First NFL Teams

NFL: 1920 

Although football was played in the 1800s, initially by college students, the NFL began in 1920. It was known as the American Professional Football Association, which had 14 teams competing. 

Akron Professionals

 

Buffalo All Americans

Tommy Hughitt (QB)

Canton Bulldogs
 

 Chicago Cardinals

 

Chicago Tigers

They played in Wrigley Field.

Cleveland Tigers

They played at Dunn Field.

Columbus Panhandles/Tigerscolum

 Columbus Panhandles
 
Dayton Triangles

 

Decator Staleys
 

Detroit Heralds
 

Rochester Jeffersons
 

Rock Island Independents



Hammond Pros and Muncie Flyers are two other teams that played in the earliest year of the NFL.

Decatur Staleys vs Chicago Cardinals


Standings of the 1920 NFL

Akron Pros	8	0	3	1.000
Decatur Staleys	10	1	2	.909
Buffalo All-Americans	9	1	1	.900
Chicago Cardinals	6	2	2	.750
Rock Island Independents	6	2	2	.750
Dayton Triangles	5	2	2	.714
Rochester Jeffersons	6	3	2	.667
Canton Bulldogs	7	4	2	.636
Detroit Heralds	2	3	3	.400
Cleveland Tigers	2	4	2	.333
Chicago Tigers	2	5	1	.286
Hammond Pros	2	5	0	.286
Columbus Panhandles	2	6	2	.250
Muncie Flyers	0	1	0	.000
*" Clubs played schedules that included games against nonleague opponents"-NFL website.

Akron Pros

8

0

3

1.000

Decatur Staleys

10

1

2

.909

Buffalo All-Americans

9

1

1

.900

Chicago Cardinals

6

2

2

.750

Rock Island Independents

6

2

2

.750

Dayton Triangles

5

2

2

.714

Rochester Jeffersons

6

3

2

.667

Canton Bulldogs

7

4

2

.636

Detroit Heralds

2

3

3

.400

Cleveland Tigers

2

4

2

.333

Chicago Tigers

2

5

1

.286

Hammond Pros

2

5

0

.286

Columbus Panhandles

2

6

2

.250

Muncie Flyers

0

1

0

.000

*" Clubs played schedules that included games against nonleague opponents"-NFL website.