Before Divisions: The 1932 Tiebreaker and the Indoor Experiment

Prior to 1933, the NFL championship was awarded to the team with the best regular-season record. But even that system had its eccentricities. In 1932, the Chicago Bears and the Portsmouth Spartans found themselves locked in a virtual tie, with identical 6-1 records. However, ties weren't factored into the standings at the time. This led to an impromptu playoff game, an indoor affair at Chicago Stadium, home of the Blackhawks.

This wasn't the first time the Bears had attempted an indoor game. In 1930, they'd played an exhibition against the Chicago Cardinals for charity. The weather was brutal, forcing them to move indoors. To pull it off they had to unfreeze the hockey rink and bring in dirt. The game was a comedy of errors, with players colliding with the rink's wooden boards and Ernie Nevers even hitting the scoreboard. However, it was a success and a few thousand fans attended.

Back to 1932, the Bears and Spartans faced off in a game that was supposed to be outdoors. Due to terrible weather, George Halas decided to move the game indoors again. This time, the circus had just left, leaving behind a layer of dirt and, shall we say, "elephant contributions." The stench was so bad that some Bears players reportedly got sick.

The game itself was played on a modified field, with a narrower width and a unique rule to simulate a 100-yard field. The Bears won, thanks to a controversial jump pass from Bronko Nagurski to Red Grange. This indoor "playoff" game, though not officially a championship, planted the seed for change.

The 1933 Revolution: Divisions, Rules, and a Landmark Game

The NFL, recognizing the excitement generated by the 1932 playoff, decided to implement a divisional system. The ten teams were split into Eastern and Western Divisions, with the division winners meeting in a championship game. This mirrored the successful World Series format in baseball.

The 1933 season also saw significant rule changes. The league decided to create its own rule book, diverging from the college game. This included:

✦ Hash marks: To keep the ball in the center of the field.

✦ Forward pass: Legal from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage.

✦ Goal posts: Moved to the goal line to encourage field goals.

✦ The inaugural championship game featured the New York Giants (11-3) and the Chicago Bears (12-1). The Bears roster boasted six Hall of Famers, including Grange and Nagurski. The Giants, coached by Steve Owen, had a roster filled with colorful nicknames like "Red," "Tiny," and "Kink."

The game itself was a back-and-forth thriller. The Bears' kicker, Jack Manders, was instrumental, kicking three field goals. The Giants fought back, with key touchdowns from Red Badgro and Ken Strong. The game ended with a wild lateral play, resulting in a Bill Carr touchdown, giving the Bears a 23-21 victory.

The 1933 NFL Championship was a landmark event. It showcased the new rules, the excitement of divisional play, and the growing popularity of professional football. It was a pivotal moment in the league's history, setting the stage for the modern NFL and its eventual rise to prominence.