July 11 Football History

On This Gridiron Day of July in football history is a convergence of pioneering ventures, record-setting achievements, and the birthdays of gridiron legends who left indelible marks on the sport at both the collegiate and professional levels. From a unique, early NFL franchise to the ambitious launch of a rival league, the narratives of this date highlight the ever-evolving nature of American football.

One such fascinating tale involves the Los Angeles Buccaneers, an early NFL franchise established in 1926. Though nominally representing Los Angeles, this team was essentially a barnstorming squad, based out of Chicago due to the immense logistical challenges of transcontinental travel and local opposition to pro football in Los Angeles at the time. They played their entire 1926 NFL schedule on the road, showcasing the nascent league's desire to expand its reach even before the infrastructure truly allowed for it. This experimental venture, though short-lived, remains a unique footnote in the NFL's formative years.

Decades later, another challenge to the established football order commenced. This date also marks the debut of the World Football League (WFL) in 1974. This ambitious league sought to compete directly with the NFL, introducing new rules and signing high-profile players. While ultimately unsuccessful in its long-term bid for dominance, the WFL's brief existence had a significant impact on the professional football landscape, pushing the NFL to adapt and offer more competitive contracts to its players.

Beyond league developments, July 11th is a day to celebrate the birthdays of multiple Hall of Fame talents. LaDainian Tomlinson, one of the most prolific running backs in NFL history, was born on this day. Tomlinson, known for his incredible versatility and scoring prowess, famously won four ESPY Awards on a July 11th ceremony, including Male Athlete of the Year, for his record-breaking 2006 season. Also celebrating a birthday is Andre Johnson, a dominant wide receiver for the Houston Texans, who wore NFL jersey number 80. A Miami Hurricanes alumnus (wearing #5), Johnson's career with the Texans, Colts, and Titans cemented his place as a Pro Football Hall of Famer, celebrated for his exceptional catch radius and consistent production. Lastly, Cecil Isbell, a versatile halfback from the early NFL era, also shares this birthday. A College Football Hall of Famer from Purdue (wearing #88), Isbell was a star for the Green Bay Packers, donning NFL jersey number 17, and was known for his passing, rushing, and punting abilities, making him a true dual-threat in his time.

July 12, 1931 - The Cleveland Indians franchise forms after the Cleveland Tigers franchise changed their name and then subsequently folded after the 1921 season.

The 1931 Cleveland Indians NFL franchise represents a brief, yet interesting, chapter in the early history of the National Football League. This team was not related to the long-standing baseball team of the same name. In fact, it was the third NFL franchise to bear the "Indians" name in Cleveland, though each was considered a distinct entity.

The 1931 Cleveland Indians came into existence when the NFL acquired the franchise rights of the Orange/Newark Tornadoes, which had left the league after the 1930 season. The league's intention was to establish a permanent team in Cleveland, a city that had just completed the massive Cleveland Municipal Stadium. With its capacity of over 80,000, it was by far the largest stadium in the league, a stark contrast to the smaller venues often used by other NFL teams at the time.

Jerry Corcoran was brought in to manage the team on behalf of the NFL, as a suitable permanent owner could not be found initially. However, the team's one and only season proved challenging. The 1931 Indians primarily operated as a "road team," playing eight of their ten games away from Cleveland. Their two home games at the grand Cleveland Municipal Stadium drew disappointing attendance figures, signaling a lack of local financial support.

Coached by Al Cornsweet and Hoge Workman, the 1931 Cleveland Indians struggled on the field, finishing with a record of 2 wins and 8 losses, placing them eighth in the ten-team league. After this single season, the NFL's experiment with a league-sponsored, road-heavy team in Cleveland concluded. The franchise's spot in the league was eventually sold to George Preston Marshall, who would later establish the Boston Redskins (and eventually the Washington Commanders). The short-lived 1931 Cleveland Indians highlight the NFL's ongoing efforts in its early decades to find stable, viable markets and ownership during a period of economic uncertainty.

The Newspapers.com Football History Headline of the Day comes from the July 11, 1974 edition of the Daily Reporter in Dover Ohio when they printed these block letters at the top of the page:

WFL Is Born

The World Football League debuts as teams play in the new league's first games. Now the bulk of the opening games were played the night prior on Wednesday July 10, 1974 but the final action of the inaugural week was scheduled for Thursday. The WFLFootball.tripod.com says the scores for week one were as follows:
Memphis 34 knocking off Detroit 15 in front of a crowd of 30,122            

Hawaiians lost to Florida 7-8 as 18,625 looked on.

Houston 0 at Chicago 17     with 42,000    in attendance.

Portland was beaten by Philadelphia 8-33 with a crowd of 55,534 watching.       

Southern California 7 at Birmingham 11 with a nice group of fans numbering 53,231 in the stands.

Thursday, July 11, in the week one finale, New York was at Jacksonville and took one on the chin 7- 14 in front of a summertime crowd of 59,112.