What Were The First NFL Teams?

The National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) with ten teams from four states.

Introduction

The National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before changing its name in 1922. The NFL initially consisted of 14 teams from across the country, all of which were located in cities with a population of 75,000 or more. If a team couldn’t field a competitive squad, it would be replaced by another organization willing to take its place.

The first NFL teams

The National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) with ten teams from four states, all of whom existed in some form as participants of regional leagues or professional clubs. In 1922, the APFA was renamed as the National Football League. After initially determining champions through end-of-season standings, a playoff system was implemented in 1933.

The Decatur Staleys

The Decatur Staleys, founded in 1919, were one of the charter members of the American Professional Football Association, which eventually became the National Football League. The team was originally based in Decatur, Illinois, but was relocated to Chicago in 1921. The team renamed itself the Chicago Bears in 1922.

The Chicago Cardinals

The Chicago Cardinals were a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals competed in the National Football League (NFL) from 1920 to 1959, and again from 1988 to 1993. The team was established in 1898 as an amateur football team named the Morgan Athletic Club. In 1901, the team name was changed to the Racine Normals, since Normal Park was located on Racine Avenue in Chicago. In 1919, the Racine Normals were renamed the Chicago Cardinals. The name was first used that year by the Chicago White Stockings of the American League because they would not compete with another baseball team with that nickname; soon after, the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball took on that moniker as well after relocating to Chicago’s south side in 1900.

The Racine Cardinals

The Racine Cardinals were a professional football team based in Racine, Wisconsin that began play in the National Football League (NFL) in 1922. The team was founded by former University of Wisconsin–Madison football player Chris O’Brien, who purchased the franchise rights to the Chicago Cardinals for $100. O’Brien then moved the team to Racine, Wisconsin. The Cardinals played their home games at Horlick Athletic Field.

The Cardinals were relatively successful in their early years, posting winning records from 1922 to 1926. However, they struggled to compete against the more established NFL teams, and never qualified for the NFL Championship Game. The franchise was also beset by financial problems and was sold several times during its existence. The team finally folded after the 1928 season.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Those were the first eight NFL teams. Obviously, the league has come a long way since then. But it is always fun to look back and see where it all started.