Newspapers.com Football History Headline of the day came from the May 2, 1921 edition of the Rock Island Argus in Rock Island, Illinois. It read, “Pro Football Heads Seek One Big Association!” Of course they were writing about the April 30, 1921 meeting in Akron, Ohio of the American Professional Football Association.
The Buffalo Evening News printed this headline that same day: “Buffalo Included in Pro Football League! Organization to include 24 cities in Association Effected in Akron”
At the American Professional Football Association meeting in Akron, Ohio on April 30 months before their second season commenced, the Association was reorganized, with Joe Carr of the Columbus Panhandles named as president. Remember that Jim Thorpe had been the president in year one and the group was years away from having a commissioner according to the ProFootballHOF.com. With Carr being named as the head the Association's headquarters was moved to Columbus, Ohio, and a league constitution and by-laws were drafted, giving teams territorial rights, restricting player movements, and developing membership criteria for the franchises. The league would play under the rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Foot Ball Rules of 1921, and official standings were issued for the first time so that there would be a clear champion. Probably the most significant revisions to the by-laws were that only games played against fellow league teams would count toward the standings. This single change inspired two forms of growth and unity because it both encouraged outside independent teams (such as those from the Ohio League and the NYPFL) to join, but also caused those that did not join to fold within a few years, because NFL teams, particularly those competing for a championship, would be much less willing to play what were effectively exhibition games against teams that would not help them in the standings. Speaking of that...
April 30, 1921 - The first American Professional Football Association Championship which was for the 1920 season was officially awarded to the Akron Pros. The haste of putting together the APFA left may loose ends and when there is wiggle room controversy will soon arise. According to the SBNation.com the APFA founders hadn’t decided how to determine their champion prior to that inaugural season. Games against non-APFA teams were counted to beef-up records, and none of the team managers were shy in proclaiming their rights to the title.
Akron had two wins to its credit against non-AFPA teams. Decatur would finish the season 10-1-2, but with five of its wins coming against non-AFPA teams. Buffalo finished the season 9-1-1, with five of its wins coming against non-AFPA teams. Neither had lost to Akron, but neither had beaten Akron either. And Akron ended up with the most AFPA wins when all was said and done. Even Canton still had eyes for that championship cup but Akron had the best claim to the title, but wouldn’t be given the trophy until this April, 1921 league meeting. By that time, the challenges had cooled off a bit, and other teams from other leagues were even declaring themselves champions.
April 30, 1985 - Virginia Tech defensive end Bruce Smith was the first pick by Buffalo Bills in the 1985 NFL Draft. The great pass rusher found himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he was eligible. Others from this class that have been found worthy of the Gold Jacket according to the Pro Football Reference are Chris Doleman who was selected fourth by Minnesota, wide receiver Jerry Rice who was the 16th overall selection by San Fran and fellow wideout Andre Reed who was taken at the 86th spot by the Bills. The steal of the draft though was the Rams selection of linebacker Kevin Greene with the 5th round 113th pick. A selection that should not go unnoticed was that of Dallas at 114 who selected Herschel Walker a running back that headed for the USFL but when that league folded Dallas had his rights and they parlayed that a few years later to receive multiple players and draft pick for him from the Vikings and the Cowboys used the capitol to become a dynasty in just a few short years thereafter.
April 30, 2015 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the 2015 NFL Draft’s number one overall pick to select Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. It is interesting, and surely a sign of what the collective bargaining agreement and salary cap has spawned , that though this draft was only a mere 6 years ago there is only one player in the top ten picks that in 2020 was still with his original franchise that drafted the player. Here is the Pro Football Reference top ten picks from the 2015 NFL Draft.
Pick Tm Player Pos College/Univ
1 TAM Jameis Winston QB Florida St.
2 TEN Marcus Mariota QB Oregon
3 JAX Dante Fowler OLB Florida
4 OAK Amari Cooper WR Alabama
5 WAS Brandon Scherff T Iowa
6 NYJ Leonard Williams DE USC
7 CHI Kevin White WR West Virginia
8 ATL Vic Beasley OLB Clemson
9 NYG Ereck Flowers T Miami (FL)
10 STL Todd Gurley RB Georgia
