NFL Announces Usage of Instant Replay

On March 11, 1986, the National Football League announces that it will begin using instant replay for the upcoming 1986-1987 season.

 

One of the original 'on-field instant replay booths' the NFL put up during the 1990s at the Metrodome in Minnesota, the former home of the Vikings.

In 1986 the technology was nowhere near what it is today, which made instant replay unpopular with players, coaches and the fans.

A few years later in 1992, the NFL decided to abandon its instant replay system but after years of complaining from several coaches, instant replay made a comeback during the 1999 season.

The newer, high definition 'on-field NFL replay booth' as seen at a San Francisco 49ers game in 2013.

Although there were still many aspects that were flawed, the ability for a coach to challenge a disputed call definitely improved the game. The current rules allow a coach to challenge two plays throughout the course of the game. If both challenges are successful a third is awarded.

49ers Beat Chargers In Super Bowl

On Jan. 29, 1995, the San Francisco 49ers became the first NFL franchise to win five Super Bowls with a 49-26 victory over the San Diego Chargers in an all-California affair in Miami.

Quarterback Steve Young was named the game's MVP after throwing for 325 yards with a 24-for-36 efficiency.

Young was responsible for all six of his team's touchdowns as he threw six TD passes and no interceptions.

The victory for Young, was his only Super Bowl victory as a starter, he had another victory on the bench behind Joe Montana in 1989.

This was also the last time the 49ers were in the Super Bowl.

The 49ers five Super Bowl victories ties them for second all-time with the Dallas Cowboys and behind only the Pittsburgh Steelers who have six victories.

Last years Super Bowl was also played in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome, home of the New Orleans Saints, as the 49ers were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens, in what many labeled the "Harbaugh-bowl" or "Harbaughcalypse."

In 1990 the 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 55-10 in the then called Louisiana Super Dome to win Super Bowl XXIV (24), the last under Joe Montana.

Since Super Bowl XXIV (24) the Super Dome has played host to two more Super Bowls, 1997 in Super Bowl XXXI (31) with the Green Bay Packers against the New England Patriots and in 2002 in Super Bowl XXXVI (36) with the New England Patriots against the St. Louis Rams.

NFL Pro Bowl + Podcast

Scratch Hit Sports creator Stephen Langsam recaps the NFL Championship Round Playoffs with former co-host of the Sporting Hangover, Ryan Hilton.

We talk about the "New" style Pro Bowl, and draft our own Pro Bowl teams. Just a quick five on five draft, sorry offensive lineman, this one is just about skill positions!

We also dive into a few thoughts about the Super Bowl.


NFL Pro Bowl Podcast

NFL Divisional Round Playoffs + Brady and Manning Playoff Moments.

Scratch Hit Sports creator Stephen Langsam recaps the NFL Divisional Round Playoffs with former co-host of the Sporting Hangover, Ryan Hilton, our predictions for the championship round, as well who is the best quarterback in each matchup.

We also dive into the previous Tom Brady and Peyton Manning playoff moments.

Scratch Hit Sports NFL Divisional Round Podcast

San Francisco 49ers' Clark Makes "The Catch"

On Jan. 10, 1982, Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers made the play now referred to as "The Catch" in the NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys.

With less than five minutes to go in the game and the 49ers trailing 27-21, Joe Montana led a strong drive to put the 49ers in position. He found Clark on a short touchdown pass and Clark hauled in the catch with 50 seconds left. After the extra point, the 49ers took a 28-27 lead.

Dwight Clark was a hand picked player for Bill Walsh during his tenure as the 49ers head coach. Bill Walsh drafted Dwight Clark as the first pick of the 10th round of the 1979 NFL draft.

Clark embarked on a stellar career for 49ers in which he had 506 catches for 6750 yards and 48 touchdowns, along with 50 rushing yards. He led the NFL in receptions (60) during the strike-shortened 1982 season, and made the Pro Bowl twice in 1981 and 1982 in his nine NFL seasons.

After Walsh drafted Clark, he made Clark and quarterback Joe Montana practice a certain 20-yard rollout "Hail Mary" pass into the end zone at the end of every practice. Walsh wanted to make sure that they could complete that certain pass in the red zone.

That play that Montana and Clark practiced ended up being “The Catch,” smart thinking by Clark to practice that play, which put them in the 1982 Super Bowl.

After nine successful seasons with San Francisco 49ers, Dwight Clark retired after 1987 NFL season.

Clark was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams in 1982 and 1985.

To honor Clark's contribution to 49ers, the club retired his number 87.

After retirement, he has served as a team executive for the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns as well as starring in the lead role in the 1994 direct-to-video comedy Kindergarten Ninja.

Clark has also appeared in the video game, All-Pro Football 2K8.

Clark joined Comcast SportsNet Bay Area in 2011 as a 49ers analyst for "49ers Postgame Live."

NFL Wildcard Playoffs recap + Divisional Round Predictions + San Francisco 49ers Top 5 Playoff Moments

The NFL Wildcard round is over and the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers are moving on to face the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers respectively.

I recap the games with a former co-host, Ryan Hilton, from "The Sporting Hangover," as well go over the Top 5 49ers Playoff Moments and then touch on the NFL Divisional Round Playoff matchups.

Youtube video link to Scratch Hit Sports Podcast on NFL Wildcard Round

Podbean audio link to Scratch Hit Sports Podcast on NFL Wildcard Round

Largent Breaks NFL Record

On Dec. 27, 1987, the Seattle Seahawks played against the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium.

The game wasn’t too amazing, but a record set by Seahawks wide receiver Steve Largent was, as he made his record breaking 751 receptions in the NFL.

Although Largent got his record of 751 catches and beyond, the Seahawks lost 41-20 as the season wound down. Largent had a touchdown catch in the game as well.

Largent would finish his career as the All-Time leader in the NFL with 819 receptions, 13,089 receiving yards, and 100 receiving touchdowns, and 177 consecutive games with a catch.

Though shortly after his retirement, former San Francisco 49ers great Jerry Rice would surpass all of his records.

Largent is still known today as one of the best white receivers to play the game, compiling over 13,000 receiving yards, 819 catches and 100 touchdowns.

His career accolades include being named to the Pro Bowl seven times, being an eight-time All-Pro selection, being named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade team, winning the 1988 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, the Bart Starr Man of the Year Award.

Largent was inducted into the Canton Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

He was enshrined into the Seahawks Ring of Honor, as well as having his no. 80 jersey retired by Seattle in 1992 and being named to the Seahawks 35^th Anniversary team in 2010.

After his football career Largent would go into Politics, where he has been in the U.S. House of Represenatives from Oklahoma’s first district from Nov. 29, 1994 to Feb. 15 2002. Largent would win all four elections he was up for by at least 24 percent of the vote.

NFL And AAFC Merge

On Dec. 9, 1949, the NFL merged with the All-American Football Conference. As part of the merger, three AAFC franchises joined the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Colts, and Cleveland Browns joined the NFL. The remaining AAFC franchises folded. Two days later, the Browns beat the 49ers in the final AAFC title game.

The Baltimore Colts ended up disbanding as a team following the 1950 season, but would re-enter into the NFL in 1953. The Colts would win two Super Bowls in their four appearances. With there most notable appearance in Super Bowl III against the New York Jets, when Johnny Unitas quarterback of the Colts lost to “Broadway” Joe Namath.

More recently Peyton Manning led the Colts to a win in Super Bowl XLI (41) as they beat the Chicago Bears, solidifying Manning as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL and his entrance into the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The Cleveland Browns still have never been to a Super Bowl, however a team that was built from them the Baltimore Ravens would win Super Bowl XXXV, their only appearance in history up until last season when the Ravens beat the 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers have gone on to become one of the elite franchises in NFL history winning Five Super Bowls (and dropping one) ranking them tied for second all-time. They trail only the Steelers, who have six wins, and are tied with the Dallas Cowboys.

Dempsey Sets NFL Field Goal Record

On Nov. 8, 1970, Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints set a new NFL mark by kicking a 63-yard field goal. 

To make the kick even more exciting, Dempsey hit it in the fourth quarter to give the Saints a 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions. Dempsey also had no ties on his right foot.

A strange fact about Dempsey was that he had a deformed kicking foot, it was shaped like a club and he would kick the ball straight on. 

Compared to now, as kickers do more of a soccer style kick, with the inside of their foot.

  

Since Dempsey’s record setting kick, Jason Elam of the Denver Broncos tied it in 1998 in the snow in Denver against the Jacksonville Jaguars; Sebastian Janikowski of the Oakland Raiders did it in 2011 against the Broncos in Denver; and David Akers of the San Francisco 49ers did it last year against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau field, as the ball bounced off the cross bar and thru the uprights.

The only lefty to have reached the record is Janikowski, who also kicked a 61-yard field goal in 2009 against the Browns, and is the only person to have two or more field goals of 60 plus yards in his career.

Browns Move To Baltimore

On Nov. 6, 1995, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell officially announced that the Cleveland Browns would be moving to Baltimore after the season. 

The lame duck Browns struggled the rest of that season. Eventually a deal was reached in which the name, logos, and history of the franchise would remain in Cleveland. A new version of the Browns returned to the field in 1999.

Modell's Baltimore franchise became known as the Baltimore Ravens and was essentially an expansion team.

Despite the Browns being a losing franchise, the Ravens didn’t take much time to become an elite franchise. The Ravens would visit the playoffs for the first time in 2000. 

That year would be a magical year for the Ravens as they traveled all the way to the Super Bowl and eventually beat the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV (35).

The Ravens would continue to excel in the AFC North and would make the playoffs in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

The Ravens would again win the Super Bowl XLVII (47) in 2013 against the San Francisco 49ers as head coaches Jim and Job Harbaugh faced off in the first Super Bowl to be coached by brothers.

Colts Win On Monday Night Football

On Oct. 31, 1988, the Indianapolis Colts host their first Monday Night NFL game in Indianapolis. The Colts end up winning, beating the Denver Broncos 55-23.

The Colts were members of the National Football League from their founding, however, they were one of three teams to switch to the AFC following the 1970 merger.

While in Baltimore the team advanced to the postseason ten times and won three NFL Championship games in 1958, 1959 and 1968.

The Colts had two Super Bowl appearances while in Baltimore, losing to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III, while defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V.

The Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984 and have since appeared in the playoffs fourteen times, with two conference championships and one Super Bowl championship coming against the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

It was under quarterback Peyton Manning that the Colts saw their greatest success since relocating to Indianapolis, with the team appearing in the playoffs nine consecutive seasons, tying a league record.

Following Manning's departure in 2012, the Colts drafted Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck as their new franchise quarterback.

The Baltimore and Indianapolis Colts have played in 34 Monday Night Football games, winning 20 and losing 14. Their .606 winning percentage is good enough for the fourth highest winning percentage on Monday Night Football trailing only the Seattle Seahawks, .703, Pittsburgh Steelers, .634 and the San Francisco 49ers, .632.

The Colts last appearance on Monday Night Football came this year as they lost to the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 14 in a 19-9 contest.

Marshall Runs The Wrong Way

On Oct. 25, 1964, Jim Marshall runs the wrong way against 49ers.

On this day in 1964, Jim Marshall of the Minnesota Vikings had one of the most famous gaffes in sports history. 

Marshall was a great player that once appeared in 282 straight games, then a record. But Marshall is most remembered for his poor play in this game against the San Francisco 49ers. 

Marshall picked up a fumble and returned it 66 yards in the wrong direction. The play resulted in a safety and has become one of the most famous highlights ever.

Prime Time Plays Two Sports In One Day

On Oct. 11, 1992, Deion “Prime Time” Sanders suited up for both the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves.  He remains the only man in history to dress for two different professional sports team in one day.

Deion Sanders’ wild weekend began on Saturday night when he played in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Pittsburg Pirates where he pinch-hit in a 6-4 Braves win.  After the game, Sanders took a flight to Florida where his Atlanta Falcons took on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon.  Deion played all but one snap on defense as well as returning both punts and kick-offs, and he even chipped in on offense with a nine-yard catch.  Following the game, Sanders traveled by limousine, helicopter, plane and limousine again to arrive back at Three Rivers Stadium just in time for Game 5.  Although he dressed for the game, Sanders did not see any playing time in the Pirates’ 7-1 victory.

When you think of two sport athletes, the name Deion Sanders, along with Bo Jackson, immediately come to mind.  What these two men accomplished on the gridiron and on the diamond is something we may never see again.

Sanders had a great career in the NFL he racked up 53 interceptions, and 22 touchdowns in his 16 years in the league. Sanders’ other accolades included being selected to the Pro-Bowl eight consecutive times from 1991-1999. Sanders also set a record for interceptions in the Pro Bowl with four, he is tied with Everson Wells and Champ Bailey. 

Sanders was also named an All-Pro eight consecutive times from 1991-1999, two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 and 1994. In 1994 Sanders also was named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was the CO-NFL Alumni Special Teams Player of the Year in 1998, along with Gary Anderson. He was also part of two Super Bowl Championship teams the 1994 San Francisco 49ers and the 1995 Dallas Cowboys.

Sanders’ was elected into the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in 2011 as well the college football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana.

While Sanders was the cream of the crop in the NFL world, he was just a mediocre ball player with exceptional speed when it came to the MLB.

Sanders led the league in triples with 14 in 1992, but that was his only remarkable feat. Sanders accumulated 186 stolen bases, 39 home runs on 558 hits in his eight-year career, which spanned 12 years.

Sanders’ most memorable MLB moment came in the 1992 World Series where he hit .533 with four runs, eight hits, two of which were doubles, and one RBI while playing with a broken bone in his foot. The Braves would eventually lose to the Blue Jays in the World Series. He would never reach the World Series again.

Monk Begins Reception Streak

On Oct. 2, 1983, Hall of Fame wide receiver Art Monk begins his streak of catching one reception in at least 180 games in a row. Monk was the first player to mark this feat.

With all the receptions Monk was bringing in during his career he was able to eclipse several records including, the first wide receiver to record over 100 plus receptions in a season since the Super Bowl era. Monk was also the first player to record over 90 catches and 1,200 yards in back-to-back seasons. He was also the first player to record over 15 touchdowns in a season.

Monk also put up some big time career stats, he was the first receiver to catch over 820 passes in a career, and the first player to record over 900 receptions in a career, he finished with 940 receptions. The record for most receptions was broken 11 times since Monk retired in 1997.

Most notably by two San Francisco 49ers, Jerry Rice (1,549), Terrell Owens (1,078) and one Oakland Raider, Tim Brown (1,094).

Monk was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and a three-time Super Bowl Champion. He was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and one of the 70 greatest Redskins of all-time, Monk’s number 81 jersey was retired by the Redskins shortly after his retirement. Monk was inducted into the Canton the NFL Hall of Fame in 2008.

Nothing Goes Right For San Francisco In 27-7 Loss

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco 49ers were the talk of the NFL coming into the 2013 season, but have begin to show signs for concern in the last two weeks, losing to the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts back-to-back.

Sunday’s loss to the Colts was more surprising then the lost to the Seahawks, who were thought to be the 49ers biggest competition going into the year.

It wasn’t just the offense that played poor against the Colts, but the defense as well. The 49ers allowed a season high in points to the Colts who only managed 21 in a win against the Oakland Raiders in week one, and 20 in a loss to the Miami Dolphins in week two.

Sure the addition of Trent Richardson aided the Colts former No. 1 overall draft selection and former Stanford-Harbaugh product Andrew Luck to beat his former coach, but Luck played better than Kaepernick. He didn’t turn the ball over, and scored one on his feet.

TOD FIERNER / Courtesy
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wasn’t able to manage much of a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. Kaepernick was 13-27 passing for 150 yards with an interception. He rushed for 20-yards.

"I know he's grinning from ear to ear," said Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano. "I've never seen him smile the way he was smiling after this one."

"I wasn't caught up in, Oh my gosh, I'm going up against Coach(es) Harbaugh, Roman and Fangio," said Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. "I figured any time you play this sport, coaches and players come and go so much that you always end up going against someone that you played for or played with or had a good relationship with."

But it was just as much the lack of play by the 49ers that saw them fail to reach double digits in scoring for the second straight week.

"There's no one thing, we just didn't execute this offense," said 49ers starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

The 49ers now 1-2, will have to get ready to face another divisional opponent as the go on the road to face the St. Louis Rams (1-2), and another former No. 1 overall pick, in Sam Bradford.

The 49ers need to have an impressive performance to reassure their fans that all of the off-season hype and off the field problems with players like Aldon Smith are not going to deter this team from at least making their third consecutive appearance in the NFC Championship game come January.

Clark Begins NFL Reception Record

On Sept. 14, 1980, San Francisco 49ers great Dwight Clark begins National Football League (NFL) streak of 105 consecutive games with at least one reception.

This streak would be passed by a former teammate of Clark, Jerry Rice, who would go on to have 274 games with at least one reception.

Clark played his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers from 1979 to 1987. Clark played college football at Clemson University before being drafted by the 49ers with the first pick in the tenth round of the 1979 NFL Draft.

With the 49ers, Clark played on two Super Bowl championship teams. He caught the winning touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Joe Montana in the NFC Championship Game in January 1982 against the Dallas Cowboys.  The play, immortalized as "The Catch," propelled the 49ers to their first Super Bowl championship.

Over his career Clark racked up some amazing awards being named a Pro-Bowl selection twice in 1981 and 1982. Being named an All-Pro selection twice, in 1981 and 1982. Winning two Super Bowls, XVI (16) and XIX (19).

In 1981 Clark would be named UPI Second Team All-Conference.

In 1982 Clark would also be named a UPI First Team All-Conference, Associated Press First Team All-NFL, Pro Football Writers First Team All-NFL, Newspaper Enterprise Association First Team All-NFL, Pro Football Weekly First Team All-NFL, Sports Illustrated First Team All-NFL. He would also be awarded The Len Eshmont Award, and was named Sports Illustrated NFL Player of the Year.

That year Clark led the league in receptions, with 60, during a strike shortened season.

Clark would be apart of the 49ers front office for their next three Super Bowl wins XXIII (23), XXIV (24) and XXIX (29).

Over the course of his career Clark compiled 506 receptions for 6,750 yards with 48 touchdowns. He also rushed six times over his career for 50 yards with a long of 18 yards, coming in 1981. Over the course of his career he averaged 3.8 receptions per game, an average of 13.3 yards per reception with an average of 50.4 yards receiving per game. His longest career reception came in 1984 when he hauled in an 80 yard pass from Joe Montana.

Clark’s highest single season reception total came in 1981 with 85 receptions, although he did not lead the league in receptions that year. His highest single season total for touchdowns came in 1985 with 10, although he did not lead the league that year. His highest single season total for receiving yards came in 1981 with 1,105 yards, although he did not lead the league in receiving yards that year.

In 1988 the San Francisco 49ers retired Clark’s no. 87 jersey, and he was inducted into Clemson’s Hall of Fame.

After retiring from the NFL Clark served as the general manager of the 49ers in 1998 and in the same capacity with the Cleveland Browns from 1998 to 2002. As well as starring in the lead role in the 1994 direct-to-video comedy Kindergarten Ninja. Clark has also appeared in the video game, All-Pro Football 2K8.

In 2011 Clark joined Comcast SportsNet Bay Area as an analyst for 49ers Postgame Live.