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Pigskin Dispatch

Advertise on podcast: Pigskin Dispatch

Rating
★★★★★
4.9
from
13 reviews
This podcast has
300 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Darin Hayes
Explicit
No
Date created
2020/08/30
Latest episode
2026/10/24
Average duration
23 min.
Release period
2 days

Description

Get a daily glimpse at the history of American football highlighting the events, people, teams, and anniversaries that took place on the calendar day, the year, or the story that the episode centers on. The show is in lock-step with our website PigskinDispatch.com to bring football fans of all ages a refreshing and fun gridiron experience!

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Check latest episodes from Pigskin Dispatch podcast


He Pivoted Senior Trivia Into Comprehensive Football Guides
2026/10/24
I introduced Steve Vernon, author of the Fan Edge IQ Football books, which teach football terms and strategy through trivia questions, clear answers, and IQ notes. We discussed that volumes 1A and 1B contain about 500 questions each and are organized as multiple choice quizzes with explanations. Steve explained that he used AI to help generate and edit the questions and that the books are meant to educate both new and experienced fans. We described the books as useful coffee table reference tools and as teaching aids for coaches and young players. I told listeners the books are titled Fan Edge IQ Football, are available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback, and that Spanish editions are offered in neutral Spanish. We will include links in the show notes and recommend searching for Steve L. Vernon on Amazon. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. I welcomed Steve Vernon to the Pig Pen to discuss his Fan Edge IQ series and the genesis of his football trivia volumes. I describe how Steve developed the idea while running trivia sessions at a retirement community and how that weekly engagement evolved into hundreds of curated questions. He explains the dual structure of the books: multiple-choice questions paired with explanatory answers and IQ notes that provide historical context and practical insight. I emphasize the clarity of examples such as coverage schemes and no-huddle strategy, which illustrate how the books educate both novice and seasoned fans. I outline Steve's process for assembling the volumes. He recounts using AI as an efficient research and drafting partner to generate and refine questions, then applying his own editorial direction to ensure varied and pedagogically useful multiple-choice items. I note the book design choices that make the text useful as a reference: a question-based index that directs readers to specific items, bilingual editions in English and neutral Spanish, and formats available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon. I conclude by summarizing the intended audiences and practical uses. I state that the books function well as coffee-table references, teaching aids for youth athletes and coaches, and entry points for new fans seeking to learn terminology and strategy. I underscore Steve's aim to preserve and explain football language and history while offering accessible tools for learning and conversation.
We Pick 49ers, Browns, and Key Covers for Week Seven
2026/10/22
We present our Week Seven NFL predictions and picks and lead with the main point that we are issuing game-by-game forecasts and tracking both straight-up and against-the-spread results. I state that Ed holds a one-game lead in straight-up picks and that our against-the-spread tracking shows Ed would be up $920 while I would be down $1,810. We go through individual game picks, including Bears over Patriots, Steelers over Saints, 49ers over Falcons, Browns over Titans, Vikings over Colts, Jets over Dolphins, Panthers over Bucs, Bengals over Ravens, Texans over Giants, Broncos over Cardinals, Lions over Packers, Rams over Raiders, Chiefs over Seahawks, and conflicting calls on Eagles vs Cowboys. I note broader themes and concerns such as trouble in the NFC West, the impact of injuries to key wide receivers, and how thin margins can change team fortunes. We invite listeners to follow our picks and to return next week for results and new predictions. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
We Recap Week Six: Upsets, Records, and Injuries
2026/10/21
We report that Week Six featured significant upsets, multiple record-setting performances, and a wave of injuries, and notably the Buffalo Bills became the first team ever to win four of their first six games while conceding 30 or more points in four separate contests. I emphasize that this anomaly underscores Josh Allen’s extraordinary influence on the Bills’ offense and the extent to which his play forces high-scoring contests. We also review historic trends, including an unprecedented back-to-back winless stretch for an entire division and the Jets’ prolonged futility in New England. We note franchise milestones such as Caleb Williams surpassing the Bears’ previous passing record and individual achievements like Kenneth Walker’s recent scoring run. We record the Eagles’ sudden slide amid injuries and the emergence of rare final scores, including a 25–14 Panthers victory that ranked among the week’s least common outcomes. We will reconvene to offer week seven predictions and further analysis. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Revealing the Forgotten Origins of the Cal–Stanford "Big Game"
2026/10/20
I spoke with Timothy Brown of FootballArchaeology.com and we trace the Cal–Stanford rivalry to 1892, which produced the first intercollegiate game west of the Rockies. I explain that Cal played clubs and schools in winter and spring until Stanford’s arrival shifted the season, and that early contests sometimes used rugby rules. I recount striking details, including a game at the Haight Street Grounds that was delayed 75 minutes because no one brought a ball and the existence of a “Little Big Game” for freshmen. I note that safety and rule controversies in 1906 led many institutions to suspend football, and that Cal and Stanford resumed varsity play in 1915 and 1919 respectively. I invite listeners to consult footballarchaeology.com for additional research and archival material. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
We Unpack the True Origins of the Redskins and Commanders
2026/10/19
I welcome author Mike Richman to unpack his Washington Pro Football Encyclopedia, Redskins and Commanders, the definitive history that traces the team name origins, helmet logo evolution, and the recent return of Native American imagery. Mike explains that the Redskins name arose from three factors: a move to Fenway and a link to the Red Sox, the hiring of coach Lone Star Dietz and Native players, and a 1929 silent film titled Redskin. We review the many helmet designs over time, including the spear, the single R, and the composite chief portrait that became the long‑standing logo. He highlights the book’s new material, which adds season summaries through 2025, expanded player biographies, and sidebars on events such as Sean Taylor’s death and Alex Smith’s recovery. I note that the franchise has begun restoring traditional burgundy and gold, that Redskins merchandise recently sold out to retain the trademark, and that further restoration of imagery or the name may occur with the new stadium. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
Revealing the NFL's Winningest and Worst Franchises Since 1970
2026/10/16
Professor Perry presents the definitive accounting of every NFL franchise’s wins and losses since the 1970 AFL–NFL merger, foregrounding the achievement of teams that have reached or approached the 500-win threshold. We delineate that the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the modern era with roughly 530 victories and that the Dallas Cowboys likewise sit above 500 wins, while franchises such as the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals have eclipsed approximately 500 regular-season defeats. I explain the metric of cumulative championships and win–loss totals as the principal lens, and I contextualize anomalies caused by franchise absences and historical schedule variations. We trace franchise trajectories, noting, for example, the Raiders’ temporary fall below .500 and Pittsburgh’s sustained ascendancy that places it well ahead of peers. I describe the book as an annually updated reference that compiles season-by-season records, winning percentages, and interpretive commentary, and I indicate that copies are available on Amazon with the option for author signatures. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
We Predict a Rams Bounce Back and Chiefs Control Their Game
2026/10/15
The central point is that we present our Week Six NFL game predictions and discuss the betting results to date. I am Darren Hayes and I am joined by Ed Cleese as we make picks both straight up and against the spread. We note that Ed leads the spread standings and has net winnings, while I have sustained losses. We give specific game calls, including Seahawks over Broncos, Texans over the Jaguars in London, and New Orleans over the Giants, and we debate several close contests. We review team form, injuries, and coaching impacts and offer cautious guidance on wagering. We invite you to visit PigskinDispatch.com for more history and analysis and we will return with further predictions next week. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. We present a focused and methodical review of our Week Six prognostications and the reasoning that undergirds each selection. I recount the ledger of our season to date, noting that Ed presently leads in both straight-up and spread success and that the financial accounting we maintain has yielded divergent outcomes for our listeners depending upon whether they follow spread advice. We proceed to adjudicate each game in chronological order: Seattle at Denver, Houston in London versus Jacksonville, Chicago at Atlanta, Baltimore at Cleveland, Tennessee at Indianapolis, New England at New York, New Orleans at New York, Philadelphia at Carolina, Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Rams at Arizona, Kansas City at Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo at Las Vegas, Dallas at Green Bay, and San Francisco at Washington. I supply succinct verdicts on winners and likely covers, and we emphasize prudence where uncertainty prevails, especially in rivalry matchups and contests impacted by travel and recent emotional swings.
NFL History is Made- Week 5 in the Rear View Mirror
2026/10/14
Ed Kleese joins us as we review the history-making Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season. Ed rants about his Commanders' blunder, and we enjoy the week's best moments. Of course, the Scorimangi Index score is released. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
We Uncover the Rams' 1948 Horns and Why Few Noticed
2026/10/13
Timoth Brown if Football Archaeology joins me to state plainly that helmet logos were not immediate: the Los Angeles Rams painted horns on their helmets in 1948 and the change went largely unnoticed until decades later. Tim explains why early teams often put markings on the back or top of helmets and why the side logo only became standard later. We trace scattered experiments in the 1920s and 1930s, the Rams’ 1948 horns, and the slow adoption by NFL teams through the 1950s and early 1960s. We conclude that television visibility, the need for clear team identification on small black-and-white sets, and the rise of licensing and branding drove the widespread use of side helmet logos. We note that colleges delayed widespread logo use because of TV numbers and inconsistent placement until the late 1960s and 1970s. The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: The Horns of the Rams’ Dilemma - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/the-horns-of-the-rams-dilemma Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
We Trace the Bears' Story from 1920 to Today
2026/10/09
Scott Pery and his alter ego, Professor Perry, join us to trace the Chicago Bears' history, focusing on the team's lineage since 1970, based on findings from Scott's book NFL Since 1970. Learn the amazing journey that the Bears have had in Scott's life's work of monitoring NFL teams and the W/L records since 1970. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
We Predict Key Upsets: Chargers, Jets, and Commanders
2026/10/08
Guest Ed Kleese and I present our Week Five 2026 NFL prediction show, focusing on our game-by-game forecasts and the current state of our records. I note that Ed holds a substantial advantage against the spread, having a hypothetical profit of $530 versus my $-940 when wagering $100 per pick. We enumerate key selections, including Dallas over Tampa Bay, Jacksonville favored in London over Philadelphia, and the Bengals to prevail in Miami, and we offer opinions on who will cover the lines. I underscore concerns about the Eagles’ faltering offense and the league’s prevailing unpredictability, which we observe can lead to rapid reversals of fortune. We identify several consequential matchups later in the week, such as 49ers at Seahawks and Bills at Rams, and we close by inviting listeners to consult pigskindispatch.com for additional analysis and to join our subsequent history and prediction segments. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
We Explain the NFL's 0‑4 Teams and Their 1976 Echoes
2026/10/07
We observed that five teams began the season 0-4, the first time that has occurred since 1976. Guest Ed Kleese identifies those teams as the Dolphins, Texans, Titans, Chargers, and Bucks. We also noted that the Minnesota Vikings opened 4-0 and recorded two wins without scoring a touchdown, a feat not seen since the 1934 Detroit Lions. I examined several rare score facts, including a 32–26 finish that has only happened twice in NFL history and a near-scoragami weekend. We reviewed other historical items such as the Bears earning three wins in four games with three different starting quarterbacks and the Chiefs’ early defensive anomaly of no sacks through three games. I closed by inviting listeners to join our preview and predictions for Week 5. Chapters 00:11 Ed Kleese: Week 4 NFL History (2026) 03:23 The 4–0 Teams: Vikings' Defensive Oddity & Early Surprises 08:59 The Bills in the Josh Allen Era 11:38 Night Games & NFC South Highlights 16:32 Scoregami: The Week's Rarest Final Scores Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. We recount a weekend of NFL history and its surprising patterns. Ed and I focus on the unusual cluster of 0-4 teams and on the 4-0 teams that have distinguished themselves. We note that five teams started 0-4, a situation last seen in 1976, and we trace the fate of those old teams to show how rare long recoveries can be. I describe the 1992 San Diego Chargers who reached the playoffs after an 0-4 start. I also examine the Vikings’ early success. We highlight defensive feats, such as the Vikings winning games without scoring touchdowns and the Detroit Lions’ 1934 shutout run. We weigh the prospects for teams like the Texans, Chargers, and Buccaneers, which were expected to do better, and we contrast them with Minnesota and Kansas City, who look balanced and dangerous. The summary emphasizes history, context, and the lessons that form from these trends.
Remembering the Lost 1893 West Point Night Game at the Chicago World's Fair
2026/10/06
We recount the remarkable 1893 contest between the United States Military Academy and the Chicago Athletic Club, an early and consequential night and indoor football game staged amid the illuminations of the Columbian Exposition. I explain that West Point cadets encamped on the fairgrounds for weeks and that the match was played in the stock pavilion beneath electric lights, rendering it one of the earliest documented contests conducted under artificial illumination. We describe how the Chicago Athletic Club, composed largely of accomplished former college players, prevailed, and how Coach Bliss—recently engaged by West Point—astonishingly entered the second half for Chicago and scored against the cadets. I situate the game within the broader milieu of the World's Fair, noting that the exposition’s technological innovations and transient architectural fabric provided an extraordinary backdrop for experiments in evening play. We underscore that the affair exemplifies the idiosyncratic practices of late-nineteenth-century sport—temporary venues, tan-bark surfaces, and ad hoc rosters—and that its preservation enriches our understanding of the early evolution of American football. The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: The 1893 West Point-Chicago AC Night Game - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/todays-tidbit-the-1893-west-point ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ 00:07 Football at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair 04:11 Scheduling the 1893 West Point–Chicago AC Night Game 05:23 The Chicago AC Game — Coach Bliss Plays Against West Point 09:40 Chicago World's Fair: Innovations That Shaped Today 11:59 How to Read More: Subscribe to FootballArchaeology.com Do you want more football history? Grab a copy of our Award-Winning book, "The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars" at https://amzn.to/4rG6uVe Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
We Explore Why the Giants Once Played at the Yale Bowl
2026/10/05
I am joined in the episode by podcast Joe Santos as he recounts how the New York Giants were displaced from Yankee Stadium and forced to play their home games at the Yale Bowl in New Haven. We explain that the move resulted from lease complications and urgent renovations that closed Yankee Stadium. I describe the practical problems that followed, including long fan travel, split team operations, and inadequate facilities at the Yale Bowl. We discuss the public and political backlash, the financial consequences, and the effect on team performance. I draw on archival research and interviews to show how this episode of homelessness shaped both the franchise and its supporters. We also note related work on early Patriots history and my continuing efforts to preserve NFL history. You can find Joe's podcast New York Giants Without a Home on the Sports History Network or your favorite podcast provider. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.
The Story of John Heisman and Pop Warner's Deception Feud
2026/10/03
Deception in football drove major rule changes, including the banning of a play that hid the ball under a player’s jersey. I recount how John Heisman and Pop Warner each claimed and traded that play for decades. We describe Heisman’s hidden-ball tactic at Auburn and Warner’s elastic garment trick at Carlisle that compelled rulemakers to act. I narrate the rivalry moments that followed, from Heisman’s 222–0 rout of Cumberland to Warner’s 32–0 victory with Pitt. We explain how both coaches also promoted legal innovations, such as the forward pass and the jump shift, which were later constrained. I conclude that their ingenuity reshaped the sport and that the rule book ultimately outlawed their most extreme devices. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at [email protected] Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. I recount the rivalry between John Heisman and Pop Warner as a contest of invention, tactic, and consequence. I describe how both men embraced deception as a means to victory and how their experiments altered the game. I trace Heisman’s career across Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Penn, and Rice, and Warner’s path from Cornell to Carlisle and Pittsburgh. I explain concrete plays: the hiding of the ball under the jersey, the elastic seam devices Warner used, and Heisman’s advocacy for the forward pass. I note specific meetings between the two men, including the 1895 Auburn–Georgia clash and later encounters in Pittsburgh, and I emphasize how those games produced strategies that confounded opponents and prompted rule changes. I reflect on the institutional response to their innovations. I note the formal ban in 1910 on the disguised-ball play and the later restrictions that limited shifting and motion, such as the rule permitting only one man in motion. I describe how Heisman’s legal mind pushed for rule reform while Warner’s creative offense, exemplified by the single wing and pre-snap shifts, forced the sport to codify limits. I close by situating their legacy: they expanded the tactical vocabulary of football and compelled authorities to adapt the rules in order to preserve a balance between creativity and fair play.

Podcast reviews

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4.9 out of 5
13 reviews
★★★★★
So good , good! 2024/02/02
Pigskin Dispatch
For the wonderful and old, I listen to Pigskin Podcast and read Football Archeology. Darin and Tim feed my life long fascination with football history...
★★★★★
PS VS 2023/08/11
Terrific Job by Darin
Look forward to listening to it every day. Have to say that the discussion with Dr. Tony Collins and Timothy Brown was my FAVORITE podcast of all tim...
★★★★★
DanP Laguna Beach 2021/07/30
Awesome show
Well done!!! I would love a show about the 1951 Rams and shows about each of the AAFC franchises.
★★★★★
Macjeremymac 2021/02/12
Great work!
Keep it up Darin.
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