Football History

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October 1, 1922 - The former team known as the Chicago Staleys (Decatur Staleys) suits up under the banner of the Chicago Bears and faces a new NFL franchise, the Racine Legion. This battle ended up in a Bears 6-0 victory.

The Bears, who had started as the Decatur Staleys, home of their sponsor, the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Co., moved to the Windy City in 1921 and played as the Chicago Staleys until this day, which set the standard for a new Moniker.

The Bears story begins in 1920, when, fresh out of college, he organized a football team for his then employer, A.E> Staley, in Decatur, Illinois, the Decatur Staleys. He served as both player and coach, showcasing his early leadership and passion for the game. However, the Staleys faced financial difficulties, prompting Halas to seek greener pastures.

In 1921, Halas saw an opportunity in Chicago. Partnering with Dutch Sternaman, he secured the rights to move the Staleys to Chicago and rename them the Chicago Staleys. This move was a gamble, but Halas's entrepreneurial spirit shone through. He saw the potential for a strong fan base in the Windy City. A year later, they rebranded as the Bears.

The early years in Chicago were a constant battle for financial stability. Halas wore many hats, managing the team's finances, scouting players, and selling tickets. However, his dedication and tireless work ethic started to pay off. The Bears achieved early success, winning the NFL championship in 1921.

Halas was pivotal in establishing the National Football League (NFL) in 1920, serving as an owner advisor and shaping its rules and structure. He was a shrewd businessman, securing television deals and driving the league's financial growth.

Brett Favre's NFL career wasn't a neatly scripted narrative. It was a rollercoaster ride of audacious throws, improbable victories, and a sprinkle of controversy – all fueled by an undeniable passion for the game. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991, Favre's legend truly began with the Green Bay Packers in 1992.

Initially viewed as a raw talent, Favre blossomed under coach Mike Holmgren. His gunslinger mentality, characterized by deep throws and improvisational brilliance, captivated fans. He wasn't afraid to take risks, often extending plays with his scrambling ability and delivering pinpoint passes on the run. This gunslinger style led to both highlight-reel moments and interceptions, but it undeniably kept defenses honest.

Favre's tenure with the Packers was nothing short of remarkable. He led them to two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots. He shattered numerous NFL records, including most career passing yards and touchdowns, both of which have since been surpassed by quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

However, Favre's story doesn't end in Green Bay. A messy public divorce from the Packers organization in 2008 led him to the New York Jets and ultimately the Minnesota Vikings. While his peak years were behind him, Favre's competitive fire remained. He revitalized the Vikings offense and nearly led them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2009.

Favre's legacy is complex. He is admired for his exceptional talent, leadership, and sheer love for the game. However, his gunslinger mentality sometimes resulted in costly mistakes, and his later-career decisions raised questions about his commitment.

Despite the complexities, Brett Favre's impact on the NFL is undeniable. He redefined the quarterback position with his aggressive style, leaving an indelible mark on the game and inspiring a generation of gunslingers.

Born July 16, 1968 - Wichita, Kansas - Barry Sanders the running back from Oklahoma State during the 1986 through 1988 seasons.

The FootballFoundation.org states that Sanders learned how to work hard as a youngster helping his father put on roofs in the hot Wichita summers. This work ethic stuck with his through his gridiron career at both the college and the professional levels and paid dividends on Saturdays and Sundays. The hard work also taught him to be selfless and humble as even after scoring one of his many touchdowns, he would generally just hand the ball to an official and trot off the field without an attention-grabbing celebration to be seen.

While Oklahoma State he played behind All-America Thurman Thomas for two seasons. He used this "grooming" time wisely in the seasons that he spent as a back-up becoming a special teams demon, even leading the nation in kickoff return average in 1987. When Barry became the featured Cowboy back, he put together what the NFF describes as the most remarkable season ever compiled by a college running back. That year he set 34 NCAA records in winning the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp, and Maxwell Awards as the nation's top player. Barry led the nation in rushing with his 2,628 yards, 3250 all-purpose yards, and scored 234 points.

Sanders ran for over 300 yards in six games and exceeded 200 yards seven times. Barry was rewarded for these feats in college by being selected as the top pick of the Detroit Lions in the 1989 NFL Draft, spending 10 seasons in the Motor City. In fact he became the first player to ever rush for 1000 or more yards in his first ten seasons according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame website. On the road to professional pigskin immortality Sanders, with 1,304 yards rushing in 1990, topped all runners, and then repeated claiming the top NFL ground gainer title in 1994 with 1,883 yards and in 1996 running for 1,553 yards. His 44 receptions for 283 yards in 1994 gave him a combined 2,166 yards from scrimmage. The most impressive feat of his remarkable career, however, is when he won the NFL MVP award in 1997, as he rushed for a league-best 2,053 yards and gained another 305 yards on 33 catches for an amazing 2,358 combined yards gained. To ice that he gained at least 100 yards in 14 consecutive games!

The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Barry Sanders in 2004 while Mr. Sanders also entered the College Football Hall of Fame for his legendary college career at Oklahoma State in 2003. Many have described Barry Sanders as the best pure running back to ever play the game, as he left the NFL at a fairly young age with a lot of yardage on his stat bio.

John Elway, nicknamed "The Duke" for his stoic demeanor and unwavering leadership, wasn't just a football player; he was an icon. His 16-year career with the Denver Broncos was a testament to his dedication, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of excellence. This essay delves into the journey of Elway, a quarterback who redefined the position and brought two Super Bowl victories to Denver.

Elway's path to gridiron glory wasn't straightforward. Drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1983, he staged a now-legendary public dispute, forcing a trade to his dream team – the Denver Broncos. This bold move set the stage for a remarkable career. Elway possessed a rare combination of physical talent and mental toughness. His strong arm allowed him to make pinpoint throws, while his athleticism gave him the ability to escape pressure and extend plays. He wasn't afraid to take risks, scrambling out of the pocket and throwing on the run, a style that revolutionized quarterback play.

However, Elway's journey wasn't without setbacks. Early in his career, the Broncos struggled to win the ultimate prize, falling short in three consecutive Super Bowls (1986, 1987, and 1989) against the dominant New York Giants. These losses earned him the unfortunate nickname "Elway the Loser," a label that fueled his determination.

Finally, in 1997, Elway's perseverance paid off. At the age of 37, he led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl victory, defeating the heavily favored Green Bay Packers. Two years later, he cemented his legacy with another Super Bowl win, this time against the Atlanta Falcons. These victories solidified his place among the NFL's elite quarterbacks, silencing his doubters and proving that his relentless pursuit of championship glory had finally been rewarded.

Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Elway's impact extended to the city of Denver. He became a symbol of hope and resilience, inspiring Broncos fans with his unwavering dedication. After his retirement in 1999, he transitioned into a successful front-office role with the team, proving his leadership prowess extended beyond the playing field.

A semi-pro gridiron squad based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team was founded by Art Rooney, who is best known for being the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League.

Hope Harvey Predecessor

After a few years of playing as the Hope-Harvey eleven which included Art Rooney and his brothers on the roster, the team was sponsored by "Loeffler's Electronic Store", who renamed the team after one of its best-selling products, the Majestic Radio. Hence the team became known as the Majestic Radios. The team's affiliation with Loeffler's ended prior to the team's 1931 season. It was then they became the J.P. Rooneys, paying tribute to the candidacy of James Rooney, brother of Art, who was grinning for political office.

Art Rooney Sr., the iconic founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers, didn't build a championship team overnight. His journey began with the Majestic Radios Football Team, a semi-professional squad that served as a crucial stepping stone to his NFL aspirations. This essay explores the connection between these early days and the eventual rise of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Early Hustle: Learning the Game from the Ground Up

The Majestic Radios, founded in the early 1920s, were more than just a team for Art Rooney. They were his classroom. Here, he wore several hats: player, coach, and even recruiter, scouring local neighborhoods and colleges for talent. This hands-on experience laid the groundwork for his future success. He learned the intricacies of the game, the importance of scouting and team building, and the financial realities of running a football organization.

A Winning Start and the Value of Community

The Majestic Radios enjoyed considerable success. This early taste of victory instilled in Rooney a hunger for sustained success. He also understood the importance of community support. The enthusiastic crowds drawn to their games at Exposition Park foreshadowed the passionate Steelers fanbase that would develop later.

Born July 25, 1954 - Columbia, Mississippi - Walter Payton Pro Football Hall of Fame running back of the Chicago Bears was born. The Jackson State product was also enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in the 1999 class.

Walter ran on the Jackson State gridiron from the 1971 season through 1974 and was the key cog in the offense. According to the FootballFoundation.org, Sweetness finished his career at Jackson State with 464 points and 3,563 yards rushing. The point total was a modern record for college football. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry for four years.

Walter is remembered at the collegiate level still to this day as he was honored in 1987 with the founding of the Walter Payton Award, given each year to the leading player in 1-AA football. Payton was a great player who worked hard and was known for his outstanding runs during his career. He even was the NFL's all-time leading rusher until Emmitt Smith surpassed him. In just 13 seasons, Payton rushed for 16, 726 yards, hauled in 492 passes and scored 125 touchdowns per the ProFootballHOF.com website.

We honor this great player and human who had an untimely death in 1999 at the age 45 due to a rare disease. Please see our story on "Sweetness" here Walter Payton.

The football contest between the Allegheny Athletic Association and the Pittsburgh Athletic Club on November 12, 1892, in the football hotbed of Pittsburgh, marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the sport.

Pictured is the 1892 Allegheny Athletic Association team courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

While it may seem unremarkable in retrospect, this game stands as a foundational cornerstone for professional football.  Though not an NFL game, it makes our list of Greatest NFL games because it started the trend that made pro football a reality.

The Allegheny Athletic Association and the Pittsburgh Athletic Club were two of the most prominent football clubs in the late 19th century. The rivalry between these two Pittsburgh-based clubs was intense. Their desire to prevail led to a groundbreaking decision: the Allegheny Athletic Association paid William "Pudge" Heffelfinger, a renowned college football player, a substantial sum of $500 to suit up for their team. This unprecedented transaction transformed Heffelfinger into the first openly compensated football player, a watershed moment that signaled the transition from amateur to professional gridiron competition.  

Beyond the financial implications, the game itself was a spectacle. The rough and tumble nature of early football was on full display, with players often employing tactics that would be considered illegal by today's standards. The contest was a microcosm of the era, showcasing the sport's raw, physicality and its growing popularity.

While the Allegheny Athletic Association emerged victorious, the game's true significance lies in its historical context. It ignited a debate about the integrity of the sport and the blurring lines between amateurism and professionalism. Moreover, it laid the groundwork for the professional football leagues that would follow, transforming the game into a major spectator sport. This game was a turning point in the history of football, marking the beginning of the transition from amateur to professional and the rise of football as a major sport in the United States.

The 1892 Allegheny-Pittsburgh game serves as a reminder of the humble beginnings of professional football. It is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of those involved and the enduring appeal of competition. Though overshadowed by the storied franchises of today, this contest deserves recognition as a catalyst for the growth and development of the sport we know and love.

-Key figures associated with the game include:

-William "Pudge" Heffelfinger: The first openly paid football player.  

-1892 - Pudge Heffelfinger Becomes the First Person to be Paid to Play Football

-Allegheny Athletic Association: The team that employed Heffelfinger and won the game.
Pittsburgh Athletic Club: The rival team.

-Frequently Asked Questions About Early Pro Football

Do you like learning about older professional teams from yesteryear? Perhaps a stroll through these FAQ's will entertain your football brain.

-Who was the first professional football player? Pudge Heffelfinger is documented to have been paid $500 by the Allegheny Athletic Association in 1892. Learn more about it in this post: Pudge Gets Paid

-When did the first fullly professional team first take the field? The 1897 Latrobe Athletic Association 1897 team was the first to play a full season, but the first fully paid team to play a single game occurred a year earlier in 1896 when the Allegheny Athletic Association paid their entire roster for two games, AAA Pioneers of Pro Football 1896.

-What is the most famous professional team that was not an NFL franchise? There are a number to pick from if you count rival leagues to the National Football League, but when only focusing on independent early teams the Massillon Tigers are a candidate.

-What is the best professional football team of All-Time? Statistics show that the 1903 Franklin All-Stars from Franklin, Pennsylvania out perform any team in history, learn more about them here: 1903 Franklin All-Stars.

-When did the National Football League start? Though there was a 1902 three-team league of the same name, the NFL we know today actually was organized on September 17, 1920 in Canton, Ohio as the American Professional Football Association or APFA.

The story of Art Rooney Sr. is synonymous with the origin and early history of the franchise he founded, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steeler's origin story is a reflection of Rooney's life, as he put so much of who he was into the franchise that started off named after the local MLB team the Pirates.

The Chief made some bad decisions, poor choices and even had a little bit of luck along the way but patiently waited for four decades to finally see the fruits of his labor and love, the Steelers reach the pinnacle of the NFL.

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Born February 17, 1936, in St Simons, Georgia, was the all-time great running back Jim Brown. Brown in 1956 had a season where his rushing yards per game read something like 197 yards, 162, 155, 154 & 151 yards! He ended up with 986 yards for the season ranking him third in the nation and giving him the nod for unanimous All-America status. But that wasn’t it for “First Down Brown’s” scoring, though as he also kicked for Syracuse. The Cleveland Browns wasted no time at all to make Jim their first-round pick in the 1957 NFL Draft per the ProFootballHOF.com site. Brown played all nine of his years as a pro in Cleveland amassing 12312 yards rushing and 15459 total accumulated yards. The powerful back scored 756 points in those nine years in the NFL and played in a Pro Bowl every season in the League including being selected as the 1957 Rookie of the Year. Jim was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in three different seasons! The Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971’s ceremonies enshrined Jim Brown into their Canton, Ohio Museum of legends.

Born October 22, 1923 in Orlando, Florida - Pete Pihos the fantastic end and later fullback from Indiana University was noted by multiple experts in 1943, including noted sports writer Grantland Rice, to be one of the top receivers in college football that season. He was an All-American in multiple polls in 1943 but then served his country in the war efforts the following season.

The National Football Foundation selected Pete Pihos to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966. After graduation Pete was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1945. After a two year delay to complete his military obligations Pete played as a two-way end in Philly.

The Eagles, in 1952 found themselves in need of a defensive end. Knowing the skill set of Pihos they called on his versatility, and he not only took the field with the “D” but he earned All-NFL honors in doing so! Then for the remaining three years of his career, he switched back to offense and led the league in receiving all three seasons. Pete Pihos entered into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.