From Trailblazers to Touchdowns: The Historic October 9th in Football
October 9th is a landmark date for American football, rich with October 9 football history, celebrating moments that advanced the sport on multiple fronts. This day marks the birth of College Hall of Fame quarterback Walter Steffen in 1886, a legend whose innovation and talent helped shape the game.
Historically, October 9, 1989, marked the first time Art Shell became the first African American head coach in the NFL’s modern era, leading the Raiders to victory. We also celebrate college records, like Indiana’s Bob Hoernschemeyer throwing six touchdown passes in 1943—an NCAA freshman record! Join us as we explore the trail blazed by these football giants.
October Football History Headlines
October 9, 1886 – In New York City, a rules convention was held, and it voted to have a championship game on Thanksgiving Day (the first game ever scheduled on the Holiday) and to use only one type of ball, the Lilly White Number J.
October 9, 1938 – The Cleveland Rams and the Chicago Bears played in only one of four NFL games that did not have a penalty called in it. The Game at Cleveland Stadium, according to profootballhof.com, featured the Rams upsetting the previously unbeaten Bears 14-7. The winning touchdown came on a fumble recovery on a punt returned by the Rams’ Carl Littlefield 23 yards. The referee was Ed Cochrane.
On October 9, 1943, Indiana’s Bob Hoernschemeyer—known as “Hunchy”—set a massive passing record that still resonates today. In the Hoosiers’ 54-13 victory over Nebraska, the young quarterback threw an incredible six touchdown passes. This spectacular performance set an NCAA freshman record for most touchdown passes in a single game and established an Indiana University record that has been tied but never broken. Hoernschemeyer would later lead the NCAA in total offense that season before winning two NFL Championships with the Detroit Lions.
Bob Hoernschemeyer Oct 9, 1943 Pass 10 Oct 1943, Sun Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska) Newspapers.com
October 9, 1983 – A career-high passing day for Buffalo Bills QB Joe Ferguson.
On October 9, 1989, Art Shell made history by coaching his first game as the head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders.
Having been named head coach six days earlier, Shell became the first African American head coach in the NFL’s modern era, following only Fritz Pollard, who coached in the 1920s. In his debut, the Raiders defeated the New York Jets 14-7. The former Hall of Fame offensive tackle was named AFC Coach of the Year in his first full season (1990), solidifying his monumental contribution to the league’s history.
October 9, 2010 – The unranked University of South Carolina knocks off the number one-ranked University of Alabama by the score of 35-21.
October 9 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Besides the events you read about above, the ninth of October brought forth the births of several other football titans. This day marks the birthdays of College Football Hall of Famers Walter Steffen and Hank Lauricella, alongside Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker legend Mike Singletary. Here is a closer look at their bios.
- Walter Steffen
- Hank Lauricella
- Mike Singletary
Conclusion
From celebrating the birth of the iconic Brett Favre to commemorating the groundbreaking hiring of Art Shell, October 9th remains a profoundly significant date in football history. This day spotlights the incredible talent and boundary-pushing decisions that have forever shaped the NFL and college game. Whether through passing records or legendary leadership, the events of this single day continue to inspire fans and solidify the enduring legacy of American football.
If you found this interesting, you may want to check out our other American football OTD posts, like yesterday’s October 8 post:
