Welcome to This Week in NFL History! Every week, the Research team will spotlight the anniversaries of notable events and birthdays.
July 19
- The 49ers re-signed WR Terrell Owens to a 7-year, $35M contract extension in 1999
- Earned 4 straight Pro Bowl selections in final 4 seasons (2000-2003) with the 49ers & 3 straight 1st-Team All-Pro selections (2000-2002)
- Led NFL with in rec YPG (103.6) in 2000 & led NFL in rec TD in 2001 & 2002
- Notable Birthdays: S LeRoy Butler (53) & SF T Trent Williams (33)
July 20
- The Lions re-signed HOF Barry Sanders to a 6-year, $33.5M contract extension in 1997
- Only played 2 seasons (1997-1998) of contract before retiring after his age-30 season in 1998
- Led NFL with 2,053 rush yards (4th-most in a single season in NFL history) in 1997 (Co-NFL MVP with Packers QB Brett Favre)
- - The Raiders signed 4th overall draft pick HOFer Charles Woodson to his rookie contract in 1998
- 4 Pro Bowl selections & 2-time 1st-Team All-Pro in first 4 seasons from 1998-2001
- 1 of 5 DBs with a Pro Bowl selection in each of first 4 seasons; also HOFers Mike Haynes, Ronnie Lott & Mel Renfro as well as MIN Patrick Peterson
- The Dolphins traded HOF Jason Taylor to Washington for 2 draft picks (2009 2nd Rd & 2010 6th Rd) in 2008
- 6-time Pro Bowl selection, 3-time 1st-Team All-Pro & 2006 AP Defensive Player of the Year in first 11 seasons with the Dolphins from 1997-2007
- Played 1 season with Washington in 2008 before being waived in 2009 (Played 3 more NFL seasons with the Dolphins in 2009 & 2011 as well as the Jets in 2010)
- The Steelers signed 92nd overall draft pick (3rd Rd) WR Hines Ward to his rookie contract in 1998
- 15 receptions & 246 receiving yards as a rookie in 1998
- 2-time Super Bowl Champion, 4-time Pro Bowl selection & became Steelers all-time leader in rec (1,000), rec yards (12,083) & receiving TD (85) after playing 14 seasons w/ PIT from 1998-2011
- Notable Birthday: HOF Dick Stanfel & HOF Dan Rooney
July 21
- Notable Birthday: QB David Carr (42)
July 22
- The transfer of the Raiders from Los Angeles to Oakland was approved by a vote of the NFL clubs at a meeting in Chicago in 1995
- The Raiders made 4 playoff appearances & 1 Super Bowl appearance (SB XXXVII in 2002) in 25 seasons (1995-2019) in 2nd stint in Oakland (Won Super Bowl XVIII in 1983 season while in LA from 1982-1994)
- Notable Birthdays: HOF Tim Brown (55), WR Keyshawn Johnson (49), RB Steven Jackson (38), TEN T Taylor Lewan (30) & DAL RB Ezekiel Elliott (26)
July 23
- HOF Reggie White unretired & signed with the Panthers in 2000
- Recorded 5.5 sacks, 1 FF & 16 tackles in his final career season with the Panthers in 2000 (was retired for 1999 season)
- Retired as the NFL career sacks leader (198.0) & now ranks 2nd behind HOF Bruce Smith (200.0)
- The Panthers went 7-9 to finish 3rd in the NFC West, missing the playoffs
July 24
- Notable Birthdays: HOF Willie Davis, QB Steve Grogan (68), C Maurkice Pouncey (32), C Mike Pouncey (32), HOU RB Phillip Lindsay (27) & CIN RB Joe Mixon (25)
July 25
- The Falcons signed QB Matt Ryan to a 5-year, $103.75M contract extension in 2013
- Won 2016 NFL MVP while leading the Falcons to their 2nd SB appearance in franchise history, 2-time Pro Bowl selection & 2016 1st-Team All-Pro over the course of the contract
- Threw for 4,000+ pass yards in each year of deal (Thrown for 4,000+ pass yards in 10 straight seasons since 2011, 2nd-longest such streak in NFL history behind Drew Brees' 12 season-streak)
- Ryan's average per year of $20.8M was the 2nd-highest in the NFL at the time behind only GB Aaron Rodgers' $22.0M
- Notable Birthdays: HOF Walter Payton & NO RB Alvin Kamara (26)
