THE COFFIN CORNER - VOLUME 48 - 2026
These documents are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, or a similar PDF viewing application to access these files.
These issues are only available in the Members Only section.
Number 1:
PFRA-ternizing An announcement of the new 32-page format, a historical marker commemorating the first pro football night game in Elmira, New York; and media appearances by PFRA President George Bozeka on the new 1964 Buffalo Bills book. Organizational updates are also included such as the 2025 election results, a new mailing address, a list of the latest Hall of Very Good inductees, and a call to contribute to the PFRA’s team pages.
The Pioneers of the Bump-and-Run by Jim Marino. An extensive history of the origins of the “bump-and-run” tactic in pro football and its evolution from pressing basketball defenses, first translated in the late 1950s through future Boston Celtic K. C. Jones to football coach Jack Faulkner. Its culmination came in the AFL during the 1960s with cornerback Willie Brown—and the Oakland Raiders under Al Davis—where it became a physical man-to-man type of coverage that was used as a defensive football strategy.
The First Black Pro Football Hall of Famer Played in Canada by Ryan C. Christiansen. A short biography of backfielder and Ohio native Tom Casey, who became the first African American inducted into any pro football hall of fame, entering the Canadian version in 1964. After a brief stint with the AAFC’s New York Yankees, Casey found a home with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the 1950s, where he became a multi-position star and later a neurologist after retiring from football.
The NFL, the USO, and the Tet Offensive—1968 by Marc R. Henderson, Ph.D. A recounting of a 1968 USO goodwill tour in which five NFL and AFL stars traveled to Southeast Asia to support U.S. troops, only to arrive in Saigon on the eve of the Tet Offensive and find themselves amid active combat. Despite the danger, the players continued visiting hospitals, bases, and outposts, turning a planned morale-boosting trip into a rare, firsthand encounter of the war in Vietnam that highlighted the broader cultural role of professional athletes during times of national conflict.
Back When the Diesel was a Jet by Mike Richman. This story runs through the highlights of John Riggins’ Hall of Fame career, and while he may be best remembered as a Redskins icon—punctuated by his legendary Super Bowl XVII run—he first established himself with the New York Jets as a talented and eccentric star. After a key free-agent move to Washington and a mid-career resurgence under Joe Gibbs, “Riggo” became one of the most durable and productive power runners in NFL history.
Ten Things You Probably Don’t Know About the Winnipeg Blue Bombers by John Horn. A 95-year highlight reel of the CFL team lovingly known as the ’Pegs: born out of necessity, nicknamed by a clever headline, coached by future NFL royalty, and periodically shipped to the Eastern Division like Canada’s most polite problem-solver. Along the way, the team played Grey Cups in mud, fog, wind, overtime, and apparently every possible weather disaster—usually against Hamilton—while never, ever figuring out how to beat Toronto. Toss in a few forgotten superstars, a stadium built because one quarterback threw too many exciting passes, and you’ve got this trivial treat that’s equal parts football, folklore, and frozen chaos.
Number 2:
PFRA-ternizing Executive Director Lee Elder presents his annual “State of the PFRA” report to members and discusses the financial stability of the organization with continued growth, steady membership, increasing convention attendance, and expanding projects like The Coffin Corner and book series. The PFRA has also boosted its research output and social media presence, with plans to expand further with a YouTube presence. Reminders about Hall of Very Good nominations and membership renewals are also included.
2025 PFRA Awardshe official announcement of the Ralph Hay Award for lifetime achievement in pro football research and historiography, the Nelson Ross Award for recent achievement in pro football history, the Bob Carroll Memorial Writing Award for the best Coffin Corner article, and the Jack Clary Award for service to the organization.
The Hall of Very Good Class of 2025 by Jim Campbell, Matthew Keddie, Jeff Miller, Matt Reaser, Jay Thomas and John Turney. Career highlights of last year's class are listed for Jim Bakken, Charley Brock, George Christensen, Clem Daniels, Chris Hinton, Kent Hull, Greg Lloyd, Wilber Marshall, Nate Newton and Mike Stratton. Vote totals for all 2025 candidates are also included.
Dan Rosado: The First Puerto Rican to Start in the NFL by Mary Rosado. An intimate look at the inspiring story of a man who overcame long odds—returning to football after years in a blue-collar job—to become a starting center for the San Diego Chargers and one of the first players of full Puerto Rican descent to start in the league. This biography highlights both his perseverance and cultural impact, showing how his journey helped pave the way for greater Latino representation in pro football while emphasizing the pride in his heritage and his determination to achieve a dream.
The WFL, 1974–1975: Youngsters and Vets Looking for One Last Chance by Sean M. Miskimins. A spotlight on several players in the short-lived World Football League, overlooked rookies and former NFL players that were given a chance to showcase their talents, who often produced strong offensive performances and career revivals. Although the league folded after falling just short of two full seasons due to financial issues, the WFL served as the final opportunity for some, highlighting both unexpected success stories and missed opportunities.
2025 Player Deaths A list of the pro football players who died last year, including information on the team(s) and league(s) they played for, the date and location of their death (if known) and their age when they passed away.
Ten Things You Probably Don’t Know About the Washington Redskins/Commanders by Mike Richman. Ten fun facts of a football franchise that has had four nicknames in its existence and borrowed the first two from Boston baseball clubs, with the second one from a coach‘s questionable backstory, or possibly a silent film—all courtesy of original owner George Preston Marshall. Along the way, the team has had everything from a quarterback who earned a Ph.D. in the realities of higher mathematics to a player named after rotten fish, to Don Meredith casually roasting President Nixon on live TV during one of its games—proving that pro football in the nation’s capital has always been just as entertaining off the field as on it.