Some time in 1972, FDNY founding member Pudgy Walsh got himself engaged in a highly spirited discussion with NYPD officer Joe Loughran at the Mariner's Inn in Brooklyn, New York. Pudgy had expressed the opinion that the firefighters who played on the Brooklyn Mariner's semi-professional football team were much better players than the police department players. Joe did not agree. The debate led to the arrangement of a challenge match the following year at Brooklyn's Midwood Field.

     What started as a bar room challenge in 1972 has evolved into one of the top semi-professional games in the country. A close rivalry to that of Army - Navy...and a challenge that still continues to this day.

      That was just the beginning of the FDNY Bravest Football Club. Today we play in the highly competitive NPSFL, making it to the National Championship twice, winning it once thus far. But, this team isn't only about playing a football game. In the 37 year history of this team the Bravest have given hundreds of thousands to many charities...the NY Firefighter Burnn Center, the Thomas Elsasser Fund, the FDNY Widow's and Children's Fund, the FDNY Family Transport Foundation, the Fallen Patriot Fund, to mention a few.