Introduction: The Rise of the Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are one of the National Football League’ highly recognizable franchises. Established in 1965 and beginning play in 1966, the Falcons brought professional football to – and built a passionate fan base throughout the South. Known for their red, black, and white colors, the Falcons have produced outstanding quarterbacks, explosive running backs, dominant defensive players, and some of the most memorable teams in modern NFL history. Although Atlanta has yet to win a Super Bowl championship, the franchise has captured two NFC championships, reached the Super Bowl twice, won multiple division titles, and developed stars whose accomplishments have earned them places among football’s greatest players. From the defensive dominance of Claude Humphrey to the electrifying performances of Michael Vick and the record-setting passing of Matt Ryan, the Falcons’ story is one of perseverance, spectacular football, heartbreak, and hope. The Founding of the Atlanta Falcons On June 30, 1965, the NFL awarded Atlanta its 15th franchise. The original owner was businessman Rankin M. Smith Sr., who secured the team for $8.5 million. The name “Falcons” was selected through a public naming contest. A schoolteacher from Griffin, Georgia, suggested the name and explained that the falcon represented courage, dignity, and a fighting spirit. The Falcons played their first regular-season game on September 11, 1966, losing to the Los Angeles Rams. Their first victory came later that season against the New York Giants. The early years were difficult, as expansion teams generally struggled to compete with established NFL clubs. Nevertheless, Atlanta gradually developed a competitive identity and established a foundation for future success. Every Principal Owner of the Atlanta Falcons The franchise has had three principal ownership eras. Rankin M. Smith Sr. — 1965–1989 Rankin Smith was the original owner who brought the NFL to Atlanta. His investment established the foundation of the franchise and helped make professional football a permanent part of the city’s sporting culture. During his ownership, the Falcons developed their first significant defensive stars and began competing for division championships. The 1980 team won the NFC West with a 12–4 regular-season record, giving Atlanta its first division title. Smith remained the franchise’s principal owner until his death in 1990. Taylor Smith — 1990–2001 Taylor Smith, Rankin Smith’s son, succeeded him as principal owner. His ownership period included the transition from Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium to the Georgia Dome. The Falcons reached their first Super Bowl during this era. Following the 1998 season, Atlanta won the NFC championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXXIII. The team lost to the Denver Broncos, 34–19, but the season remains one of the defining accomplishments in franchise history. Arthur M. Blank — 2002–present Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, purchased the Falcons in 2002. His ownership brought a new era of investment, organizational development, and stadium modernization. During Blank’s tenure, Atlanta experienced the Michael Vick era, the arrival of quarterback Matt Ryan, multiple division championships, and another Super Bowl appearance. Blank’s ownership also oversaw the construction and opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. He has emphasized community involvement, fan experience, and the Falcons’ long-term place in Atlanta. Ownership summary: Rankin M. Smith Sr., Taylor Smith, and Arthur M. Blank represent the three principal ownership eras of the franchise. Taylor Smith’s period followed his father’s death; it was not a separate expansion franchise.. Every Home Stadium of the Atlanta Falcons Every Home Stadium The Falcons have played their home games in three stadiums. Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium — 1966–1991 The Falcons’ original home served as their football stadium for 26 seasons. It was also home to Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves. The stadium witnessed the franchise’s early struggles, the development of defensive standout Tommy Nobis, and the rise of quarterback Steve Bartkowski. In 1980, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium hosted a division-winning Falcons team that established itself as a legitimate NFC contender. Georgia Dome — 1992–2016 The Georgia Dome became the Falcons’ home in 1992 and provided an indoor environment for football in downtown Atlanta. It hosted some of the greatest moments in franchise history, including the 1998 NFC Championship season and the 2016 campaign that culminated in Super Bowl LI. The Falcons played their final regular-season game in the Dome on January 1, 2017. The stadium’s football legacy concluded with Atlanta defeating Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game later that month. Mercedes-Benz Stadium — 2017–present Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017 on the site of the former Georgia Dome. It features a retractable roof, a distinctive architectural design, and modern amenities for fans. The Falcons opened their new home against the Green Bay Packers on September 17, 2017, winning 34–23. The stadium represents Atlanta’s modern sporting identity and has hosted major football and other sporting events. The Falcons’ home-stadium timeline: – 1966–1991: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium – 1992–2016: Georgia Dome – 2017–present: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Pro Football Hall of Fame: Falcons Players and Their Distinctions The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognizes players for their entire NFL careers. A player who spent a short period in Atlanta may be a Hall of Famer without having earned that distinction primarily through his Falcons accomplishments. Because this article distinguishes Falcons-specific achievement from Hall of Fame careers built elsewhere, the difference matters. Claude Humphrey — Defensive End Hall of Fame Class of 2014 Claude Humphrey is one of the strongest examples of a Hall of Fame career built substantially in Atlanta. Drafted by the Falcons in 1968, Humphrey became one of the NFL’s most feared defensive ends. He recorded 94.5 sacks during his Falcons career, according to the franchise’s historical records, and earned six Pro Bowl selections. Humphrey’s combination of strength, quickness, and pass-rushing ability made him a cornerstone of Atlanta’s early defensive identity. He is the clearest choice when highlighting a Pro Football Hall of Famer whose legacy is closely tied to the Falcons. Other Pro Football Hall of Famers Who Played for Atlanta The following players also wore Falcons uniforms, although their Hall of Fame recognition reflects their broader careers rather than being exclusively an Atlanta honor. Deion Sanders… Continue reading Atlanta Falcons History: Legacy of the Dirty Birds
Tag: Green Bay Packers
NFL CONFIDENCE PICK SHEET WEEK 7 10/22-25-26/2026
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Philadelphia Eagles: A Complete History
The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the National Football League’s most recognizable franchises. Founded in 1933, the Eagles have built a proud tradition of hard-nosed defense, passionate fans, outstanding players, legendary coaches, and championship football. From the early days at Franklin Field to the modern atmosphere of Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia’s football story has included championship dynasties, heartbreaking defeats, unforgettable postseason victories, and generations of devoted supporters. The Eagles won NFL championships in 1948, 1949, and 1960 before the modern Super Bowl era. They later captured Super Bowl titles following the 2017 and 2024 seasons, cementing their place among the NFL’s championship franchises. This history examines the team’s ownership, home stadiums, Pro Football Hall of Fame members whose playing or coaching accomplishments were earned with Philadelphia, major individual awards, and the people who helped define the Eagles’ legacy. The founding of the Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles were established in 1933 when Bert Bell and Lud Wray acquired the franchise rights associated with the defunct Frankford Yellow Jackets and created a new Philadelphia team. The name Eagles was inspired by the eagle emblem associated with The franchise became a championship contender during the 1940s under head coach Earle “Greasy” Neale. Philadelphia won consecutive NFL championships in 1948 and 1949, defeating the Chicago Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, respectively. The 1948 championship was especially memorable because the Eagles defeated Chicago 7–0 in a snowstorm. In 1960, the Eagles defeated Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers 17–13 for another NFL championship. Philadelphia then endured difficult stretches before returning to prominence under coaches such as Dick Vermeil, Andy Reid, and Doug Pederson. The franchise reached another historic milestone by winning Super Bowl LII after the 2017 season and Super Bowl LIX after the 2024 season. These victories gave Eagles fans two Super Bowl championships to celebrate in addition to the franchise’s three pre-Super Bowl NFL titles. All Philadelphia Eagles owners The Eagles have passed through several ownership eras, from the founding partnership to Jeffrey Lurie’s modern organization. Owner or ownership group Years Significance Bert Bell and Lud Wray 1933–1940 Founding owners who established the franchise. Alexis Thompson 1941–1948 Took control following the unusual 1941 Philadelphia–Pittsburgh franchise transaction. James P. Clark and the Happy Hundred investors 1949–1962 Led the ownership group during the 1960 NFL championship era. Jerry Wolman 1963–1968 Purchased the team during a period of ownership transition. Leonard Tose 1969–1984 Oversaw the franchise during its rise to Super Bowl XV. Norman Braman and ownership partners 1985–1993 Led the team before its sale to Jeffrey Lurie. Jeffrey Lurie 1994–present Purchased the Eagles in 1994 and oversaw the franchise’s Super Bowl championships in 2018 and 2025. Historical note: Ownership records sometimes distinguish principal owners from minority partners. The table identifies the major ownership eras and groups rather than every individual investor. The Bell–Wray founding partnership is dated to 1933, although some statistical records list Bell’s formal owner tenure beginning in 1936. Philadelphia has a distinctive stadium history. The Eagles have used eight home venues, including one in Pittsburgh during their early years. Stadium Location Eagles home years Baker Bowl Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1933–1935 Municipal Stadium Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1936–1939 Shibe Park, later Connie Mack Stadium Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1940–1957 Forbes Field Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1943, during the wartime Steagles season. Franklin Field Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1958–1970. Veterans Stadium Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1971–2002 Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2003–present Temple Stadium Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Used for selected games during the early franchise years. The Eagles’ official historical account identifies eight stadiums, counting their wartime Pittsburgh venue and Temple Stadium. The stadiums that shaped the Eagles Shibe Park: The home of Philadelphia’s back-to-back 1948 and 1949 NFL championship teams. Franklin Field: The site of the Eagles’ 17–13 victory over Green Bay in the 1960 NFL Championship Game. Veterans Stadium: The home of the Eagles during the rise of the Vermeil, Buddy Ryan, and early Reid eras. Lincoln Financial Field: The current home of the Eagles, where supporters celebrated the franchise’s first two Super Bowl championships. The move to Lincoln Financial Field in 2003 provided a modern football-specific stadium and became the setting for some of the greatest moments in franchise history. Pro Football Hall of Fame members whose Eagles careers deserve recognition Steve Van Buren – Running back Hall of fame 1965 One of the defining stars of the Eagles early championship years, Van Buren led Philadelphia to NFL titles in 1948 and 1949 and became one of the great rushing backs of his era. His performance in the 1948 championship game was especially important to the teams first title. Norm Van Brocklin – Quarterback Hall of Fame 1971 Van Brocklin joined Philadelphia in 1958 and led the Eagles to the 1960 NFL championship. That same season, he earned the league’s Most Valuable Player award, making him the franchise’s standout MVP winner. Reggie White — Defensive end Hall of Fame: 2006 Nicknamed the “Minister of Defense,” White became the centerpiece of Philadelphia’s formidable defenses of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He recorded 124 sacks as an Eagle, including a franchise-record 21 in 1987, and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year that season. Harold Carmichael — Wide receiver Hall of Fame:… Continue reading Philadelphia Eagles: A Complete History
NFL CONFIDENCE PICK SHEET WEEK 6 10/15-18-19/2026
EARLY GAME SUNDAY SAINTS: ALVIN KAMARA Becomes 6th player in NFL History to attain 5,000 + career rushing and receiving yards. STEELERS: CHRIS BOSWELL sets a new franchise record field goals with 310. JAGUARS: TRAVIS HUNTER , becomes first player since2002 to catch an offensiveTD, and defensive interception in the same game. for those of you who are new here. This is how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. You add up the TOTAL CORRECT PICKS.. That would be your score. We use the Monday night (Last game played) as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broken by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating teams) final score, without going over. YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pts on the second game and lost you would still have 1 pt. 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a –14 score If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MIS-COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. BYES: CHIEFS — DOLPHINS — LIONS — VIKINGS TRIVIA TIME: What are the only five universities that have produced both a US president and a Super Bowl-winning quarterback? Answer below pick sheet All Times EDT (As You all know EDT is really AST [Atlantic Standard Time .:Politicians just don’t know how to tell the truth. GAME TV VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE THURSDAY 10/15/26 20:20 1 PRIME VIDEO SEAHAWKS (3–2) 14 Broncos (3–2) 17 (OT) 6 0/6 SUNDAY 10/18/26 09:30 2 NFL Texans (1–4) 34 JAGUARS (4–1) 31 5 0/11 SUNDAY 10/18/26 13:00 3 FOX BEARS (3–2) 31 @ Falcons (2–3) .23 1 1/10 4 FOX RAVENS(4–1) 10 @ Browns (3–2) 13 8 1/18 5 FOX Titans (0–5) 26 @ COLTS(2–3) 20 11 1/29 6 CBS Jets (2-3) 19 @ PATRIOTS (3–2) 26 10 11/19 7 FOX SAINTS(1–4) 34 @ Giants (3–1–1) 27 4 15/15 8 CBS PANTHERS(2–2) 25 @ Eagles (2–3) 14 3 18/12 9 CBS STEELERS (3–2) 26 @ Buccaneers (1–4) 19 (OT) 7 25/5 . . SUNDAY 10/18/26 16:05 10 FOX CardInals (1–4) 18 @ RAMS (2–3) 16 14 25/19 SUNDAY 10/18/26 16:25 11 FOX Chargers (0–5) 6 @ CHIEFS (4–0) 22 13 38/6 12 FOX BILLS (4–1) 33 @ Raiders (3–2) 30 9 45/3 SUNDAY 09/20/26 20:20 13 NBC Cowboys (2–3) 13 @ PACKERS (3–2) 23 2 47/5 9– MONDAY 10/19/26 20:15 14 ESPN Commanders (1–2-1) 17 @ 49’ERS (5–0) 23 12 59/17 56%/16% GAMES 9–5 64%–36% Points Possible 105 Tie Break (Total score last game) 51 Total 40 Points off +11 TRIVIA ANSWER University of Delaware, Miami University (Ohio), University of Michigan, Stanford University, and the United States Naval Academy Views: 2
NFL CONFIDENCE PICK SHEET WEEK 5 10/01-04-05/2026
EARLY GAME SUNDAY For those of you who are new here. This is how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. You add up the TOTAL CORRECT PICKS.. That would be your score. We use the Monday night (Last game played) as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broken by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating teams) final score, without going over. YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pts on the second game and lost you would still have 1 pt. 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a –14 score If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MIS-COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. BYES: CHIEFS — PANTHERS TRIVIA TIME: Which team holds the record for fewest rushing yards in a game? Answer below pick sheet All Times EDT (As You all know EDT is really AST [Atlantic Standard Time .:Politicians just don’t know how to tell the truth. GAME TV VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE THURSDAY 10/08/26 20:20 1 PRIME VIDEO Buccaneers (0–4) 24 COWBOYS (2–2) 16 15 0/15 SUNDAY 10/11/26 09:30 2 NFL Eagles (2–2) 17 @ JAGUARS (3–1) 16 14 0/29 SUNDAY 09/20/26 13:00 3 FOX BENGALS (2–2) 31 @ Dolphins (0–4) 24 12 12/17 4 CBS Raiders (3–1) 17 @ PATRIOTS (2–2) 45 3 15/14 5 FOX VIKINGS (4–0) 23 @ Saints (1–3) 13 9 24/5 6 CBS Browns (3–1) 12 @ JETS (1–3) 17 2 26/3 7 CBS Colts (2–2) 22 @ STEELERS (2–2) 34 4 30/1 8 CBS TEXANS (0–4) 26 @ Titans (0–4) 3 13 43/14 9 CBS Giants (3–1) 27 @ COMMMANDERS (1–3) 27 (OT) 10 43/14 10 FOX BEARS (3–1) 7 @ Packers (2–2) 31 1 44/15 . SUNDAY 10/11/26 16:05 . . . 11 CBS BRONCHOS (2–2) 23 @ Chargers (0–4) . 8 52/23 SUNDAY 09/20/26 16:25 12 FOX LIONS (2–2) 45 @ Cardinals (1–3) 21 11 .63/33 13 FOX 49’ers (4–0) .32 @ SEAHAWKS (3–1) 29 5 63/28 . . 53%/23% SUNDAY 10/11/26 20:20 14 NBC Ravens (3–1) 30 @ FALCONS(2–2) 23 (OT) 7 63./21 MONDAY 10/12/26 20:15 15 ESPN Bills (3–1) 37 @ RAMS (2–2) 34 (OT) 6 63/15 GAMES 8/6/1 53%/40%/.07% Points Possible 120 Tie Break (Total score last game) 55 Total 71 Points off -16 TRIVIA ANSWER Detroit Lions Views: 0
NFL CONFIDENCE PICK SHEET WEEK 4 10/01-04-05/2026
EARLY SUNDAY GAME For those of you who are new here. This is how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. You add up the TOTAL CORRECT PICKS.. That would be your score. We use the Monday night (Last game played) as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broken by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating teams) final score, without going over. YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pts on the second game and lost you would still have 1 pt. 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a –14 score If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MIS-COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. BYES: NONE TRIVIA TIME: What was the name of the first player ever drafted by the NFL? Answer below pick sheet All Times EDT (As You all know EDT is really AST [Atlantic Standard Time .:Politicians just don’t know how to tell the truth. GAME TV VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE THURSDAY 10/01/26 20:20 1 PRIME VIDEO STEELERS (2–1) .24 Browns (2–1) 27 5 0/5 SUNDAY 10/04/26 09:30 2 NFL COLTS(1–2) 30 @ Commanders (1–2) 13 10 10/5 SUNDAY 10/04/26 13:00 3 CBS Titans (0–3) 18 @ RAVENS (2–1) 24 16 36/11 4 CBS Patriots (1–2) 29 @ BILLS(3–0) 26 13 36/2 5 FOX Jets (1–2) 12 @ BEARS(2–1) 23 8 47/6 6 CBS Jaguars (2–1) 22 @ BENGALS(2–1) 17 3 47/3 7 FOX Cowboys (1–2) 34 @ TEXANS (0–3) 13 7 47/4 8 CBS CARDINALS (1–2) 24 @ Giants (2–1) 36 2 47/6 9 FOX RAMS (1–2) 24 @ Eagles (2–1) 20 6 53/0 10 FOX PACKERS (1–2) 17 @ Buccaneers (0–3) 14 9 62/9 . SUNDAY 10/04/26 16:05 11 FOX Dolphins (0–3) 19 @ VIKINGS (3–0) 24 15 77/24 SUNDAY 10/04/26 16:25 12 CBS CHIEFS (3–0) 30 @ Raiders (3–0) 27 12 89/36 13 CBS Chargers (0–3) 23 @ SEAHAWKS (2–1) 30 14 103/50 14 CBS Broncos (2–1) 14 @ 49’ERS(3-0) 24 14 117/64 SUNDAY 10/04/26 20:20 15 NBC LIONS (2-1) . @ Panthers (1–2) . 11 / MONDAY 10/05/26 20:15 16 ESPN Falcons (1–2) . @ SAINTS (1–2) . 1 / GAMES Points Possible 136 Tie Break (Total score last game) 43 Total Points off – TRIVIA ANSWER Jay Berwanger Views: 0
Denver Broncos History:
Denver Broncos History: Owners, Stadiums, Hall of Famers, MVPs and the Broncos Legacy The Denver Broncos are one of the most recognizable franchises in professional football. Founded in 1959 as a charter member of the American Football League, the Broncos began play in 1960 and joined the National Football League when the AFL and NFL merged in 1970. The early years were difficult. Denver struggled through most of its first decade, finishing the AFL era with a 39-97-4 record. But the franchise eventually transformed itself into one of the NFL’s most successful organizations. The Broncos have won three Super Bowls—XXXII, XXXIII and 50—and have captured AFC championships in 1977, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2013 and 2015. The Birth of the Denver Broncos The Broncos were founded by Bob Howsam, who received an AFL franchise for Denver in 1959. Howsam had experience in professional baseball and had been involved in developing Bears Stadium, which would become the Broncos’ first regular home. The Broncos played their first regular-season game on September 9, 1960, defeating the Boston Patriots 13-10. That game was the first game ever played in the history of the American Football League. The Howsam family’s ownership lasted only briefly. Howsam sold his interest to a group headed by Gerald H. Phipps and Cal Kunz in 1961. Denver Broncos Ownership History The Broncos have had several ownership groups since their creation. Bob Howsam — 1959-1961 Robert “Bob” Howsam was the founder and original owner of the Broncos. He brought professional football to Denver by obtaining the AFL franchise. His first Broncos team went 4-9-1 in 1960, but the organization he created eventually became one of the NFL’s most successful franchises. Cal Kunz — 1961-1964 Cal Kunz became part of the ownership group that purchased the Broncos from Howsam in 1961. Kunz was an important member of the early Denver ownership group. Gerald and Allan Phipps — 1961-1981 Gerald H. Phipps and his brother Allan Phipps became the dominant owners of the Broncos. Gerald Phipps purchased the club in 1965 and became one of the most important figures in early Broncos history. Under his ownership, the team experienced its first winning season in 1973 and eventually reached its first playoffs and first Super Bowl in 1977. Gerald Phipps was later inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame. Edgar Kaiser Jr. — 1981-1984 Edgar Kaiser Jr., a member of the Kaiser family, purchased the Broncos from the Phipps ownership group in 1981. His ownership lasted only a few seasons, but it directly preceded the beginning of the greatest ownership era in franchise history. Pat Bowlen — 1984-2019 Pat Bowlen became majority owner of the Broncos in 1984 and eventually acquired 100 percent ownership. Bowlen’s ownership lasted more than three decades and included: 7 AFC championships 3 Super Bowl championships 21 winning seasons 18 playoff appearances 7 Super Bowl appearances Bowlen was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019 as a contributor. His ownership era included the Broncos’ greatest sustained period of success. The Pat Bowlen Trust — 2019-2022 After Bowlen’s death in 2019, the franchise was operated through the Pat Bowlen Trust while the ownership succession process was completed. Joe Ellis served as the Broncos’ president and CEO during this transition. Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group — 2022-Present In 2022, the Broncos were purchased by the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group. Rob Walton became the principal owner, while Greg Penner serves as chairman and CEO. The ownership group also includes Carrie Walton Penner and other investors. As of 2026, the Walton-Penner group remains the Broncos’ ownership group. Every Stadium the Broncos Have Called Home The Broncos have a particularly interesting stadium history because they spent their first 41 seasons almost entirely in one facility. Bears Stadium — 1960-1968 The Broncos began playing in Bears Stadium, which had originally been built in 1948 for the Denver Bears baseball club. When the Broncos entered the AFL, the stadium was expanded for professional football. It became the original home of the Denver Broncos. University of Denver Stadium — 1962 and 1963 The Broncos also used University of Denver Stadium, commonly known as Hilltop Stadium, for two home openers because Bears Stadium was unavailable. These were unusual exceptions rather than a permanent change of home field. Mile High Stadium — 1969-2000 Bears Stadium was renamed Denver Mile High Stadium in 1969. For decades, “Mile High” became almost synonymous with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos played virtually all of their home games there from 1960 through 2000. Their record in the building was 190-108-7. The stadium also became famous for its enormous crowds and intimidating home-field atmosphere. Invesco Field at Mile High — 2001-2011 In 2001, the Broncos moved into their new stadium adjacent to the old Mile High Stadium site. The new facility was initially called Invesco Field at Mile High. Sports Authority Field at Mile High — 2011-2018 The stadium was renamed Sports Authority Field at Mile High in 2011. Broncos Stadium at Mile High — 2018-2019 Following the end of the Sports Authority naming agreement, the facility temporarily became known as Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Empower Field at Mile High — 2019-Present In 2019, the stadium became Empower Field at Mile High under a 21-year naming-rights agreement. As of 2026, Empower Field remains the Broncos’ home stadium. The stadium holds approximately 76,000 fans and has continued the tradition of “Mile High” football in Denver. Broncos in the Pro Football Hall of Fame The Broncos have produced a remarkable collection of Pro Football Hall of Famers. For this list, the focus is on individuals whose Hall of Fame careers included their major Broncos accomplishments—not players whose Hall of Fame credentials were primarily earned with another franchise. John Elway… Continue reading Denver Broncos History:
NFL CONFIDENCE PICK SHEET WEEK 3 09/24-27-28/2026
For those of you who are new here. This is how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool, (which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. You add up the TOTAL CORRECT PICKS.. That would be your score. We use the Monday night (Last game played) as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broken by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating teams) final score, without going over. YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pts on the second game and lost you would still have 1 pt. 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a –14 score If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MIS-COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. BYES: NONE TRIVIA TIME: What are the only two NFL teams to win the Super Bowl at their own home stadiums? Answer below pick sheet All Times EDT (As You all know EDT is really AST [Atlantic Standard Time .:Politicians just don’t know how to tell the truth. GAME TV VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE THURSDAY 09/24/26 20:20 1 PRIME VIDEO Falcons (0–2) 45 @ PACKERS (1–1) 14 11 0/11 SUNDAY 09/27/26 13:00 2 FOX Chargers (0–2) 16 @ BILLS (2–0) 24 14 14/3 3 CBS PANTHERS(1–1) 21 @ Browns (1–1) 21 5 14/2 4 FOX Jets (1–1) 24 @ LIONS (1–1) 31 12 26/10 5 CBS TEXANS (0–2) 17 @ Colts (0–2) 19 3 26/7 6 CBS Titans (0–2) 7 @ GIANTS (1–1) 12 4 30/11 7 FOX BENGALS (2–0) 27 @ Steelers (1–1) 30 9 30/2 8 CBS SEAHAWKS (2–0) 31 @ Commanders (0–2) 33 13 30/11 9 FOX Patriots (1–11) 6 @ JAGUARS(1–1) 35 6 30/5 10 CBS CHIEFS (2–0) 24 @ Dolphins (0–2) 10 16 46/11 SUNDAY 09/27/26 16:05 11 FOX Cardinals (1–1) 27 @ 49’ERS (2–0) 36 15 61/26 12 FOX VIKINGS (2–0) 26 @ Buccaneers (0–2) 16 1 62/27 SUNDAY 09/27/26 16:25 13 CBS Raiders (2–0) 35 @ SAINTS (1–1) . 7 62/20 14 CBS RAVENS(1–1) 34 @ Cowboys (1–1) 31(OT) 8 70/28 SUNDAY 09/27/26 20:20 15 NBC RAMS (1–1) 26 @ Broncos (1–1) 30 2 78/26 MONDAY 09/28/26 20:15 16 ESPN EAGLES (2–0) 7 @ Bears (0–1) 27 10 78/16 57%/12% GAMES 8/8 50%/50% Points Possible 136 Tie Break (Total score last game) 55 Total 34 Points off –11 TRIVIA ANSWER Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams Views: 0
Chicago Bears History: From the Decatur Staleys
Chicago Bears History: From the Decatur Staleys to the Monsters of the Midway Few franchises in professional sports have a history as deep as the Chicago Bears. The Bears are one of the two remaining charter members of the NFL, tracing their roots to 1920. Before they became the Chicago Bears, they were the Decatur Staleys, an industrial football team sponsored by the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company. The franchise moved to Chicago in 1921, changed its name to the Bears in 1922 and has been one of professional football’s most important organizations ever since. The Bears have won nine NFL championships, including the 1985 Super Bowl, and their history includes George Halas, Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski, Sid Luckman, Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, Brian Urlacher, Devin Hester and many other Hall of Fame players. The franchise has also produced some of the most famous defenses in football history. The Birth of the Bears In 1920, the A.E. Staley Company of Decatur, Illinois, sponsored a football team. George Halas, who had experience as both a player and coach, became the team’s representative at the September 17, 1920 meeting in Canton, Ohio, where representatives of 11 other clubs helped form the American Professional Football Association, which became the National Football League in 1922. The franchise fee was only $100. The original team was the Decatur Staleys. In 1921, A.E. Staley gave Halas the team, $5,000 and permission to move the club to Chicago as long as it retained the Staleys name for one season. The move worked. The Chicago Staleys won the 1921 APFA championship. In January 1922, the franchise officially became the Chicago Bears. The Bears were born. George Halas: The Man Who Was the Bears It is almost impossible to tell the story of the Bears without telling the story of George “Papa Bear” Halas. Halas was: Player, Coach, Owner, General manager, Founder, Innovator, and NFL pioneer. He coached the Bears for 40 seasons, divided into four separate 10-year periods. His coaching record was an extraordinary 324-151-31, including playoffs. He led Chicago to six NFL championships as coach: 1921, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1946 and 1963. Halas retired from coaching after the 1967 season. He remained the guiding force of the organization until his death in 1983. Few people in NFL history have had a greater influence on a franchise. Bears Ownership History One of the unusual things about the Chicago Bears is that the franchise has remained in the same family since its earliest days. A.E. Staley Company — 1920 The original Decatur Staleys were owned by the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company. The company sponsored the team and employed many of its players. The Staleys’ financial problems helped lead to the decision to give George Halas control of the franchise and allow him to move it to Chicago. George Halas — 1920-1983 George Halas became the dominant owner and leader of the franchise. For more than six decades, the Bears were essentially his football kingdom. He was involved in virtually every aspect of the organization. The Pro Football Hall of Fame notes that almost all of the Bears’ successes from their beginning through 1983 can be attributed to Halas. Virginia Halas McCaskey — 1983-2025 After George Halas died in 1983, ownership passed to his daughter, Virginia Halas McCaskey. She became one of the most important women in NFL history. McCaskey was born in 1923 and had literally grown up around the Bears. She had watched the franchise from the earliest days of professional football and eventually became its principal owner. She was the owner when the Bears won Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season. McCaskey remained the team’s principal owner until her death on February 6, 2025, at age 102. She had been the longest-tenured owner in the NFL. The McCaskey Family — 2025-present After Virginia McCaskey’s death, the Bears remained a McCaskey family-owned franchise. Her grandson, George H. McCaskey, serves as Bears chairman and is the current principal owner/representative of the family’s ownership. The important point is that the Bears have never been sold to an outside ownership group in their modern history. The same family that began with George Halas continues to control the franchise more than a century later. Every Major Bears Home Stadium The Bears have played their home games in several locations during their long history. Staley Field — Decatur, Illinois 1920 This was the original home of the Decatur Staleys. It was a small facility with a capacity of approximately 1,500. The limitations of playing in Decatur were one reason Halas moved the team to Chicago. Cubs Park — Chicago 1921-1925 After moving to Chicago, the Staleys played at Cubs Park. The ballpark was later renamed Wrigley Field. Wrigley Field 1926-1970 Wrigley Field became the Bears’ home for half a century. The Bears played their final game there on December 13, 1970, defeating the Green Bay Packers 35-17. Wrigley was home to some of the greatest players in early Bears history including: Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski, Sid Luckman, George McAfee, Bulldog Turner, Dick Butkus, and Gale Sayers. Soldier Field 1971-2001 The Bears moved to Soldier Field in 1971. The stadium became the permanent symbol of Bears football. It was the home of Walter Payton, the 1985 championship team and the legendary Bears defenses. Memorial Stadium — Champaign, Illinois 2002 … Continue reading Chicago Bears History: From the Decatur Staleys
NFL CONFIDENCE PICK SHEET WEEK 2 09/17-20-21/2026
For those of you who are new here. This is how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. You add up the TOTAL CORRECT PICKS.. That would be your score. We use the Monday night (Last game played) as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broken by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating teams) final score, without going over. YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pts on the second game and lost you would still have 1 pt. 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a –14 score If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MIS-COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. BYES: NONE TRIVIA TIME: Which round of the 2000 NFL draft was Tom Brady selected in? Answer below pick sheet All Times EDT (As You all know EDT is really AST [Atlantic Standard Time .:Politicians just don’t know how to tell the truth. GAME TV VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE THURSDAY 09/17/26 20:20 1 PRIME VIDEO Lions (1–0) 31 BILLS (1–0) 41 9 9/9 SUNDAY 09/20/26 13:00 2 FOX PANTHERS (0–1) 34 @ Falcons (0–1) 3 2 11/11 3 CBS Saints (0–1) 24 @ RAVENS (1–0) 17 14 11/3 4 FOX Vikings (1–0) 9 @ BEARS.1–0) 3 7 11/10 5 CBS Bengals (1–0) 20 @ TEXANS (0–1) 6 3 11/13 6 CBS Steelers (1–0) 3 @ PATRIOTS (0–1) 20 8 19/5 7 FOX PACKERS (0–1) 20 @ Jets (1–0) 17 (ot) 4 23/1 8 CBS Browns (0–1) 23 @ BUCCANEERS (0–1) 19 15 23/16 9 FOX EAGLES (1–0) 24 @ Titans (0–1) 20. 12 35/4 . SUNDAY 09/20/26 16:05 10 CBS Jaguars (1–0) 13 @ BRONCOS (0–1) 20 1 36/3 11 CBS Raiders (1–0) 26 @ CHARGERS (0–1) 14 10 36/13 SUNDAY 09/20/26 16:25 12 FOX SEAHAWKS (1–0) 31 Cardinals (1–0) 7 5 41/8 13 FOX Commanders (0–1) 20 COWBOYS (0–1) 37 6 47/2 14 FOX Dolphins (0–1) 13 49’ERS (1–0) 37 16 63/14 SUNDAY 09/20/26 20:20 15 NBC Colts (0–1) 30 @ Chiefs (1–0) 33 (OT) 11 74/25 MONDAY 09/21/26 20:15 16 ESPN Giants (1–0) 6 @ RAMS (0–1) 28 13 87/28 64%/21% GAMES 11/5 69%/31% Points Possible 136 Tie Break (Total score last game) 18 Total 34 Points off -16 TRIVIA ANSWER The sixth round Views: 1
