4/27/1974 University of Illinois Intrasquad Football Game, Orange vs. Blue, Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL


 47 years ago today...

April 27, 1974 - Champaign, IL

The University of Illinois Fighting Illini football team held its annual Orange vs. Blue intrasquad game at Memorial Stadium.
The research team at TSTT made a deep dive into the archives to find this date-specific memorabilia. The cover of this autograph-ready program includes offensive lineman Revie Sorey who had a nice career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. He was larger-than-life, bringing a Soul Train hipster vibe and funky wild wardrobe to the Great Corn Desert of central Illinois. He called himself "Rock Hollywood," a nickname I still use for a great friend of mine and reader of this journal. His signature phrase "Do It Today" remains a greeting and farewell when we see one another.
Bears head coach Abe Gibron and St. Louis Football Cardinals head coach Don Coryell were honorary coaches who promoted an NFL preseason game to be played at this historic college stadium later that fall. Coming full circle, the Bears played their home schedule in Memorial Stadium when Soldier Field was under renovation in 2003. Memorial Stadium was home to Red Grange and Dick Butkus during their playing days.



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