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First professional football title in 1920...
First professional football title in 1920...
Item # 720599
December 13, 1920
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Dec. 13, 1920
* First professional football championship game
* Akron Pros vs. Decatur Staleys - Wrigley Field
* Extremely rare item from the city were it happened
The top of page has a one column heading: "STALEYS BATTLE AKRON TEAM TO DEADLOCK, 0 TO 0" with lineups. (see images) There is a small piece torn away along the right margin of this heading but not affect readability. (see images) Great to have from the city where this game was played. Exceedingly rare as such. The holy grail of pro football reports ? A one of a kind ? Ideal for Canton, Ohio. ?
Complete with 22 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, generally in good condition.
Note: This issue comes with a free acid-free folder for additional protection.
AI notes: The first professional football championship in the United States was awarded in 1920 during the inaugural season of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the NFL. Unlike modern playoffs, there was no single championship game; instead, the title was determined by team owners based on season records. The Akron Pros finished the season undefeated with an 8–0–3 record, allowing only seven points all year, and were voted league champions. A key late-season matchup, often viewed as a de facto championship, occurred on December 12, 1920, when the Decatur Staleys faced the Akron Pros at Cubs Park in Chicago, ending in a 0–0 tie. The game featured missed scoring opportunities from both sides, including a 30-yard field goal attempt by Staleys’ Dutch Sternaman, and highlighted the competitive parity between the two top teams. While Akron was officially declared champion, the absence of a formal playoff or championship game led to controversy and debate, making this season a foundational moment in professional football history.
Category: The 20th Century
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