Episode 297 - What Position Should Magic Johnson Play?

This Week in NDN All-Stars History: Jim Thorpe, Lewis Tewanima, Virgil Hill, and Willie Stargell | July 5–11

NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear [https://sportshistorynetwork.com/]. EPISODE SUMMARY This week in NDN All-Stars history highlights Olympic legends, baseball milestones, championship boxing, and professional firsts across more than a century of sports history. Jim Thorpe captures Olympic gold in Stockholm and receives one of the most famous compliments in sports history, while Lewis Tewanima earns a silver medal in the ten-thousand-meter race just one day later. We also feature Virgil Hill continuing his championship-era success, Willie Stargell passing a Pittsburgh Pirates legend on the career home run list, and Pepper Martin helping make history in the very first Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Additional highlights include Jack Dempsey's knockout victory in Atlanta, Bob Johnson hitting for the cycle at Fenway Park, Early Wynn earning an All-Star Game start, and Ashton Locklear's selection as an Olympic alternate. From Olympic greatness to baseball history and championship boxing, these stories continue to showcase the remarkable legacy of Native athletes across generations. TOPICS COVERED • Jim Thorpe wins Olympic gold in the Pentathlon • Lewis Tewanima earns an Olympic silver medal • Virgil Hill records multiple professional victories • Willie Stargell passes Ralph Kiner on Pittsburgh's home run list • Pepper Martin plays in the first MLB All-Star Game • Bob Johnson hits for the cycle at Fenway Park • Early Wynn is named an MLB All-Star Game starter • Jack Dempsey scores another first-round knockout • Terry Felix makes his professional soccer debut • Ashton Locklear earns a place as a U.S. Olympic alternate SUPPORT NDN ALL-STARS If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop [https://ndnallstars.com/wp/shop/]. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon [http://patreon.com/ndnallstars] page. NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUND Hey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is your first time hearing about us, let me tell you what we’re all about. This podcast is where Native sports history comes alive. Each episode shines a spotlight on the great Native American athletes you should know—past and present. From Hall of Famers to hometown heroes, we tell the stories of Native athletes who made their mark—on the field, on the court, and in history. We keep it real. No sugar-coating. No museum talk. Just straight-up stories told with pride and purpose—because representation matters, and these All-Stars deserve to be remembered right. Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, even the athletes themselves—who help us connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement. Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious—this podcast will give you a new perspective on what greatness really looks like. So if you're ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little fired up—hit that follow button and join the team. You can find more stories, merch, and updates at NDNAllStars.com [https://ndnallstars.com/]. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—just search for NDN All-Stars and you’ll find us. NDN All-Stars – Promoting Great Native Athletes – Past & Present!

Paolo Rossi's explosive return, Carli Lloyd's 18 minute Hat Trick, and the Dream Team qualified for the Olympics - This DiSH for July 5

in 1982, Italy's Paolo Rossi, suspended for two years for match fixing, returned to the National Team, scoring three goals in a win over Brazil in the World Cup. In 2015, US striker Carli Lloyd scored a hat trick in 18 minutes as the US women beat Japan to win their third World Cup. In 1992, the US Men's Basketball team, aka 'The Dream Team,' officially qualified for the Olympics.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Hear all about it! - An All-American Independence Day Special Episode - July 4th, 2026

In 1905, Philadelphia Athletics' pitcher Rube Waddell outlasted Boston's Cy Young in a 21-inning pitcher's duel. In 1910, Heavyweight champ Jack Johnson knocked out James Jeffries in the first of the 'Great White Hope' fights. In 1919, challenger Jack Dempsey beat Jess Willard to win the heavyweight title.

Three Lions heartbreak on PKs, Lou Gehrig said 'goodbye,' and Rick Camp's surprising home run - This DiSH for July 4th

In 1954, Hungary was beaten in the World Cup final by West Germany. Hungary had not lost in 32 consecutive games. In 1990, England lost to West Germany 4-3 on PKs. In 1939, Lou Gehrig gave his 'luckiest man' speech at Yankee Stadium. In 1985, Atlanta Braves' pitcher Rick Camp hit a pinch hit home run to tie up a game in extra innings.

Exploring the Landmark Year of 1936 in American Football

Ninety years ago, in 1936, American football underwent transformative developments that continue to resonate within the sport today. This episode provides a comprehensive examination of the pivotal events of that year, encompassing both college and professional football. We delve into significant occurrences, such as the inaugural NFL draft, where the Philadelphia Eagles selected Jay Burwanger, the first Heisman Trophy winner, thereby establishing a precedent for future drafts. Furthermore, we highlight the remarkable triumph of the Stanford Valboys in the 22nd Rose Bowl, a defining moment in collegiate athletics. As we traverse this remarkable year, we invite listeners to appreciate the foundational changes that have shaped the evolution of football in America. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website [https://pigskindispatch.com/]. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive [https://pigskindispatch.com/OfficialGame/]. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," [https://amzn.to/4otmwjH]on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" [https://amzn.to/4hMWVQm] on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. [https://www.youtube.com/@pigskindispatch] Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website [https://pigskindispatch.com/]. Takeaways: * The year 1936 was monumental in the history of American football, impacting both college and professional levels significantly. * The introduction of the first NFL draft in 1936 revolutionized player selection and team strategies in American football. * Stanford's Valboys, a group of dedicated players, achieved their vow of defeating rival teams during the 1936 season. * The inaugural Associated Press writers poll introduced a new method of ranking football teams, emphasizing human judgment over mathematical formulas. * Larry Kelly of Yale became the first winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1936, marking a significant milestone in collegiate football. * The Green Bay Packers secured their first NFL championship victory in 1936, defeating the Boston Redskins in a neutral-site game.