Football History

Michigan Wolverines football, a legacy etched in gridiron glory, boasts an illustrious history woven with legendary players. Choosing just a number among them is a daunting task, yet, here are few titans who etched their names in maize and blue lore:

-Tom Harmon ("The Golden Tornado"): This Heisman Trophy winner (1940) electrified the 1940s with his passing prowess, leading Michigan to two national championships and earning a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.

-Anthony Carter ("Mr. Sunshine"): Carter dazzled on the gridiron in the 1980s, shattering receiving records and becoming the first Wolverine to win the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver (1986). His electrifying touchdown catches remain etched in Big House memories.

-Charles Woodson ("The Heisman Hurdler"): This versatile athlete shone at corner, receiver, and even punt returner. His defensive dominance earned him the Heisman Trophy (1997) and the Defensive Player of the Year award (1997) – a feat unmatched in NCAA history.

-Tom Brady ("The Sixth Round Sensation"): Before becoming an NFL legend, Brady honed his skills in Ann Arbor. Despite being a sixth-round draft pick, his leadership and clutch performances still resonate with Wolverine fans.

-Desmond Howard ("The Heisman Return"): This electric punt returner etched his name in college football history with his Heisman-clinching punt return touchdown against Ohio State in 1991. His electrifying play and infectious personality left an indelible mark on the program.

-Ronnie Johnson ("The Natural"): This running back possessed a rare blend of power and grace, racking up over 2,600 rushing yards in just two seasons. His tragic passing in 1985 remains a heartbreaking chapter in Michigan history.

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Dante Lavelli, The Pro Football Hall of Fame end, was born February 23, 1923, in Hudson, Ohio. Known as "Glue Fingers," it is reported that he played in only three college games before he served in the US Infantry and then turned professional after his tour of duty was complete.

How could he be attractive to pro franchises with so few college snaps? Well, his Coach at Ohio State was the legendary Paul Brown, who remembered the sure-handed freshman. In 1946, when assembling the new Cleveland Browns team in the 1946 inaugural season of the AAFC, Brown looked Lavelli up.

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's website, "To make the Browns, he had to beat out four more experienced and highly regarded candidates. But Dante not only prevailed, he led the league in receptions and won All-AAFC honors in his rookie season. He also caught the winning touchdown pass in the first AAFC championship game between the Browns and the New York Yankees."

Dante made the All-AAFC again in 1947, and after the Browns moved into the NFL in 1950, Lavelli was All-NFL twice and started in 3 of the first 5 Pro Bowl games played! He finished his Pro Football career with 386 catches and 62 touchdowns. Dante Lavelli was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

He along with Quarterback Otto Graham and others made the Cleveland Browns a formidable offense for the AAFC and NFL opponents alike to deals with.

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NFL history is made up of the stories of the people who played and coached the game. As part of our Greatest NFL Jersey Number 37s of All-Time, historian Aron Harris of the Football Odyssey shares the condensed history of former NFL cornerback Lester Hayes in this one-minute video bio.

Thanks to Aron for the great history and sharing with us the legacy of the gridiron great. You can find his Football Odyssey Podcast on SportsHistoryNetwork.com or on your favorite podcast provider.

Lester Hayes, nicknamed "The Judge" for his ability to shut down receivers in courtrooms and on the field, had a ten-year NFL career defined by defensive dominance. Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1977, Hayes switched from linebacker to cornerback and quickly excelled. He earned All-Pro honors once and a staggering five Pro Bowl selections between 1980 and 1984. Hayes' stingy coverage frustrated quarterbacks, and his knack for takeaways (with 39 career interceptions) protected his team's lead. A key part of the Raiders' " intimidating secondary," Hayes helped them win two Super Bowls (XV and XVIII). His most iconic moment might be Super Bowl XVIII, where he neutralized Washington's star receivers, forcing quarterback Joe Theismann to look elsewhere. Hayes retired in 1986 with 39 interceptions, tying the Raiders' all-time record.

For a hundred years, the Washington Huskies have thrilled fans with their exciting brand of football, leaving a trail of memorable moments etched in college football history. From legendary victories to individual feats of brilliance, let's rewind and relive some of the defining chapters in Husky football history:

Early Days & Triumphs:
1949 Apple Cup: Witness the "phantom of Compton," Hugh McElhenny, as he carves through the Washington State defense for a record-breaking 296 yards and five touchdowns, leading the Huskies to a dominant 52-0 victory.
1960 Rose Bowl: Quarterback Bob Schloredt and running back George Fleming orchestrate a thrilling upset over the heavily favored Minnesota Golden Gophers, securing a 17-7 Rose Bowl victory and marking the program's first-ever bowl win.

The Don James Era & Championship Glory:

1984 Orange Bowl: Under the leadership of legendary coach Don James, the Huskies pull off a captivating win against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl, solidifying their place among the nation's elite.

1991 National Championship: Witness the crowning moment of the Don James era as Billy Joe Hobert leads the Huskies to an undefeated season, culminating in a Rose Bowl victory over Michigan and the program's first and only national championship.

Modern Era & Pac-12 Dominance:

2000 Apple Cup:
Relive the electrifying finish of the 2000 Apple Cup, where Marques Tuiasosopo connects with Reggie Williams for a last-second touchdown pass, securing a share of the Pac-10 championship and engraving a legendary moment in Husky lore.

2016 College Football Playoff: Coach Chris Petersen orchestrates the rise of a Pac-12 powerhouse, leading the 2016 Huskies, featuring quarterback Jake Browning and dynamic running backs, to a berth in the prestigious College Football Playoff, showcasing their talent on the national stage.

Beyond Victories: Individual Brilliance:

The Husky legacy extends beyond team triumphs, with individual moments of greatness etched in memory. From Hugh McElhenny's electrifying runs to Jake Browning's record-setting passing performances, these individual feats have impacted the program and its fans.

A Legacy of Excellence:
The history of Husky football is a testament to the dedication, passion, and talent that have defined the program for over a century. The unforgettable moments, from iconic victories to individual heroics, continue to inspire future generations of athletes and fans. As the Huskies continue to write their story in the annals of college football, their legacy of excellence and passion will undoubtedly endure.

Auburn boasts a rich history of bruising backs who have terrorized defenses and fueled Tigers victories. Choosing the "best" is subjective, but here are some of the most impactful Auburn rushers:

Legends of the Backfield:

-Carnell "Cadillac" Williams: The all-time leading rusher with 3,831 yards, Williams embodied power and grace. His Heisman-caliber junior season and key role in the undefeated 2004 team solidify his legendary status.

-Bo Jackson: A dual-threat marvel, Jackson's athleticism was unmatched. He rushed for 4,303 yards despite limited seasons, showcasing raw power and electrifying speed.

-James Brooks: "The Little Giant" racked up 3,523 yards with relentless determination. His 1971 record for rushing touchdowns (19) stood for decades, showcasing his scoring prowess.

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The 1938 season marked a pinnacle in the New York Giants' history. Under the guidance of coach Steve Owen, the team clinched the NFL Eastern Division title and ultimately captured the NFL Championship, solidifying their status as a dominant force in professional football.

The Giants' regular season was marked by a balanced attack strategy, a testament to their versatility and adaptability. With a record of 8-2-1, they demonstrated their prowess on both sides of the ball. Their defense was a formidable obstacle for opponents, allowing the fewest points in the league. On offense, the team's balanced attack effectively moved the ball down the field and capitalized on scoring opportunities.

-The 1938 Season in NFL Eastern Division

The New York football club needed clear sailing through the season to represent the Eastern Division in the League finals. The Washington Redskins were the front runners of the East teams going into the pivotal games of week 10 of the '38 season. In their way were the defending NFL Champions, the Washington Redskins.

Washington lost to the Chicago Bears 31-7 in week 10, which allowed the Giants to take over the top spot as N.Y. blanked the Cleveland Rams 28-0. Less than a month later, the stage was set for the December 4 game at the Polo Grounds, where the G-Men would host their foes from the Nation's Capitol. This was, in essence, a game for the Eastern Title as the Giants sat at 7–2–1, and the Redskins were perched with a 6-2-2 record going into the contest. It was a win-and-in scenario for Washington, while the Giants could move on with a win or a tie. The game was a rematch from the 1937 season, which Washington won handily 49-14, propelling them to the NFL Championship game victory over the Bears 28-21.

On December 4, 1938, the largest NFL crowd of the season gathered at the Polo Grounds: 57,461 screaming fans, mainly from the Big Apple, witnessed the action.

The Skins were a talented bunch led by star Quarterback Slingin' Sammy Baugh, End Bob McChesney, Fullback Andy Farkas, and fellow fieldmates Ernie Pinkert, Max Krause, and Jay Turner.

The Giants countered with a star-studded roster featuring Quarterback Ed Danowski, backs Tuffy Leemans, Bull Karcis, Ward Cuff, Center Mel Hein, and End Jim Lee Howell.

Much of the stat line for the game was misleading, as Washington outgained New York 207 to 160 in total offensive yards, and the visitors tallied 13 first downs to the Giants 6 times of reaching the line to gain. This is very misleading, as all the other numbers in the game heavily leaned towards the home team.

The Giants' defense was outstanding, forcing seven D.C. fumbles that helped propel Big Blue to a 36-0 route. Four of the five New York TDs were set up on Redskin miscues. The scoring was led by Chuck Gelatka, who caught a Leeman's pass for a score and also took Baugh's interception to the house. Cuff completed a Pick-Six of his own, measuring 96 yards, and added more points off his toe in the kicking game.

-The 1938 Season NFL Championship Game

The Giants' successful season climaxed in the championship game against the Green Bay Packers, held on December 11 at the Polo Grounds. Over 48,000 spectators entered the New York City venue gates to root their teams on. The game was a thrilling contest that showcased both teams' talent and determination.

The Packers had won the Western Division with an 8-4 record, outlasting the challenges of the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears, who were nipping at their heels much of the season. A couple of weeks earlier, a dramatic win by the Pack over the Lions 28-7 and a regular season-ending Eagles victory over Detroit sealed the Green Bay appearance in the Title game.

Under Head Coach Curly Lambeau, Green Bay featured quarterback Arnie Herber and his favorite target, Don Hutson. Other formidable gridiron legends, such as Cecil Isbell, Ed Jankowski, Andy Uram, and Clark Hinkle, were also on the Wisconsin team's roster.

On game day, just before the coin toss, Giant star Mel Hein was presented with a watch by NFL President Joe Carr. This watch signified him as the League's Most Outstanding Player for the season, as he was at the top of the News Pro All-America voting. This award matches the modern NFL Player of the Year honors.

The fans were in for a treat as the game lived up to the hype in one of the season's most exciting NFL contests. Staying true to form, the Giants took advantage of their opponent using opportunities made on defense, and maybe more accurately stated, special teams, and jumped out a nine-point lead in the first quarter on a Ward Cuff field goal set up after New York's Jim Lee Howell blocked a Packer punt the Giants recovered at the Green Bay seven. Three straight rushes were stymied by the Packers short-yardage defense, which set up Cuff's three-pointer.

A bit later, a second Cecil Isbell punt was blocked, this time by Jim Poole, with Howell diving on the ball at the Green Back 26. After a short pass gained ground, the Packers D was loosened up for the Tuffy Leemans show to commence. Leemans was handed the leather on multiple plays until he finally twisted and turned through a reported four would-be Packers tacklers for the Giant's first TD. John Gildea's extra point try missed the mark, but the first quarter ended with the Giants up 9-0.

The second stanza featured a flurry of points between the two teams. Green Bay got on the board when Arnie Herber scrambled and launched a 49-yard strike to Carl Mulleneaux, who stepped under the goal post and over the goal line to cut the New York lead to two.

The momentum was with the Packers, who held the Giants on the next series and got the ball back, moving it to midfield before they fumbled, and New York's future Hall of Famer Mel Hein came out of the pile with the pigskin. The Giants scored a TD of their own six plays later with a short pass from Danowski to Hap Barnard.

Coach Lambeau would later comment that the officials made a bad call on the pass play and claim that moving pictures would show Barnum losing control of the ball and flying out of bounds, making it not a catch but an incomplete pass, which would have nullified the score.

Isbell helped the Packers get back into the game just before the half, leading a drive with his legs and arms that culminated when Paul Miller plunged over the goal line behind the block of his right guard to make the score 16-14 Giants at the intermission.

-It Was a Crazy Half Time Session

Usually, Coach Lambeau would make some adjustments and possibly give a rousing speech in the locker room at the half, but this particular game, the legendary sideline chief was eerily absent.

The halftime session was filled with drama as Curly Lambeau needed clarification from the officials as they were walking off the field and in not following the rest of the team to the Polo Grounds Visitors locker room, Lambeau made a wrong turn and, by some bizarre circumstance, found himself outside of the stadium! When he tried to return, the gatekeepers did not recognize him and would not believe his story to let him reenter.

Eventually, the commotion of Lambeau's pleas was heard by sportswriters who confirmed his identity, and Ole Curly was allowed entrance just in time to go back to the field with the team. The team showed no effects from not having their field boss in the locker room.

-Thrilling Second Half

The second half started with excitement when Green Bay's Joe Law returned the kick-off to the Packers's 31, and a combination of long runs by Clark Hinkle and Bob Monnett moved the drive to the New York fourteen before a fourth and less than a half yard brought on a field goal try. The boot by Paul Engebretsen was true, and the visitors went up by one on the scoreboard. This lead would only be for three minutes.

New York took the ball after the kick and went on a long drive that ended with Giants back Hank Soar snatching an errant pass off Hinkle's fingertips and then tiptoeing across the goal line stripe to put Big Blue up 23-17.

The game had a controversial fourth-quarter play that Lambeau would later point to when an apparent long pass play from Herber to Gantenbein, which would have moved the sticks, was called back by officials who stated that the receiver was ineligible. The Giant's defense held on to the next play and gave New York the ball back. Their drive was stalled, and Green Bay would get the ball back with little time left.

The Packers were not done yet, though. In the last eleven seconds of regulation, the Green Bay offense moved forty yards.

Ultimately, the Giants emerged victorious with a score of 23-17, securing their place in NFL history as champions.  

The 1938 New York Giants were a team defined by their grit, skill, and, most importantly, their unwavering commitment to excellence and opportunistic defensive and special team play. This dedication and determination were critical factors in their championship triumph, a cherished chapter in the franchise's storied legacy.

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Lace up your cleats and step back in time to December 9th, 1934, for a championship game unlike any other. This isn't just about a battle between gridiron giants – the New York Giants and Chicago Bears. This is the story of ingenuity, adaptation, and a surprising footwear choice that changed the course of the game, earning it the unforgettable nickname: The Sneakers Game.

Get ready for a tale of frozen fields, underdog tactics, and a legendary fourth-quarter comeback fueled by...well, let's just say it wasn't your typical football gear. Join us as we delve into the history of this iconic game, exploring the strategies, the stars, and the unexpected twist that secured victory for one lucky team. So, grab some hot cocoa, because things are about to get interesting (and a little slippery) in the 1934 NFL Championship Game!

-The 1934 Season

The defending champion Chicago Bears, a team that had dominated the NFL in 1934 and went undefeated in the regular season, were the Giants' formidable opponents.

December 9, 1934 - Polo Grounds, New York City - "The Sneakers game" is what this National Football League Championship game has been fondly branded. This was a rematch of the two teams that played in the 1933 League Championship contest, the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants. The Bears entered the game as the favorites; after all, they had not lost a game all season and had beaten the Giants twice earlier. The November 4 match-up of the two squads at Wrigley Field saw the home team dismantle New York 27-7. The two franchises met again two weeks later at the Polo Grounds, and the Bears won out again in a much closer decision, 10-9.

The Bears had a roster of All-Stars and future Hall of Famers. Experienced veterans like Red Grange, George Musso, Walt Keisling, Link Lyman, and Bronko Nagurski complemented the athleticism of Keith Molesworth, Rookie Beattie Feathers, Bill Karr, and Jack Manders. Yes, George Halass has put together an extremely talent-laden roster.

The Giants countered with a strong supporting cast of Red Badgro, Ray Flaherty, Mel Hein, Ed Danowski, and Ken Strong but ran the gambit with a disappointing 8-5 regular season mark. New York had suffered two season-opening losses, one to Green Bay and the other to Detroit, to back into the season 0-2 before rattling off four straight. The Giants did just enough to win the East outlasting the 6-6 Boston Redskins for the right to play in the NFL Championship game.

The Giants were quite confident entering the contest; though blown out in Chicago during the regular season, they played the Bears almost even on the Polo Grounds' home field. Coach Owen had to carefully search for an edge to give his team an advantage and a fighting chance against the undefeated Champs. Ultimately, this 'leg up' would reveal itself on game day.

The 1934 NFL Title Game

The game was played in New York as the NFL practiced an alternate rotation of East and West Conference's home-field advantage for the title game participants. You may remember from a previous discussion that the 1933 game was played at Wrigley when the two teams squared off. Weather in New York City in early December is always a factor to consider, and in this case, rain the night before froze as temperatures plummeted below 32 degrees to the teens, leaving the Polo Grounds turf and every other outdoor surface in the Big Apple more like a hockey rink that a gridiron battlefield. A sparse crowd of over 35,000 braved the elements to watch the contest in the frozen stands.

The early portion of the contest went as the oddsmakers calculated. Molesworth was a handful for the Giant's defenders as he and Nagurski slashed and pounded the football for chunks of yardage in the first half. Chicago's bright young star, Beattie Feathers, was injured and unavailable for this big game. Bronko eventually lumbered his way over the goal line, and Chicago jumped out to a 10-3 lead by the intermission.

A Change in Momentum

John Mara, the Giants treasurer, noticed that the turf of the Polo Grounds was practically a sheet of ice just hours before kick-off. Mara let the coaching staff, including team Captain Ray Flaherty, know about the field. Flaherty's thoughts returned to a game he remembered that he and his team at Gonzaga College had played with similar icy conditions where they took off their cleats and put on basketball shoes to try and gain better traction. Flaherty wanted the Giants to take the same action; however, since it was a Sunday, no sporting goods store was in the open area. That's when some networking and a true home-field advantage played out.

The Giants' equipment personnel hurried to Manhattan College to borrow their basketball teams' footwear. Both teams initially struggled with traction, but Head Coach Steve Owen's secret strategy and the Giants' determination turned the tide. At halftime, it was time for a footwear revision, and Owen's receivers and backs donned the limited number of sneakers they had on loan, gaining a significant advantage.

At the onset of the second half, things got worse for the Giants as the visitors padded the lead with a field goal that went up 13-3.

Ken Strong's talents were shown bright that day even though he had been banged up due to a rough injury-plagued season, and star end Red Badgro had suffered a season-ending wound in an earlier game, preventing him from playing in the title tilt. He was the Giants' weapon of choice for much of the game, but for the first three quarters, the Bears' defense limited his effectiveness. Strong and the Giants finally caught a break in the third, but it was almost heartbreaking. Ed Danowski stepped back to pass as the Giants drove deep into Chicago territory. The QB's toss seemed destined for glory until Chicago's Carl Brumbaugh stepped in front and appeared to intercept the ball. However, New York receiver Ike Frankian swiped the ball out of the Bears's defender's mits and strolled into the endzone to close the gap on the Chicago lead, avoiding the disaster and making it 13-10 early in the fourth quarter.

After a quarter, the Giants were literally and figuratively finding their footing as the rubber-soled footwear, with its suction cup design to grab a hold on the hardwoods, gave traction to the New York bunch that wore them. It was all Giants the rest of the way as Ken Strong crossed the stripe twice, the first one on a 41-yard scamper to paydirt, followed by another of his own and a Danowski TD run as an insurance policy.

The G-men scored four touchdowns in the final stanza, surprising the Chicago Bears with a 30-13 Giants comeback victory route.

For their efforts, the players on the Giants received a check of $621.03 each while the Bears players licked their wounds on the long train ride back to the Windy City, holding their pay receipts up to just over $400 each.

Little did anyone know that this game would go down in history, not just for the Giants' victory but also for the innovative strategy that changed the course of football.

The biting December wind whipped through Chicago Stadium, a fitting prelude to the gridiron clash about to unfold. 1932: a year of economic hardship, yet the NFL's popularity surged, culminating in an unprecedented indoor playoff game. The Chicago Bears and Portsmouth Spartans, locked in a tie atop the standings, were forced into this unique contest due to a blizzard that rendered outdoor fields unplayable.

This wasn't just another game; it was a pivotal moment in NFL history. The cramped confines of the stadium, the shortened field, and the modified rules created a spectacle unlike any seen before. This blog post dives into the heart of that legendary matchup, exploring the strategies, the key players, and the lasting impact of the 1932 NFL Playoff game.

Professional football in 1925 had much less structure for scheduling games. Teams wanted additional games for two reasons: to improve their position in the standings and for extra revenue. The sports promoters saw the opportunity to "lend a hand" and were more than happy to invite clubs that had the potential to attract crowds. Promoting games and picking the right opponents for the event was tricky, and they had to endure some ups and downs to get a deal done with the teams and the venue. For many reasons, the start of the 1932 season may have been a low point for the NFL. The Great Depression was in full swing, affecting the revenue of member franchises due to dwindling ticket sales as many people could barely scratch enough coins together to eat, let alone attend a football game. The economic trickle effect caused financial pain for the NFL, resulting in a significant loss of income in conjunction with its franchises and patrons. The League dropped to its lowest level of participating teams ever when only eight franchises took the field under the National Football League banner that year. This low amount of teams occurred only one other time in the League's history, in 1943 amid World War II.

The financial woes had meant the demise of major and recently competitive teams such as the Providence Steam Roller, Frankford Yellow Jackets, and Cleveland Indians. Softening some of this retraction was the addition of the Boston Braves, owned by George Preston Marshall.

-The 1932 NFL Title Contenders Emerge

Despite all the setbacks early on, the season was highly successful as three teams vied for the NFL title that season: the Green Bay Packers, Portsmouth Spartans, and the Chicago Bears.

Green Bay finished the season with a 10-3 record, a great campaign by all accounts, but not when the Spartans and Bears had a higher winning percentage and virtually tied for the best record in the League for 1932. The Bears and the Spartans had met head-to-head twice in the regular season, with both contests ending in a tie.

After some alleged backroom meetings with the NFL hierarchy, the NFL brass decided that a final game to determine a Champ would be played in a unique Chicago at Wrigley Field on December 18, 1932. The title was supposed to be given to the team with the best record, as it had been for over a decade in the young NFL. The season ended with the Chicago Bears and the Portsmouth Spartans being tied for the top record in the League.

-Let Us Settle This Tie! Says George Halas

It is believed that George Halas challenged the Spartans to play a game to settle the tie; they wanted no part of any Co-Champion bologna. Thus, we had the first NFL Championship! This first postseason game in NFL history had some massive twists and turns to make it quite a remarkable story, even besides the fact that a game was going to be played to determine an NFL Champion. The first odd occurrence was that Spartans star Earl "Dutch" Clark could not play in the game because he had to work. While that may sound wild today, professional players of that era did not make enough to make a living all year. Most had to take off-season jobs to make ends meet, even the superstars like Dutch Clark, who worked as the Head Basketball Coach at Colorado College. His hoops team had a game on December 18, and Dutch couldn't get off work to make the football game in Chicago. The second crazy thing that happened was that due to a freak late-fall blizzard in Chicago, the game had to be moved inside the Chicago Stadium because Wrigley was covered with deep snow and frozen with dangerous sub-zero temperatures. The playing field had to be modified to play inside, so the game was played on a field only 80 yards long and some 30 yards narrower than the regular width the teams played on all season. The last item surrounding the game happened on the contest's only touchdown.

Bronko Nagurski threw a scoring jump pass to Red Grange, but the Spartans argued that Nagurski did not meet the legal forward pass requirement of being 5 yards or more behind the line in those days. The play stood, and the Bears won the NFL title by 9-0.

When all the smoke cleared from the controversial ending to the controversial game, a few things happened. The NFL had its first Championship game, and it was also the first time an NFL title game would be played indoors.

The interest in the NFL impromptu championship game that occurred in 1932 led to a title game being scheduled each year and announcing the birth of the NFL post season. The competitive nature of the historic 1932 season and some changes in local laws provided interest for other cities to gain franchises in the League for the 1933 season. 

Football is a sport that is very special to many people. It combines grit and power with endurance and elegance. If you're a fan of football now, you've most likely been one for the past few years and will continue to be one for the rest of your life. That's the thing about football: once you love the sport, you can't shake it. With the tremendous arena games, all the way over the thrill of simply watching it at home, football has a little something for everyone. 

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There are certain teams that have been around for a long time, that have garnered a lot of support over the years and that have proven that they belong as some of the most reputable football teams and franchises around. This article aims to shed light on exactly that. 

-The Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are the oldest football team in the whole of the USA. This is a very special feat and one that is extremely impressive, especially in a country that lives and breathes football as much as the USA. They even bet on the sport to show just how engrossed they are in the game. Betting platforms are rather popular amongst football fans, who even stray away from football when it becomes too heated and try to find a good online fish shooting game with real money and no deposit, so that they have a thrilling distraction from the game. 

This team started its humble beginnings in 1898. Their name back then was actually different, it went as the Morgan Athletic Club. Back then, they were even based in the south side of Chicago. The reason they got their name as the Cardinals is because, in the early 1900s, the teams' managers received an old shipment of faded cardinal red football jerseys and just like that, the name stuck. 

The team was excellent when it started, which is exactly what propelled them to being part of the NFL in 1920 when it officially started. That was over a century ago, and since then, as you can imagine, the team has gone through many significant changes, never losing its Cardinal name, though. The team is now based in Phoenix. They're the oldest team in the franchise, but unfortunately, they have only won two NFL titles in the last 100 years. They are one of the least successful teams in the bunch; however, who knows, maybe the tides will change for them. 

-The Chicago Bears

Just like the Arizona Cardinals, the Chicago Bears started out under a different name. In 1920, they got their name from their then-founder, A.E. Staley, as the Decatur team. However, then Staley passed on the team to the famous George Halas in 1921, who moved the team all the way over to Chicago. After their first year, they were already showing success and Halas was already given the endearing name of 'Papa Bear', as he was known for walking up and down the field at every game, trying to help his team as much as possible. You see where the story and the name change are going. In 1922, seeing as they were located in Chicago and their managed was known as 'Papa Bear', the team got the endearing name of the Chicago Bears and the rest has been history. 

This team has done extremely well for themselves in the NFL and has proven time and time again that they are the ones to look out for. They have won 8 NFL Championships since they started and they have even won one Super Bowl Championship, to boot. Showing that they are truly the ones to watch and they continue to be successful even today. 

-The New York Giants

The New York Giants started their success in the early 1920s, they started their franchise in 1925 specifically and have shown progress and improvements right from then. They started their journey on the famous Polo Grounds in Manhatten, marking one of the most esteemed training grounds. As one of the only teams to have never changed their name, this team often says that it has been marked for success right from the very beginning. 

They naturally joined the NFL the moment they became a functioning team and actually managed to win the title four times over, in 1939, 1941, 1944 and 1946. Doing this made them one of the best teams to ever enter the NFL Championship and certainly a team to look out for. Another reason they are one of the most popular teams, even today, is because they have also won the Superbowl four times over, which is an incredible feat. 

Today, the New York Giants continue to be one of the most influential teams on the roster and one that shows incredible promise. 

-A Solid Foundation

One of the most impressive things about these older teams is that they continue to play, even today. The fact that football seems to truly be based on history and heritage, makes it far more understanding that football is one of the most beloved sports in the USA. Fans have been watching their favorite teams play for years and years, passing the love of the sport on to the next generation. Football also certainly shows no sign of slowing down. 

The fifth season of the National Football League was filled with change and some familiar faces. The League went into the season with 18 teams (down from 20 participating in the 1923 season). The Cleveland Indians, Toledo Maroons, Oorang Indians, Louisville Brecks, and the St Louis All-Stars all folded shop, but some new blood was instilled into the fray to make it a net loss of only two teams. The Kansas City Blues, Kenosha Maroons and the Frankford Yellow Jackets all debuted as new franchises for the 1924 season.

Want to catch up on our series of posts and podcasts on Pre-Super Bowl NFL Champions? Check it out here NFL Champions.

The Cleveland Indians are an interesting story, though. The owner of the Cleveland Indians pro football team, a Cleveland area jeweler named Sam Deutsch, agreed on August 4, 1924, to buy the Canton Bulldogs franchise, players, equipment... yes, the whole kit and kaboodle. Yes, the same Canton Bulldogs that were the two-time defending NFL Champions after the 1923 season. The sale was a win for both teams as Canton’s owners had great teams with good game attendance but struggled to make a profit.

At the same time, Cleveland had cash flow but lacked the firepower to put fannies in the stands. So before the 1924 season started, Deutsch named his coach Guy Chamberlin, the player-coach and stud player from the University of Nebraska who led the Bulldogs to their 1922 and 1923 NFL championships in Canton through his strategy and coaching. Deutsch demanded that some of the core players of his former Indians team still be in the lineup, especially quarterback Hoge Workman, an All-American from nearby Ohio State.

The Cleveland Bulldogs was a powerhouse as the combined rosters of the Indians, and the Bulldogs were what, in essence, was an All-star team of the two clubs. He promoted them as the Cleveland Bulldogs, and the team continued the Canton Bulldogs' unbeaten streak by dispatching the Chicago Bears in their opener 16-14, tying Frankford’s Yellow Jackets the next week, then rattling off a string of victories over the likes of the Akron Pros twice, Rochester Jeffersons and the Dayton Triangles. On November 16, though, riding a 31-game unbeaten streak dating back to Canton, the Bulldogs were finally defeated on the gridiron. The second meeting with the Frankford Yellow Jackets ended the streak as the Jackets knocked off the Dogs 12-7 in Cleveland.

-A Unique Twist:

-One of the key factors in the Bulldogs' success was a rather unusual situation involving the Canton Bulldogs.

-The Canton Bulldogs were a successful team on the field, but they struggled financially.

-The owner of the Cleveland franchise purchased the Canton franchise and essentially merged the two teams, taking the best players from Canton and adding them to his Cleveland roster.

-This infusion of talent undoubtedly strengthened the Cleveland Bulldogs and contributed to their championship run.

-No Playoffs, Just a Crown:

As mentioned earlier, there were no playoffs in 1924. So, the Cleveland Bulldogs, with their league-best record, were simply declared the NFL champions.  
This was a different era of professional football, and how championships were determined differed from today's system.

-A Legacy Forged:

-The 1924 championship was a significant moment in the history of the Cleveland Bulldogs (who would later become the Cleveland Rams and then move to Los Angeles).

-It marked their first NFL title and solidified their place among the league's top teams.

-While the circumstances surrounding their championship were unique, there's no denying that the Bulldogs earned their victory with a strong and consistent season.

The 1924 NFL season serves as a reminder of the league's early days, a time of change, adaptation, and some rather unusual twists and turns. The Cleveland Bulldogs' championship story is a perfect example of this intriguing era in professional football history.