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.
Football History
Jimmy Conzelman
The 1922 Rose Bowl
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Milwaukee Badgers Short-Lived NFL Franchise
Though it was brief, largely bad, and shockingly dramatic, the Badgers professional football tenure should not be forgotten. — milwaukeerecord.com
June 24, 1922 - Milwaukee Badgers franchise forms and plays from 1922 through 1926.
According to the SqueakyCurd.com the Badgers ended their 5 seasons, with a total record of 16-27-6, including only one season above .500 and one season at 0-6. The Borchert Field at Athletic Park in fact became the stop for the Green Bay Packers when they played their home games in Milwaukee after the Badgers demise. The most famous story according to the article of the Badgers may be the infamous 1925 Chicago Cardinals scandal.
Apparently the Cardinals scheduled two extra games at the end of the 1925 season in an effort to have a better win loss record that the Pottsville Maroons so that the NFL title could be claimed. The Badgers who had already disbanded at this time were resurrected by some crafty Chicago football folks that allegedly gathered some highschool, suited them up as the Badgers and then fed them to the Cardinals only to be whallopped 59-0. This win put the Cardinals ahead of the Maroons in the win-column, and with it the championship title. Our friend and Chicago Cardinals historian Joe Ziemba tells us though that the Cardinals , and any other NFL team, could schedule as many games as they wanted up until December 20, 1925 (when the season officially ended).
Of course, there are several other underlying stories in play here, including the Pottsville team playing in a game forbidden by Joe Carr and the Cardinals refusing the 1925 NFL championship at the league meeting in February of 1926. But as historians such as Joe Horrigan and Chris Willis have pointed out, the Cardinals did indeed have the best record in 1925 and should be recognized as the NFL champs. Joe will give us more detail in on this story of the Caridnals versus Badgers saga in his new book that is in the works, that is yet untitled. I can't wait for that one! As far as the Badgers and their lack of success though, it was not for lack for talent, as their roster featured three future hall of famers in Jimmy Conzelman, Johnny “Blood” McNally, and Fritz Pollard. They were open to anyone with skills, and employed one of the largest contingencies of black players in the league. For whatever reason, they simply just didn’t put it all together with "W's."
Football's Multifaceted Legend
Jimmy Conzelman wasn't just a player, coach, or owner; he was a jack-of-all-trades who left his mark on the early professional football landscape. From 1920 to 1948, he donned various hats, making him a unique figure in the sport's history.
Playing Days & Early Coaching: Conzelman's playing career stretched across a decade, spanning teams like the Decatur Staleys (later Chicago Bears) and the Providence Steam Roller. In some instances, he showcased versatility, playing quarterback, halfback, placekicker, and even serving as player-coach. While individual statistics weren't widely tracked in his era, his leadership and talent were undeniable.
Championship Coach: Beyond the playing field, Conzelman found his true calling as a coach. He led the Providence Steam Roller to an NFL championship in 1928, showcasing his tactical understanding and inspiring ability. Even more impressively, he later guided the Chicago Cardinals to a title in 1947, proving his leadership could flourish at different levels.
Beyond the Gridiron: Conzelman's life wasn't confined to football. He dabbled in various fields, including acting, singing, and even as an executive in Major League Baseball. This diverse background brought a unique perspective to his coaching, allowing him to connect with players on a different level.
Legacy & Recognition: Conzelman's impact on football is undeniable. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964 is a testament to his contribution to the game.
Playing Days & Early Coaching: Conzelman's playing career stretched across a decade, spanning teams like the Decatur Staleys (later Chicago Bears) and the Providence Steam Roller. In some instances, he showcased versatility, playing quarterback, halfback, placekicker, and even serving as player-coach. While individual statistics weren't widely tracked in his era, his leadership and talent were undeniable.
Championship Coach: Beyond the playing field, Conzelman found his true calling as a coach. He led the Providence Steam Roller to an NFL championship in 1928, showcasing his tactical understanding and inspiring ability. Even more impressively, he later guided the Chicago Cardinals to a title in 1947, proving his leadership could flourish at different levels.
Beyond the Gridiron: Conzelman's life wasn't confined to football. He dabbled in various fields, including acting, singing, and even as an executive in Major League Baseball. This diverse background brought a unique perspective to his coaching, allowing him to connect with players on a different level.
Legacy & Recognition: Conzelman's impact on football is undeniable. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964 is a testament to his contribution to the game.
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!
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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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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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