Tom Pollin

I've been a sports fan, particularly football and baseball my whole life. That means Cubs and Bears. I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on about the history of both sports. In 2011, I was let go from my job and that fall I took advantage of an opportunity to write for Cold, Hard Football Facts and Football Nation. As I covered the NFC North for the sites and built up a strong following. I took advantage by tapping my lifetime passion for sports history to begin a weekly column called "Dropping Back in NFL History." I scoured resources to uncover events, births and deaths that contained stories that I felt needed to be told. While my previous platforms, along with 300+ articles, are gone, I still feel the passion to tell those stories.

Chuck Bednarik: The Legacy of NFL’s Last Two-Way Player

Just say the name Chuck Bednarik (bed-nare-ick) and you can be certain you’re not talking about the first chair violin player with the Philadelphia Philharmonic. In NFL history there are last names that define their franchises. For the Chicago Bears that name is Butkus and for the Green Bay Packers it’s Nitschke. Over 60 years since … Read more

Bart Starr: The GOAT at Quarterback in Green Bay Packers History

The Green Bay Packers have an illustrious history of greatness at the quarterback position. Of course, the argument always is, who is the greatest among those signal callers? If you’re inclined, can reach back to the beginnings of the NFL and find Arnie Herber, who loved to throw the rounded football of the time, especially … Read more

John Henry Johnson and the Million Dollar Backfield

Once, during a Super Bowl halftime interview, the legendary Jim Brown said that this man was the greatest running back he had ever seen. Former Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Buddy Parker said, “He’s like Jim Thorpe.” When he’s running, he’s the best fullback in the business; that’s because he’s a great blocker. … Read more

Jim Finks: A Builder of Winners

Jim Finks could have spent his life as the answer to this trivia question, who beat out Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas as starting quarterback of the 1955 Pittsburgh Steelers? Finks finished that 1955 season by leading the NFL in pass attempts, completions, passing yards and 10 touchdowns. He also threw 26 interceptions which might … Read more