Football History

July 28, 1923 - St. Louis All-Stars franchise is recognized by the NFL and plays just in the 1923 season in the League. The idea of the team came from their starting guard Ollie Kraehe, who also owned, managed and operated the club. Ollie had played for the Rock Island Independents a year earlier. His thought was that since small towns like Rock Island and Green Bay could make a buck off of pro football teams imagine what a large city like St. Loius could do. He bought into the NFL for $100 and found that getting true All-Stars to play for his squad was diffficult. Many players either lied that they were All Stars from the East or gave alias names so that their parents wouldn't know they were playing. Unfortunately for Kraehe his fans did not support his team and in September of 1924 the NFL cancelled the All-Stars franchise.

The St. Louis All-Stars represent a brief yet intriguing chapter in the annals of the National Football League. Emerging on July 28, 1923, the team’s formation was driven by the enterprising spirit of Ollie Kraehe, a local football hero who saw an opportunity in the burgeoning professional football landscape.

His aspiration was to capitalize on the larger St. Louis market, mirroring the success of smaller towns like Green Bay and Rock Island.  

Despite the ambitious name, the All-Stars faced significant challenges. Securing genuine All-American talent proved elusive, forcing Kraehe to rely heavily on local players from institutions such as St. Louis University and Washington University. The team's roster was further complicated by players using fictitious identities in hopes of securing a professional football career. This lack of established talent, coupled with the nascent state of the NFL itself, contributed to the team's struggles on the field.

The All-Stars’ on-field performance was underwhelming, with a record reflecting the challenges they faced. Their home games at Sportsman’s Park drew modest crowds, highlighting the uphill battle for fan support in a city with other sporting attractions. Financially, the venture was a burden, and Kraehe ultimately lost a substantial sum.

The St. Louis All-Stars’ existence was ephemeral, lasting only a single season. The franchise was dissolved by the NFL in 1924. While their impact on the league’s history is limited, the All-Stars serve as a fascinating microcosm of the early NFL. Their story underscores the challenges and risks associated with pioneering professional football in an era marked by uncertainty and experimentation.  

Though the All-Stars left no enduring legacy on the gridiron, their brief tenure in the NFL contributes to the rich tapestry of the league's formative years.