August 6, 1956 – There used to be another major television network that had sports on TV. That was the American national broadcaster DuMont Television Network who after filing for bankruptcy in 1955, made its final broadcast, a boxing match from St. Nicholas Arena. Dumont was one of the first broadcasters to have live NFL games beamed to living rooms across the nation.
The relationship with the NFL spanned from 1951 through 1955, not exactly banner years for the NFL in terms of popularity. Had they been able to last a few more years as a network when the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants was the first ever NFL playoff game to go into sudden-death overtime. The “Greatest Game” set Professional football and television on a launch to bigger and better things.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Remembering Walter Gretzky: “Canada’s Hockey Dad”
Canada’s population is quickly approaching 38 million people, and if social media is any

Super Bowl XXXI (Patriots vs. Packers): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XXXI, which was held on January 26, 1997, at

Ken Patera – The Great American Weightlifter and Professional Wrestler
If you’re a fan of professional wrestling or weightlifting, you’re probably familiar with the

Guy Chamberlin: The Mysterious Disappearance of the NFL’s Winningest Coach
When his coaching career ended almost 95 years ago, he was so successful that
Willie O’Ree Was 1st – Who Was The NHL’s 2nd Black Player?
We all know that Willie O’Ree was the first black player in the National

Gene Washington: Through the Banks of the Red Cedar
In this episode, I talk to Maya Washington about her book and documentary –

The Miracle On Ice (America’s Version of David Vs. Goliath – From The 1980 Olympics)
America’s first President, George Washington, was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on February 22,

The Playoff Runs of the 1972 Cleveland Browns and 1978 Houston Oilers
At this time of the year, the NFL playoffs are on the minds of