Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

The latest issue of "The Coffin Corner" is now available for immediate download from the Members Only section of the PFRA website. Issue Number 6 will follow shortly.

What's in this issue:
PFRA-ternizing: News about the 8 inductees to the HOVG class of 2021, and details about the rescheduled Canton convention on June 25-26.

Two Stars Are Born: The First Football Game at Three Rivers Stadium, by William J. Ryczek. It was a preseason game on August 28, 1970 , between the Steelers and the visiting Giants, with a lot of firsts. Although it was on a Friday, the TV broadcast was also the pilot for the MNF team of Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell and Dandy Don Meredith, and the national TV debut of Terry Bradshaw and Bob Tucker.

Fists Flew When the 49ers Faced the Eagles, by Joe Hession. A classic from the NFL's "Black Hat" era, September 25, 1953 at Kezar, with plenty of on field brawling interrupted frequently by an NFL game. The 49ers had future heavyweight boxer Charlie Powell, veteran pro wrestler Leo Nomellini, and Hardy Brown, "the meanest man in football". The Eagles had Pete Pihos and Al Pollard. Even the marching band and the San Francisco police got involved in the fighting.

"They Were Really Good!" The 1975-77 Baltimore Colts, by Jimmy Grant. One of the greatest comeback stories of the 70s NFL, as Joe Thomas and Ted Marchibroda turned a 2-12-0 Colts team into the AFC East Division winner three years in a row.

Northern Migration, by Ryan C. Christiansen. Looking back at 1953, when Bud Grant and Mac Speedie bolted the NFL for higher salaries in Canada.

2019 PFRA Bookshelf, by John Maxymuk. The annual bibliography of pro football books written in 2019 and published in 2020, including those by PFRA members Richard Bak, Patrick Gallivan, Martin S. Jacobs, Tommy A. Phillips, Joe Zagorski and the late Rupert Patrick.

Lots of good stuff in this issue, including a couple of pix from the '50s I'd never seen before. The 75-77 Colts retrospective brought back some sweet memories. I remember watching that Christmas Eve classic OT playoff between my two favorite teams of the '60s and '70s, the Colts and Raiders. It was a wonderful holiday gift (much better than the socks, underwear, and flannel shirt my wife usually bought me).

One small quibble about the PFRA Bookshelf, tho---the Joe Kapp book is listed as a 2020 book but the copyright is 2019; in fact, I got my copy late last year. The opposite is true of Rupert's book.I ordered a copy about 3 months ago but it's not actually being published until around the end of January 2021. Knowing how publishers work, I wouldn't be surprised if it gets pushed back deeper into 2021. The title is also slightly different.

Whatever. While on the subject of books and Colts,and being in a bit of a holiday mood (gently falling snow outside one's window will do that to a guy), I'd like to suggest Bill Gilead's When the Colts Belonged to Baltimore, which came out several years ago. Part history, part memoir, and the parts with Bert Rechichar are a hoot. I'm sure most members are familiar with it. If not, gift yourself---the best book (IMHO) ever on the Colts and one of my all-time fave sports books.

Merry Christmas to all!

I really enjoyed this issue. I rarely read from cover to cover, but this one had a nice flow to it. The theme for me was learning about some players I knew little or nothing about.

"First Game at Three Rivers" by William R.: Bob Tucker TE, NYG

"49ers/Eagles" by Joe H.: Charlie Powell DE, SF

"'75-'77" Colts: George Kunz T, Atl/Bal

"Northern Migration" by @RyanChristiansen: Bud Grant as a player E, Phi