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This Week in NFL History: July 23 through July 29

This Week in NFL History
This Week in NFL History

Relive and recapture iconic moments. Recall an anniversary of an event that forever changed the landscape of the NFL. It’s all here in This Week in NFL History. This Week in NFL History will look back at some of the most memorable events that have occurred during this week historically in professional football.


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This Week in NFL History

July 23

1974-Wide receiver Terrance (Terry) Glenn (Ohio State: 1993-95, selected seventh overall by New England Patriots in 1996 NFL Draft; Patriots: 1996-2001, Packers: 2002, Cowboys: 2003-07) born in Columbus, Ohio

Career Stats: 593 receptions for 8,823 yards and 44 touchdowns.

Glenn was a Pro Bowl selection in 1999. He played in Super Bowl XXXI during his rookie season, a loss to the Green Bay Packers. He was deactivated after four games during the 2001 season which ended with victory in Super Bowl XXXVI. Glenn was infamously referred to as “she” during his rookie season by Patriots coach Bill Parcells. He also caught Tom Brady’s first touchdown pass.

1976-Center Matthew (Matt) Birk (Harvard: 1994-97, selected 173rd overall by Minnesota Vikings in 1998 NFL Draft; Vikings: 1998-2008, Ravens: 2009-12) born in St. Paul, Minnesota

Career Stats: Birk started in 187 of his career 210 NFL games

Birk was named to six Pro Bowls (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007), was a two-time All-Pro (2000, 2003), and won Super Bowl XLVII with Ravens. He was the 2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recipient after being nominated six times by the Vikings (2002-07).

1997Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin and offensive tackle Erik Williams settled a defamation lawsuit against Dallas television station KXAS and reporter Marty Griffin. Irvin and Williams were accused of sexual assault by Nina Shahravan in December 1996. Both players were cleared after Shahravan signed a confession saying the allegations were untrue. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed but it is believed Irvin and Williams split $2 million. Shahravan was later charged with filing a false criminal complaint. She was sentenced to 90 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.

July 24

1934-Defensive end William (Willie) Davis (Grambling State: 1952-55, selected 181st overall by Cleveland Browns in 1956 NFL Draft; Browns: 1958-59, Packers: 1960-69) born in Lisbon, Louisiana

Career Highlights: Brown was a five-time First-team All-Pro (1962, 1964-57) and a five-time Pro Bowler (1963-67). He won three NFL Championships (1961, 1962, 1965) and Super Bowls I and II with Packers. Brown was named to the Packers Hall of Fame and the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981. Brown was the first Grambling player enshrined in Canton.

1953-Quarterback Steven (Steve) Grogan (Kansas State: 1972-74, selected 116th overall by New England Patriots in 1975 NFL Draft; Patriots: 1975-90) born in San Antonio, Texas

Career Stats: 1,879 completions in 3,593 attempts for 26,886 yards, 182 touchdowns, and 208 interceptions, QB Rating: 69.6, Record as starter: 75-64 (Regular season: 75-60, postseason: 0-4); 445 carries for 2,176 yards and 32 touchdowns

Grogan was the Patriots’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns at the time of his retirement. He threw the only postseason touchdown allowed by the 1985 Chicago Bears during Super Bowl XX.

1989-Center LeShawn (Maurkice) Pouncey (Florida: 2007-09, selected 18th overall by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010 NFL Draft; Steelers: 2010-present) born in Ardmore, Oklahoma

Career Stats: Pouncey has started in all 77 of his career NFL games

Pouncey is a five-time Pro Bowl selection (2010-12, 2014, 2016), a two-time First-team All-Pro (2011, 2014), and a two-time Second-team All-Pro (2010, 2012). He is the identical twin brother of Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey.

1989-Center James Michael (Mike) Pouncey (Florida: 2007-10; selected 15th overall by Miami Dolphins in 2011 NFL Draft; Dolphins: 2011-present) born in Ardmore, Oklahoma

Career Stats: Pouncey has started in all 77 of his career NFL games

Pouncey is a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2013-15). He is one minute older than his identical twin brother, Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey.

July 25

1954-Running back Walter (Sweetness) Payton (Jackson State: 1971-74, selected fourth overall by Chicago Bears in 1975 NFL Draft; Bears: 1975-87) born in Columbia, Mississippi (d. 1999)

Career Stats: 3,838 carries for 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns; 492 receptions for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns

Payton was the 1977 NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection (1976-80, 1983-86), a seven-time First-team All-Pro (1976-80, 1984, 1985), and a Second-team All-Pro in 1986. He led the NFL in rushing yards (1,852) in 1977. Payton won Super Bowl XX and was named to the NFL 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams. He was the NFL’s all-time leading rusher from Oct. 7, 1984 (when Payton surpassed Jim Brown’s 12,312 yards) until Oct. 27, 2002 (when Payton was surpassed by Emmitt Smith). Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He succumbed to bile duct cancer Nov. 1, 1999 at the age of 45. The many posthumous honors Payton has received include the Walter Payton Award (given to the most outstanding collegiate offensive player in the FCS, formerly known as Division I-AA) and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (Payton himself won the award in 1977).

1964-Head coach Douglas (Doug) Marrone (Bills: 2013-14, Jaguars: 2016-present) born in The Bronx, New York

Head coaching record: 16-18 (Bills: 15-17, Jaguars: 0-1)

Marrone was a three-year letterman at Syracuse (1983-85), playing on the offensive line. He played in both the NFL (Dolphins: 1987, Saints: 1989) and NFL Europe (London Monarchs: 1991-92), embarking on a coaching career at the conclusion of his playing days. Marrone was head coach at his alma mater from 2009-12 before getting the head coaching position with the Bills, succeeding Chan Gailey. He was named Jaguars interim head coach after the dismissal of Gus Bradley. The interim tag was removed on the same day former Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin was named vice president of football operations.

1991Pittsburgh Steelers guard Terry Long attempted suicide after a positive test for steroids. He told police he tried to kill himself by swallowing “two or three sleeping pills”. He checked himself into a hospital and remained there for a week. Long was eventually suspended four games for the positive test. He committed suicide June 7, 2005 by drinking a gallon of antifreeze. Long was 45 years old at the time of his death.

July 26

1920-Quarterback Robert (Bob) Waterfield (UCLA: 1941-42, 1944; selected 42nd overall by Cleveland Rams in 1944 NFL Draft; Rams: 1945-52) born in Burbank, California (d. 1983)

Career Stats: 814 completions in 1,617 attempts for 11,849 yards, 97 touchdowns, and 128 interceptions, QB Rating: 61.6, Record as starter: 49-26-4; 315 extra points made in 336 attempts (93.8 percent), 315 punts for 13,367 yards (42.4 yards per punt)

Waterfield was the 1945 NFL Most Valuable Player, a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1950, 1951), and a three-time First-team All-Pro (1945, 1946, 1949). He led the NFL in passing touchdowns in 1945 (14) and 1946 (17) and set career records for placekicking and a single season record for extra points in 1950 (54) and a single game record with five field goals. Waterfield led the Rams to NFL Championships in 1945 and 1951. He was named to the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team. Waterfield was also head coach of the Rams from 1960-62 (Career record: 9-29-2). One of the most versatile players in NFL history, Waterfield was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. He was married to actress Jane Russell from 1943-68.

1934-Wide receiver Thomas (Tommy) McDonald (Oklahoma: 1954-56, selected 31st overall by Philadelphia Eagles in 1957 NFL Draft; Eagles: 1957-63, Cowboys: 1964; Rams: 1965-66, Falcons: 1967, Browns: 1968) born in Roy, New Mexico

Career Stats: 495 receptions for 8,410 yards and 84 touchdowns

McDonald was a six-time Pro Bowler (1958-62, 1965), a two-time First-team All-Pro (1959, 1960) and a two-time Second-team All-Pro (1961, 1962). He led the NFL in receiving yards in 1961 (1,144) and receiving touchdowns in 1958 (nine) and 1961 (13). McDonald helped the Eagles win the 1960 NFL Championship and retired with the second-most touchdown receptions in NFL history. He was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

1936-Defensive end Robert (Bob, also known as Mr. Cowboy) Lilly (TCU: 1958-60, selected 13th overall by Dallas Cowboys in 1961 NFL Draft, selected 14th overall by Dallas Texans in 1961 AFL Draft; Cowboys: 1961-74) born in Olney, Texas

Career Highlights: Lilly was the first draft pick in Cowboys franchise history and main component of the Doomsday Defense. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection (1962, 1964-73), a seven-time First-team All-Pro (1964-69, 1971), and a two-time Second-team All-Pro (1970, 1972). Lilly played in two Super Bowls, losing Super Bowl V to the Baltimore Colts on a last second field goal and winning Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins. His sack of Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese is the signature play of his career. Lilly was named to the NFL 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Teams and the NFL 75th Anniversary Team. He was inducted to the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1975 (the first Cowboys player to receive the honor) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

1955-Offensive guard/defensive end Charles (Charley) Hannah (Alabama: 1974-76, selected 57th overall by Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1977 NFL Draft; Buccaneers: 1977-82, Raiders: 1983-88) born in Canton, Georgia

Career Highlights: Hannah started in 126 of his career 148 NFL games. He helped the Raiders win Super Bowl XVIII, a game that saw Marcus Allen rush for a then Super Bowl record 191 yards on 20 carries. Hannah’s brother, John, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991. His father, Herb, also played in the NFL.

1988-Cornerback James (Jimmy) Smith (Colorado: 2007-10, selected 27th overall by Baltimore Ravens in 2011 NFL Draft; Ravens: 2011-present) born in Fontana, California

Career Stats: 226 combined tackles (198 solo), one sack, eight interceptions, 50 passes defended, three forced fumbles

Smith won Super Bowl XLVII in his rookie season

July 27

1939-Cornerback Irvin (Irv) Cross (Northwestern: 1958-60, selected 98th overall by Philadelphia Eagles in 1961 NFL Draft; Eagles: 1961-65, Rams: 1966-68, Eagles: 1969) born in Hammond, Indiana

Career Stats: 22 interceptions

Cross was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1964-65). He is best known for his role as analyst/commentator on CBS’ The NFL Today (1975-90). Cross was the first African-American to work full-time as an analyst on national television. In addition to his duties on The NFL Today, he also called NBA games, track and field, and gymnastics for CBS. Cross was also an Eagles assistant coach after he retired from playing and was athletic director at Idaho State from 1996-98.

1950-Guard Reginald (Reggie) McKenzie (Michigan: 1969-71, selected 27th overall by Buffalo Bills in 1972 NFL Draft; Bills: 1972-82, Seahawks: 1983-84) born in Detroit, Michigan

Career Stats: McKenzie started in 169 of his career 171 NFL games.

McKenzie was a First-team All-Pro in 1973. He was a key component of the Bills’ offensive line known as the Electric Company that paved the way for Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson to have the first 2,000-yard rushing season in NFL history.

1964-Running back Willie (The Wisp) Galimore (Florida A&M: 1952-55, selected 58th overall by Chicago Bears in 1956 NFL Draft; Bears: 1957-63) died at age 29 in a car accident in Rensselear, Indiana (b. 1935)

Career Stats: 670 carries for 2,985 yards and 26 touchdowns

Galimore was a Pro Bowl selection in 1958 and helped Bears win the NFL Championship in 1963. He was said to be able run side-to-side as fast as most players could run in a straight line. Hall of Famers Chuck Bednarik and Doug Atkins said Galimore was one of the best runners they ever faced. Gallimore was killed with teammate Bo Farrington. His No. 28 was retired by the Bears.

1973Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins defeated College All-Stars 14-3 in 38th College All-Star Football Classic at Soldier Field. This charity game between the NFL champion and an all-star team made up of college players was played annually at Soldier Field between 1934 and 1976 (except in 1974 due to a players’ strike). The most outstanding college player was Southern Mississippi punter (and future Hall of Famer) Ray Guy.

1988-Quarterback Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M: 2008-11, selected eighth overall by Miami Dolphins in 2012 NFL Draft; Dolphins: 2012-present) born in Big Spring, Texas

Career Stats: 1,653 completions in 2,637 attempts for 18,455 yards, 106 touchdowns, and 66 interceptions. QB Rating: 86.5. Record as starter: 37-40

Tannehill was the third quarterback taken in the 2012 NFL Draft, behind Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.

2010-Free safety John (Jack, also known as The Assassin) Tatum (Ohio State: 1968-70, selected 19th overall by Oakland Raiders in 1971 NFL Draft; Raiders: 1971-79; Oilers: 1980) died at age 61 in Oakland, California (b. 1948)

Career Stats: 37 interceptions

Tatum was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (1973-75) and a two-time Second-team All-Pro (1974-77). Tatum, one of the hardest hitters in the history of the NFL, played in five AFC Championship Games with Raiders, culminating with a win in Super Bowl XI (where he knocked the helmet off of Vikings wide receiver Sammy White in the 32-14 rout). Tatum’s hit on Steelers wide receiver John “Frenchy” Fuqua set up The Immaculate Reception during the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff. His most infamous hit was against Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley during a 1978 exhibition game. Tatum and Stingley collided as Stingley leapt for a pass on an inside slant route. Stingley lowered his helmet to protect himself from Tatum’s shoulder pad. The collision damaged Stingley’s spinal cord, leaving him a quadriplegic for the rest of his life. The NFL took no action against Tatum, as such hits were legal at the time. The league would later outlaw these types of violent tackles.

July 28

1933NFL divided into two divisions for the first time. The Eastern Division consisted of the Boston Redskins, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Western Division consisted of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Green Bay Packers, and Portsmouth Spartans. The Bears, Cardinals, Giants, Packers, Pirates (as the Pittsburgh Steelers), Redskins, and Spartans (as the Detroit Lions) still exist today.

1972Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys beat College All-Stars 20-7 in 39th edition of College All-Star Football Classic. The most outstanding College All-Star was Auburn quarterback and 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan.

1978-Linebacker Julian Peterson (Michigan State: 1998-99, selected 16th overall by San Francisco 49ers in 2000 NFL Draft; 49ers: 2000-05, Seahawks: 2006-08, Lions: 2009-10) born in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland

Career Stats: 802 combined tackles (595 solo), 51.5 sacks, eight interceptions, 53 passes defended, 21 forced fumbles, 11 fumbles recovered, one defensive touchdown

Peterson was a five-time Pro Bowl selection (2002-03, 2006-08) and a three-time All-Pro (2002, 2003, 2007)

1988-Defensive end Gregory (Greg) Hardy (Mississippi: 2006-09, selected 175th overall by Carolina Panthers in 2010 NFL Draft; Panthers: 2010-14, Cowboys: 2015) born in Millington, Tennessee

Career Stats: 241 total tackles (165 solo), 40 sacks, one interception, 16 passes defended, eight forced fumbles, one fumble recovered

Hardy was a Pro Bowl selection and a Second-team All-Pro in 2013. He set a Panthers franchise record for most sacks in a season in 2013 (15). In 2014, Hardy was found guilty of assaulting an ex-girlfriend and sentenced to 18 months probation. He was also suspended 10 games by the NFL. Hardy’s suspension was later reduced to four games and the domestic violence charge expunged from his record.

July 29

1964-Linebacker Thomas (Pepper) Johnson (Ohio State: 1982-85, selected 51st overall by New York Giants in 1986 NFL Draft; Giants: 1986-92, Browns: 1993-95, Lions: 1996, Jets: 1997-98) born in Detroit, Michigan

Career Stats: 1,090 total tackles (983 solo), 25.5 sacks, 14 interceptions, 39 passes defended, 12 forced fumbles, eight fumbles recovered, two defensive touchdowns

Johnson was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1990, 1994) and an All-Pro in 1990. He won two Super Bowls (XXI, XXV) with Giants. Johnson began a coaching career after his retirement from playing, serving as an assistant with the Patriots (2000-13, reuniting with Bill Belichick, who was his defensive coordinator with the Giants and head coach with the Browns), Bills (2014), and Jets (2015-16). He won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) as a Patriots assistant.

1986United States Football League won antitrust lawsuit against the NFL after a 42-day trial. Jury declared NFL was a “duly adjudicated illegal monopoly” however, in what can only be described as a Pyrrhic victory, the jury awarded the USFL a settlement of $1. Donald Trump, owner of the USFL’s New Jersey Generals, spearheaded the lawsuit in an attempt to force the NFL to merge with the USFL. All of the NFL’s owners were co-defendants in the lawsuit except for the Raiders’ Al Davis, who testified on behalf of the USFL. The NFL was required to pay the USFL more than $5.5 million in attorney’s fees and $62,000 in court costs. Four days after the verdict came down, the USFL’s owners voted to suspend operations with the goal of returning in 1987. However, many of the USFL’s teams were in no shape financially to operate. The USFL appealed the decision but it was rejected by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. That decision effectively shut the USFL down for good. The NFL also appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court but the verdict stood. The check received by the USFL in 1990 was in the amount of $3.76, triple the amount of the verdict with $0.76 interest. It was about $1.5 billion less than the USFL sought in the lawsuit. That check has never been cashed.

1991Buffalo Bills defeated Philadelphia Eagles 17-13 in ninth edition of American Bowl at London’s Wembley Stadium

1993-Quarterback Rayne Dakota (Dak) Prescott (Mississippi State: 2012-15, selected 135th overall by Dallas Cowboys in 2016 NFL Draft; Cowboys: 2016-present) born in Sulphur, Louisiana

Career Stats: 311 completions in 459 attempts for 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns, and four interceptions. QB Rating: 104.9. Record as starter: 13-3; 57 carries for 282 yards and six touchdowns

Prescott was the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to his first Pro Bowl. He set a record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception (176). Prescott also set records for most games with a passer rating of 100 or greater (11), rookie pass completion percentage (67.76), and wins by a rookie (13).

1995Carolina Panthers defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 20-14 in Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. It was the first game ever played for both the Panthers and Jaguars.

2009-Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson (Colts: 1996-97, Eagles: 1999-2008) died at age 68 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (b. 1941)

Career Highlights: Johnson was regarded as one of the best defensive coordinators in NFL history. He was known as a master of using blitzes to keep offenses off balance by masterfully disguising them. In his first season with the Eagles, the defense forced a league best 46 turnovers, including five interceptions returned for touchdowns. In 2001, the Eagles defense didn’t allow more than 21 points in a single game. Between 2000-07, Johnson’s unit led the NFL in sacks (342), second in third down efficiency (34.3 percent) and red zone touchdown percentage (43 percent), and fourth in points allowed (17.6). Eagles defenders were selected to the Pro Bowl 26 times during Johnson’s tenure. The Eagles won five division titles, made five appearances in the NFC Championship Game, and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX with Johnson as defensive coordinator.

Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for cover32 and covers the NFL and New York Giants, like and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.

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