On This Day in NFL History: April 24.

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April 24 stands tall in the NFL’s timeline as a date that delivered franchise milestones and draft day drama that would echo through the decades.

In 1974, the league granted a new franchise to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking a significant step in expanding professional football to Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Buccaneers officially joined the league in 1976, sparking the birth of a loyal fanbase and laying the groundwork for future Super Bowl glory.

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April 24 also carries weight in NFL Draft history, especially for first overall picks. In 1988, the Atlanta Falcons selected linebacker Aundray Bruce out of Auburn. 

Touted as a defensive powerhouse, Bruce entered the league with high expectations, though his career ultimately did not live up to the early hype.

Six years later, in 1994, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson from Ohio State. Nicknamed “Big Daddy,” Wilkinson was a dominant force in college and went on to anchor several defensive lines across the league.

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But the most memorable April 24 moment came in 2004. The San Diego Chargers selected quarterback Eli Manning with the first overall pick. Manning, however, made it clear he would not play for the Chargers. What followed was one of the most dramatic draft day trades in NFL history. 

He was dealt to the New York Giants in exchange for Philip Rivers and a package of picks. Manning would go on to lead the Giants to two Super Bowl victories and earned MVP honors in both games, cementing his legacy as one of the great postseason performers in NFL history.

From the formation of the Buccaneers to the ripple effects of franchise-altering draft decisions, April 24 serves as a powerful reminder of how single moments can shape entire eras.

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 Fans continue to reflect on the choices made, the players who rose or fell, and the unforgettable twists that define the game.

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