8 Views: 4
Tag: Los Angeles Rams
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: 0
Indianapolis Colts: From Baltimore Beginnings to Indianapolis Glory
Indianapolis Colts: A Complete History of the Blue and White From Baltimore Beginnings to Indianapolis Glory The Indianapolis Colts are one of the most historically significant franchises in professional football. Known for legendary quarterbacks, championship defenses, outstanding coaches, and generations of loyal fans, the Colts have built a legacy that stretches from Baltimore to Indianapolis. The franchise won NFL championships in Baltimore before moving to Indianapolis in 1984. In Indianapolis, the Colts eventually became one of the NFL’s premier teams of the 2000s, led by quarterback Peyton Manning, head coach Tony Dungy, and a collection of exceptional offensive and defensive players. The Colts’ history includes NFL championships, Super Bowl victories, Hall of Fame legends, Most Valuable Player awards, and memorable postseason battles. Their story is also one of transformation, as the team moved from Baltimore to Indiana and established a new football tradition in the Midwest. The Birth of the Colts Franchise The Colts’ roots trace to Baltimore, Maryland, where a new professional football franchise began play in 1953. The team adopted the Colts name, reflecting Baltimore’s association with horse racing and the Preakness Stakes. The Baltimore Colts became a major NFL power under head coach Weeb Ewbank and quarterback Johnny Unitas. Their dramatic overtime victory over the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL Championship Game became one of the defining moments in professional football history. Often called The Greatest Game Ever Played, it helped establish the NFL as a major television sport. Baltimore won another NFL championship in 1959. After a difficult period during the 1960s, the Colts returned to championship prominence in 1968, winning the NFL title before losing Super Bowl III to the New York Jets. The Colts rebounded in 1970. Led by quarterback Johnny Unitas and a powerful defense, Baltimore defeated the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V, earning the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship. In 1984, owner Robert Irsay moved the team from Baltimore to Indianapolis. The move was controversial and painful for Baltimore fans, but it began a new chapter in Indiana. All Colts Owners The franchise’s ownership history includes its original Baltimore ownership and the Indianapolis era. Carroll Rosenbloom (1953–1972): The original owner of the Baltimore Colts. Rosenbloom oversaw the team’s rise to prominence, including the 1958 and 1959 NFL championships and the 1970 Super Bowl V victory. Robert Irsay (1972–1997): Acquired the franchise in 1972 through a transaction involving the Los Angeles Rams. (It was essentially an even trade. Even though Irsay did receive between $3 and $4 million to offset the purchase price). He moved the team from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984, a decision that remains one of the most controversial events in NFL history. Jim Irsay (1997–2025): Robert Irsay’s son took control of the Colts in 1997. Under his leadership, the franchise drafted Peyton Manning, won Super Bowl XLI, and became a consistent playoff contender during much of the 2000s. The Irsay family (2025–present): Following Jim Irsay’s death in May 2025, ownership passed within the family, with his daughter Carlie Irsay-Gordon taking the leading ownership role. The franchise remains under Irsay family control. Ownership has influenced the Colts’ identity at every stage, from the Baltimore championship years to the Indianapolis era. Every Stadium the Colts Have Called Home The Colts have played in several stadiums across two cities. Baltimore Era Memorial Stadium (1953–1983) Memorial Stadium was the Colts’ principal home during their Baltimore years. The team celebrated NFL championships there in 1958, 1959, and 1968, and built its early identity around legendary players such as Johnny Unitas, Raymond Berry, and Gino Marchetti. Indianapolis Era RCA Dome (1984–2007) Originally called the Hoosier Dome, the stadium opened in 1984 and became the Colts’ first Indianapolis home. It hosted the team’s rebuilding years, its return to prominence under Peyton Manning, and the early stages of its championship run. Lucas Oil Stadium (2008–present) Opened in 2008 in downtown Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium is the Colts’ current home. The stadium features a retractable roof and has hosted major sporting events, including Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. Its opening coincided with the final seasons of the Colts’ dominant Peyton Manning era. The move to Lucas Oil Stadium gave Indianapolis a modern football venue and strengthened the Colts’ place in the city’s downtown development and sports culture. Colts Super Bowl Championships and NFL Titles The Colts have won four NFL championships across their Baltimore and Indianapolis history, including two Super Bowl victories. 1958 NFL Championship: Baltimore defeated the New York Giants in overtime, 23–17. 1959 NFL Championship: Baltimore defeated the New York Giants, 31–16. 1968 NFL Championship: Baltimore defeated the Cleveland Browns, 34–0, before losing Super Bowl III to the New York Jets. Super Bowl V (1971): The Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 16–13, in a game played in January 1971 to decide the 1970 season. Super Bowl XLI (2007): Indianapolis defeated the Chicago Bears, 29–17, to win the franchise’s second Super Bowl championship and its first as the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts also reached Super Bowl III, Super Bowl XLIV, and other major postseason contests. Their 2006 season championship remains the defining achievement of the Indianapolis era. Pro Football Hall of Fame: Colts Players and Coaches The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognizes players, coaches, and contributors whose careers made a lasting impact on professional football. The distinction in this section is important: the following individuals earned Hall of Fame recognition for their contributions to the Colts, rather than simply being former Colts who became famous elsewhere. Hall of Fame Legends Associated With the Colts Johnny Unitas — Quarterback: The face of the Baltimore Colts for many years, Unitas revolutionized the passing game and led Baltimore to multiple championships. Raymond Berry — Wide Receiver: Unitas’s celebrated receiving partner, Berry was renowned for route running, preparation, and reliable hands. Art Donovan — Defensive Tackle: A cornerstone of the Baltimore defensive line, Donovan helped define the Colts’ championship-era toughness. Gino Marchetti — Defensive End: A dominant defensive force whose career helped establish the Colts as… Continue reading Indianapolis Colts: From Baltimore Beginnings to Indianapolis Glory
Washington Commanders: A Complete History
The Washington Commanders are one of the National Football League’s oldest and most historically significant franchises. The organization began in Boston in 1932 as the Boston Braves, moved to Washington in 1937, and has gone through several names and eras before becoming the Washington Commanders in 2022. Over more than nine decades, the franchise has won two NFL championships before the Super Bowl era and three Super Bowl championships, produced numerous Pro Football Hall of Famers, and become associated with legendary figures such as Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Darrell Green, John Riggins, Art Monk, Joe Gibbs and many others. The Franchise History is Officially Recognized As 1932: Boston Braves 1933–1936: Boston Redskins 1937–2019: Washington Redskins 2020–2021: Washington Football Team 2022–present: Washington Commanders Washington has won NFL championships in 1937 and 1942, followed by Super Bowl championships in 1982, 1987 and 1991. The Beginning: Boston Braves The franchise was established in 1932 when George Preston Marshall headed a group that purchased an NFL franchise in Boston. The original team was called the Boston Braves, and the club played its first season at Braves Field, the home of baseball’s Boston Braves. After the 1932 season, the organization changed its nickname to the Redskins. The team played at Fenway Park from 1933 through 1936. In 1937, the franchise moved from Boston to Washington, D.C. The move immediately produced one of the greatest beginnings in NFL history. Washington won the NFL championship in its first season in the nation’s capital. All Home Stadiums of the Franchise The Washington franchise has called seven principal stadium configurations home during its history. 1. Braves Field — Boston, Massachusetts 1932 Braves Field was the original home of the franchise when it entered the NFL as the Boston Braves in 1932. It was primarily a baseball stadium and was home to the Boston Braves of Major League Baseball. 2. Fenway Park — Boston, Massachusetts 1933–1936 After the franchise changed its name to the Boston Redskins, the team moved to Fenway Park. The football team shared the famous Boston stadium with the Boston Red Sox. 3. Griffith Stadium — Washington, D.C. 1937–1960 The franchise moved to Washington in 1937 and played at Griffith Stadium. This was the site of the team’s first Washington championship season. The 1937 Redskins won the NFL championship, defeating the Chicago Bears. Washington returned to the NFL championship game in 1942 and defeated the Bears again. Griffith Stadium therefore witnessed the beginning of Washington’s championship tradition. 4. D.C. Stadium / RFK Stadium — Washington, D.C. 1961–1996 Washington moved into the new D.C. Stadium in 1961. The facility was renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, commonly known as RFK Stadium, in 1969. RFK became one of the most recognizable home fields in franchise history. The stadium was home for 36 seasons and hosted Washington through the George Allen era, the early Joe Gibbs era and the first two Super Bowl championships of the modern era. The Commanders’ own history describes RFK as the team’s home for 35 seasons from 1961 through 1996. 5. Jack Kent Cooke Stadium — Landover, Maryland 1997–1999 Washington moved across the Potomac into suburban Maryland in 1997. The new stadium was named Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in honor of the longtime owner who had died earlier that year. It opened shortly after Cooke’s death. 6. FedExField — Landover, Maryland 1999–2023 The stadium was renamed FedExField in 1999 after Washington sold the naming rights. It remained Washington’s home for 25 seasons. The stadium hosted the team throughout the majority of the Daniel Snyder ownership era and through the franchise’s transition from Redskins to Washington Football Team and then Commanders. 7. Northwest Stadium — Landover, Maryland 2024–present The stadium became known as Northwest Stadium in 2024. It remains the Commanders’ current home. The franchise is also planning a future return to Washington, D.C., with a new stadium project at the former RFK Stadium site targeted for the future. The Owners of the Washington Franchise Ownership has changed several times during the franchise’s long history. George Preston Marshall 1932–1969 George Preston Marshall was the founder of the franchise. He helped establish the Boston Braves in 1932, renamed the club the Redskins in 1933 and moved the organization to Washington in 1937. Marshall was also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor. Under Marshall, Washington won NFL championships in 1937 and 1942. Edward Bennett Williams 1960s–1970s — President and Partial Owner Edward Bennett Williams became one of the most important figures in the franchise during the transition from Marshall to Jack Kent Cooke. Williams served as team president and held an ownership interest. He was instrumental in the organization during the late Marshall and early Cooke years. Jack Kent Cooke 1960–1997; Majority Owner from 1974 Cooke first purchased a minority interest in Washington in 1960. He became the franchise’s majority owner in 1974 and eventually became the sole owner. Cooke became one of the most influential owners in Washington sports history. His ownership produced the greatest sustained championship period in franchise history. Under Cooke, Washington won: Super Bowl XVII — 1982 season Super Bowl XXII — 1987 season Super Bowl XXVI — 1991 season Cooke also oversaw the construction of the stadium that originally carried his name. He died in 1997. The Cooke Estate and John Cooke 1997–1999 After Jack Kent Cooke’s death, ownership passed through his estate while the franchise was being prepared for sale. His son, John… Continue reading Washington Commanders: A Complete History
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
Cleveland Browns: A Complete History
Cleveland Browns: One of the NFL’s Most Historic Franchises: The Cleveland Browns are one of the most distinctive franchises in professional football. Founded in 1946 as a member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), the Browns immediately established themselves as a football powerhouse. They won the AAFC championship in all four seasons of that league’s existence before joining the National Football League in 1950. Their success continued in the NFL. Cleveland reached the NFL Championship Game in each of its first six NFL seasons and won championships in 1950, 1954 and 1955. The Browns added another NFL championship in 1964, giving the franchise four NFL championships. Including their four AAFC titles, Cleveland has won eight league championships. The Browns’ history includes legendary players such as Otto Graham, Jim Brown, Lou Groza, Marion Motley, Ozzie Newsome and Otto Graham, Jim Brown, Lou Groza, Marion Motley, Ozzie Newsome, along with Hall of Fame coach and franchise founder Paul Brown. Paul Brown The Browns began play in 1946 in the AAFC. Businessman Arthur “Mickey” McBride was the principal owner, and he hired Paul Brown as head coach and general manager. Paul Brown quickly built the Browns into a revolutionary football organization. He emphasized year-round coaching, systematic scouting, film study, playbooks and detailed preparation. His Browns won four consecutive AAFC championships from 1946 through 1949. When the AAFC folded, Cleveland entered the NFL in 1950. The Browns immediately proved they belonged. In their first NFL season, they went to the championship game and defeated the Los Angeles Rams to win the NFL championship. Cleveland continued to dominate throughout the early 1950s. Cleveland Browns Owners The Browns have had several ownership eras since their founding. Arthur “Mickey” McBride — 1946–1952 Arthur B. McBride was the original owner and one of the principal figures responsible for bringing professional football back to Cleveland after World War II. McBride hired Paul Brown to build the franchise. The decision proved enormously important, as Brown established one of the most successful organizations in early professional football. David Jones and Ellis Ryan — 1953–1960 Ownership changed in the early 1950s, with David Jones and Ellis Ryan holding ownership interests in the club. Jones served as president and became the majority owner, while Ryan remained a partial owner. Art Modell — 1961–1995 Arthur B. “Art” Modell purchased the Browns in 1961 for approximately $4 million. Modell owned the team for more than three decades. During his ownership, Cleveland won the 1964 NFL Championship, led by Jim Brown and a strong defense. Modell’s ownership ultimately became one of the most controversial chapters in Browns history. In 1995, he announced plans to move the franchise to Baltimore. The NFL and the city of Cleveland subsequently reached an agreement that preserved the Browns’ name, colors and history in Cleveland. The Baltimore organization became a new franchise, the Ravens, while Cleveland received an expansion Browns team beginning in 1999. NFL Trust — 1996–1998 Following the move announcement and before the new Browns returned to the field, the inactive Cleveland franchise was held in an NFL trust. Cleveland did not field a team during the 1996–1998 seasons. Al Lerner — 1999–2001 Al Lerner became the owner of the re-established Cleveland Browns. Under Lerner, the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999 and moved into a newly constructed stadium on the same general lakefront site where the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium had stood. Randy Lerner — 2002–2011 Randy Lerner, Al Lerner’s son, took over ownership following his father’s death. The Browns made the playoffs in 2002 during the Lerner era, their first postseason appearance since returning to the NFL. Jimmy and Dee Haslam — 2012–present Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam purchased the Browns in 2012. The NFL approved the sale in October 2012. The Haslams remain the controlling owners of the franchise. In 2025, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Charles Woodson became a limited partner in the Browns’ ownership group, the first minority owner added since the Haslams became controlling owners. Every Stadium the Browns Have Called Home Cleveland Municipal Stadium — 1946–1995 The Browns’ original and longest-serving home was Cleveland Municipal Stadium, commonly called Municipal Stadium or Cleveland Stadium. The Browns played there from their 1946 AAFC debut through the 1995 season. They also occasionally played games at the smaller League Park during their earliest seasons, particularly before 1947. Municipal Stadium was the setting for many of the greatest moments of the early Browns dynasty, including championship games and the Browns’ 1964 NFL championship season. Browns home: 1946–1995 League Park — Early Browns Home Games Although Cleveland Municipal Stadium was the principal Browns home, League Park was also used during the early AAFC years. The Browns played weekday games at League Park during their earliest seasons, while larger crowds were accommodated at Municipal Stadium for weekends and holidays. Browns use: primarily 1946–1947 Cleveland Browns Stadium — 1999–2012 and 2023–2024 After Cleveland received the re-established Browns franchise, a new stadium was constructed on the site of the former Municipal Stadium. It opened in 1999 and was originally named Cleveland Browns Stadium. The stadium underwent a succession of corporate naming arrangements over the years. FirstEnergy Stadium — 2013–2022 Beginning in 2013, the stadium was renamed FirstEnergy Stadium. Cleveland Browns Stadium — 2023–2024 The building temporarily returned to the name Cleveland Browns Stadium before another naming-rights agreement was reached. Huntington Bank Field — 2024–present In September 2024, the Browns announced a 20-year naming-rights partnership with Huntington Bank. The stadium was officially renamed Huntington Bank Field. Browns Home Stadium Timeline Years Stadium 1946–1995 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 1946–1947, selected games League Park 1999–2012 Cleveland Browns Stadium 2013–2022 FirstEnergy Stadium 2023–2024 Cleveland Browns Stadium 2024–present Huntington Bank Field Browns in the Hall of Fame The Cleveland Browns organization identifies 18 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in its principal Browns Hall of Fame group. This list includes Hall of Famers whose Cleveland Browns accomplishments form… Continue reading Cleveland Browns: A Complete History
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
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
