Chicago Tigers
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Tigers of the American Professional Football Association
(now the NFL) played only in the first year of the league (1920
) and, because of this, have the distinction of being the first official NFL team to fold. They had a record of 2 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie. The team played its home games at Chicago
's Wrigley Field
(then called Cub's Park) and was the first NFL team to do so. The Tigers were never formally members of the APFA. However since the team played in seven games against APFA teams in 1920, resulting in a 1-5-1 league record, that they're generally included in the league standings.
and Milt Ghee
to Jack Meagher
and Oscar Knop
. On October 24, 1920, the Decatur Staleys (renamed the Chicago Bears
in 1922) played a game against the Tigers at Cub's Park and billed it as "the season's most professional game" that would also determine the "pro title". Many Decatur games, at the time, were billed as championships in an attempt to lure crowds. Still the Staleys defeated the Tigers 10-0.
were playing for the same Chicago fan dollar. Legend has it, that the Cardinals' owner Chris O’Brien
offered to play for the right to represent the city of Chicago in the APFA. The winner would remain as the city’s only professional team, the loser would fold operations. The Tigers’ owner Guil Falcon
agreed to the terms. The game resulted in a 6-3 Cardinals win. Paddy Driscoll
scored the game’s only touchdown
on a 40-yard run. As promised, the Tigers finished the season with a 2-5-1 record, dropped out of competition, becoming the first NFL/APFA team to fold. However there are two problems with the story. First, the Tigers played two more league games after losing to the Cardinals. Second, O'Brien was willing to let the Decatur Staleys play in Chicago the following season.
More plausible is a theory that George Halas
wanted to move the Decatur Staleys to Chicago but because they already had the Tigers and the Cardinals, he would have had a very difficult time moving into a city with two teams in the league. Thus, he challenged Guil Falcon to the same winner-take-all duel, which would take place on Thanksgiving
, to determine who would share the league franchise rights to the city with the Cardinals. The Staleys won, 6-0; the Tigers dropped out of the league right afterward and, after playing one game against the independent Thorn Tornadoes, folded, with the Staleys moving to Chicago (later to become the Chicago Bears
) one week into the 1921 season. While seemingly more plausible, there's no evidence to support the theory.
According to the NFL, the Chicago Tigers fold between the 1920 and 1921 seasons.
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...
(now the NFL) played only in the first year of the league (1920
1920 NFL season
The 1920 APFA season was the inaugural regular season of the National Football League which was called the American Professional Football Association in 1920 and 1921...
) and, because of this, have the distinction of being the first official NFL team to fold. They had a record of 2 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie. The team played its home games at Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's 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...
(then called Cub's Park) and was the first NFL team to do so. The Tigers were never formally members of the APFA. However since the team played in seven games against APFA teams in 1920, resulting in a 1-5-1 league record, that they're generally included in the league standings.
The franchise
According to Emil Klosiinkski in the book, Pro Football in the Days of Rockne, the Tigers main offensive weapon was its passing game. This is specifically referred to the passes thrown by Johnny BarrettJohnny Barrett
John Joseph Barrett was an outfielder in Major League Baseball from 1942-1946. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Braves....
and Milt Ghee
Milt Ghee
Milton Pomeroy Ghee, Jr. was an American football quarterback. Born in Wilmette, Illinois, Ghee attended Oak Park High School before enrolling at Dartmouth College. He played college football for Dartmouth where he was selected as an All-American in 1914. Ghee played professional football in...
to Jack Meagher
Jack Meagher
-External links:...
and Oscar Knop
Oscar Knop
Robert Oscar Knop was a professional American football player who played running back for eight seasons for the Chicago Tigers, the Hammond Pros, and the Chicago Bears....
. On October 24, 1920, the Decatur Staleys (renamed the 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...
in 1922) played a game against the Tigers at Cub's Park and billed it as "the season's most professional game" that would also determine the "pro title". Many Decatur games, at the time, were billed as championships in an attempt to lure crowds. Still the Staleys defeated the Tigers 10-0.
Winner-take-all legend
In 1920 the Tigers and Chicago Racine CardinalsArizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
were playing for the same Chicago fan dollar. Legend has it, that the Cardinals' owner Chris O’Brien
Chris O'Brien (American football)
Christopher O'Brien, was a painting and decorating contractor as well as a pro football franchise owner. He is mostly known as the owner of the Chicago Cardinals, and is known as the “Father of Professional Football in Chicago,”...
offered to play for the right to represent the city of Chicago in the APFA. The winner would remain as the city’s only professional team, the loser would fold operations. The Tigers’ owner Guil Falcon
Guil Falcon
Guilford W. "Hawk" Falcon was a professional football player, owner and coach who spent six season, from 1920 to 1925, in the National Football League with the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Chicago Tigers, Hammond Pros, Rochester Jeffersons and the Toledo Maroons...
agreed to the terms. The game resulted in a 6-3 Cardinals win. 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...
scored the game’s only touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
on a 40-yard run. As promised, the Tigers finished the season with a 2-5-1 record, dropped out of competition, becoming the first NFL/APFA team to fold. However there are two problems with the story. First, the Tigers played two more league games after losing to the Cardinals. Second, O'Brien was willing to let the Decatur Staleys play in Chicago the following season.
More plausible is a theory that 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...
wanted to move the Decatur Staleys to Chicago but because they already had the Tigers and the Cardinals, he would have had a very difficult time moving into a city with two teams in the league. Thus, he challenged Guil Falcon to the same winner-take-all duel, which would take place on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving (United States)
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday,...
, to determine who would share the league franchise rights to the city with the Cardinals. The Staleys won, 6-0; the Tigers dropped out of the league right afterward and, after playing one game against the independent Thorn Tornadoes, folded, with the Staleys moving to Chicago (later to become the 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...
) one week into the 1921 season. While seemingly more plausible, there's no evidence to support the theory.
According to the NFL, the Chicago Tigers fold between the 1920 and 1921 seasons.
Season-by-season
| Year | W | L | T | Finish | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 11th | Guil Falcon Guil Falcon Guilford W. "Hawk" Falcon was a professional football player, owner and coach who spent six season, from 1920 to 1925, in the National Football League with the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Chicago Tigers, Hammond Pros, Rochester Jeffersons and the Toledo Maroons... |