Football History

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This amazing book by Author Chris Willis tells the story of Red Grange, and his college and professional exploits. The barnstorming and setting pro football on its ear with one of his managers C. C. Pyle. Red Grange changed football forever.

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New York businessman Tim Mara in 1925 made what many would consider a gamble when he invested $500 in a fledgling franchise in the NFL. Mara needed to gain more knowledge of the game of professional football, but the New York Giants were born with the council of the newly hired Dr. Harry March and others.

We continue with the story of the New York Football Giants and go back to an interview we did with Alan March, the great-grandson of Dr. Harry March. We find that the Giant crosses paths with legends like Jim Thorpe and Red Grange during this franchise's inaugural season.

This is Part 2 of our year-long celebration of the 100th New York Football Giants season in 2024.

Bringing in Star Power

By 1925, Jim Thorpe was already a household name. An Olympic Champion and many seasons of football and professional baseball had all but assured this great athlete's legacy. 1925 saw him take on a new challenge – professional football with the New York Giants.

Thorpe's arrival with the Giants wasn't met with universal fanfare. His professional baseball career began in 1913 but hadn't entirely met expectations. While showcasing his athleticism, his batting average remained relatively low. Some questioned whether his skills would translate to the gridiron.

Thorpe's athleticism was in decline, and rumors swirled of his dependencies on alcohol. Despite his contributions, Thorpe's time with the Giants was short-lived. Professional football in the 1920s was a far cry from the modern game. Injuries were common, and the rules were less protective of players. Thorpe battled nagging injuries throughout the season, limiting his impact. Additionally, the grueling travel schedule and financial constraints took a toll.

Red Puts Them in the Black

The highly anticipated matchup between the Chicago Bears, featuring the legendary Red Grange, and the New York Giants on December 6, 1925, was pivotal in NFL history. However, the impact on the Giants' bottom line wasn't as positive as the packed stadium might suggest.

Grange Steals the Show:

He lived up to the billing despite early concerns about Grange's hype. While he didn't score any touchdowns on the ground, he did make a crucial 35-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Bears emerged victorious, 19-7.

Financial Boon or Bust?:

While the game drew a record-breaking crowd of over 70,000 fans, it's essential to consider the financial realities of the era. Professional football was still in its early stages, and revenue streams were limited compared to today's sports landscape. Every indication, though, says that this game turned the financial situation of the Giants franchise to the point where Mara invested in the program for seasons beyond 1925.

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AFL (American Football League, 1960-1969): This upstart league challenged NFL tradition with innovative rules and aggressive marketing, ultimately forcing a merger in 1970 that led to the creation of the modern NFL structure with two conferences.

But other American Football Leagues competed against the NFL before this 1960s rendition, and we covered them in this video.

Most casual football fans know that the Super Bowl era of the NFL stems from a merger between the NFL and the AFL in the late 1960s. Super Bowl 1 was originally called the AFL–NFL World Championship Game. But did you know that this American Football League was the fourth NFL rival league with that exact name?

The first AFL started in 1926 and is often called the Grange League because it was created because of a dispute of inequity pay for Red Grange in his second pro season with his original NFL employer, the Chicago Bears. One of Grange's promoters, C.C. Pyle, along with Grange and others, started the league to compete with the NFL for revenue as they questioned the NFL structure and consistency after multiple controversies in 1925 plagued the NFL. Grange's New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Quakers were at the top of the nine-team league. The league folded, and the Yankees and Grange joined the NFL in 1927.

AFL II 1936

In 1936, amidst the established power of the National Football League, a fledgling challenger took the field: the American Football League (AFL). Though short-lived, the AFL's two-year stint boasted audacious ambition and left its mark on the game's history.

Ignored by national media and relegated to "page filler" status, the AFL II served as a crucial springboard for several iconic franchises. Cleveland, pre-NFL glory, first donned its Rams jerseys under the AFL's lights. And on the West Coast, the Los Angeles Bulldogs made history as the first professional team to call it home - and to conquer their league with an undefeated season, a feat not repeated for decades.

But the AFL was more than just stepping stones. It was a laboratory for innovation, where gridiron dreams took flight with the hopes of eight eager cities: Boston, Cleveland, Jersey City, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, and Syracuse.

AFL III 1940

The American Football League (AFL III) was a professional American football league from 1940 to 1941. It was the third major league to bear that name, but its existence was short-lived due to competition from the established National Football League (NFL).

The AFL III was formed in 1940 when three teams from the minor-league American Professional Football Association (APFA) - the Cincinnati Bengals, the Columbus Bullies, and the Milwaukee Chiefs - were lured away to join six new franchises in Boston, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Syracuse, and New York City. After one season, this startup soon folded.

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The 1925 Chicago Bears, led by the legendary "Galloping Ghost" Red Grange, weren't just playing another game when they faced the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. This seemingly ordinary December matchup marked a pivotal moment in the history of professional football. Here's why:

-Red Grange: A Superstar Ignites the Nation

Red Grange was a college sensation at the University of Illinois. His electrifying running style captivated audiences. Chicago Bears owner George Halas recognized his potential to boost pro football's popularity and signed Grange to a controversial and record-breaking contract. However, Grange was still technically an amateur in NFL eyes, leading to an internal League battle.

The 1925 season became a nationwide spectacle as the Bears embarked on a grueling post-Thanksgiving road trip, showcasing Grange's talent. The New York game was a pivotal stop. A large, enthusiastic crowd, estimated at nearly 70,000, packed the Polo Grounds, eager to witness Grange in action.

-Boosting Pro Football's Legitimacy

Professional football, in its early stages, struggled to compete with the established popularity of college football. Many saw it as a rough and unsophisticated sport. Grange's electrifying performance, coupled with the massive New York crowd, helped legitimize the professional game.

National media attention skyrocketed after the game. Newspapers across the country reported on the spectacle, exposing a wider audience to the thrills of professional football. This positive exposure helped shift public perception, paving the way for future growth.

-Financial Lifeline for the Giants

The Giants, facing financial difficulties, desperately needed a boost in attendance. Grange's star power was the answer. The packed Polo Grounds provided a much-needed financial injection, helping the team stay afloat. This demonstrated the potential for professional football to be a profitable enterprise, attracting more investors and solidifying the league's future.

-A Turning Point for the NFL

The 1925 Bears' season, culminating in the Polo Grounds game, marked a turning point for the NFL. The sheer interest generated by Grange and the packed stadium proved that professional football could be a major spectator sport. This success led to increased investment in the league, improved facilities, and ultimately, a rise in overall quality of play.

-Conclusion

The 1925 Chicago Bears' game against the New York Giants transcended the win-loss column. It was a cultural phenomenon that propelled professional football into the national spotlight. Red Grange's electrifying talent, combined with the massive attendance, helped legitimize the sport, secure its financial future, and pave the way for the NFL's eventual dominance in the American sporting landscape.

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The New York Giants were on shaky ground financially as was most of the rest of the National Football League in 1925. A bright star would arise to help save the League from going under.

As part of our celebration of the 100th season of the New York Football Giants, we present Part 3 of the NYG-100 series.

When Football Was Football host Joe Ziemba is our guest from an appearance he made back in 2021 on the Pigskin Dispatch Podcast NFL Jersey #77 episode.