Greatest Game Ever Played, January, 1958. It was the NFL Championship game vs. Baltimore. Game was won in OT by Johnny U. and the Colts, 24-17. Jimmy Patton, OM DB also played for the Giants, as well. He was killed in an auto accident around Atlanta driving to his sister's funeral in NC. He had two young sons and I wish I knew what became of them. I still remember Dad cheering when Jimmy made a good play.

Also, Wellington Mara, team owner, liked OM and took our colors for the Giants.

One more thing, the Hunt brothers were watching that game and by games end the AFL was born. Their strategy was to put teams in cities that did not have NFL teams, exception was New York. They would have high scoring offenses, which would attract and hold viewers attention. They would also compete with the NFL for top players. All that worked.

All of us who were around when the AFL began play were treated to high scoring, exciting games with plenty of fights. The cameras did not shy away from the fights, as they do today. The old AFL was responsible for many rules changes in pro ball, such as intentially fumbling the ball forward to gain a first down or TD.

Please excuse that I hijacked the thread, just couldn't help myself.

Last edited by Paladin (1/19/2018 10:59 am)

I had no idea that the Giants owner based their colors on Ole Miss directly. Is this real or just a supposition? 

academy reb wrote:

How can you not be for a team that a professional bookie bought for $500.  Before Para mutual betting, there were professional bookies at the tracks.  Old man Mara was one of those people.  He also went to Saratoga when the races moved to the "Spa" for the summer run.  At Saratoga a bar owner from Pittsburg made a large bet with Mara and won.  Mr. Rooney went home and started the Steelers.  The Mara/Rooney friendship began and the NFL began on solid, lucky bet, ground. 

After Para mutual betting became the norm, the Maras concentrated on their franchise, The NY Football Giants, besides it became illegal to run a professional book.   What a story.  

This information about Mara is something that I never knew.  As for being a Saints fan, I am by no means a die hard fan, but I do like for them to win.  When I was young, I was an avid Archie Manning fan and Archie was the QB for the Saints.  Growing up in Mississippi, the Saints games were broadcast to us, so I was able to watch Archie and the Saints play on Sunday afternoons.

Here is the Wiki Article on the Original Giant, Tim Mara

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Mara

SCrebel wrote:

Because of Eli... Growing up in northern MS, I never felt loyal to any NFL team, so I mainly follow teams with OM players.

I am the same these days. I grew up a cowboys fan but quit when Jerry Jones bought them. I then was niners fan for years but didn't really like where they went after Walsh retired. So when Eli went to NY they became my team. I follow the other Ole Miss players although there are some that are on teams that I cannot root for so I just hope the Rebel players do well as the team loses.