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Football Attic - First NFL Christmas Day Games

First NFL Christmas Day Games

12/25/20 • 9 min

Football Attic

Football Attic is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Since today is Christmas Day, I thought it would be fitting to spend today's episode looking back on the first National Football League games to be played on Christmas, and the circumstances that led to those games being the only ones of their kind for almost 20 years. Today, we're going back to 1971.

FOOTBALL ATTIC BACKGROUND

My name is John Gidley, and as I’m looking on my bookshelf, I see a lot of books about the National Football League.

There’s a book about the 72 Dolphins, one about the 85 Bears, another about the Immaculate Reception. Let’s be honest with ourselves, though: how many times have we heard these stories?

Where are the tales of the men who aren’t as prominent? Stories of the dominant Washington team of 1991, or of the stonewall defense of the 1977 Atlanta Falcons, or of the days when the Philadelphia Eagles wore white helmets? Well, there’s only one place to find those, right here in the Football Attic.

Each week, I’ll tell you about games, players, coaches, and teams who aren’t necessarily forgotten but are not as well-known as they should be. This isn’t just a podcast for those whose memory will be jogged by these retellings.

I’m 22 years old, and I’m an advocate for a greater historical perspective among younger NFL fans. So come join me as I take my weekly trip upstairs into the Football Attic. Just be sure to watch your step!

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Football Attic is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Since today is Christmas Day, I thought it would be fitting to spend today's episode looking back on the first National Football League games to be played on Christmas, and the circumstances that led to those games being the only ones of their kind for almost 20 years. Today, we're going back to 1971.

FOOTBALL ATTIC BACKGROUND

My name is John Gidley, and as I’m looking on my bookshelf, I see a lot of books about the National Football League.

There’s a book about the 72 Dolphins, one about the 85 Bears, another about the Immaculate Reception. Let’s be honest with ourselves, though: how many times have we heard these stories?

Where are the tales of the men who aren’t as prominent? Stories of the dominant Washington team of 1991, or of the stonewall defense of the 1977 Atlanta Falcons, or of the days when the Philadelphia Eagles wore white helmets? Well, there’s only one place to find those, right here in the Football Attic.

Each week, I’ll tell you about games, players, coaches, and teams who aren’t necessarily forgotten but are not as well-known as they should be. This isn’t just a podcast for those whose memory will be jogged by these retellings.

I’m 22 years old, and I’m an advocate for a greater historical perspective among younger NFL fans. So come join me as I take my weekly trip upstairs into the Football Attic. Just be sure to watch your step!

Previous Episode

undefined - How the 2000 Ravens Could Have Gone 16-0

How the 2000 Ravens Could Have Gone 16-0

Football Attic is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Today, we're going to talk about another one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history: the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. That defense allowed only 165 points in the regular season, less than even the 1985 Bears and the 1972 Dolphins. Just like those two teams, the Ravens won the Super Bowl that year, but with a competent offense, they could have joined the '72 Dolphins by going undefeated. Instead, they finished 12-4. You'll hear why shortly.

FOOTBALL ATTIC BACKGROUND

My name is John Gidley, and as I’m looking on my bookshelf, I see a lot of books about the National Football League.

There’s a book about the 72 Dolphins, one about the 85 Bears, another about the Immaculate Reception. Let’s be honest with ourselves, though: how many times have we heard these stories?

Where are the tales of the men who aren’t as prominent? Stories of the dominant Washington team of 1991, or of the stonewall defense of the 1977 Atlanta Falcons, or of the days when the Philadelphia Eagles wore white helmets? Well, there’s only one place to find those, right here in the Football Attic.

Each week, I’ll tell you about games, players, coaches, and teams who aren’t necessarily forgotten but are not as well-known as they should be. This isn’t just a podcast for those whose memory will be jogged by these retellings.

I’m 22 years old, and I’m an advocate for a greater historical perspective among younger NFL fans. So come join me as I take my weekly trip upstairs into the Football Attic. Just be sure to watch your step!

Next Episode

undefined - An Interview With My Father

An Interview With My Father

Football Attic is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

This week I interview my father, a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles Fan.

FOOTBALL ATTIC BACKGROUND

My name is John Gidley, and as I’m looking on my bookshelf, I see a lot of books about the National Football League.

There’s a book about the 72 Dolphins, one about the 85 Bears, another about the Immaculate Reception. Let’s be honest with ourselves, though: how many times have we heard these stories?

Where are the tales of the men who aren’t as prominent? Stories of the dominant Washington team of 1991, or of the stonewall defense of the 1977 Atlanta Falcons, or of the days when the Philadelphia Eagles wore white helmets? Well, there’s only one place to find those, right here in the Football Attic.

Each week, I’ll tell you about games, players, coaches, and teams who aren’t necessarily forgotten but are not as well-known as they should be. This isn’t just a podcast for those whose memory will be jogged by these retellings.

I’m 22 years old, and I’m an advocate for a greater historical perspective among younger NFL fans. So come join me as I take my weekly trip upstairs into the Football Attic. Just be sure to watch your step!

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