The origin of professional football is traced to an iconic Minnesotan born just 10 blocks north of where Super Bowl LII will be played on Sunday. William (Pudge) Heffelfinger arrived Dec. 20, 1867 in ...

1892 — William “Pudge” Heffelfinger becomes the first pro football player by getting $500 to play for the Allegheny Athletic Association against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. Heffelfinger doesn’t ...

One can credit or blame O.D. Thompson for the inevitable day it costs $100 million a year for a decent quarterback. Either way, it was Thompson who made William Walter “Pudge” Heffelfinger football’s ...

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—On this day in 1892, the Allegheny Athletic Association was desperate to beat its rival, the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, so they secretly paid $500 to a former Yale star, ...

1892 - William "Pudge" Heffelfinger becomes the first pro football player by getting $500 to play for the Allegheny Athletic Association against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. Heffelfinger doesn't ...

Today’s Sports Highlight in History: 1972 — Don Shula becomes the first NFL coach to win 100 regular-season games in 10 seasons when the Miami Dolphins beat the New England Patriots 52-0. On this date ...