1927 Chicago Bears season
Encyclopedia
Season Overview
The 19271927 NFL season
The 1927 NFL season was the 8th regular season of the National Football League. Prior to the season, the league decided to eliminate the financially weaker teams. As a result, the league dropped from 22 to 12 teams, and a majority of the remaining teams were centered around the East Coast instead...
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was their eighth regular season
Regular season (NFL)
The National Football League regular season begins the weekend after Labor Day. Each team plays 16 games during a 17-week period. Traditionally, the majority of each week's games are played on Sunday afternoon, with weekly games on Sunday night and Monday night, and occasional games on Thursday...
completed in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The club posted a 9-3-2 record under head coach George Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
earning them a third place finish in the team standings behind the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. Notable games during this season were a split of the season series with the New York Yankees, led by former and future Bear Red Grange
Red Grange
Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
, a split of the season's games against crosstown rivals Chicago Cardinals, two wins over the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, and, oddest of all, a win and a tie over the Frankford Yellowjackets. What makes the games with Frankford so notable is they were played back to back on December 3rd and 4th, with the first game in Frankford and the second in Chicago. The Bears also played the eventual champion New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, losing 13-7.
Paddy Driscoll
Paddy Driscoll
John Leo "Paddy" Driscoll was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team...
, William Senn
Bill Senn
William Franklin Senn was a professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Chicago Bears, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the Cincinnati Reds/St. Louis Gunners....
, and Joey Sternaman
Joey Sternaman
Joey Sternaman was a former professional American football player, born in Springfield, Illinois, who played quarterback for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and Duluth Kelleys. In 1926, he was the quarterback, head coach, and owner of the Chicago Bulls of the first American Football League...
again starred for the Bears. Driscoll ran for 5 touchdowns and threw 4 others; Senn had 3 rushing TDs and 2 receiving scores; and Sternaman ran for and caught 1 touchdown each, while passing for another. Owner and coach George Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
continued to play well, scoring 3 touchdowns himself, 2 on defense.
Future Hall of Fame Players
- Paddy DriscollPaddy DriscollJohn Leo "Paddy" Driscoll was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team...
, Back - George HalasGeorge HalasGeorge Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
, End - Ed HealeyEd HealeyEdward Francis Healey, Jr. was a professional football player for the Rock Island Independents, and best known with the Chicago Bears.-College years:...
, Tackle - Link Lyman, Tackle
- George TraftonGeorge TraftonGeorge Edward Trafton , was an American football player. He played as a center for the Decatur Staleys of the National Football League from 1920 to 1921 and 1923–1932. He is credited as being the first center to snap the ball with one hand...
, Center
Other Leading Players
- William SennBill SennWilliam Franklin Senn was a professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Chicago Bears, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the Cincinnati Reds/St. Louis Gunners....
, Back - Ed SternamanEdward SternamanEdward Sternaman , better known as Dutch, was an American player, coach, and owner in professional football for the NFL's Chicago Bears....
, Back - Joe SternamanJoey SternamanJoey Sternaman was a former professional American football player, born in Springfield, Illinois, who played quarterback for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and Duluth Kelleys. In 1926, he was the quarterback, head coach, and owner of the Chicago Bulls of the first American Football League...
, Quarterback - Laurie WalquistLaurie WalquistLawrence "Laurie" Walquist was a professional American football player who played quarterback for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears. He was born in Rockford, Illinois....
, Quarterback
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 25 | Chicago Cardinals | Normal Park Normal Park Normal Park is the name of a former football field in Chicago, Illinois. It was on Racine Avenue between 61st and 63rd Streets. Normal Avenue is also sometimes given as one of its bordering streets, although Normal Avenue is about 7 blocks east of Racine , at least under the current city grid... |
Win | 9-0 | 1-0-0 |
| Oct. 2 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
Green Bay City Stadium | Win | 7-6 | 2-0-0 |
| Oct. 16 | New York Yankees | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 12-0 | 3-0-0 |
| Oct. 23 | Cleveland Bulldogs Cleveland Bulldogs The Cleveland Bulldogs was a team that played in Cleveland, Ohio in the National Football League. They were originally called the Indians in 1923, not to be confused with the Cleveland Indians NFL franchise in 1922... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 14-12 | 4-0-0 |
| Oct. 30 | Dayton Triangles Dayton Triangles The Dayton Triangles were an original franchise of the American Professional Football Association in 1920. The Triangles were based in Dayton, Ohio, and took their nickname from their home field, Triangle Park, which was located at the confluence of the Great Miami and Stillwater Rivers in north... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 14-6 | 5-0-0 |
| Nov. 6 | Providence Steam Roller Providence Steam Roller The Providence Steam Roller was a professional American football team based in Providence, Rhode Island in the National Football League from 1925 to 1931. Providence was the first New England team to win an NFL championship... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Tie | 0-0 | 5-0-1 |
| Nov. 8 | New York Yankees | Yankee Stadium | Loss | 6-26 | 5-1-1 |
| Nov. 13 | Pottsville Maroons Pottsville Maroons The Pottsville Maroons were an American football team based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1920, they went on to play in the National Football League for four seasons, from 1925–1928... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 30-12 | 6-1-1 |
| Nov. 20 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 14-6 | 7-1-1 |
| Nov. 24 | Chicago Cardinals | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Loss | 0-3 | 7-2-1 |
| Nov. 27 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
Polo Grounds Polo Grounds The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963... |
Loss | 7-13 | 7-3-1 |
| Dec. 3 | Frankford Yellowjackets | Shibe Park | Tie | 0-0 | 7-3-2 |
| Dec. 4 | Frankford Yellowjackets | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 9-0 | 8-3-2 |
| Dec. 11 | Duluth Eskimos | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 27-14 | 9-3-2 |
Standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning PercentageNote: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972
| Team | W | L | T | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Giants 1927 New York Giants season The 1927 New York Giants season was the third season for the club in the National Football League, and first under head coach Earl Potteiger. The Giants suffered their own loss and sole tie to the Cleveland Bulldogs. They were ranked first in yards allowed, yards gained, and points allowed. And... |
11 | 1 | 1 | .917 |
| Green Bay Packers 1927 Green Bay Packers season The 1927 Green Bay Packers season was their seventh season in the National Football League. The club posted a 7-2-1 record under player/coach Curly Lambeau earning them a second place finish.-Schedule:-Standings:... |
7 | 2 | 1 | .778 |
| Chicago Bears | 9 | 3 | 2 | .750 |
| Cleveland Bulldogs 1927 Cleveland Bulldogs season The 1927 Cleveland Bulldogs season was their third season in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 5-8-1, winning eight games. They finished fourth in the league. The team relocated to Detroit, Michigan after the season, playing one season as the Detroit Wolverines in... |
8 | 4 | 1 | .667 |
| Providence Steam Roller 1927 Providence Steam Roller season The 1927 Providence Steam Roller season was their third in the league. The team improved on their previous season's output of 5-7-1, winning eight games. They finished fifth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
8 | 5 | 1 | .615 |
| New York Yankees 1927 New York Yankees (NFL) season The 1927 New York Yankees season was their inaugural season in the league. The team finished 7-8-1, and finished sixth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
7 | 8 | 1 | .467 |
| Frankford Yellow Jackets 1927 Frankford Yellow Jackets season The 1927 Frankford Yellow Jackets season was their fourth in the National Football League. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 14-1-2, winning only six league games to finish in seventh place in the league standings.-Schedule:-Standings:... |
6 | 9 | 3 | .400 |
| Pottsville Maroons 1927 Pottsville Maroons season The 1927 Pottsville Maroons season was their third in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous league output of 10-2-2, winning only five games. They finished eighth in the league standings.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
5 | 8 | 0 | .385 |
| Chicago Cardinals 1927 Chicago Cardinals season The 1927 Chicago Cardinals season was their eighth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 5-6-1, winning only three games. They finished ninth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
3 | 7 | 1 | .300 |
| Dayton Triangles 1927 Dayton Triangles season The 1927 Dayton Triangles season was their eighth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 1-4-1, losing six games. They finished tenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
1 | 6 | 1 | .143 |
| Duluth Eskimos 1927 Duluth Eskimos season The 1927 Duluth Eskimos season was the Eskimos' final season in the NFL. Coached by Ernie Nevers, the Eskimos finished with a 1-8 record. The team scored 68 points and allowed 134.-Schedule: -Standings: -Roster:*Marion Ashmore T*Bunny Belden WB... |
1 | 8 | 0 | .111 |
| Buffalo Bisons 1927 Buffalo Bisons (NFL) season The 1927 Buffalo Bisons season was their eighth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 4-4-2, losing five games and winning none... |
0 | 5 | 0 | .000 |