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Pro Football in the 1970s

Pro Football in the 1970s

By: Sports History Network
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Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons. NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today. During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today. Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade. Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s. Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before. Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast. Joe Zagorski is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. He has also spent many years watching and writing about pro football and has been a member of the Pro Football Researchers Association since the mid-1980s. He has also worked for quite some time as a former sportswriter in his home state of Pennsylvania. He has written five books on the sport and is currently in the process of writing his sixth pro football book. Be sure to catch the next installment of Pro Football in the 1970s, only on the Sports History Network.Copyright 2026 Sports History Network Football World
Episodes
  • The Oakland Raiders Depth at Tight End During the 1970s

    The Oakland Raiders Depth at Tight End During the 1970s
    Apr 1 2026

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

    JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON

    From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little

    Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley

    The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record

    America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier

    The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence

    The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE

    CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER

    The Oakland Raiders experienced a good degree of glory during the 1970s, as they participated in the NFL playoffs in seven of their first eight seasons in that decade. Their offense had a lot of quality depth at several positions, most notably at the tight end position.

    By the end of the 1977 season, the Raiders’ roster had tight ends such as Dave Casper, Raymond Chester, Ted Kwalick, Bob Moore, and Warren Bankston in their lineup. Each of them enjoyed a good amount of pro success in Oakland.....

    Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here.

    PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND

    Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski

    Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons. NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today.

    During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today. Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history.

    Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade. Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s. Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.

    Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before. Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Sports History Theme Song

    This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz https://sites.google.com/view/sportsfanztastic?usp=sharing
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    9 mins
  • The Escape from New York for Hall of Famers During the 1970s

    The Escape from New York for Hall of Famers During the 1970s
    Mar 1 2026
    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZONFrom the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry LittleFree Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A RecordAmerica's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie LanierThe Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 ResurgenceThe NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important DecadeEPISODE SUMMARYCHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGECHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITERThere was a semi-famous movie that came out in 1981 starring Kurt Russell and Lee Van Cleef titled Escape from New York. It was a futuristic film about the protagonist trying to get out of the big metropolis in less than 24 hours. In the NFL during the 1970s, there were plenty of protagonists who were trying to do the same thing, albeit in a slightly longer time than just 24 hours. But be it the New York Giants, the New York Jets, or the Buffalo Bills, there turned out to be quite a few pro football players who found a way out of the Empire State to what they felt were greener pastures.There were quite a few Hall of Famers who left their New York teams and went to other NFL teams during the 1970s, with mixed results...... Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here.PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUNDReliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe ZagorskiProfessional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons. NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today.During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today. Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history.Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade. Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s. Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic. Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before. Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast. Mentioned in this episode:Sports History Theme SongThis theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz https://sites.google.com/view/sportsfanztastic?usp=sharing
    Show more Show less
    8 mins
  • The Took a Licking But Kept On Ticking

    The Took a Licking But Kept On Ticking
    Feb 1 2026

    Pro Football in the 1970s is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

    JOE ZAGORSKI'S BOOKS ON AMAZON

    From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little

    Free Spirit at Free Safety: The Incredible (But True!) Football Journey of Bill Bradley

    The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run For A Record

    America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier

    The Year the Packers Came Back: The 1972 Resurgence

    The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football's Most Important Decade

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    CHECK OUT THE NFL IN THE 1970S FACEBOOK PAGE

    CHECK OUT JOE'S WEBSITE - JOE ZAGORSKI WRITER

    In the 1970s, John Cameron Swayze would advertise Timex wristwatches with the slogan, “They Took a Licking but Kept on Ticking.” The same could be said for several NFL running backs during the 1970s. Some of those runners achieved the ultimate honor of being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Others, perhaps upon retrospection, should be....

    Read the entire episode blog post and check out some other cool info regarding this episode here.

    PRO FOOTBALL IN THE 1970S BACKGROUND

    Reliving Gridiron Glory: Pro Football in the 1970s with Joe Zagorski

    Professional football is one of the most exciting spectator sports in America. The decade of the 1970s saw the sport grow by leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to exciting players who quickly became icons. NFL players such as Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, O.J.Simpson, Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene and Fran Tarkenton are still considered household names today.

    During the 1970s, the growing millions of pro football fans also witnessed numerous exciting games and plays, many of which are still remembered and discussed today. Plays like Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception in 1972, or the original Hail Mary Pass in 1975, or the Sea of Hands game in 1974, or the Ghost to the Post game in 1977…so many memories, and all during one of the greatest decades in NFL history.

    Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast explores all the great memories that occurred in the NFL during that memorable decade. Each segment will tackle a specific event or player in the NFL during the 1970s. Each episode will also include a trivia question from some aspect of that particular episode’s theme or topic.

    Joe Zagorski’s Pro Football in the 1970s podcast takes listeners back to a time of old school pro football, where the game might have been simpler in the form of strategy, but it was also more pure and more robust than it had ever been before. Practically everything that happened during that decade on pro gridirons gets attention in this podcast.
    Show more Show less
    8 mins
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