1983 in football

American football

 * January 3 – Tony Dorsett sets NFL record for longest run from scrimmage by rushing for 99 yard touchdown.
 * January 26 – death of Paul "Bear" Bryant, noted college football coach
 * Super Bowl XVII – The Washington Redskins win their first Super Bowl title, and first NFL title since 1942, 27-17 over the Miami Dolphins.
 * Sugar Bowl (1982 season):
 * The Penn State Nittany Lions won 27-23 over the Georgia Bulldogs to win the college football national championship
 * Michigan Panthers win United States Football League Championship, 24-22 over Philadelphia Stars
 * October 31 – death of George Halas, Chicago Bears founder and coach