Jimmy Conzelman

Born March 6, 1898, in St. Louis, Missouri was Jimmy Conzelman the quarterback of the Great lakes Navy Blue Jackets in 1918 and the Washington University of St. Louis Pikers in 1919 arrived into this world. Jimmy Conzelman was an early NFL legend as he played 10 seasons as a quarterback, halfback, placekicker and coach in the National Football League. He was was traveled in the young  League as he spent playing times for many teams including the Decatur Staleys in 1920, the Rock Island Independents from 1921-1922, the Milwaukee Badgers in the years of 1922 to 1924, the Detroit Panthers for the seasons of 1925 and 1926 and finally for the Providence Steam Roller in the years of  1927 through 1929. He was also a team owner in Detroit and, as player-coach, led the 1928 Providence Steam Roller team to an NFL championship per the MOSportsHallofFame.com. Yes on December 16, 1928 The Providence Steam Roller franchise won the National Football League Championship Title as they posted a record of 8-1-2. In that era of NFL football,  the team with the best record at the end of the season was declared the champs. The Steam Roller according to an NFL.com article had plenty of star players from that era of football on their roster. Men like Jimmy Conzelman, The Cronin brothers Bill and Jack, Heavyweight Champ Gus Sonnenberg at running back, and one of my personal favorites tailback George “Wildcat” Willson. Providence had an awesome defense too as they allowed only 42 points to be scored on them all season long including 5 complete shutouts.
Let me share the story of how Jim was also part of other gridiron history on November 6, 1929 in Providence, Rhode Island. Just days after the 1929 Stock market crash signalling the start of the Great Depression the Providence Steam Roller became the first NFL team granted permission by the NFL to host a game at night under floodlights and they scheduled it at the Cycledrome in Providence. The Steam Rollers had enjoyed success in the season before, as they won the 1928 National Championship, but multiple key players had left for better paying jobs before the 1929 season so a gimmick such as a night game might do the trick to bring paying fans into the stands.. The highest paid man on the team was Conzelman who doubled as quarterback and coach with a $292 per game salary. Due to heavy flooding in the Cycledrome, the game against the Chicago Cardinals was moved to Kinsley Park so as not to lose revenue. The portable floodlights were moved to Kinsley too and the first NFL night game was played. The Steam Roller lost by the score of 0-16, but were satisfied that 6,000 fans attended after a season of low attendance. In 1930, floodlights were permanently installed in the Cycledrome, but the players “received a pay reduction for night games…to help pay for the cost of floodlight installation.” He served as head coach of the NFL’s Chicago Cardinals from 1940 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1948. He led the Cardinals to an NFL championship in 1947 and Western Division championships in 1947 and 1948. He was also an executive with baseball’s St. Louis Browns from 1943 to 1945.  The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined the football legacy of Jim Conzelman both as a quarterback and a contributor  in 1964’s ceremonies at the Canton , Ohio Museum.

A select few NFL players are selected to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. This museum and its content stands as a monument to the gridiron greats, their enshrinement a testament to their lasting impact on the sport.

By honoring these legends, we gain a deeper appreciation for the history and evolution of professional football. Each Hall of Famer represents a specific era, their stories chronicling the game's transformation from its rugged beginnings to the modern marvel it is today. From the early days of Vince Lombardi's coaching genius to the aerial acrobatics of Joe Montana, these players embody the innovation and athletic development that have shaped the game. By celebrating their achievements, we celebrate the rich tapestry of professional football, ensuring that the incredible feats of the past continue to inspire future generations. We are proud to help the Hall to salute these gridiron greats with bios and stories of what made them special in the arena of football history and their impact on the game.