In 1993 the high-flying Houston Oilers fielded one of the most talented teams in football, expected by many to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. What ensued was one of the wildest, most controversial seasons any team has ever had, a season that may have changed the course of pro football in one of America's largest cities.
Almost 50 years ago, a young tight end named Jerry Smith joined the Washington Redskins. After 13 seasons on the team, Smith retired, but not before making two Pro Bowls, one All-Pro team, and playing in the Super Bowl. He set an NFL record with 60 receiving touchdowns, the most ever by a tight end (that record stood for 26 years). Smith was also gay, something that caused him to live a life in constant fear and tension.
A look at the life of Earl Campbell, a premiere running back at both the collegiate and professional levels. Earl won the Heisman trophy while playing at the University of Texas and went on to be the first overall pick in the 1978 NFL draft. He has since been inducted into both the collegiate and NFL halls of fame.
The story of Christian Okoye, football's Nigerian Nightmare, who left an indelible impression on the game and his opponents.
The rise, fall, and redemption of one of the most dominant and beloved players in Washington history, the Secretary of Defense who was functionally illiterate and became addicted to drugs.
From Detroit to Notre Dame, LA to Pittsburgh and finally to Canton, a grand tour on the only Bus to stop at the pro football Hall of Fame.
One of the most impressive careers in pro football history was just the beginning for the great Alan Page.
Before the Seahawks ever reached the Super Bowl, the greatest player in team history paved the way in Seattle.
A Super-Bowl winning coach who nearly drove his teams to exhaustion, pushed himself even harder, never lost his players' affection and was never embarrassed to show his.
You don't know football unless you know Paul Brown, the man responsible for inventing the modern game as we know it.
The heart and soul of the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears defense, Mike Singletary shares a life full of lessons learned from the game.
The only player in NFL history with 5 Super Bowl rings, Charles Haley's road to Canton was paved with memorable stops in Dallas and San Francisco.
The extraordinary story of the lifelong assistant turned overnight success who has led the Arizona Cardinals back into contention.
One of most exciting and dynamic players in NFL history, Marshall Faulk rose from the streets of New Orleans to launch the Greatest Show on Turf.
The legend of the Snake, Ken Stabler, the late and beloved quarterback of the Oakland Raiders of the 1970s.
The singular talent and legacy of Hall of Famer Dan Marino, The Quarterback’s Quarterback.
Emmitt Smith makes an indelible impact on the game of football and builds a case as the greatest running back of all time by breaking one of the NFL’s hallowed records and making everyone around him better.
The many football lives of Raiders Hall of Fame coach, broadcaster, commercial star and video game pioneer John Madden.
Undersized and unwanted, Wes Welker overcomes obstacles to re-define the role of the slot receiver in the NFL.
He was once deemed too short to play in the NFL, but Sam Mills became an All-Pro and built a legacy that still looms larger than life.
How does a man emerge a champion after a life filled with loss? Leading the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls is only part of Jim Kelly’s legend.
The globetrotting journey of Larry Fitzgerald a man who’s caught more than 1,000 passes, scored more than 100 touchdowns, visited nearly 100 countries, and lived one fascinating Football Life.
Eddie George played football for his father. After a brilliant career at Ohio State and with the Tennessee Titans, he started acting for himself.
Hall of Fame Head Coach Joe Gibbs tries to balance his personal and professional life while building the NFL’s most diverse dynasty.
Jerry Jones works his way up from greeter at his parents grocery store in Little Rock, Arkansas to become the only active owner in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Aeneas Williams’ long journey from college walk-on to Hall of Fame defensive back to pastor in Ferguson, Missouri.
Passed over by every NFL team, John Randle's madcap antics vault the undrafted free agent from rags to riches and stardom with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks.
Two different personalities, two separate paths, one shared drive for greatness: the rivalry, friendship and artistry of Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.
The golden boy with the golden arm won the Heisman Trophy at USC and was the first overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft. In the NFL, he endured two torn ACLs, two trades, and one very public disagreement with an owner. But he still managed a 15-year career, and currently ranks 12th all-time in passing yards and touchdown passes.
L.T. has been in the spotlight from the moment he stepped into the NFL, and as destructive as he was on the field as one of the best defensive players of all time, he may have been more destructive to himself off the field. Through three decades of interviews, Taylor gives raw, unfiltered, honest answers about the highest and lowest points in a triumphant and tumultuous football life.
The story of how a perfectionist with a love for sports went from small-town Wisconsin to become the face of America's Team for nearly a decade.
He played for a high school known for producing NFL players. At USC he became an All American. And he helped turn the New England Patriots into a dynasty. Willie McGinest is no stranger to success, but his journey to the top of the football world had anything but a smooth start.
He was known as Weapon X on the field, but he was a gentle family man off it. A Football Life: Brian Dawkins looks at the two sides of Dawkins, from the beginnings of his superstar career, through his battles with depression, all the way to the Hall of Fame.
The story of the former 49ers wide receiver who thought he wouldn't make the team, but went on to make "The Catch," arguably the single greatest reception in NFL history. The play propelled San Francisco to a decade of dominance in the 1980s that saw the team win four Super Bowl titles. Stricken with ALS in his later years, Clark died on June 4, 2018.
He grew up in a Pittsburgh suburb, and as the Steelers head coach he won eight division titles and a Super Bowl championship. He'll always be known for his Western Pennsylvania roots and blue-collar toughness, but Bill Cowher now has a new home, and a softer side.
He led two franchises to the Super Bowl and did something no coach had done in Green Bay since Vince Lombardi--win a title. He's also considered one of the great quarterback whisperers of all time, having coached Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Steve Young and Brett Favre.
First, he transformed from a gangly, rail-thin, 6-foot-5 Florida high school sprint champion to a star receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. After football, he evolved from an HBO feature reporter/funnyman to the most respected and decorated analyst in sports broadcasting.
He grew up without running water in rural Louisiana. He played quarterback in an era when few African Americans did, overcoming prejudice and hardship to become a Heisman candidate, a first round draft pick, and ultimately, a Super Bowl MVP.
The Thurmanator led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage four straight seasons and scored a touchdown in four straight Super Bowls. Yet throughout his life, his best trait was being able to take his biggest disappointments and turn them into motivation for his greatest triumphs.
A Hall of Famer who won four Super Bowls as the Steelers quarterback and still enjoys his football life today after 35 years as a television analyst.
He described himself as the worst player on his youth football team, but he became the NFL's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end, and a first ballot Hall of Famer.
He was the heart of the 49ers dynasty. An intimidating enforcer who became the prototype for defensive backs earning four Super Bowl rings and a gold jacket.
He set the standard for defensive ends. An unstoppable force who helped lead the Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances on his way to becoming the NFL's all-time sack king.
The historic journey of 7-time national champion, University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
The unlikely rise of former Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison from undrafted rookie to NFL Defensive Player of the Year and football's most feared linebacker.
DeMarcus Ware's presence on the field was remarkable. This week, “A Football Life” tells the story of this Hall of Famer’s legendary career.
A Football Life chronicles the life and career of legendary coach Bill Parcells - one of the most charismatic, controversial, and successful coaches in NFL history.
20 years ago NFL fans were given the gift of Rod Tidwell. His star burned bright and fast but his mark on the game will forever be remembered.
The Football Life of Frank Cushman is one of the most dramatic "what-if" stories in NFL history. Find out how the heir apparent to John Elway found his way after his career met an uncertain future.