The National Football League sailed blithly into the 1929 season, but events off the field that fall would have a far greater bearing on the health of pro football than any games played. The stock market crashed in October, and by the time the last contests were played in December, the country was beginning to feel the pinch. By the next season, it would be in a vice.
Coaching Brilliance and Curly Lambeau's Influence:
Head Coach Curly Lambeau, a former player himself, was a central figure in the Packers' success. He implemented innovative offensive strategies, emphasizing a balanced attack that featured both running and short passing plays. This "Lambeau Leap" offense, coupled with a strong defensive unit, proved nearly unstoppable. Lambeau's leadership and strategic mind instilled discipline and a winning mentality in his players.
The Emergence of Stars and Unwavering Teamwork:
The 1929 Packers boasted a talented roster, but it was their collective effort that truly set them apart. Players like Johnny "Blood" McNally, a bruising fullback, and Don Hutson, a revolutionary wide receiver who embraced Lambeau's passing schemes, became household names. However, the team's success wasn't solely reliant on individual stars. The offensive line provided exceptional blocking, and the defense, led by players like Tony Canadeo, shut down opposing offenses. It was a true team effort, where each player understood their role and executed it flawlessly.
A Defining Moment for the NFL and the Birth of a Legacy:
The Packers' undefeated season not only cemented their place in league history but also solidified the NFL's position as a major American sport. Their dominant run captured the nation's attention, drawing larger crowds and increasing media coverage. This 1929 championship marked the first of the Packers' eventual 13 NFL championships, establishing them as a perennial contender and a team with a winning tradition.
Coaching Brilliance and Curly Lambeau's Influence:
Head Coach Curly Lambeau, a former player himself, was a central figure in the Packers' success. He implemented innovative offensive strategies, emphasizing a balanced attack that featured both running and short passing plays. This "Lambeau Leap" offense, coupled with a strong defensive unit, proved nearly unstoppable. Lambeau's leadership and strategic mind instilled discipline and a winning mentality in his players.
The Emergence of Stars and Unwavering Teamwork:
The 1929 Packers boasted a talented roster, but it was their collective effort that truly set them apart. Players like Johnny "Blood" McNally, a bruising fullback, and Don Hutson, a revolutionary wide receiver who embraced Lambeau's passing schemes, became household names. However, the team's success wasn't solely reliant on individual stars. The offensive line provided exceptional blocking, and the defense, led by players like Tony Canadeo, shut down opposing offenses. It was a true team effort, where each player understood their role and executed it flawlessly.
A Defining Moment for the NFL and the Birth of a Legacy:
The Packers' undefeated season not only cemented their place in league history but also solidified the NFL's position as a major American sport. Their dominant run captured the nation's attention, drawing larger crowds and increasing media coverage. This 1929 championship marked the first of the Packers' eventual 13 NFL championships, establishing them as a perennial contender and a team with a winning tradition.
Bob Carroll Founder of the PFRA
The legendary founder of the Professional Football Researchers Association and he ended up writing a road map for people to preserve pro football history forever as a legacy.
Steamrollered 1928
The National Football League (NFL) of today, awash in billion-dollar franchises and national attention, bears little resemblance to its humble beginnings. In the early decades of the 20th century, the league was a ragtag collection of teams, some based in small towns with quirky nicknames like the Providence Steamrollers and the Pottsville Maroons. This essay explores how the NFL moved on from these early franchises, transforming itself into the sports juggernaut it is today.
According to the report read by President Joe Carr at the annual league meeting, held at Cleveland's Statler Hotel on February 11 and 12, 1928, the previous season had been the greatest in attendance in league history, but you couldn't prove it in Cleveland, Buffalo or Pottsville.
Growing Pains and Unsustainable Models:
Many of the early NFL teams, like the Steamrollers and Maroons, struggled financially. Small-town markets couldn't support the growing costs of professional football. Limited infrastructure, lower attendance figures, and difficulty attracting top-tier talent hampered their ability to compete. These factors, coupled with the lack of a centralized television deal, meant that financial stability was a constant struggle.
A Vision for Expansion and Consolidation:
Forward-thinking commissioners like Joseph Carr in the 1960s recognized the limitations of the small-town model. They envisioned an NFL with franchises in major metropolitan areas boasting established media markets, robust infrastructure, and a wider potential fanbase. This strategic shift aimed to increase revenue, attract bigger name players, and ultimately, propel the NFL to national prominence.
The path from small towns to big cities wasn't smooth. Expansion meant competition for existing franchises, and consolidation became a key theme. Weaker teams were forced to leave. This process, though painful for fans of these early teams, was a necessary step towards financial stability and a more competitive league.
According to the report read by President Joe Carr at the annual league meeting, held at Cleveland's Statler Hotel on February 11 and 12, 1928, the previous season had been the greatest in attendance in league history, but you couldn't prove it in Cleveland, Buffalo or Pottsville.
Growing Pains and Unsustainable Models:
Many of the early NFL teams, like the Steamrollers and Maroons, struggled financially. Small-town markets couldn't support the growing costs of professional football. Limited infrastructure, lower attendance figures, and difficulty attracting top-tier talent hampered their ability to compete. These factors, coupled with the lack of a centralized television deal, meant that financial stability was a constant struggle.
A Vision for Expansion and Consolidation:
Forward-thinking commissioners like Joseph Carr in the 1960s recognized the limitations of the small-town model. They envisioned an NFL with franchises in major metropolitan areas boasting established media markets, robust infrastructure, and a wider potential fanbase. This strategic shift aimed to increase revenue, attract bigger name players, and ultimately, propel the NFL to national prominence.
The path from small towns to big cities wasn't smooth. Expansion meant competition for existing franchises, and consolidation became a key theme. Weaker teams were forced to leave. This process, though painful for fans of these early teams, was a necessary step towards financial stability and a more competitive league.
From Mill Towns to Metropolises Joe Carr's Vision for NFL Expansion
In Joe Carr's Master Plan, the National Football League would rid itself of lesser municipalities like Evansville, Hammond, Green Bay, even his own Columbus, and play exclusively in the nation's largest cities. He'd gained a Philadelphia team in 1924 (although Frankford actually played in a suburb). Chicago had the Bears and Cardinals. Cleveland was the league champ. It was time to get serious about New York. Based on Bob Carroll;s article Red Equals Green 1925.
In the 1920s, the National Football League (NFL) was a vastly different landscape. Teams were primarily concentrated in smaller towns and industrial centers, with limited national exposure. This essay explores the vision of Joseph Carr, then Commissioner of the NFL, to propel the league into a new era by expanding into larger metropolitan areas.
Challenges of the Small-Town NFL:
Prior to Carr's vision, the NFL faced limitations associated with its focus on smaller markets. These towns often lacked the resources to support a professional sports team, leading to limited infrastructure, lower attendance figures, and difficulty attracting top-tier talent. Additionally, media coverage was restricted, hindering the league's national appeal.
Carr's Bold Vision:
Recognizing these challenges, Joe Carr proposed a revolutionary plan for expansion. He envisioned moving teams to larger cities with established media markets, robust infrastructure, and a wider potential fanbase. This strategic move aimed to increase revenue, attract bigger name players, and ultimately, propel the NFL to national prominence.
Carr's vision wasn't met without resistance. Existing team owners in smaller towns feared losing revenue and relevance. Nevertheless, Carr persevered, successfully securing the addition of teams in large cities like Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans. This influx of new franchises marked a turning point in the NFL's history.
Joe Carr's bold vision for expansion proved to be a masterstroke. The influx of teams in major cities boosted attendance, television viewership soared, and the league's national profile skyrocketed. This expansion paved the way for the NFL to become the multi-billion dollar powerhouse it is today.
Joe Carr's vision for NFL expansion transcended a simple geographical shift. It was a strategic move that revolutionized the sport's business model, fan engagement, and national appeal. His legacy lies in his foresight and unwavering belief in the potential of the NFL to become a true national phenomenon.
In the 1920s, the National Football League (NFL) was a vastly different landscape. Teams were primarily concentrated in smaller towns and industrial centers, with limited national exposure. This essay explores the vision of Joseph Carr, then Commissioner of the NFL, to propel the league into a new era by expanding into larger metropolitan areas.
Challenges of the Small-Town NFL:
Prior to Carr's vision, the NFL faced limitations associated with its focus on smaller markets. These towns often lacked the resources to support a professional sports team, leading to limited infrastructure, lower attendance figures, and difficulty attracting top-tier talent. Additionally, media coverage was restricted, hindering the league's national appeal.
Carr's Bold Vision:
Recognizing these challenges, Joe Carr proposed a revolutionary plan for expansion. He envisioned moving teams to larger cities with established media markets, robust infrastructure, and a wider potential fanbase. This strategic move aimed to increase revenue, attract bigger name players, and ultimately, propel the NFL to national prominence.
Carr's vision wasn't met without resistance. Existing team owners in smaller towns feared losing revenue and relevance. Nevertheless, Carr persevered, successfully securing the addition of teams in large cities like Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans. This influx of new franchises marked a turning point in the NFL's history.
Joe Carr's bold vision for expansion proved to be a masterstroke. The influx of teams in major cities boosted attendance, television viewership soared, and the league's national profile skyrocketed. This expansion paved the way for the NFL to become the multi-billion dollar powerhouse it is today.
Joe Carr's vision for NFL expansion transcended a simple geographical shift. It was a strategic move that revolutionized the sport's business model, fan engagement, and national appeal. His legacy lies in his foresight and unwavering belief in the potential of the NFL to become a true national phenomenon.
A Curious Case of the 13th Import
The 1959 CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders were an interesting team as shown by Bob Carroll. They were the only major pro team ever to trot out onto the field with absolutely no -- read that "zero" -- chance of triumph was the 1959 Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
They played their last two games of that year AFTER the contests had already been recorded in the loss column. More surprisingly, they turned around and won one of those losses -- sort of.
They played their last two games of that year AFTER the contests had already been recorded in the loss column. More surprisingly, they turned around and won one of those losses -- sort of.
Bob Carroll on the Off Field Contributions of Red Grange
Red Grange, the greatest name in football, was everyone's hero. Lindberg had not yet flown to Paris; only Babe Ruth ranked higher as a sports personality. Grange on a gridiron guaranteed a huge crowd. His endorsement sold pencils, cigarettes, cereal, typewriters, etc.
He made a movie, One Minute to Play; the critics liked it, and the public made it a winner. Red's advice was asked, though not followed, by politicians. Every football-loving boy in America wanted to be Red Grange. Every man who ever played the game or dreamed of it wanted to be his buddy.
Every woman with a yen for muscles fantasized about him as her lover. 1925 was Grange's year; the same could be said for 1926, though differently. The NFL's '25 messiah became its '26 adversary.
He made a movie, One Minute to Play; the critics liked it, and the public made it a winner. Red's advice was asked, though not followed, by politicians. Every football-loving boy in America wanted to be Red Grange. Every man who ever played the game or dreamed of it wanted to be his buddy.
Every woman with a yen for muscles fantasized about him as her lover. 1925 was Grange's year; the same could be said for 1926, though differently. The NFL's '25 messiah became its '26 adversary.
Pottsville Maroons 1925
The National Football League isn't welcome in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Not unless it sends back that championship it stole from the little coal city's beloved Maroons more than 60 years ago. Pottsville is not completely alone in its outrage. Every couple of years -- just when the rest of the football world is about to forget -- somebody writes an article called "The Stolen Championship" or "The Tragedy of Pottsville" or "The Anthracite Antic", and the whole story -- or rather, Pottsville's version of it -- returns like those onions you had for lunch.
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author:Bob Carroll
