By Darin There are some moments in history that have been lost over time; that is true in NFL history as well.
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 the Association Effected in Akron.”
NFL Early Re-Organization
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 president. Remember that Jim Thorpe had been the president in year one, and the group was years away from having a commissioner. With Carr named as the head, the Association’s headquarters were moved to Columbus, Ohio, and a league constitution and bylaws were drafted, granting teams territorial rights, restricting player movement, and establishing membership criteria for the franchises. The league would play under the National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Rules of 1921, and official standings were issued for the first time to ensure 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. (source)
The First NFL Title is Awarded
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 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 bolster records, and none of the team managers were shy about proclaiming their right to the title.
Akron had two wins 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.