Bits of NFL history you have learned from watching old games

[RichardBak]

That most of the Lions cheerleaders of the 1950s looked like my Aunt Sophie.

[JohnR]

a handful of things . . .
Kenny Washington was the first- African-American to play QB in the modern T.

And Willie Thrower drops to #2.

[Bryan]

There is an actual plan in writing for this that I read somewhere once. Similar to what was mentioned a replenishment draft from the other teams. I remember seeing another or a few other plans depending on the severity of the roster wipeout. As in if half of the roster was lost. This discussion is a bit morbid.

I thought that's why we call it the Coffin Corner....because all the players we discuss are dead(?)

[JohnR]

There is an actual plan in writing for this that I read somewhere once. Similar to what was mentioned a replenishment draft from the other teams. I remember seeing another or a few other plans depending on the severity of the roster wipeout. As in if half of the roster was lost. This discussion is a bit morbid.

I thought that's why we call it the Coffin Corner....because all the players we discuss are dead(?)

That's what my spouse thinks.

[JuggernautJ]

I thought that's why we call it the Coffin Corner....because all the players we discuss are dead(?)

I don't often LoL at a post on any forum but... ya got me Bryan.
Now I have to clean up the coffee I sprayed all over me, my chair and the cat sitting in my lap while I was reading that... IF she's still talking to me...
Thank you for the laugh.

[JohnTurney]

a handful of things . . .
Kenny Washington was the first- African-American to play QB in the modern T.

And Willie Thrower drops to #2.

I think that is probably the case.

Chicagobears.com
Willie Thrower had the perfect name to play quarterback, but that's not why it's inscribed in NFL history books.

As a member of the Bears, Thrower became the first African-American quarterback in NFL history on Oct. 18, 1953 when he replaced an ineffective George Blanda in a loss to the 49ers at Wrigley Field.

As a member of the Bears in 1953, Willie Thrower became the first African-American quarterback in NFL history.

Thrower completed 3 of 8 passes for 27 yards before Blanda was reinserted and played in only one more game for the Bears in 1953 before being released. But even though Thrower's stint was short, it certainly was impactful.

Washington replaced Waterfield, not because Waterfield was ineffective, but they could have been wanting to get a look at Washington, to see what he could do.
Thrower had a better day, though. Washington was 1 of 7 for 19 yards and Waterfield came back in.

Washington was still gimpy it seems.

[Bryan]

One thing that catches my eye when watching old games is seeing some notable player at the end of his career on an unfamiliar team. It's like being surprised by an old friend....hey look, there is Ken Willard on the Cards, Butch Johnson on the Broncos doing the California Quake, etc.

[Ken Crippen]

a handful of things . . .
Kenny Washington was the first- African-American to play QB in the modern T.

And Willie Thrower drops to #2.

Unless you consider Bernie Custis in the CFL.

Played in the T (chronological order):
Washington (1946 preseason and in relief of an "injured" Waterfield)
Custis (1951)
Thrower (1953)
Taliaferro (1953)
Brackens (1955)


If you are looking at starters (chronological order):
Custis
Taliaferro (after Baltimore switched to the T)
Briscoe

[CSKreager]

NBC in the late 70s-early 80s had more NFL Game Breaks on updates from other games at the same time going on than CBS did

[Gary Najman]

In 1985, watching the NFL Films Game of the Week highlights between the Browns and the Giants, Harry Kalas said that they were on the same division in the NFL pre-merger. It was the first time I heard about that, I always thought the Browns were an AFL team.