Under the Lights: Why September 28 is One of Football’s Most Electrifying Dates
Imagine a football game played under a single light pole in the middle of the field. That’s precisely the history made on September 28, 1892, marking the birth of night football! While that first attempt ended in a scoreless, dimly lit tie, this date has continued to generate absolute fireworks ever since.
From legendary performances that stand the test of time to astonishing statistical anomalies, September 28th is a magnet for the record books. You’ll discover the day Norm Van Brocklin set an untouchable 554-yard passing record, how the 1936 NFL saw a rare penalty-free game, and when Joe Kapp exploded for seven touchdowns. Plus, we celebrate the birthdays of Hall of Famers like Steve Largent and Charley Taylor. Dive in to explore the incredible history packed into this single date!
September 28 Football History Headlines
September 28, 1892 – The very first night football game was played in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, on September 28, 1892, between Mansfield State Normal and Wyoming Seminary. Mansfield hosted the 13th annual Tioga County Agricultural, Mechanical and Industrial Fair in late September 1892. According to an NCAA.com post, one of the highlights of that year’s Fair was a portable generator with a brand-new, fanciful light display. Under the illumination from these lights, a game of football would be played. It was a novelty as advertised, and the Fair attracted over 18,000 patrons, many of whom watched the first football game played at night. The idea for the game originated from the Mansfield football team, which had just started playing a year earlier. They caught the attention of General Electric, which was interested in grandly showcasing the new technology. They had lights all around the playing field and one light pole smack dab in the middle of the field, too. The lighting quality was inferior, though, and on almost every play, few knew where the ball was. The game ended in a scoreless tie after only 10 plays were run, but it was a history-making one nonetheless.
September 28, 1936 – The Boston Redskins and the Brooklyn Dodgers play an NFL game that does not have one penalty in it! The Redskins prevailed in the penalty-free contest by the score of 30-6, according to Pro Football Reference.com.
RamsBeatYanks 29 Sep 1951, Sat The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
September 28, 1951 – The Dutchman, Norm Van Brocklin of the LA Rams, threw for an NFL record 554 yards on opening day, per the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website. As much as a legend that Van Brocklin is, he was not supposed to start for the Rams that day. Veteran QB Bob Waterfield was pencilled in as the starting signal caller, as he had won the preseason quarterback controversy. Still, the injury prevented Waterfield (also a Hall of Famer) from going. The Dutchman connected with three different receivers who had over 100 yards in pass catching for the day, including Elroy’ Crazy Legs’ Hirsch (173 yards), Tom Fears (163 yards), and V.T. Smith (103 yards). But that’s not all, as five other players on the Rams caught balls from the Dutchman that day as well!
KappCrushesColts 29 Sep 1969, Mon The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com
September 28, 1969 – Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Joe Capp throws 7 touchdown passes against the Baltimore Colts in a 52-14 victory for the purple-clad Norsemen.
September 28, 1986 – University of Rhode Island Tight End Brian Foster catches an NCAA record 18 passes for 327 yards.
September 28, 1996 – Iowa State’s running back Troy Davis rushes for 378 yards, which, according to iowastatedaily.com, is the fourth highest in college football history. This effort of hard running helped the Cyclones defeat the University of Missouri 45-31.
September 28 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Here is a list of College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees who celebrate September 28 as their birthday, which consists of: Glen Edwards, Tom Harmon, Lou Michaels, Steve Largent, and Charley Taylor. You can read more about them in the individual bio articles below.
Conclusion
From the very first chaotic, poorly lit night football game in 1892 to Norm Van Brocklin’s jaw-dropping 554-yard passing record, September 28th has consistently been a day of firsts and unforgettable feats. It highlights the spirit of innovation and the passion for record-breaking that defines American football. Whether it was a penalty-free shutout or a seven-touchdown barrage, this date remains a unique landmark in gridiron history.
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