Football history is full of unforgettable moments, and September 22 is a date packed with them. From a landmark NFL player strike that changed the League forever to legendary coaches reaching monumental milestones, this day has seen it all. But it’s not just about the pros—September 22 also marks the birth of college football icons who revolutionized the game with their athleticism and innovation. Get ready to dive into a captivating look at the gridiron’s past, celebrating the birthdays and significant events of football greats who left their mark on September 22.
September 22 Football History Headlines
September 22, 1987 – The NFL Players started a strike that lasted for 24 days. The players wanted Free Agency to be a part of the agreement that the NFLPA had with the NFL owners. They had technically had free agency for almost a decade at that point. Still, a clause in the contract, known as the “Rozelle Rule,” stipulated that if a team signed a player, the Commissioner could review the transaction and compensate the team losing that player with draft picks or players from the new team. As the 1987 season started, things were not going the way the players liked with the negotiations, so in week four of the season, they walked out and went on strike. The NFL owners retaliated by bringing in replacement players, and it turned out to be a disastrous experiment for ownership. The quality of play had dropped considerably, and the fans demanded the same high standard that the League had started the season with. But star players such as Joe Montana, Mark Gastineau, and Steve Largent started breaking ranks and crossed the picket line. This eventually led to all of the players returning to work in week 7. Interestingly, the games played by the replacement players were counted in the team’s overall record.
September 22, 1991 – Miami Dolphins Head Coach Don Shula won his 300th NFL game! Shula started his head coaching career in the NFL in 1963 with the Baltimore Colts at the age of 33. He spent 7 seasons and tallied 71 wins in that position before leaving for warmer weather in Miami and staying at that post for 26 seasons. Don Shula won 1 NFL Championship in 1968 with the Colts and then won two Super Bowls at the helm of the Dolphins, including the NFL’s only undefeated Super Bowl team in 1972!
