Today's Tidbit... The NFL Has Come A Long Way, Baby

With the Super Bowl LVII and all its spectacle upon us, it's time to look back at the days before the Super Bowl, when football fan loyalties shifted from the college game to the pros. To do so, we'll review sections of promotional schedules used as giveaways by insurance agencies, auto and liquor brands, and others.

Back and front covers of a 1954 football schedule

The target of these promotional items was men since women were considered incapable of making decisions on issues as complex as life insurance. Clearly, the text on the back cover that follows the winding road of life targets the man of the house.

The NFL of 1953 had only twelve teams after adding several from the All-America Football Conference. The Eagles placed second in the Eastern Division, and the Chiefs did not yet exist. It's also worth noting that the 1954 schedule lists the home fields for each team, and more than half the NFL played in stadiums built for baseball.