In 1930 the NFL moved one of the original franchises from Dayton, Ohio to the borough of Brooklyn, New York and re-branded the "Triangles" to a very familiar name - Dodgers. Yes, that's right. From 1930 through the 1944 NFL season, the NFL placed a team in Brooklyn, Ebbets Field. Looking to capitalize on the same name as their baseball cousins, the Brooklyn FOOTBALL Dodgers had high hopes. In Dayton, the fact is, the community was too small to support an NFL team. The Triangles, as they were known in Dayton, played in a small stadium (5,000 seats) and couldn't sellout. Less than capacity crowds, financial struggles and the inability to attract the game's top talent, the NFL was left with no choice but to move the team in order to keep it alive. So, with baseball the No. 1 sport at that time and the NFL still trying to establish itself as a viable league, it was moving its franchises from small cities to larger metropolitan areas and tried to capitalize on names that would be instantly recognizable. But, it didn't always work out, and the football-Dodgers are an example of that. During the team's 15-year stay in Brooklyn, only five times did it finish at .500 or above. The Dodgers never won their division and never appeared in a post-season game. They also struggled at the gate. So, after the 1944 season (in which they had renamed themselves the Brooklyn Tigers), they packed up and moved to Boston and merged with the Yanks. Amazingly, the Dodgers actually still exist today. Yes, this franchise is still in the NFL and on this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes we explore it all with guest Roger Godin who several years ago wrote a fascinating book that looks back at the history of this long-forgotten team, "The Brooklyn Football Dodgers, The Other "Bums."

Before there was an NBA, before there was a BAA, professional basketball looked a lot different than it does today. Back in the early 1900s, professional basketball was largely made up of regional leagues spread out across the country. A particular hotbed for these regional leagues was the Northeast. One of the leagues, the NEBL (New England Basketball League), was also one of the more progressive leagues. In fact, it was the first to allow "colored" players and leading the way was Harry "Bucky" Lew. Now known as the first African-American professional basketball player, Lew was also one of the game's stars. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, author Chris Boucher joins as we discuss the career of Bucky Lew, how these leagues were set up and what the game of basketball looked like back then. Chris, who wrote the book, "The Original Bucky Lew", and I discuss how different the ball was and how difficult it was to dribble the ball. How basketball courts were boxed in by chicken wire, so there was no out-of-bounds, there were no backboards, and fouling a player and the free-throws were no where near the same as they are in the game we watch today. But, the main focus is Lew. The racism he faced, how he played the game, how he continued to break down barriers such as becoming the first African-American to officiate a game, the first to coach a team and the first to own a team. Bucky Lew was certainly a pioneer and we dive into it all on this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes.

The podcast delves into the remarkable career of Mel Hein, a legendary figure in NFL history known for his exceptional skills as both a center and a linebacker. Celebrated as one of the greatest centers of all time, Hein is the only offensive lineman to ever win the NFL MVP award, a testament to his extraordinary impact on the game. He played 15 years with the New York Giants, earning accolades such as being named to multiple All-Pro teams and being part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's inaugural class. The discussion highlights Hein's athleticism, football IQ, and leadership qualities, which set him apart from his peers. Listeners will also learn about his unique journey, including how he transitioned from a player to a respected coach and official, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.

When you think of NFL MVP's, you think of guys like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, great quarterbacks, great running backs and, every once in a while, a great defensive player. But, an offensive lineman? They're never part of such conversations. Well, in 1938, center Mel Hein of the New York Giants was named as the league's MVP. He was that good! Hein joined the Giants after a terrific career at Washington State. From 1931 through 1945, Hein played center for the Giants and linebacker as well. In fact, not only was Hein a great center, Bronko Nagurski said Hein was the best linebacker he ever faced. Hein's game set the standard. Other centers, future Hall of Fame players, watched and learned from Hein. As early as his childhood, Hein was working on his craft, snapping the ball to his older brothers. Little did Hein know it would lead to a Hall of Fame career. Hein was part of the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1963, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, he was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the NFL's 100th Anniversary Team; and is listed as the Giants 3rd Greatest player on their 100th Anniversary Team. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, author Chris Willis, Archivist at NFL Films, is back for a wonderful and fun discussion of one of football's forgotten - but - all-time greats, Mel Hein.