Pro Football in the 1970s

Sports History Network

Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons.  NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today.  Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade.  Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s.  Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.  Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before.  Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast.  Joe Zagorski is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.  He has also spent many years watching and writing about pro football and has been a member of the Pro Football Researchers Association since the mid-1980s. He has also worked for quite some time as a former sportswriter in his home state of Pennsylvania.  He has written five books on the sport and is currently in the process of writing his sixth pro football book.   Be sure to catch the next installment of Pro Football in the 1970s, only on the Sports History Network.

  1. The Took a Licking But Kept On Ticking

    FEB 1

    The Took a Licking But Kept On Ticking

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade EPISODE SUMMARY CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER In the 1970s, John Cameron Swayze would advertise Timex wristwatches with the slogan, “They Took a Licking but Kept on Ticking.” The same could be said for several NFL running backs during the 1970s. Some of those runners achieved the ultimate honor of being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Others, perhaps upon retrospection, should be.... Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here. PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons. NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today. Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade. Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s. Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before. Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast.

    8 min
  2. Which Team “Could” Have Beaten the 1972 Dolphins?

    JAN 1

    Which Team “Could” Have Beaten the 1972 Dolphins?

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade EPISODE SUMMARY CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER The 1972 Miami Dolphins established a standard that has not been equaled since. They are the NFL’s only perfect team of the league’s modern era. They finished that 1972 season with an unblemished 17-0 record. There is a lot to say about that team and their accomplishments, but I recently asked the followers of my Facebook page, The NFL in the 1970s, if they could put their thinking caps on and answer a question based solely on conjecture and their personal opinions...... Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here. PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons. NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today. Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade. Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s. Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before. Practically everything that

    9 min
  3. Remembering the 1973 Denver Broncos

    12/01/2025

    Remembering the 1973 Denver Broncos

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade EPISODE SUMMARY CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER The 1973 Denver Broncos were indeed a special team.  They were the first Denver team to earn a winning record.  The Broncos finished the 1973 campaign with a 7-5-2 mark, which gave them a sense of optimism for the future.  Their offense was indeed a cause for hope for their future.  Their offensive attack scored a total of 354 points in 1973, which stood out as the third-best amount in the entire NFL...... Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here. PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons.  NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today.  Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade.  Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s.  Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.  Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before.  Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons...

    8 min
  4. Exploring the Career of Larry Little

    11/01/2025

    Exploring the Career of Larry Little

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade EPISODE SUMMARY CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER As many of you may know, I recently wrote a book about Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame offensive guard Larry Little.  In today’s podcast episode, we will take a brief look at his pro football career.  My book is entitled From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little.  It’s an aptly titled book, because when he first began playing organized football, practically nobody would have expected him to make it as far as he did in the annals of the sport...... Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here. PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons.  NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today.  Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade.  Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s.  Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.  Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of...

    9 min
  5. 1972 Cleveland Browns

    10/01/2025

    1972 Cleveland Browns

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade EPISODE SUMMARY CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER How many NFL teams during the 1970s do you remember that lost all six of their preseason games, yet still went on to earn a playoff spot in the same season? I know of one…the 1972 Cleveland Browns.  Yes, they were coming off a playoff season in 1971, but the 1972 Browns looked like a team that had its share of troubles…especially at the beginning of that year.  They lost their regular season opener to the Green Bay Packers, and it appeared as if this might not be the year for Cleveland to expand on their past winning pedigree..... Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here. PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons.  NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today.  Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade.  Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s.  Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.  Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more...

    8 min
  6. The Future Is Now With George Allen

    09/01/2025

    The Future Is Now With George Allen

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade EPISODE SUMMARY CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER When George Allen became the new head coach for the Washington Redskins in 1971, the rebirth of the team occurred.  They had for many years been a mediocre team at best.  But when Allen got there, he changed the culture of that team in a very abrupt fashion.  Almost overnight, the ho-hum Redskins became the vibrantly emotional Redskins.  Allen knew that the sport of football was a sport primarily of emotion, so he stressed that to his players.  A trademark of Allen’s teams was the sight of them jumping up and down, yelling out their support to their teammates, etc.  It was pure emotion..... Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here. PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons.  NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today.  Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade.  Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s.  Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.  Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where...

    9 min
  7. Great NFL Linebackers Not In The Hall of Fame

    08/01/2025

    Great NFL Linebackers Not In The Hall of Fame

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade EPISODE SUMMARY CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER There are many great pro linebackers who are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.  But there are quite a few more who are not, but who probably should be.  I will try to mention just a few of them in this episode of this podcast.  Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here. PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons.  NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today.  Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade.  Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s.  Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.  Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before.  Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast.

    8 min
  8. New Life With A New Team

    07/01/2025

    New Life With A New Team

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade EPISODE SUMMARY CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER There were several prominent NFL players during the 1970s who were traded or waived by one team and then managed to reestablish themselves as outstanding components to their new teams.  The reasons behind their departure from their previous teams are varied, but they are all encompassed by the desire from their previous team to go in a new direction.  As it turned out, many of these discarded athletes decided to wear a chip on their shoulders as a motivational factor when going to their new team.  They were simply going to play harder than ever before, as they made the best of a new chapter in their pro careers..... Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here. PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons.  NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today.  Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade.  Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s.  Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.  Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before.  Practically everything that...

    8 min

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Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons.  NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today.  Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade.  Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s.  Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.  Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before.  Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast.  Joe Zagorski is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.  He has also spent many years watching and writing about pro football and has been a member of the Pro Football Researchers Association since the mid-1980s. He has also worked for quite some time as a former sportswriter in his home state of Pennsylvania.  He has written five books on the sport and is currently in the process of writing his sixth pro football book.   Be sure to catch the next installment of Pro Football in the 1970s, only on the Sports History Network.