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Home > Bettmann Archive > Sports > American Football

Gridiron Glory

A Journey Through American Football History

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Presenting an extraordinary collection of almost 2,000 historical images from The Bettmann Archives showcasing the rich tapestry of American football. Spanning decades, these photographs capture iconic moments, legendary players, and the vibrant culture surrounding the sport. From gritty early games in muddy fields to modern-day spectacles in grand stadiums, this collection offers a visual narrative of football's evolution. Each image tells a story of triumph, heartbreak, and the relentless spirit of competition that defines America's beloved pastime. 

2,812 Items

Background imageGridiron Glory: Jim Lindsey and Barney Giles

Jim Lindsey and Barney Giles
Jim Lindsey (21) Arkansas back gallops for 8-yards before Texas' Barney Giles (68) made a dive to trip him up in the first period of the Texas-Arkansas game

Background imageGridiron Glory: Bears Coach Jim Dooley on Sidelines

Bears Coach Jim Dooley on Sidelines
(Original Caption) Jim Dooley, head coach of the Chicago Bears, is shown on the sidelines during the game. He is also shown with Gale Sayers (40) on the sidelines

Background imageGridiron Glory: University of Maryland Quarterback Charles Boxold

University of Maryland Quarterback Charles Boxold
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Darrell Royal Being Lifted by his Team

Darrell Royal Being Lifted by his Team
(Original Caption) Darrell Royal, head coach of the University of Texas is carried off the field by his players following Texas' victory over Alabama in the Cotton Bowl Classic

Background imageGridiron Glory: Walter Payton in Mid-Leap With Football

Walter Payton in Mid-Leap With Football
(Original Caption) Chicago Bears' RB Walter Payton goes over the Green Bay Packers' line like a missile for shot gain and a first down on the 7-yard line in the first quarter of the game 11/14

Background imageGridiron Glory: Arkansas Halfback Billy Kyser

Arkansas Halfback Billy Kyser
Arkansas halfback, Billy Kyser, 27, scores on 7-yard run in second quarter. Arkansas defeated University of Mississippi 12-6

Background imageGridiron Glory: Yale Football Team Portrait

Yale Football Team Portrait
The Yale University football team poses for their portrait

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Team Relaxing

Football Team Relaxing
(Original Caption) Harvard football team in state of relaxation

Background imageGridiron Glory: Yale And Princeton Football Match

Yale And Princeton Football Match
(Original Caption) 11/27/1879-Football match between Yale and Princeton. Drawing by A.B. Frost

Background imageGridiron Glory: First Notre Dame Football Team

First Notre Dame Football Team
(Original Caption) 11/7/26-Los Angeles, California: This photo from the private collection of Dr. J.P. Naughton of Los Angeles, shows the Notre Dame team

Background imageGridiron Glory: Yale Football Team

Yale Football Team
(Original Caption) Yale football team of he 1890's in typical pose

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Players in Flying Wedge Formation

Football Players in Flying Wedge Formation
Football players demonstrating the flying wedge formation

Background imageGridiron Glory: Injured Player Lying on the Field

Injured Player Lying on the Field
(Original Caption) Football injury-Out of the Game. Engraving by W.A. Rogers, 1891

Background imageGridiron Glory: Typical Football Outfit, 1891

Typical Football Outfit, 1891
(Original Caption) Football: Typical football outfit, 1891

Background imageGridiron Glory: Annapolis Football Team in 1894

Annapolis Football Team in 1894
(Original Caption) How Football Grew at Annapolis. Annapolis, Maryland: The midshipmen on this 1894 football team at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis were quite a mild-looking bunch

Background imageGridiron Glory: Glenn 'Pop' Warner

Glenn "Pop" Warner was a famous college football coach that had 319 major NCAA wins during his 44 year long career. Here he is seen wearing his football uniform during the time he was a player

Background imageGridiron Glory: Jim Thorpe At Goal Kicking Exhibition

Jim Thorpe At Goal Kicking Exhibition
(Original Caption) Jim Thorpe (right), American athlete during goal-kicking exhibition with CharlesBrinckley of the Brinckley Giants. Undated photograph

Background imageGridiron Glory: Clark Hinkel During A Scrimmage Game

Clark Hinkel During A Scrimmage Game
(Original Caption) Packers Train For Clash With Giants. Clark Hinkel coming through an opening in the line during a scrimmage of the Green Bay Packers at the Polo Grounds, New York City

Background imageGridiron Glory: Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker
Football player Herschel Walker, number 34, grabs the football from the air while playing for the University of Georgia football team

Background imageGridiron Glory: Team Portrait of Early Oklahoma University Football Team

Team Portrait of Early Oklahoma University Football Team
(Original Caption) USA: Football team in typical team pose of the early 1900's. Oklahoma University

Background imageGridiron Glory: Yale Football Team

Yale Football Team

Background imageGridiron Glory: Gene Upshaw

Gene Upshaw
Oakland Raiders took to the practice field in preparation for their upcoming playoff game with the San Diego Chargers. Gene Upshaw veteran guard stretches a few muscles along with center Dave Dalby

Background imageGridiron Glory: Mamie Van Doren Posing on Bleachers

Mamie Van Doren Posing on Bleachers
(Original Caption) First named nominated for 1953 "All American" honors goes to blonde Mamie Van Doren who launches the current cinema football season playing a supporting role to Tony Curtis in

Background imageGridiron Glory: Doc Blanchard wins Heisman Trophy

Doc Blanchard wins Heisman Trophy
(Original Caption) January 5, 1946-New York, New York: Outstanding football player of 1945. Felix Doc Blanchard accepts from Wilford Wottrich the Heisman Memorial Trophy

Background imageGridiron Glory: Sammy Baugh

Sammy Baugh
Slingin' Sam, passer par excellence, in a practice session with the Washington Redskins, shows the form that won him fame

Background imageGridiron Glory: A Football Game in Progress

A Football Game in Progress
(Original Caption) Football official Sam Wilson (striped shirt) had a rough time of it in the early minutes of the New York Giants Chicago Bears Championship game at Yankee Stadium here December

Background imageGridiron Glory: Glenn Davis and wife Terry Moore

Glenn Davis and wife Terry Moore
(Original Caption) February 12, 1951: All-American football star Glenn Davis and his bride, actress Terry Moore are pictured just before they flew to Mexico City via Compania Mexicana de Aviacion

Background imageGridiron Glory: Otto Graham Coaching Quarterback at Practice

Otto Graham Coaching Quarterback at Practice
(Original Caption) Leaders meet as Commander Otto Graham, new Coast Guard Academy head football coach, hands the ball to Captain Paul Lewis of Auburn, NY, a varsity backfield man for three years

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Greats and Actress Colleen Moore Joining Hands

Football Greats and Actress Colleen Moore Joining Hands
(Original Caption) Real battlers are quick to appreciate one of their kind, which perhaps explains why Adam Walsh, (R) captain of the victorious Notre Dame College "eleven" and Knute Rocke

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Player Willie Heston

Football Player Willie Heston
Willie Heston on March 27, 1901, who was an All-American in 1903-1904 while playing college football for Michigan for the same period

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Player Leo Nomellini

Football Player Leo Nomellini at the University of Minnesota. Nomellini was a Hall of Fame American football player and two-time All-American player for the University of Minnesota

Background imageGridiron Glory: Knute Rockne Sitting on a Platform

Knute Rockne Sitting on a Platform
(Original Caption) Knute Rockne has devised a way to simplify the task of directing his Notre Dame football candidates. Mounted on a platform in the center of the field

Background imageGridiron Glory: Red Grange Watching Football Game

Red Grange Watching Football Game
(Original Caption) Red Grange, who attracted a few people to the stadiums to watch him instead of the football game, is seen as he looked on during the Harvard Princeton football gridiron clash at

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Player Red Grange

Football Player Red Grange
(Original Caption) Red Grange Standing in front of news photographers who shot him for the Sunday Dailey newspapers

Background imageGridiron Glory: Red Grange Showing his Physique

Red Grange Showing his Physique
(Original Caption) Showing his wonderful physique, the former Illinois thunderbolt who once paddled ice is now the highest paid professional football player in the game

Background imageGridiron Glory: Knute Rockne Jr. in Football Playing Position on Field

Knute Rockne Jr. in Football Playing Position on Field
(Original Caption) Knute Rockne Jr. the All Star Quarterback of the Miami Military Academy team is shown here. He has taken the gridiron to follow the trail of his noted father

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Players Posing

Football Players Posing
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Sammy Baugh

Sammy Baugh
Washington Redskins' quarterback, Sammy Baugh, poses in his practice uniform throwing a ball

Background imageGridiron Glory: Paul Robeson Sitting at Piano

Paul Robeson Sitting at Piano
(Original Caption) Paul Robeson, son of a slave who achieved famous accomplishments in sports and the theater received the leading role of John Henry in a play of that name written by Roarke

Background imageGridiron Glory: Knute Rockne and Notre Dame Football Team

Knute Rockne and Notre Dame Football Team
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Group of Football Tackles and Guards

Group of Football Tackles and Guards
Gourp of Harvard Football tackle and guards from left to right: Kenneth L. Booth, a tackle, David Glueck, a guard, Robert Barkin, a guard

Background imageGridiron Glory: Joseph P. Kennedy In Football Uniform

Joseph P. Kennedy In Football Uniform
(Original Caption) Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. end on the Harvard freshman football team. Undated photograph

Background imageGridiron Glory: Glenn 'Pop' Warner Napping

Glenn "Pop" Warner Napping
Pop Warner taking a nap using a football as a pillow

Background imageGridiron Glory: Portrait Of Harvard Football Team, 1875

Portrait Of Harvard Football Team, 1875
(Original Caption) Portrait of a Harvard football team in training uniform, circa 1875

Background imageGridiron Glory: Baseball Player Honus Wagner

Baseball Player Honus Wagner
(Original Caption) Head and shoulders outdoors portrait of Hans Wagner, a baseball great from the beginning of the 20th cnetury. Undated photograph

Background imageGridiron Glory: Notre Dame Football Coach Knute Rockne

Notre Dame Football Coach Knute Rockne
Full length photo of Knute Rockne(1888-1931), Notre Dame football coach. Undated photograph

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Players in Action

Football Players in Action
(Original Caption) This is a college football game with Columbia vs. Brown

Background imageGridiron Glory: British Football Game

British Football Game
(Original Caption) Football at the Oval on March 6. "England v. Scotland."

Background imageGridiron Glory: Sugar Bowl Tickets

Sugar Bowl Tickets
(Original Caption) The Navy disavowed a "White Only" notice on 13, 000 tickets (one of which is shown here) for the Sugar Bowl Football Classic in New Orleans January 1st between the Naval Academy

Background imageGridiron Glory: Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno
Though a national championship eluded him, Joe Paterno was a clear-cut choice of his colleagues in the American Football Coaches Association. as Kodak Coach-of-the-Year in the University Division

Background imageGridiron Glory: Army Navy Men with Football Mascots on Field

Army Navy Men with Football Mascots on Field
(Original Caption) The Army greets the Navy here, just before the annual game between the two service elevens

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Coach Howard Jones

Football Coach Howard Jones
(Original Caption) Howard Jones, University of Southern California Head Coach

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Coach Knute Rockne

Football Coach Knute Rockne
(Original Caption) Knute Rockne shown in wheelchair, beside members of his team

Background imageGridiron Glory: Knute Rockne Standing Outside

Knute Rockne Standing Outside
(Original Caption) This is a photo of Knute Rockne, Coach of the Notre Dame football team which plays this season against the Army and Princeton teams

Background imageGridiron Glory: Portrait of James Crowley in Football Attire

Portrait of James Crowley in Football Attire
(Original Caption) James Crowley, shown here, is halfback of the Notre Dame team, and one of the "Four Horsemen, " who plays this season against the Army and Princeton teams

Background imageGridiron Glory: Portrait of Jim Brown

Portrait of Jim Brown
Publicity handout of ex-football player turned actor Jim Brown. He is wearing a black leather jacket with a black and white stripped shirt underneath it

Background imageGridiron Glory: Player Running with Football

Player Running with Football
(Original Caption) Football player with ball eludes tacklers on end run, engraving by H.D. Ogden, ca. 1880

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Game in Yankee Stadium

Football Game in Yankee Stadium
(Original Caption) Yanks Tie Browns, 28-28, Before 70, 060: The largest crowd ever to see a professional football game in New York City crowded into Yankee Stadium to see the Yanks battle with

Background imageGridiron Glory: Red Grange During Spring Practice

Red Grange During Spring Practice
(Original Caption) Remember when the "Galloping Ghost", old 77 himself, Red Grange, Gridiron immortal, was sleek and speedy

Background imageGridiron Glory: John Unitas Playing Football

John Unitas Playing Football
(Original Caption) John Unitas is shown in football action, running with the football

Background imageGridiron Glory: Mick Tingelhoff of Minnesota Vikings on Football Field

Mick Tingelhoff of Minnesota Vikings on Football Field
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears Making a Running Catch

Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears Making a Running Catch
ORIGINAL CAPTION READS: Full length Gayle Sayers, football player for Chicago bears. Shown here getting ready to throw the football

Background imageGridiron Glory: Portrait of Bob Hayes Dallas Cowboys Football Player

Portrait of Bob Hayes Dallas Cowboys Football Player
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Portrait of the Chicago Bears' Gale Sayers

Portrait of the Chicago Bears' Gale Sayers
ORIGINAL CAPTION READS: Gayle Sayers, football player for Chicago bears. Close-up (wearing afro-haircut)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Notre Dame Coach Knute Rockne

Notre Dame Coach Knute Rockne
(Original Caption) Football Coach of Notre Dame, Knutel Rockne with Chick Meehan, at Miami Beach, Florida

Background imageGridiron Glory: Portrait of Football Player Red Grange

Portrait of Football Player Red Grange
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Jim Thorpe and Bob Folwell playing Cards

Jim Thorpe and Bob Folwell playing Cards
(Original Caption) Photo shows Jim Thorpe famous Indian and the greatest of all football stars paying solitare as coach, Bob Folwell looks on

Background imageGridiron Glory: Chicago Bears Football Team

Chicago Bears Football Team
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Player Red Grange

Football Player Red Grange
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Red Grange Kicking Football

Red Grange Kicking Football
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Player Red Grange

Football Player Red Grange
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Red Grange Playing Football

Red Grange Playing Football
(Original Caption) Red Grange plays football game between the Chicago Bears and the Providence Steam Rollers

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Player Red Grange

Football Player Red Grange
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Child in Football Uniform

Child in Football Uniform
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Player Red Grange

Football Player Red Grange
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Knute Rockne During Football Practice

Knute Rockne During Football Practice
(Original Caption) Knute rockne, coach, and F.B. Miller, captain as they appeared at the West Chester Biltmore Club at Rye

Background imageGridiron Glory: Knute Rockne and James Walker at Game

Knute Rockne and James Walker at Game
(Original Caption) Notre Dame football coach, Knute Rockne, with Mayor Walker at Army Navy game

Background imageGridiron Glory: Robert Zupke and his Art Work

Robert Zupke and his Art Work
(Original Caption) Robert C. Zupke (left), head football coach of University of Illinois, shows his former star, Harold "Red" Grange, two of his oil paintings, Snow

Background imageGridiron Glory: Columbia University Football Player Lou Gehrig in Kicking Position

Columbia University Football Player Lou Gehrig in Kicking Position
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Harold Grange Giving Football Lesson to Woman Quarterback

Harold Grange Giving Football Lesson to Woman Quarterback
(Original Caption) Harold "Red" Grange, former University of Illinois and Professional football star, giving a lesson in pigskin technique to miss Carol Decker of Cleveland

Background imageGridiron Glory: Knute Rockne During Football Practice

Knute Rockne During Football Practice
(Original Caption) Knute Rockne (right), Notre Dame coach, and F.B. Miller, captain as they appeared at the West Chester Biltmore Club at Rye

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Player Red Grange Running

Football Player Red Grange Running
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Football Coach Knute Rockne as a Youngster

Football Coach Knute Rockne as a Youngster
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageGridiron Glory: Bob Beattie in Lucky Strike Ad

Bob Beattie in Lucky Strike Ad
(Original Caption) Lucky Strike cigarette advertisement, featuring athlete Bob Beattie. Undated Ca. 1920'S



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