Football History

The Cleveland Indians, a professional football team that briefly existed in the early 1930s, were granted their NFL franchise on July 12, 1931. This team emerged during a transformative period for professional football as the league sought to expand its reach and solidify its popularity across the United States.

The Indians played their inaugural season in 1931, featuring a roster filled with talented players who showcased their skills in a growing league. Despite the team's competitive spirit, they faced challenges typical of early professional franchises, including financial instability and inconsistent attendance.

The Indians managed to compete for three seasons before the franchise was ultimately dissolved in 1933. Their existence, though short-lived, contributed to the rich tapestry of Cleveland's sports history and the evolution of professional football.

Today, the legacy of the Cleveland Indians is often remembered by football historians and fans, serving as a reminder of the early days of the NFL and the passionate pursuit of sports in American culture.

Many of the opponents of this legend were challenged by his raw talent and skill that set him apart from his peers. Roberto Alomar played the position of Second Baseman/HD and Shortstop, wearing the uniforms of the San Diego Padres (88, 89, 90), Toronto Blue Jays (91, 92, 93, 94, 95), Baltimore Orioles (96, 97, 98) Cleveland Indians (99, 00, 01) New York Mets (02, 03) Chicago White Sox (03, 04) Arizona Diamondbacks (04).

Alomar, a Puerto Rican legend, carved his name in baseball history with a 17-year career marked by defensive brilliance and offensive prowess. For his MLB career, he batted 0.3, had a Base percentage of 0.443, with 210 career Home Runs, and 10 Gold Glove Awarded Seasons.

That astonishing amount of Gold Gloves is the most for any second baseman, as it cemented his defensive legacy. His smooth fielding at second and acrobatic plays wowed audiences for years.

He earned 12 All-Star selections, was an ALCS MVP, and helped the Toronto Blue Jays win back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. Despite on-field controversies, Alomar's talent and impact on the game earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011, solidifying his status as one of the greatest second basemen ever.

July 12, 1931 - Cleveland Indians franchise forms after the Cleveland Tigers franchise changed their name and then subsequently folded after the 1921 season per the ProFootballHOF.com website. According to the American Football Fandom site this was the first of three different instances of an “Indians” pro football franchise in Cleveland. A second "Indians" NFL team arose in 1923. That team played as the "Indians" for the 1923 season before changing their name to the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1924. The third rendition of the Cleveland Indians came in 1931 when the League sponsored the club that only played games on the road. The NFL intended to locate this team permanently in Cleveland. However when no suitable owner was found,  the franchise folded after just one season as visiting gate revenues. These three Cleveland teams are viewed as three totally different franchises by the NFL.