NOTEWORTHY ANNIVERSARIES
125TH —
Grant Dilbert signs the first-known professional football contract (1893).
120TH —
The Morgan Athletic Club forms in Chicago (1898) and later becomes known as the Normals, then the Racine Cardinals, the Chicago Cardinals, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Phoenix Cardinals, and in 1994, the Arizona Cardinals. The franchise remains the oldest continuing operation in pro football.
85TH —
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles join the NFL (1933), and the forward pass becomes legalized from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage.
75TH —
The league approves the mandatory use of helmets for all players (1943).
60TH —
On Dec. 28, 1958, Baltimore defeats the New York Giants in the first sudden-death overtime in an NFL championship game. It’s known today as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
55TH —
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is established in Canton, Ohio (1963).
35TH SEASON —
The Colts relocate from Baltimore to Indianapolis (1984).
30TH —
The NFL approves the Cardinals to move from St. Louis to Phoenix (1988).
25TH —
Miami beats Philadelphia, giving Dolphins coach Don Shula his 325th victory, an NFL record.