The History of Pro Football (1983), Part 4 (The Fabulous 50's)

No copyright infringement is inteded with this, or any other video I upload. The purpose of uploading this video is for the viewing pleasure for those that watch it. This is a must-see for those wanting to know and learn about the history of professional football.

This is the final of the eight features that make up the NFL Films Legacy Series, and may be the ultimate lost treasure of NFL Films, as it documented the entire history of pro football, as it existed in 1983. It is also, to my knowledge, the first feature-length movie ever made by NFL Films.

This, the fourth part ouf ot seven, focuses on one decade, the 1950's. THe NFL in the 1950's was a wild, untamed game. Early in the decade, a runner wasn't even considered down when he was brought down, but rather, when all forward progress was stopped. As a result, there was a LOT of extra-cirricular activity that went on back then, resulting in feuds between players, such as the one between Art Donovan of the Colts and "Deacon" Dan Towler of the Rams, which is mentioned in this piece. But this was just one of MANY feuds that existed back then. This portion of the program is introduced by legendary Eagles C/LB "Concrete" Chuck Bednarik.

Among th players and teams profiled in this piece were offensive tackle Bob St. Clair of the 49ers. With men like QB Y.A. Tittle, and RBs Hugh McElhenny, Joe Perry, and John Henry Johnson, all of them Hall of Famers, there had to be great blockers up front, and St. Clair was the best, and the biggest at 6' 9", 270 lbs., which was HUGE back then. St. Clair mentioned his eccentricity of eating raw meat, which he credited his great strength to, something that got him the nickname "The Geek". I caution those watching this piece though, hearing St. Clair tell that story may not be for the faint of heart, so if you don't want to watch that part of this video, I don't blame you. Then Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne is profiled, as his tough leadership style helped lead the Lions to four conference and three NFL championships, not two as is mentioned. [Yes, the Lions once had a team that was consistenly of championship caliber.]

Other teams mentioned are the Los angeles Rams, which dominated the early years of the decade with their high-scoring offense that set records, including averaging nearly 39 points a game in 1950 and once scoring 41 points in a single quarter against the Lions in 1951. [Naturally, they won that game, scoring a total of 65 points in the process.] But the dominant team throughout the decade was the Cleveland Browns, which won seven conference and three NFL championships from 1950-'57.

But as great as the Browns and Lions were, the Baltimore Colts [and especially their predecessors, the 1952 Dallas Texans] were just as bad. But beginning in 1954, Weeb Ewbank was charge with putting together a team that could challenge for the title, and boy did he. By drafting men like Alan Ameche, Raymond Berry, and Lenny Moore, they became competitve. But when Ewbank signed John Unitas, the formula was complete, along with their defense, which was one of the most underrated in the sport's history. The Colts won the last two NFL championships of the decade, upending the New York Giants each time.

All credits go to NFL Films, APM Music, HBO, which first broadcast this feature, Heron Communications, and Fox Hills Video.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• NFL
• Films
• pro
• football
• history
• fabulous
• 50s
• Bob
• St.
• Clair
• Bobby
• Layne
• Detroit
• Lions
• Cleveland
• Browns
• Baltimore
• Colts

[beatlejim64]

Great stuff...that Colt's team of 1958 and 1959 was a hell of a team...Johnny Unitas...Raymond Berry...Gino Marchetti...Art Donovan...Jim Parker...Lenny Moore...and coach Weeb Eubanks...are all in the HOF...

[cjs3872]

@beatlejim64

Well, that Colt team seemed well on it's way to a dynasty. Unfortunately for them, Vince Lombardi got in the way, as the Colts only played in two NFL title games in the 1960s and didn't win another world championship until 1970, while Lombardi's Packers won six division titles, five NFL championships, and won the first two Super Bowls. Ironically, Weeb Ewbank's New York Jets won the third Super Bowl over the Colts.

[plntntvzn]

This is what the ex-XFL wished it would have been.@1:15,is ...I don't know what to call that? I knew we'd see a couple of crazy desperation plays from Chicago Cards after that, but I think that's them again @ 3:51. St. Clair redefines double-teaming defenders @ 4:27-30. How many unblocked defenders were rushing Bobby Lane @ 6:38? I think it's the NY Giants incredible defense that he's throwing against there. @ 8:26-37 acrobatic TD by...? I think before 1952 Texans,Colts were 1951 New York Yanks

[cjs3872]

@plntntvzn

I tihnk you're right about the Colts team in 1951 being the New York Yanks, which, by the way, was the team against which Norm Van Brocklin set the single-game passing record of 554 yards that still stands today. And yes, the 1950's in the NFL were, as John Facenda put it, "a wild game, a highlight film with all the penalties and mistakes left in". At times, the style of play made you wonder if there were any rules at all, except the team the scores the most, wins.

[deeniemarie7]

@plntntvzn Yeah,I knew he wore #47,I just couldnt see enough of the number.Future coach Joe Walton wore #81 back then for the Skin's so its probably him. Your right about James,be it on either side of the ball or returning kicks he was a slippery little s@$!. This was probably my favorite video of the series. It could have been 3 hours long and still not covered all of the characters and forgotten moments of the decade.

[plntntvzn]

@deeniemarie7 D James wore #47 and was in the offensive backfield that play and went out for a pass in that direction. But I think D James went up toward the sideline and was at the 33 yard-line when that pass was caught by I think somebody else. There's a part @ 3:50 where I can see just enough of the back of the jersey to know that the # is NOT 47, looks more like #81. Besides, D James was a little too slippery to get a shot at. Even Night Trane Lane couldn't do it. Believe me.

[deeniemarie7]

@plntntvzn The blonde bomber was just able to flip that pass to Hoernschemeyer despite all the pressure. The player in question @ 8:26 is Bob Boyd. Packer Billy Howton gets flung into the bench @2:08 . Toothless Eagle Proverb Jacobs @5:40 was worth a laugh.My favorite part of the video is Layne's td heave to lumbering Leon Hart beginning @7:05,who manages to fall down get back up and score over 2 Bear defenders.Thats Cloyce Box on the receiving end of the 98 yard td pass beginning @ 7:52.

[deeniemarie7]

# 41 Jimmy Hill lowers the boom @ 3:51. Believe the hammered was Dickie James,all everything back for the Skins.

[1dcpony]

FOOTBALL IS GAY!