1921

The decade of the Roaring 1920s started with prosperity for the nation and ended in the financial woes of the Great Depression, and each of these affected the game of football.

College football was in it's golden era with players like Red Grange, Ernie Nevers, and the Four Horseman of Notre Dame running acorss the fields of America.

Iconic coaches such as Bob Zuppke, Knute Rockne and Andy Smith had their teams playing top notch football as the traditional powers of the East started to fade in comparison.

Birth of the NFL:

The 1920s saw the National Football League (NFL) take its first wobbly steps. Founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), it was a ragtag bunch of mostly Midwestern teams playing under college rules.

Leather Helmets and Mud:

Games were rough-and-tumble affairs, played on muddy fields with minimal padding and leather helmets. Stars like Red Grange and Ernie Nevers captivated fans with their daring runs and hard tackles.

The forward pass gained popularity, revolutionizing the game. The T-formation, a more balanced offensive scheme, began to emerge.

The NFL was far from stable. Teams folded and joined at will, and rival leagues like the American Football League (AFL) briefly challenged its dominance.

Join us in a year-by-year look at the decade of the 1920s in the following posts.

The 1921 season of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), later to become the NFL, remains a fascinating and controversial chapter in the league's formative years. While the Chicago Staleys officially hold the championship title, the story surrounding their victory is rife with debate, centering on the impact of exhibition games and the persuasive power of George Halas. This season exemplifies the challenges and ambiguities that plagued the early days of professional football, where clear-cut rules and consistent practices were still a work in progress.

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

The controversy revolves around the Buffalo All-Americans and their scheduling choices. In 1921, the nascent league struggled with standardized schedules and consistent competition. Teams often played various games, and the definition of a "league game" versus an "exhibition" was frequently blurred. Buffalo's decision to participate in an exhibition game proved pivotal in the championship's ultimate outcome. As discussed in historical football podcasts, this seemingly innocuous decision significantly impacted their official record. Had that exhibition game not been played, or had it been counted towards their league record, Buffalo's standing, and potentially the championship outcome, could have been dramatically different. The very fact that such a decision could have such a profound effect underlines the fluid and, at times, chaotic nature of the early NFL.

Ken Crippen's insights shed light on how these exhibition games, though often overlooked, played a crucial role in determining championship recognition in 1921. In those early years, teams relied on revenue from any and all games, including exhibitions, to survive. These games weren't just for practice but essential for financial stability. While perhaps financially beneficial, Buffalo's choice to play an exhibition ultimately cost them dearly in the championship race.

While Buffalo's fate was intertwined with their scheduling decisions, George Halas and the Chicago Staleys capitalized on the situation. Halas, a shrewd strategist and influential figure in NFL history, played a key role in securing the championship for his team. His persuasive arguments regarding the interpretation of league standings and the impact of exhibition games proved decisive. It’s been suggested that Halas's ability to navigate the league's often murky rules and regulations, combined with his persuasive skills, ultimately swayed the decision in Chicago’s favor.

The 1921 season serves as a compelling reminder of the importance of exhibition games in professional football's early history. These games weren't merely warm-ups; they were vital for a team's survival and, as the Buffalo/Chicago situation illustrates, could influence the championship outcome. With its controversial championship decision, the story of the 1921 season underscores the challenges faced by the early NFL. It highlights the complex interplay of on-field performance, scheduling decisions, and the influence of key figures like George Halas.

-1921 Chicago Staleys season

-Owner George Halas,

-Dutch Sternaman

-Head coach George Halas

-Home field Staley Field (Decatur),

-Cubs Park (Chicago)

-Results

-Record 9–1–1 APFA

-(10–1–1 Overall)

-League place 1st APFA

-APFA standings

W L T PCT PF PA STK
Chicago Staleys 9 1 1 .900 128 53 T1
Buffalo All-Americans 9 1 2 .900 211 29 L1
Akron Pros 8 3 1 .727 148 31 W1
Canton Bulldogs 5 2 3 .714 106 55 W1
Rock Island Independents 4 2 1 .667 65 30 L1
Evansville Crimson Giants 3 2 0 .600 89 46 W1
Green Bay Packers 3 2 1 .600 70 55 L1
Dayton Triangles 4 4 1 .500 96 67 L1
Chicago Cardinals 3 3 2 .500 54 53 T1
Rochester Jeffersons 2 3 0 .400 85 76 W2
Cleveland Tigers 3 5 0 .375 95 58 L1
Washington Senators 1 2 0 .334 21 43 L1
Cincinnati Celts 1 3 0 .250 14 117 L2
Hammond Pros 1 3 1 .250 17 45 L2
Minneapolis Marines 1 3 0 .250 37 41 L1
Detroit Tigers 1 5 1 .167 19 109 L5
Columbus Panhandles 1 8 0 .111 47 222 W1
Tonawanda Kardex 0 1 0 .000 0 45 L1
Muncie Flyers 0 2 0 .000 0 28 L2
Louisville Brecks 0 2 0 .000 0 27 L2
New York Brickley Giants 0 2 0 .000 0 72 L2


1921 Chicago Staleys season. (2025, February 3). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1921_Chicago_Staleys_season

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We have heard of the famous lost NFL Championship of the Pottsville Maroons in 1925 and the controversy surrounding it. However, another Title controversy brewed a few seasons earlier concerning a now-defunct franchise when the League was still under its original American Professional Football Association banner.

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

Controversy is always good subject matter for a solid story, and what we have for today is solid. Back in 2021 we spoke with Football Learning Academies' Ken Crippen, speaking of a Buffalo All-Americans NFL title controversy with the Chicago Staleys and George Halas.

The 1921 APFA title, the precursor to the NFL championship, went to the Chicago Staleys (later Bears) in a controversial decision. Both the Staleys and Buffalo All-Americans finished the season with a 9-1-1 record. A tiebreaker game was played, but there's disagreement on its significance. Buffalo believed it was an exhibition, while Chicago argued it counted towards the standings. The Staleys won the game, and league officials ultimately awarded them the title. This decision, known as the "Staley Swindle" by Buffalo fans, remains a point of contention.

Big thanks to Ken Crippen for sharing the information and his time. Check out the Football Learning Academy https://www.football-learning-academy.com/.

Ken has written a few books on Buffalo Pro football too. We share some links through our Amazon Associates Account that gives some proceeds to the running of Pigskin Dispatch if purchased through. Kens books include:
The Original Buffalo Bills: A History of the All-America Football Conference Team, 1946-1949.