The Czar- Pete Rozelle was born this day 1926. Pete Rozelle is the greatest commissioner in American sports history. He was the commissioner for nearly 30 years, from January 1960 until his retirement in November 1989. Rozelle is credited with helping to make the National Football League the most popular sport in America, making it America’s Game. When he took over as the commissioner he was a surprise pick. He was only 33 years old. When he became commissioner the league was a 12 team league playing 12 games a year before half empty stadiums. When he left it was the most popular sport in America. The key to all this was Czar Peter convincing the owners to accept revenue-sharing between the teams. He twisted arms and got the support. There were many other accomplishments in his career. The one thing he would later regret and would call the biggest mistake of his 30 years was when games were played the Sunday after the assassination of President Kennedy was assassinated.

Towards the end of his time as commissioner he seemed to lose some of the control he had over the owners. The famous feud and lawsuits with Oakland Al Davis would be the downfall of both men. The best comparison I have ever heard is the comparing Davis vs Rozelle to Ali vs Frazier. In Ali-Frazier neither man was ever the same after their fights. Same with Al Davis and Rozelle. It seemed to take something out of them.

Pete Rozelle died at age 70 in 1996.