Note: Tie games were not counted in the standings until 1972. [2] Each player from the Pros was also awarded with a golden fob; this was in the shape of a football and inscribed with "1920", "WORLD CHAMPIONS", and each players' first initial and last name. American Football Database is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. The Chicago Staleys (to be renamed the Chicago Bears after the end of the season), led by wide receiver George Halas, and the Buffalo All-Americans, led by quarterback Tommy Hughitt, were the two top teams in the league; each playing all of their games at home, Buffalo and Chicago amassed 6-0 records in league play. [2] Each team that showed up had a vote to determine the champions. Team(s) Years Hall of Fame Class Quarterback: Jimmy Conzelman: Decatur Staleys: … [13] Twenty of the players were from Illinois and thirteen were from Ohio. In October 1921, most of the team was invited to the Elks Club of Akron, which was labeled as "a grand homecoming celebration for the world's champions". These are the unofficial standings of teams within the APFA. National Football League Franchise Histories . The All-Amer… Standard Player Stats. 1920 APFA Season. Thus, no official standings were maintained. The Staleys and the All-Americans each stated that they should win the award because they had more wins and were not beaten by the Akron Pros. The four parties had played against each other unofficially as the "Ohio League" since 1903, complete with "championships," but it wasn't until 1920 that the league was formalized. Starting in 1933, the NFL split into two divisions and a championship game was played between the two division winners. From 1920-1931, the NFL champion was determined by a team's win-loss percentage. [11] If this rule had applied in 1920, the All-Americans and the Pros would each have a .864 winning percentage. As football grew in popularity, many companies sponsored professional teams. Super Bowl Play Finder, ... Data Provided By the official stats partner of the NFL. However, the scheduling was left up to each team. Despite this, two one-loss teams (the Decatur Staleys and Buffalo All-Americans), who both tied Akron that year, also made cases for a co-championship. 1920 American Professional Football Association season, http://web.archive.org/web/20110603232114/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/decades/1930s/first_playoff_game.aspx, http://www.ohio.com/news/searching-for-lost-trophy-1.204246, http://www.profootballhof.com/history/2010/9/29/medallion-from-nfls-first-champions/, "1922 Canton Bulldogs Statistics & Players", http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cbd/1922.htm, "1923 Canton Bulldogs Statistics & Players", http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cbd/1923.htm, "1929 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players", http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1929.htm, "1972 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players", http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1972.htm, http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1920_APFA/allpro.htm, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=42, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=44, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=48, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=60, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=84, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=85, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=91, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=94, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=242, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=213, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=215, Professional Football Researchers Association, http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/04-12-119.pdf, http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/06-01-173.pdf, "1920 American Professional Football Association", http://web.archive.org/web/20070222012552/http://nflhistory.net/linescores/pdf/1920.pdf, http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Articles/Once_More_With_Feeling.pdf, http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/02-08-038.pdf, https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/1920_NFL_season?oldid=191739. The league was formed at the Jordan and Hupmobile auto showroom in Canton, Ohio on August 20 by four independent professional American football teams from Ohio: Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Tigers, and Dayton Triangles. In 1960, the team… Even though the Pros were given the trophy in 1920, the league lost track of the event and for a long time published in its own record books that the 1920 championship was undecided. Meanwhile, Jim Thorpe of the Canton Bulldogs was named the APFA's first president, but continued to play for the team. 1920 Season - Pro Football Archives Home Teams Players Coaches Drafts Awards Leaderboards The Chicago Cardinals were founded by Chris O'Brien in 1898, using the name Cardinals starting in 1901. New 1920 National Football League Team Logos. As of 2012, 10 players have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame who played in the 1920 APFA season. At the meeting, the league was given a new name: American Professional Football Association (It would not be changed to National Football League until 1922). The Akron Pros ended up being the only undefeated team in the Association. The 1920 NFL season was the inaugural regular season of the National Football League.The league was formed at the Jordan and Hupmobile auto showroom in Canton, Ohio on August 20 by four independent professional American football teams from Ohio: Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, and Dayton Triangles.At the meeting, they first called their new league the … There were wide variations, both in the overall number of games played and in the number played against other Association members. The 1920 NFL season was the inaugural regular season of the National Football League. A look at the NFL's first decade, the 1920s: FRANCHISES: The first season, 1920, the American Professional Football Association had 14 teams, including two … In all, as a player-coach he won four league titles during the decade; two with the Canton Bu… Chicago Cardinals Back to Top. Indeed, the NFL was founded in 1920, when teams from four states—Ohio, Indiana, New York and Illinois—came together to form the American Professional Football Association, according to NFL.com. NFL footage © NFL Productions LLC. The first matter of business was Massillon's withdrawal from professional football for the 1920 season. A second organizational meeting was held in Canton on September 17, adding more teams to the league: the Hammond Pros and the Muncie Flyers from Indiana; the Rochester Jeffersons from the New York Pro Football League; and the Rock Island Independents, the Decatur Staleys, and the Racine Cardinals from Illinois. GUY CHAMBERLIN College:Nebraska Pro Career: 1919, 1922-23 Canton Bulldogs; 1920-21 Decatur/Chicago Staleys; 1924 Cleveland Bulldogs; 1925-26 Frankford Yellowjackets; 1927-28 Chicago Cardinals. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. * – The Buffalo All-Americans would have tied the Akron Pros based on winning percentage, had modern rules been in effect. The National Football League (NFL) was formed in 1922 out of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which was founded in 1920. They would be tied with the Akron Pros in win percentage, 9½ wins to 1½ losses (.864), both teams beating out the Decatur Staleys, who would have a season that counted 11 wins to 2 losses (.846). [4] This decision, however, would arise with controversy. This meeting resulted in the formation of the American Professional Football Conference (APFC), a group who, according to the Canton Evening Repository, intended to "raise the standard of professional football in every way possible, to eliminate bidding for players between rival club… [12], Bruce Copeland, sportswriter for the Rock Island Argus, compiled the All-Pro list for 1920. © 2021 NFL Enterprises LLC. [5] The Pros did not officially celebrate their championship season until the following year. The woman in the picture did not play on the team. From the birth of the National Football League with its 14 members in 1920 to the current 32 teams today, here's a rundown of every franchise that has belonged to the NFL over the years. Team Totaal NFL-titels 1920-1933 Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy Vince Lombardi Trophy Green Bay Packers: 13: 3: 8: 2: Chicago Bears: 9: 3: 5: 1 New York Giants: 8: 1: 3: 4 Pittsburgh Steelers: 6 – – 6 New England Patriots: 6 – – 6 Dallas Cowboys: 5 – – 5 Indianapolis Colts: 5 – 3: 2 San Francisco 49ers: 5 – – 5 Washington Redskins: 5 – 2: 3 Cleveland Browns: 4 – 4 – Detroit … The APFA became the NFL two years later on June 24, 1922, and expanded to 18 teams. Weeks. Four other teams also joined the Association during the year: Buffalo All-Americans (also from the NYPFL), Chicago Tigers, Columbus Panhandles, and Detroit Heralds. The history of the NFL dates back much farther than the Super Bowl, which was first played in 1967. In 1932, a playoff game was needed to determine the championship. [6], The Pros were the first team in the history of the APFA to complete a non-modern "perfect season". [3] The trophy was a "silver loving cup", donated by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company. On Thanksgiving 1921, Buffalo played one of its only road games of the season, in Chicago, and prevailed 7-6. In addition, football teams in the APFA also faced independent football teams not associated with the league. Since the Akron Pros had a 1.000 winning percentage, the Pros were awarded the Brunswick-Balke Collender Cup on April 30, 1921. They were the longest-lasting traveling team in the NFL (1920-1929), and the last such "road team" until the Dallas Texans in 1952. Founded in Decatur, IlI, the team was originally called the Decatur Staleys, before it moved to Chicago in 1921. The AFL and NFL announced that the two leagues would merge in 1970. According to modern NFL tie-breaking rules, the 1920 Buffalo All-Americans would be co-champions. Records of independent football teams are not included, but games by members against such teams are. Player Season Finder, Player Game Finder, Team Game Finder, Team Streak Finder... Super Bowl Winners. 1920 pro football teams, schedules, standings, scores, rosters and statistics. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. He used the games played in Rock Island, other newspapers, and his own memory to determine the first-, second-, and third-team All-Pro list. National Football League, major U.S. professional gridiron football organization that was founded in 1920 in Canton, Ohio, as the American Professional Football Association. The National Football League was established on September 17, 1920, as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). Siwoff, Seymour; Zimmber, Jon; Marini, Matt (2010). On August 20, 1920, a meeting was held by representatives of the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, and Dayton Triangles at the Jordan and Hupmobile auto showroom in Canton, Ohio. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. If you'd like to use any of the research from this site, please properly credit this site and provide a link back. 1920 Akron Pros Starters, Roster, & Players: APFA Champion, 8-0-3 (1st in ), Coach: Elgie Tobin NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. One non-player, Joseph Carr, the owner of the Columbus Panhandles in the 1920 season and league president from 1921–1939, was also elected to the Hall. W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT = Winning Percentage, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against. It was the American Professional Football Association back then, and it included only 10 teams. [10] In 1972, the NFL changed the rules so ties count as a half-win and a half-loss. The "American Professional Football Conference" (APFC) was made up of Hay's Canton Bulldogs, Akr… The Triangles were based in Dayton, Ohio, and took their nickname from their home field, Triangle Park. The group changed its name to the NFL in 1922. HOF: 1965 Perhaps better known as a coach, Chamberlin was also a premier end during his playing days. As there was no playoff system in the APFA until 1932,[1] a meeting was held to determine the 1920 Champions. 1 American Football 1.1 A 1.2 B 1.3 C 1.4 DE 1.5 FG 1.6 HI 1.7 JKL 1.8 M 1.9 NO 1.10 PQ 1.11 RS 1.12 TUV 1.13 W 1.14 YZ 2 Canada Adrian Lincoln Lifes Akron All-Stars Akron Goodyear Akron Goodyear Regulars Akron Goodyear Silents 1915-1927 Akron Pros 1908-1926 Alexandria Crescents Alexandria … For instance, the Rochester Jeffersons played a schedule consisting mostly of local teams from their local sandlot circuit and the NYPFL, not the APFA. The rest, as they say, is history. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day … A look at the NFL's first decade, the 1920s: FRANCHISES: The first season, 1920, the American Professional Football Association had 14 teams, including two Tigers (Cleveland and Chicago). It was also common, due to the number of talented players that were produced by the Carlisle Indian School's football team, to see teams (both inside and outside the NFL) … It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. At the meeting, they first called their new league the "American Professional Football Conference.". Chicago demanded a rematch. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. More 1920 APFA Pages. [12] It was not until the 1970s that the NFL remembered its early vote on awarding the Akron Pros the championship. Several Pros players celebrating their championship. An agreement to form a league was made by four independent teams from Ohio on August 20, 1920, at Ralph Hay's office in Canton, Ohio, with plans to invite owners of more teams for a second meeting on September 17. Choose Another National Football League Season: 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 However, by season's start, the membership also included the Buffalo All-Americans, Chicago Tigers, Columbus Panhandles, and Detroit Heralds. American football dates back to the mid 19 th century when colleges began playing games using modified rules from soccer and rugby. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. Chicago Cardinals Back to Top. The APFA changed its name in 1922 to the National … The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Scoring; Fantasy Player Stats. The league was formed at the Jordan and Hupmobile auto showroom in Canton, Ohio on August 20 by four independent professional American football teams from Ohio: Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Tigers, and Dayton Triangles. The 1920 APFA season was the inaugural season of the American Professional Football Association, renamed the National Football League in 1922. This is an incomplete list of football teams that existed in 1920. The 1920 NFL season was the inaugural regular season of the National Football League. The Rock Island Independents had the most players on the list (9), and Racine Cardinals had the least (1).[14]. All team and league information, sports logos, names contained within this site are properties of their respective leagues, teams, ownership groups and/or organizations. 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