1932 Chicago Bears season
Encyclopedia
Season Overview
The 19321932 NFL season
-League leaders:-References:* NFL Record and Fact Book * * * Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League...
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 13th 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 7-1-6 record under third year head coach Ralph Jones
Ralph Jones
Ralph Robert Jones was an American football and basketball coach in the United States. He served as the head coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League from 1930 to 1932.-Indiana:...
. The season started strangely with three consecutive 0-0 ties. After a 0-2 loss to the Packers, the Bears had scored zero points in four games. After that, the offense got on track and the defense stayed incredibly stingy. The Bears were undefeated in their last nine "regular season" games (there was no established playoff system), with six wins, four by shutout, and three ties. The team that gave the Bears the most trouble were the Portsmouth Spartans. The club tied with the Spartans with identical 6-1 records (ties did not count then), so a playoff game was set up to determine a winner. The Bears defeated the Spartans, 9-0 in the first ever NFL playoff game, which oddly enough was played in Chicago Stadium
Chicago Stadium
The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
because it was too cold to play at 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...
. For the year, the powerful tandem of Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski again paced the Bears as Grange scored 7 touchdowns and Nagurski ran for 4 and also passed for 3 more. Keith Molesworth also contributed with 3 touchdowns on his own while passing for 3 more. Luke Johnsos had probably his finest season, catching two touchdown passes and scoring twice on defense as well. Coach Ralph Jones
Ralph Jones
Ralph Robert Jones was an American football and basketball coach in the United States. He served as the head coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League from 1930 to 1932.-Indiana:...
also found a reliable kicker in Paul "Tiny" Engebretson.
Future Hall of Fame Players
- Red GrangeRed GrangeHarold 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...
, Back - Bill Hewitt, End (rookie from University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
) - Bronko NagurskiBronko NagurskiBronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was a Canadian-born American football player. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.-Youth and collegiate career:...
, Fullback - 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
- Carl BrumbaughCarl BrumbaughCarl Lowry Brumbaugh was an American college and professional football player who was a quarterback and halfback in the National Football League for nine seasons in the 1930s...
, Quarterback - John DoehringJohn DoehringJohn Doehring was an American football halfback/fullback in the National Football League. He played for the Chicago Bears and the Pittsburgh Pirates .-References:...
, Back (rookie) - Paul Engebretsen, Guard / Kicker (rookie from NorthwesternNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
) - Luke JohnsosLuke JohnsosLuke Andrew Johnsos, Sr. was an American football player, assistant coach, and head coach for the National Football League's Chicago Bears franchise. He started with the Bears in 1929 at the age of 23 as an All-Pro end. He played eight NFL seasons in Chicago finishing his playing career in 1936...
, End - Joe KopchaJoe KopchaJoseph Edwards "Joe" Kopcha is a former professional American football player....
, Guard (back after two years off) - Keith MolesworthKeith MolesworthKeith Frank Molesworth was an American football player and coach. He also played and managed in minor league baseball....
, Back - Dick NesbittDick NesbittDick Nesbitt was a professional American football player who played running back for five seasons for the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, and Brooklyn Dodgers.....
, Back
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 25 | 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 | Tie | 0-0 | 0-0-1 |
| Oct. 2 | Staten Island Stapletons Staten Island Stapletons The Staten Island Stapletons also known as the Staten Island Stapes were a professional American football team founded in 1915 that played in the National Football League from 1929 to 1930. The team was based in the Stapleton section of Staten Island. Under the shortened nickname the "Stapes"... |
Thompson's Stadium | Tie | 0-0 | 0-0-2 |
| Oct. 9 | 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... |
Tie | 0-0 | 0-0-3 |
| Oct. 16 | 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... |
Loss | 0-2 | 0-1-3 |
| Oct. 23 | Staten Island Stapletons Staten Island Stapletons The Staten Island Stapletons also known as the Staten Island Stapes were a professional American football team founded in 1915 that played in the National Football League from 1929 to 1930. The team was based in the Stapleton section of Staten Island. Under the shortened nickname the "Stapes"... |
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 | 27-7 | 1-1-3 |
| Oct. 30 | Boston Braves Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
Braves Field Braves Field Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin... |
Tie | 7-7 | 1-1-4 |
| Nov. 6 | 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... |
Win | 28-8 | 2-1-4 |
| Nov. 13 | Portsmouth Spartans | 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 | 13-13 | 2-1-5 |
| Nov. 20 | Brooklyn Dodgers | 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 | 20-0 | 3-1-5 |
| 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... |
Win | 34-0 | 4-1-5 |
| Nov. 29 | Portsmouth Spartans | Portsmouth Universal Stadium | Tie | 7-7 | 4-1-6 |
| Dec. 4 | 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... |
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 | 6-0 | 5-1-6 |
| Dec. 11 | 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 | 9-0 | 6-1-6 |
| Dec. 18 | Portsmouth Spartans | Chicago Stadium Chicago Stadium The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994.... |
Win | 9-0 | 7-1-6 |
Standings
Includes the result of the 1932 NFL Playoff GameNFL Playoff Game, 1932
The 1932 NFL Playoff Game was the first ever playoff game held by the National Football League , the major professional American football sports league in the United States. Due to extremely cold weather, the game was played indoors on December 18, 1932 at Chicago Stadium in Chicago...
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972
| NFL | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| Chicago Bears | 7 | 1 | 6 | .875 | 160 | 44 | W-3 |
| Green Bay Packers 1932 Green Bay Packers season The 1932 Green Bay Packers season was their 12th in the National Football League. The club posted a 10-3-1 record under coach Curly Lambeau, earning them a 2nd-place finish despite winning three more games than the champion Chicago Bears. With only one loss, the Bears' winning percentage was... |
10 | 3 | 1 | .769 | 152 | 63 | L-2 |
| Portsmouth Spartans 1932 Portsmouth Spartans season In 1932, the Spartans appeared in the league championship game, the first in NFL history, losing to the Chicago Bears 9-0. With a record of 6-1-4 in 1932, the Spartans finish in a tie for the NFL title with the Chicago Bears. It was the first time in history that the season ended with 2 teams atop... |
6 | 2 | 4 | .750 | 116 | 71 | L-1 |
| Boston Braves 1932 Boston Braves (NFL) season The Boston Braves finished their inaugural 1932 season with a record of four wins, four losses, and two ties, and finished in fourth place in the National Football League.-Schedule:-Standings:... |
4 | 4 | 2 | .500 | 55 | 79 | W-2 |
| New York Giants 1932 New York Giants season The 1932 New York Giants season was the eighth season for the club in the National Football League.-Schedule:-Standings:Includes the result of the 1932 NFL Playoff GameW = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage... |
4 | 6 | 2 | .400 | 93 | 113 | L-1 |
| Brooklyn Dodgers 1932 Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL) season The 1932 Brooklyn Dodgers season was their third in the league. The team improved on their previous season's output of 2-12, winning three games. They failed to qualify for the playoffs.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
3 | 9 | 0 | .250 | 63 | 131 | L-4 |
| Chicago Cardinals 1932 Chicago Cardinals season The 1932 Chicago Cardinals season was their 13th in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 5-4, winning only two games. They failed to qualify for the playoffs.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
2 | 6 | 2 | .250 | 72 | 114 | L-5 |
| Staten Island Stapletons 1932 Staten Island Stapletons season The 1932 Staten Island Stapletons season was their fourth and final in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 4-6-1, winning only two games. They failed to qualify for the playoffs.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
4 | 6 | 2 | .400 | 93 | 113 | L-1 |
NFL Playoff Game: Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe 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...
9, Portsmouth Spartans 0
Awards
- NFL Championship (2)