Football History

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The founding origins and original members, AAFC Team Story

The All-America Football Conference, better known as the AAFC, was a professional American football league that challenged the well-established National Football League in the post-World War II era from 1946 to 1949. Though the League only lasted four seasons, it significantly impacted the trajectory of the professional level of football through early racial integration, introducing unique marketing ploys, bringing in new markets, and the innovations of its coaches and fantastic players.

From 1946 to 1949, the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) carved its niche in American professional football, challenging the established dominance of the National Football League (NFL). Though ultimately dismantled and absorbed by the NFL, this short-lived League left a lasting impact on the game with its innovative spirit and contributions to the sport's growth.

Born out of post-war economic opportunities and a desire to challenge the NFL's monopolistic control, the AAFC attracted ambitious owners and talented players. Unlike the NFL, which remained geographically concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest, the AAFC expanded westward, establishing franchises in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Baltimore.

The AAFC quickly gained a reputation for exciting and innovative play. It adopted a 14-game season a decade before the NFL, contributing to a faster pace and increased scoring. Additionally, the League introduced the "zone defense," a tactical innovation that revolutionized defensive strategies in the years to come.

The AAFC boasted several legendary players, including future Hall of Famers like Otto Graham and Dante Lavelli and Bill Willis and Marion Motley, who became some of the first Black players to sign with a major professional football league in the modern era. These talented individuals fueled fierce rivalries and captivated fans, creating a loyal following despite competing against the well-established NFL.

However, the AAFC faced significant financial challenges. Smaller markets, coupled with the dominance of the NFL, hindered its ability to compete effectively. After four seasons, a merger with the NFL was considered the only path forward. In 1949, three AAFC teams – the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Colts – were absorbed into the NFL, marking the end of the AAFC as an independent league.

Despite its brief lifespan, the AAFC made lasting contributions to professional football. It proved a viable competitor, forcing the NFL to adapt and improve. The introduction of innovative strategies, expansion to new markets, and the integration of Black players all stemmed from the AAFC's influence. Today, the legacy of the AAFC lives on in the continued success of the teams it brought into existence and the lasting changes it implemented within the game of professional football.

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Our guest is historian and collector Jeff Payne, who joins us to discuss an incredible portion of his vintage gridiron collection concerning the 1948 Cleveland Browns. The 1948 Cleveland Browns cemented themselves in football history by achieving the seemingly impossible: an undefeated season. This summary details their dominant run:

Building the Team:

-Head coach Paul Brown continued to refine his squad after winning the previous two AAFC championships.

-Key additions included linebacker Alex Agase and halfbacks Ara Parseghian and Dub Jones.

Dominating the Regular Season:

-The Browns kicked off the season with a victory against the LA Dons and never looked back, winning all 14 regular season games.

-Their closest contests were two close wins against the San Francisco 49ers, who also finished with a strong record.

-The Browns offense averaged 27.8 points per game, the second-best in the league, while their defense held opponents to a league-low 13.6 points per game.

Securing the Championship:

-Finishing the season with a perfect 14-0 record, the Browns secured the Western Division title.

-They faced the Buffalo Bills, who had won the Eastern Division through a playoff in the AAFC Championship game.

-The Browns capped off their undefeated season by defeating the Bills 49-7, earning their third consecutive AAFC championship.

It's important to note that while the Browns' undefeated season is considered remarkable, it occurred in the AAFC, which merged with the NFL in 1950. The NFL does not officially recognize AAFC records, making the 1972 Miami Dolphins the only team in NFL history to complete an undefeated season.

However, the 1948 Cleveland Browns remain a legendary team, showcasing outstanding coaching, a well-rounded roster, and a dominant playing style that brought them perfection on the field.

Bonus stories in the Video
In the conversation with Jeff Payne, we chat about football-related stories outside the Browns. How about George Halas during wartime? Or Crazy Legs Hirsch connection to the AAFC? Or Johnny Unitas reason for wearing Black high-tops?

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The All-American Football Conference lasted only four seasons, but its impact on professional football was enormous. One big reason is the success of the league's top team, the Cleveland Browns.

Pro football historian George Bozeka recently sat down with us in the Pigpen to tell us about the fascinating origin and history of the Browns in this era. George is the Executive Director of the Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA).

Arch Ward, the Chicago Tribune editor who was the organizer of the AAFC, saw an opportunity in Cleveland for a pro football franchise after the Cleveland Rams won the NFL Title in 1945 and then abruptly left the city for the West Coast. It was a historic and controversial move, as no other NFL franchise was within a couple thousand miles at the time. Also, the Rams were the first American major league sports franchise on the Pacific Coast. George Bozeka tells us that Rams owner Dan Reeves moved not only for the football opportunities but also for some of his other business ventures.

Ward contacted Arthur "Mickey" McBride, an Eastern Ohio businessman with his hands in everything from real estate to a taxi company in Cleveland. McBride also ventured into a wire service that provided horse racing results to people who needed to know the results, such as bookies. McBride's involvement in this side hustle placed him in the public eye even before he bought the Cleveland franchise. This interest made a part of McBride's persona a bit shady as it put him in the company of organized crime figures who did not continuously operate within the fine lines of the law. But despite this, McBride had a passion for Northeast Ohio, the finances to cover the costs, and a strong desire to win at football. He also knew he needed people with good football knowledge and organization to run his franchise.

Mickey McBride officially joined the All-American Football Conference owners in 1944 by buying the rights to the new Cleveland franchise. Yes, he needed a coach to organize his team and wanted a good one to start things off right. Author Andy Piascik, in his book, The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, says that McBride and Leahy even had a handshake deal made for the Fighting Irish coach to leave his very successful program to be the sideline boss of the Cleveland franchise. When Notre Dame officials got wind of the deal, they took action. They appealed to McBride and his loyalty to the school, as McBride's son was an alumnus. Soon, they persuaded Leahy to stay and McBride to make another choice as a coach for his new team.

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The Los Angeles Dons pro football and their AAFC Team Story with Historian George Bozeka

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The Original Baltimore Colts and their AAFC Team Story

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The Chicago Rockets and their AAFC Team Story as told by historian Joe Ziemba

The San Francisco 49ers origins and their AAFC Team Story, through joining the NFL with Niners Historian Joe Hession

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The era and inception of rubber footballs and how they were perceived int he game. Football Archaeology does a nice bit of research on the subject.

Here is the official page of the 49ers and a short bio on their founder Tony Morabito and how the Niners came to be.