While eating chicken and dumplings with the Waltons, Tom Povich says that Clarke Hinkle was the greatest football player he has ever seen. NFL and College Football Hall of Famer Clarke Hinkle played for the Green Bay Packers from 1932 to 1941 and held the all-time National Football League (NFL) records for rushing yardage and carries when his playing career ended. He played college football for Bucknell University, where he set several records for the Bucknell Bison football team as a fullback playing offense and defense. During his playing days, he played both offense and defense what was then known as the "era of Iron man" football. Many critics considered him to be "the greatest football player in the world", during his era.
The brand of cigarettes being smoked by Grandpa and Ben is Chesterfields, chosen perhaps for its vintage package design.