    In 1990, Ken Griffey, Sr. and Ken Griffey, Jr. hit back-to-back home runs. It's the only time in MLB history that's happened. In 1991, San Diego State Freshman Marshall Faulk exploded on the scene with 386 yards rushing and scored 7 TDs. In 1994, the MLB season was shut down, canceling the remainder of the regular season, the postseason, and the World Series. In 1968, Detroit Tiger pitcher Denny McLain won his 30th game of the season. He was the first to do that since Dizzy Dean in 1931 and it hasn't been done since.

  6. 2d ago

    We Trace 33 Years of Silence Between Michigan and Notre Dame

    I state that Michigan canceled the 1910 game over eligibility paperwork, and that decision froze the dispute for 33 years. We explain that Michigan's athletic director called off the game because Notre Dame listed players who exceeded allowed years of varsity play. I describe how the argument never resolved and how Fritz Chrysler later offered a two‑game experiment that reopened the series in 1942. We recount the first game back in South Bend on November 14, 1942, when Michigan rallied to win 32 to 20. I note that the teams met again in 1943 but did not play annually and did not resume regular meetings until 1978. We close by asking who bears the blame for the long break: the school that canceled the game or the school that fielded the ineligible players. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. I recount the sequence that severed one of college football's most consequential rivalries and the eventual, tentative reunion that followed. I open with the contested November of 1910 when Michigan reviewed Notre Dame's roster, protested three players as ineligible, and the Michigan athletic director responded by canceling the scheduled game. I emphasize that the cancellation did not adjudicate the dispute; it suspended it. The result was a three‑decade silence in which generations of players never tested the rivalry on the field. I trace the arc from the first Michigan‑taught lesson in 1887 through Michigan's early dominance, Notre Dame's rise under Knute Rockne, and the altered tenor after Notre Dame defeated Michigan in 1909. I describe how the disagreement was as much about institutional pride and historical narrative as it was about rules. I then turn to 1942, when Fritz Crisler framed a cautious two‑game arrangement as an experiment. I relate the November 14, 1942 contest in South Bend, attended by over 57,000, in which Michigan overturned a halftime deficit to win 32–20. I close by noting the immediate sequel in 1943, when the teams produced the first-ever meeting of the AP's No. 1 and No. 2 teams, and by observing that even after the door was unbolted, regular annual play did not resume until decades later.

    We Trace 33 Years of Silence Between Michigan and Notre Dame

  7. 2d ago

    This Week in NDN All-Stars History: September 13–19

    NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear. EPISODE SUMMARY This episode highlights memorable moments in Native sports history that occurred between September 13 and September 19. Jack Dempsey survives being knocked out of the ring before defeating Luis Ángel Firpo in one of boxing’s most famous championship fights. Jim Thorpe becomes the first president of the American Professional Football Association, which later becomes the NFL. Sonny Sixkiller breaks Washington’s single-game total-offense record in his first varsity start, then delivers another remarkable performance against Purdue one year later. The episode also features Aidan Thomas winning the New Mexico Open in his professional golf debut, Johnny Bench hitting the final home run of his Major League career, Willie Stargell beginning his Hall of Fame journey, and victories by Henry Armstrong, Joe Louis, Hunter Azure, Sam Bradford, Jim Plunkett, and Tommy Morrison. TOPICS COVERED Henry Armstrong’s victories over Max Tarley, Alton Black, Leo Rodak, Aldo Spoldi, and Johnny DeFoeEarly Wynn’s Major League debut with the Washington SenatorsAngel Goodrich’s first career WNBA double-doubleJack Dempsey’s legendary heavyweight title defense against Luis Ángel FirpoOrville Moody winning the inaugural Korean OpenChuck Norris at the inaugural World Professional Karate ChampionshipsHunter Azure’s successful UFC debutWillie Stargell’s Major League debutJim Thorpe becoming the first president of the APFAJoe Guyon’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of FameJohnny Bench’s final career home run and Cincinnati Reds statueAidan Thomas winning the New Mexico Open in his professional debutJoe Louis knocking out Tami MaurielloSonny Sixkiller’s record-setting Washington performancesSam Bradford’s Minnesota Vikings debutRoy Tyner competing in NASCAR’s Grand National SeriesJim Plunkett’s NFL debut and upset victory over OaklandTommy Morrison’s thirty-seven-second knockout of David Jaco SUPPORT NDN ALL-STARS If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page. NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUND Hey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is your first time hearing about us, let me tell you what we’re all about. This podcast is where Native sports history comes alive. Each episode shines a spotlight on the great Native American athletes you should know—past and present. From Hall of Famers to hometown heroes, we tell the stories of Native athletes who made their mark—on the field, on the court, and in history. We keep it real. No sugar-coating. No museum talk. Just straight-up stories told with pride and purpose—because representation matters, and these All-Stars deserve to be remembered right. Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, even the athletes themselves—who help us connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement. Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious—this podcast will give you a new perspective on what greatness really looks like. So if you're ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little fired up—hit that follow button and join the team. You can find more stories, merch, and updates at NDNAllStars.com. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—just search for NDN All-Stars and you’ll find us. NDN All-Stars – Promoting Great Native Athletes – Past & Present!

    This Week in NDN All-Stars History: September 13–19

  8. 2d ago

    Falcons soar and score 31 points in the 4th, Death in the Boxing Ring, and the First 2-pt conversion - This DiSH for Sept. 13

    In 1981, the Atlanta Falcons scored all 31 of their point in the fourth quarter to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-24. In 1992, the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers played a game without either needing to punt. It was the first time in NFL history that had happened. It's happened five times since. In 1842, Thomas McCoy died from injuries sustained in a 118-round boxing match. In 1958, Florida State's Vic Prinzi scored the first 2-point conversion in college football.

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The Sports History Network was founded in May of 2020 to bring together podcasters and bloggers covering the history of sports. Our mission is to create the Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear by providing a “home field advantage” for our partners by helping them “fill their stadiums” with fans of their work.

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  • Creator
    Sports History Network
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Sports History Network
  • Show Website
    Sports History Network