NFL 100 - 10 historic football moments brought to life in Miami

1920 THE START OF THE NFL

On September 17, 1920 representatives from 10 pro football teams gathered in Ralph Hay’s Hupmobile showroom in Canton, Ohio to organize the sport’s first league. The result was the formation of the American Professional Football Association, which, in 1922, changed its name to the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

BASED ON Mural by Dirk Rozich

1937 BAUGH’S PLAYOFF PERFORMANCE

Washington redskins Rookie Quarterback Sammy Baugh (33) passes for 335 yards, 3 TDs to defeat Bears 28-21 in the 1937
NFL Championship.

1940 ONE-SIDED VICTORY

73-0.

That was the score of the most lopsided victory in Chicago Bears and league history in the 1940 NFL Championship Game. Legendary coach George Halas brought revolutionary thinking
to his offensive strategy and led the Bears to a record-setting
win against the Redskins.

1958 GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED

The Colts were led to victory by Johnny Unitas in the 1958 NFL Championship against the New York Giants. It was the first NFL playoff game to go into sudden death overtime.

1969 THE GUARANTEE 

Three days before Super Bowl III, jets quarterback Joe Namath appeared at the Miami Touchdown Club and boldly predicted to the audience, “We’re gonna win the game. I guarantee it.” His team backed up his words by controlling most of the game, beating the Colts 16-7.

1972 THE PERFECT SEASON

Dolphins players carry coach Don Shula off the field after winning Super Bowl VII and completing what is still the only perfect season in NFL history.

1982 THE CATCH

With 58 seconds left in the NFC Championship game, and the 49ers facing 3rd and 3, Dwight Clark makes a superhuman leap
to catch Joe Montana’s pass, winning the game.

1998 ELWAY’S HELICOPTER

John Elway’s incredible scramble and “helicopter” conversion on third down sets up the Broncos for a third quarter touchdown that paves the way for the team to win Super Bowl XXXII.

2008 THE HELMET CATCH

In the final two minutes of Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008, Giants quarterback Eli Manning throws a pass to wide receiver David Tyree, who makes a leaping catch by pressing the ball against his helmet. The 32-yard gain leads to the game-winning drive and the Giants’ 17–14 upset victory over the Patriots, who were on the brink of an undefeated season. 

2018 THE PHILLY SPECIAL

With this trick play in Super Bowl LII, Eagles quarterback Nick Foles becomes the first player in Super Bowl history to both throw and catch a touchdown. This play helped propel the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory in 57 years.