Sports Then and Now

The 1965 American Football League (AFL) All-Star Game was unlike any other in professional football history. Scheduled to be played in New Orleans on January 16, 1965, the game became a defining moment in the civil rights movement within sports. Instead of being remembered for what happened on the field, the 1965 AFL All-Star Game is remembered for what didn’t happen—the players’ refusal to participate due to racial discrimination they faced upon arriving in New Orleans. This protest, led by the league’s African American players, forced the AFL to relocate the game to Houston, marking one of the earliest instances of professional athletes taking a stand against racial injustice.

The AFL and the Significance of the 1965 All-Star Game

The AFL, founded in 1960 as a rival to the NFL, was known for being more progressive in its approach to racial integration. While the NFL had long-standing unofficial policies that limited Black players in certain positions, the AFL was more open to signing Black talent, giving opportunities to players who had been overlooked by the more established league. The 1965 AFL All-Star Game was meant to be a showcase of the league’s brightest stars, including many of its top Black athletes.

The game was originally set to take place at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, a city that had never hosted a major professional football event. For the AFL, choosing New Orleans as the host city was strategic—the league was looking to expand and hoped to establish a franchise in the Deep South. However, despite assurances from local officials that Black and white players would be treated equally, the reality was far different when the players arrived.

Racial Discrimination in New Orleans

When the African American players arrived in New Orleans, they quickly found themselves subjected to blatant racism. Many were denied cab service, refused entry into restaurants, and treated with open hostility by locals. This was a stark reminder that, despite the Civil Rights Act of 1964 having been passed just months earlier, segregation and discrimination were still deeply ingrained in parts of the country.

Some players initially brushed off the treatment, hoping to focus on the game. However, as more and more instances of discrimination occurred, frustration grew. Players like Cookie Gilchrist, Ernie Warlick, and Abner Haynes, who had already experienced racism throughout their careers, began discussing taking action. The tipping point came when Black players attempted to get cabs and were ignored in favor of white players or refused service outright.

The Kansas City Chiefs are on the doorstep of National Football League history. No team has ever won three straight Super Bowls and the back-to-back defending world champion Chiefs could become the first as they prepare to play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. In fact, Kansas City is the first and only team in the history of the Super Bowl to reach a third straight Super Bowl having won the prior two. Thus, the Chiefs, champions of the American Football Conference, are in unprecedented territory which has never been explored before in the 105-year history of the NFL. Kansas City’s quest for a third straight Super Bowl win will take place Sunday Feb. 9 with kickoff set for 6:30 pm EST in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. The game will be broadcast on FOX Sports and the most recent line has the Chiefs (-1.5) a slight favorite. The over/under for total points to be scored in the game is at 49 after opening at 49.5 With a victory, Kansas City would create a new standard for an NFL championship reign as well as a new mark for consistency at the highest level of football.

The Chiefs are in the Super Bowl for the fifth time in the last six seasons and are 3-1 in their prior four trips since the 2019 season. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has the Chiefs on the brink of history and will be the most important player on the field on Sunday. Mahomes, a two-time NFL most valuable player, is the top quarterback in the game today largely due to his ability to consistently execute plays with his arm and legs. If a play should break down in some way, Mahomes draws on his experience by using his mind, creativity, and talents to deliver, especially in the clutch moments of games. His prime target is veteran tight end Travis Kelce who has the same ability to come up big in the biggest of moments. Look for those two to connect in some big moments on Sunday. Named to the Pro Bowl six times thus far in his career, Mahomes is one of only three players in NFL history with three Super Bowl MVP awards. The other two are Joe Montana with three and Tom Brady who holds the record with five such honors.

Along with masterful coaching by Kansas City head coach Andy Reid, Mahomes has the Chiefs at the top of their game. Kansas City won their ninth straight AFC west division title this season and set a single-season franchise record for most regular season wins with a 15-2 mark. Over this nine-season span, the Chiefs have gone 46-8 in division play and had a 6-0 record in three of the seasons, two of which culminated with a Super Bowl championship following the 2019 and 2022 seasons. While they have dominated their division and been the team others are targeting in the Mahomes era, they have done so not just by winning by big margins. In fact, it has been just the opposite this year. Kansas City enters the Super Bowl having won 17 straight one-possession games dating back to the 2023 season. This includes five postseason games, one of which was the classic 32-29 win over Buffalo in the AFC Championship game on Jan. 26 that sent them to New Orleans. The Chiefs just play above their opponents in the important moments throughout the game as well as in the biggest moments in the late stages of the fourth quarter or overtime. Reid and Mahomes have a lot to do with that along with the rest of the Kansas City players who provide a proven supporting cast. The Chiefs have succeeded time and time again in either pulling out a victory or preserving a small lead. Such was the case this season back on Nov. 10 when linebacker Leo Chenal blocked a potential game-winning field goal attempt by Denver with :01 left to play, preserving a 16-14 victory that moved Kansas City to 9-0. The Chiefs have so much moxie that when a big play or must have situation arises for them, they almost always make the play that gives them the edge. This is what the Eagles will have to monitor and be ready for from Kansas City as the game progresses on Sunday. Philadelphia will need to be very alert at all times.

The Eagles and Chiefs are playing in the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons. Kansas City rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Philadelphia 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII in 2023 in Glendale, AZ. There, the Chiefs stormed back in the second half to take a 35-27 lead with 9:02 left to play in the fourth quarter. The Eagles responded with an eight-play 75-yard drive capped by Jalen Hurts’ two-yard touchdown run. Hurts added the two-point conversion to force a 35-35 tie with 5:15 left to play. That’s when Kansas City turned to Mahomes for his leadership and clutch ability. Hobbled by a high right ankle sprain, which he had reaggravated in the first half, Mahomes lead the Chiefs down the field, going 3-for-3 for 17 yards and adding a critical 26-yard run to get deep into Philadelphia territory. Three plays later after Mahomes’ big run, Mahomes threw a short pass to the left side looking for JuJu Smith-Schuster on third-and-eight. Officials called a defensive holding penalty on the play against Eagles’ defensive back James Bradberry nullifying the play and giving Kansas City a first-and-10 at the Eagles 11-yard line with 1:54 left to play. Philadelphia was forced to use its’ remaining timeouts and the Chiefs ran the clock down to :11. Harrison Butker’s 27-yard field goal clinched the win for Kansas City. Only :08 remained as the Eagles took the kickoff back to their own 36-yard line. Six seconds remained for the Eagles and Hurts’ pass down the middle fell incomplete to end the game.

Neither quarterback threw an interception in Super Bowl LVII and Hurts had a better statistical performance than Mahomes. Hurts went 27-for-38 for 304 yards and one touchdown while also running for 70 yards on 15 carries, three of which were touchdowns. Mahomes finished 21-for-27 for 182 yards and three touchdowns and was not sacked. Hurts was sacked twice and committed a costly fumble which was returned 36 yards for a touchdown by Chiefs’ linebacker Nick Bolton to force a 14-14 tie in the second quarter.

As the NFL wraps up another remarkable season, Episode 18 of the COACH Podcast offers a heartfelt reflection on the year, highlighting its standout moments, growth, and future prospects. Hosted by Matt Patricia, Mike Lombardi, and Bill Belichick, this special episode dives into the evolution of the league, the Hall of Fame debate, and the dynamics of managing change in the NFL. It’s a masterclass for fans who love the game’s depth and intricacies.

COACH Podcast: A Look Back at 2024

Growth on a Global Stage
One of the key takeaways from this NFL season was its international expansion. From games in Brazil to fan-packed stadiums in Munich, the league has embraced a global audience like never before. “The UN of fans,” Patricia observed, describing the vibrant, jersey-filled crowds. As the podcast reflected on this development, Belichick highlighted how these international games are more than spectacles—they are integral to growing the league, expanding the salary cap, and investing in players.

Streaming platforms and new game schedules also brought fresh accessibility to the sport. Lombardi humorously noted his own struggles with streaming but praised how technology has made the NFL omnipresent. With discussions of future expansions to an 18-game schedule and international franchises, the league’s growth seems unstoppable.

NFL trades are a high-stakes gamble. Teams risk future draft picks, established players, or hefty financial commitments, all in pursuit of a championship or a franchise-defining player. While some trades flop spectacularly, others deliver results that far exceed expectations.

Here are five trades that seemed risky at the time but proved to be transformative for the teams involved.

1.    Raiders’ Trade for Davante Adams in 2022

The Raiders made headlines in 2022 when they traded two premium draft picks for wide receiver Davante Adams. At the time, critics questioned whether investing so heavily in one player was wise, especially given the team’s other roster needs. Though undeniably talented, Adams joined a team that wasn’t viewed as an immediate contender.

Expectations surrounding the team’s potential immediately shifted, and discussions about their playoff chances dominated the conversation.

Even the NFL Vegas line reflected the growing optimism, with odds adjusting to account for the game-changing impact Adams was expected to bring.

Adams wasted no time proving his value. He finished his debut season with some of the best numbers of his career, leading the league in receiving touchdowns and setting multiple franchise records. His presence also elevated the entire offense, creating opportunities for other players and forcing defenses to adapt their game plans.

In the NFL there are certain uniform numbers that have special meaning and status. Thanks to Jim Brown, O.J. Simpson, Franco Harris and others, number 32 was synonymous with great running backs for many years. The number 88 has a place of honor in the wide receiver room of the Dallas Cowboys and even outside of Dallas has been worn by many all-time greats. But the number that is probably most associated with a position and greatness is the number 12. There are currently six Hall of Fame quarterbacks who wore the number 12 during their playing days. That number will certainly grow once Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers take their rightful spots in the Hall of Fame in the next few years.

In honor of December 12 (12/12), we have ranked the top 12 quarterbacks who have worn the number 12 during their career.

1. Tom Brady

Widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, Tom Brady redefined excellence with his longevity, success, and leadership. Over 23 seasons with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady captured seven Super Bowl titles, more than any other player or franchise. He holds numerous records, including career passing yards, touchdowns, and playoff wins. Brady’s ability to excel in clutch situations and adapt to different systems made him the gold standard for quarterback play.

2. Roger Staubach

“Captain America” Roger Staubach was a cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys during the 1970s, leading the team to two Super Bowl titles and six NFC Championship appearances. Known for his scrambling ability and poise under pressure, Staubach was a model of consistency and competitiveness. A Hall of Famer, he remains one of the most beloved players in Cowboys history.

The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is one of the most underappreciated wide receivers in NFL history, despite boasting a career that spanned 16 seasons and saw him excel as one of the league’s premier deep threats. Known for his speed, route-running, and ability to make plays downfield, Harold Jackson left an indelible mark on the game during an era that was not yet pass-heavy. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 175 pounds, he defied expectations of size to become a dominant force on the field. Over the course of his illustrious career (1968–1983), Jackson totaled 10,372 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns, placing him among the top receivers of his time.