The game of American football is filled with strategy, legendary figures, great teams, and amazing events that have created euphoria in fandom. We celebrate the game and its people. Here are some items of interest that capture the spirit of the gridiron.
The 1940 Pro Football Season History Rewind
Football History | The 1940 Pro Football Season History Rewind
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The 1940 Pro Football Season History Rewind
The 1940 NFL season was marked by dominance, innovation, and a record-breaking finale, as well as vying with yet another rival league.
The Short-Lived American Football League (AFL III) (1940-1941)
The American Football League (AFL III) was a professional American football league from 1940 to 1941. It was the third major league to bear that name, but its existence was short-lived due to competition from the established National Football League (NFL).
The AFL III was formed in 1940 when three teams from the minor-league American Professional Football Association (APFA) - the Cincinnati Bengals, the Columbus Bullies, and the Milwaukee Chiefs - were lured away to join three new franchises in Boston, Buffalo, and New York City. This move dissolved the APFA, which had just announced its plans to compete with the NFL as a major league.
The AFL III faced an uphill battle, competing against the well-established and popular NFL. Despite some innovative features, such as the first-ever use of a double round-robin schedule (five home games and five away games for each team), the AFL III needed traction.
There were several reasons for the AFL III's demise:
-Financial difficulties: The league needed more financial resources from the NFL and struggled to attract fans and sponsors.
-Competition from the NFL: The NFL had a more extended history, extensive fan base, and established teams, making it difficult for the AFL III to compete.
-Internal turmoil: The league was plagued by internal disagreements and a lack of stability.
Despite its short existence, the AFL III made a few notable contributions to American football:
-Innovation: The league introduced the double round-robin schedule, which is still used today in some sports leagues.
-Player development: Several players who later starred in the NFL, such as Don Maynard and Pat Harder, got their start in the AFL III.
NFL 1940
The 1940 NFL season was marked by dominance, innovation, and a record-breaking finale.
The Chicago Bears reigned supreme, showcasing the power of the T-formation offense orchestrated by legendary coach George Halas. Led by aerial artistry and Sid Luckman's leadership, the Bears secured the Eastern Division title.
Innovation: This season saw the rise of the T-formation, revolutionizing how offenses operated. This innovative scheme emphasized teamwork and precision, opening passing lanes and creating a formidable rushing attack.
Memorable Moments:
-In one of the most bizarre finishes in NFL history, the New York Giants were leading the Packers 27-0 when the game was cut short due to bad weather. However, the Packers had rallied in the second half, and upon further review, the NFL awarded them the victory due to their progress before the interruption.
-Sammy Baugh's Passing Prowess: Baugh led the league in passing yards, further cementing his status as one of the game's all-time great quarterbacks.
The season culminated in an epic NFL Championship Game between the Bears and the Washington Redskins. In a display of offensive dominance, the Bears crushed the Redskins by a score of 73-0, still the most significant margin of victory in NFL history.
This lopsided victory remains the most one-sided in NFL history, a testament to the Bears' sheer power and precision.
The game was a landmark moment for the league, not just for the score but also because it became the first NFL title game broadcast nationwide by the Mutual Broadcasting System. This brought the excitement of professional football to millions of listeners across the country, further solidifying its place as America's favorite sport.
The Bears' offense, led by quarterback Sid Luckman and fueled by the innovative T-formation, was unstoppable. They scored eleven touchdowns, with ten different players finding the end zone. This dominance cemented the T-formation as a revolutionary strategy, influencing offensive schemes for decades.
Legacy: The 1940 NFL season cemented the Chicago Bears as a powerhouse and showcased the growing popularity of professional football. The rise of the T-formation and the innovations on the field laid the groundwork for the dynamic, pass-oriented NFL we see today.
Passing Leader: Sammy Baugh, 1367 Yds
Rushing Leader: Whizzer White, 514 Yds
Receiving Leader: Don Looney, 707 Yds
The Short-Lived American Football League (AFL III) (1940-1941)
The American Football League (AFL III) was a professional American football league from 1940 to 1941. It was the third major league to bear that name, but its existence was short-lived due to competition from the established National Football League (NFL).
The AFL III was formed in 1940 when three teams from the minor-league American Professional Football Association (APFA) - the Cincinnati Bengals, the Columbus Bullies, and the Milwaukee Chiefs - were lured away to join three new franchises in Boston, Buffalo, and New York City. This move dissolved the APFA, which had just announced its plans to compete with the NFL as a major league.
The AFL III faced an uphill battle, competing against the well-established and popular NFL. Despite some innovative features, such as the first-ever use of a double round-robin schedule (five home games and five away games for each team), the AFL III needed traction.
There were several reasons for the AFL III's demise:
-Financial difficulties: The league needed more financial resources from the NFL and struggled to attract fans and sponsors.
-Competition from the NFL: The NFL had a more extended history, extensive fan base, and established teams, making it difficult for the AFL III to compete.
-Internal turmoil: The league was plagued by internal disagreements and a lack of stability.
Despite its short existence, the AFL III made a few notable contributions to American football:
-Innovation: The league introduced the double round-robin schedule, which is still used today in some sports leagues.
-Player development: Several players who later starred in the NFL, such as Don Maynard and Pat Harder, got their start in the AFL III.
NFL 1940
The 1940 NFL season was marked by dominance, innovation, and a record-breaking finale.
The Chicago Bears reigned supreme, showcasing the power of the T-formation offense orchestrated by legendary coach George Halas. Led by aerial artistry and Sid Luckman's leadership, the Bears secured the Eastern Division title.
Innovation: This season saw the rise of the T-formation, revolutionizing how offenses operated. This innovative scheme emphasized teamwork and precision, opening passing lanes and creating a formidable rushing attack.
Memorable Moments:
-In one of the most bizarre finishes in NFL history, the New York Giants were leading the Packers 27-0 when the game was cut short due to bad weather. However, the Packers had rallied in the second half, and upon further review, the NFL awarded them the victory due to their progress before the interruption.
-Sammy Baugh's Passing Prowess: Baugh led the league in passing yards, further cementing his status as one of the game's all-time great quarterbacks.
The season culminated in an epic NFL Championship Game between the Bears and the Washington Redskins. In a display of offensive dominance, the Bears crushed the Redskins by a score of 73-0, still the most significant margin of victory in NFL history.
This lopsided victory remains the most one-sided in NFL history, a testament to the Bears' sheer power and precision.
The game was a landmark moment for the league, not just for the score but also because it became the first NFL title game broadcast nationwide by the Mutual Broadcasting System. This brought the excitement of professional football to millions of listeners across the country, further solidifying its place as America's favorite sport.
The Bears' offense, led by quarterback Sid Luckman and fueled by the innovative T-formation, was unstoppable. They scored eleven touchdowns, with ten different players finding the end zone. This dominance cemented the T-formation as a revolutionary strategy, influencing offensive schemes for decades.
Legacy: The 1940 NFL season cemented the Chicago Bears as a powerhouse and showcased the growing popularity of professional football. The rise of the T-formation and the innovations on the field laid the groundwork for the dynamic, pass-oriented NFL we see today.
Passing Leader: Sammy Baugh, 1367 Yds
Rushing Leader: Whizzer White, 514 Yds
Receiving Leader: Don Looney, 707 Yds
Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there!
Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch
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Proud to Support The Professional Football Researchers Association
To learn more about joining the fun in preserving football history go to The Official PFRA Website.
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Sports Jersey Dispatch
If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in other team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch.
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Gridiron Legacy: Pro Football's Missing Origin Story
Author Gregg Ficery tells the story of the beginnings of Pro Football through the pro football career of his Great Grandfather, Bob Shiring
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Sports History Network
A Proud Partner in the Headquarters of Sports Yesteryear, SHN.
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Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry
Author Joe Ziemba the master historian of football in Chicago has released another beauty. It is titled Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry.
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