This Day in Football History

1964 - NFL teams buy Blair Motion Pictures, later renamed NFL Films

Two years after Ed Sabol, founder of Blair Motion Pictures, bid $5,000 for the film rights to the NFL Championship Game, the NFL's teams banded together to purchase Sabol's company and rename it NFL Films.

Son Steve Sabol once said "the only other human endeavor more thoroughly captured on 16-mm film than the National Football League is World War II," and it's difficult to argue with him. NFL Films created the modern template for sports highlights and contributed in no small part to the massive success of the NFL today.

2010 - Bears sign Julius Peppers to six-year deal worth $91.5 million

The Chicago Bears boosted their pass-rushing prowess on this day in 2010, signing former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers to a mega-deal worth nearly $100 million (with over $40 million guaranteed).

Whether the signing was worth it remains a point of debate today. No one would call Peppers a bust in Chicago, but he failed to deliver the city a Super Bowl and it could be argued his large contract prevented the Bears from spending money to plug more important holes in the team's roster.

In four seasons with the Bears, Peppers has recorded 38 sacks and none forced fumbles.

2008 - Raiders sign Javon Walker to six-year deal worth $55 million

Few free agent deals in NFL history have yielded less bang for buck than the Oakland Raiders' signing of former Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker on this day in 2008.

The Raiders cut Walker two years into the deal after paying him $21 million for just 15 catches for 296 yards and one touchdown.