Today’s logo is another example of the great cartoon art featured on the American Football League’s game day programs in the 1960s. This program was from a pre-season game played on August 14, 1964 between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, and shows the “Buffalo Bill” logo that was used on many of the Bills’ programs at the time, dousing the campfire of a pretty sorry-looking Chief.
On the left is the iconic logo of the National Football League, unofficially known as “The Shield”, and on the right is the same logo as it appeared when first introduced in 1960. Obviously, it’s not a “team” logo, but the NFL itself, in the early years under commissioner Pete Rozelle, became somewhat of a team as the team owners, under Rozelle’s guidance, incorporated as one and negotiated huge television contracts that called for revenue sharing and ensured even the small market franchises could remain solvent and competitive. It was a brilliant strategy that helped grow the game into the media giant that it is today.
Logo of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, a college football team that plays in the Mountain West Conference. They had a run of success in the late 1990s into the 2000s, under coach June Jones, including a major bowl appearance in 2008, when they lost to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Former Hawaii players who have spent time in the NFL include Colt Brennan, Larry Cole, Golden Richards, Jason Elam, Jesse Sapolu, Davone Bess and Mark Tuinei.
Logo of a college football team, the University of Louisville Cardinals, used from 1980 until 2000. The program has existed since 1912, and currently the team plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Although never mentioned as one of the nation’s gridiron powerhouse schools, the Cardinals have sent many players on to the NFL, including John Unitas, Lenny Lyles, Doug Buffone, Tom Jackson, Ted Washington, Joe Jacoby, Otis Wilson, Ernest Givens, Frank Minnifield and Ernie Green. There are many current Louisville alumni in the league also, including Deion Branch, Eric Wood, Preston Brown, Teddy Bridgewater, David Akers, Elvis Dumervil, Harry Douglas and William Gay.
This is a logo of a major college football team, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, used from 1959 until 1968. They play in the American Athletic Conference since last season, after stints as an independent program and in six other conferences over the years, including the Missouri Valley Conference, the Big East and Conference USA. They are one of the oldest programs in the country, having fielded a team since 1885. When they met Miami of Ohio in 1888, it was the first intercollegiate football game held in the state of Ohio. Former Bearcats who went on to play in the NFL include Ron Kostelnik, Brig Owens, Greg Cook and current stars Connor Barwin, Trent Cole and Brent Celek.
Logo of a Division III college football program, the Occidental Tigers, who compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). The Tigers have won a pair of Division III national titles, in 2006 and 2008. Former NFL coach Jim Mora is an Occidental graduate, along with former pro football players Vance Mueller and Jack Kemp, who was a long-time Congressman and former candidate for Vice President for the Republican Party.
Logo of a small college football program, the Florida A&M University Rattlers. One of the top historically black college programs, the Rattlers have existed since 1907 and won 12 Black College national championships over the years. They have been a great provider of talent to pro football, with their alumni including the late Willie Galimore, Billy Joe, Bob Hayes, Ken Riley and Nate Newton.
This is a logo of a major Eastern college football team, the Boston College Eagles, who have been playing the sport since 1893 and are currently the second-most popular Catholic university gridiron program, behind only Notre Dame. There are many B.C. alumni who have gone on to play in the NFL, including Art Donovan, Bill Romanowski, Fred Smerlas, Doug Flutie, Chris Snee and current players Matt Ryan, B.J. Raji and Luke Kuechly.
Courtesy of www.greyflannelsuit.net , here is a program from a 1962 American Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Boston Patriots featuring cartoon logos of the team’s mascots. These cartoon drawings were popular artwork during the early years of the league, and helped promote the teams with younger fans.
Logo of an Ivy League football team, the Princeton Tigers, a not-so-powerful program with a powerful past. Along with Rutgers, Princeton’s program is the oldest in the world, having existed since 1869. The Tigers have claimed 28 national championships, more than any other school. They are charter members of the Ivy League, which began play as a conference in 1955. Former Tiger players who’ve gone on to play in the NFL include Ross Tucker, kicker Charlie Gogolak and current Dallas Cowboy coach Jason Garrett.