1921 Chicago Staleys season

1921 Chicago Staleys season
Owner	George Halas, Dutch Sternaman
Head coach	George Halas
Home field	Staley Field (Decatur), Cubs Park (Chicago)
Results
Record	9–1–1 APFA (10–1–1 Overall)
League place	1st APFA
←  1920 (Decatur) Other seasons 1922 (Bears)  →

The 1921 Chicago Staleys season was their second regular season completed in the young American Professional Football Association (APFA), later known as the National Football League. All games were played at home, with the team opening the year in Decatur, Illinois before moving to Chicago in time for its second league game.

The team improved on their 10–1–2 record from 1920 to a 9–1–1 record under head coach/player George Halas earning them a first-place finish in the team standings and their first league championship — the best finish of the initial Halas era.

At the end of the season, team Secretary Morgan O'Brien was appointed as the vice-president of the APFA. ^[1]

Background

From Decatur to Chicago

The Staleys began the 1921 season at Staley Field in Decatur, a facility with extremely limited fan seating.

The Staleys began the 1921 season in Decatur, Illinois, playing the team's non-league opener and first league game against the Rock Island Independents on Staley Field in that city. The Staleys suited up 19 men for their October 10 league opener, of whom 18 had served in some branch of the military during World War I. ^[2]

The Staleys' popularity exceeded the capacity of their home venue, with the limited grandstands seating only 1,500, resulting in large standing room only crowds spilling around the perimeter of the playing field. Fans were charged $1 to attend games and company employees received a 50 percent discount, which was deemed not economically viable for the struggling team. ^[3] This prompted a move of the team to in time for the third game of the year to Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field) in Chicago — a 14,000 seat venue. ^[4]

The necessity of the move to Chicago seems to have been understood, with a National Guard regimental armory in Decatur fitted with a miniature football field to track the ball as play-by-play was telegraphed from the game against Dayton in Chicago and announced to the assemblage by loudspeaker. ^[5] A direct wire was reserved for repeat of festivities for the October 30 game against the Canton Bulldogs, ^[6] but the game was cancelled. Other games were handled in a similar manner throughout the year.

The move to Chicago had been suggested by A. E. Staley himself. The corn starch magnate had come to view his company-sponsored football team as an onerous expense, with its 25 players on the company payroll, paid not only to work but for two hours of football practice each day. ^[7] "Why don't you go to Chicago?" Staley had suggested to Halas ahead of the 1921 season, offering the opinion that professional football had great potential there and offering $5,000 in seed money to Halas in exchange for keeping the "Staleys" label on the team for another year. ^[7] A short contract transferring ownership of the team from Staley to Hallas was signed October 5, 1921, ^[7] with the team's offensive star, Edward "Dutch" Sternaman, made a partner about that same time.

Halas and Sternaman pulled up stakes from Decatur and moved into the Blackwood Hotel in Chicago — an inexpensive long-term residence facility located within walking distance of Cubs Park. ^[8] Many other players on the team followed suit and did likewise. ^[8]

The 1921 team

The speedy Sternaman remained the team's biggest star in 1921, but he was joined by others, including newcomers Gaylord Stinchcomb, who became the starting quarterback, and three-time All-American Chic Harley, who took over at right half. ^[4] The line was tough and experienced, anchored by ends Halas and Guy Chamberlain, center George Trafton, and right tackle Hugh Blacklock. ^[4]

Sternaman scored 32 points, most by kicking, and threw one touchdown pass. Halas had 3 touchdown receptions while Stinchcomb led the team with 4 touchdown runs.

The Starchworkers did lose a key player from 1920, when halfback Jimmy Conzelman left to captain and play for the Rock Island Independents. Star halfback Paddy Driscoll, borrowed from the Chicago Cardinals late in the 1920 season, also returned to his former team.

Schedule

Game	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap	Sources
—	October 2	Waukegan American Legion	W 35–0	1–0	Staley Field		—	[9] [10]
1	October 10	Rock Island Independents	W 14–10	2–0	Staley Field	4,000	Recap	[11] [12]
2	October 16	Rochester Jeffersons	W 16–13	3–0	Cubs Park	8,000	Recap	[13]
3	October 23	Dayton Triangles	W 7–0	4–0	Cubs Park	7,000+	Recap	[14]
—	October 30	Canton Bulldogs	canceled due to heavy rain					[15] [16]
4	November 6	Detroit Tigers	W 20–9	5–0	Cubs Park	6,000	Recap	[17] [18]
5	November 13	Rock Island Independents	W 3–0	6–0	Cubs Park	6,000	Recap	[19] [20]
6	November 20	Cleveland Tigers	W 22–7	7–0	Cubs Park	10,000	Recap	[21] [22] [23] [24] [25]
7	November 24	Buffalo All-Americans	L 6–7	7–1	Cubs Park		Recap	[26] [27] [28]
8	November 27	Green Bay Packers	W 20–0	8–1	Cubs Park	7,000	Recap	[29] [30] [31]
9	December 4	Buffalo All-Americans	W 10–7	9–1	Cubs Park	12,000	Recap	[32] [33] [34]
10	December 11	Canton Bulldogs	W 10–0	10–1	Cubs Park	3,000	Recap	[35] [36] [37]
11	December 18	Chicago Cardinals	T 0–0	10–1–1	Cubs Park	2,700	Recap	[38] [39] [40]
Note: Games in italics indicate a non-league opponent. Thanksgiving Day: November 24.

Standings

Four veteran linemen of the 1921 Staleys team. The photos are taken across Staley Field in Decatur, with the starch works in the background.

APFA standings
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
Chicago Staleys	9	1	1	.900	128	53	T1
Buffalo All-Americans	9	1	2	.900	211	29	L1
Akron Pros	8	3	1	.727	148	31	W1
Canton Bulldogs	5	2	3	.714	106	55	W1
Rock Island Independents	4	2	1	.667	65	30	L1
Evansville Crimson Giants	3	2	0	.600	89	46	W1
Green Bay Packers	3	2	1	.600	70	55	L1
Dayton Triangles	4	4	1	.500	96	67	L1
Chicago Cardinals	3	3	2	.500	54	53	T1
Rochester Jeffersons	2	3	0	.400	85	76	W2
Cleveland Tigers	3	5	0	.375	95	58	L1
Washington Senators	1	2	0	.334	21	43	L1
Cincinnati Celts	1	3	0	.250	14	117	L2
Hammond Pros	1	3	1	.250	17	45	L2
Minneapolis Marines	1	3	0	.250	37	41	L1
Detroit Tigers	1	5	1	.167	19	109	L5
Columbus Panhandles	1	8	0	.111	47	222	W1
Tonawanda Kardex	0	1	0	.000	0	45	L1
Muncie Flyers	0	2	0	.000	0	28	L2
Louisville Brecks	0	2	0	.000	0	27	L2
New York Brickley Giants	0	2	0	.000	0	72	L2

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

De facto championship game

Main article: 1921 NFL Championship controversy

The All-Americans agreed to rematch the Staleys on December 4 on the condition that the game would be considered a "post-season" exhibition game not to be counted in the standings; had it not, Buffalo would have had an undefeated season and won the title. (Buffalo had played, and defeated, the Akron Pros just one day prior.) Chicago defeated Buffalo in the rematch by a score of 10–7. Halas rebutted that the second game was played on December 4 (well before teams typically stopped playing games in those days), and the Staleys played two more games against top opponents, the Canton Bulldogs and Chicago Cardinals after the second Buffalo game (though, at the time of the Buffalo-Chicago matchup, Chicago had played three fewer games than Buffalo).

The league counted the All-Americans game in the standings, against Buffalo's wishes, resulting in Buffalo (9–1–2) and Chicago (9–1–1) being tied atop the standings. The league then implemented the first ever tiebreaker: a rule, now considered archaic and removed from league rulebooks, that states that if two teams play multiple times in a season, the last game between the two teams carries more weight. Thus, the Chicago victory actually counted more in the standings, giving Chicago the championship. Buffalo sports fans have been known to refer to this, justly or unjustly, as the "Staley Swindle."

Roster

The 1921 Staleys roster featured 5 All-Americans, including Chick Harley and Pete Stinchcomb, former Ohio State Buckeyes.

The 1921 Staleys consisted of the following players, with number of games played in parentheses. ^[41] Three players on the squad — George Halas, Guy Chamberlin, and George Trafton — were later inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame.

Linemen

• Dick Barker (2)
• Hugh Blacklock (11)
• Guy Chamberlin (11)
• George Halas (11)
• John Mintun (3)
• Ralph Scott (11)
• Russ Smith (11)
• Tarzan Taylor (11)
• George Trafton (10)
• Lou Usher (3)

Backs

• George Bolan (5)
• Harry Englund (5)
• Chic Harley (9)
• Ken Huffine (10)
• Jake Lanum (7)
• Pard Pearce (8)
• Dutch Sternaman (11)
• Pete Stinchcomb (8)

Awards

• APFA Champions (1)

References

1. "Hammond in Football 'Pro' League: Ten Clubs are Represented in Annual Meeting at Akron, Ohio," Hammond Times, May 2, 1921, p. 10.
2. "Rock Island–Staley Game Real Clash of Veterans," Decatur Herald, Oct. 10, 1921, p. 5.
3. Chris Willis, The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2010; p. 131.
4. Richard Whittingham, The Chicago Bears: An Illustrated History. Chicago: Rand McNally & Co., 1979; p. 13.
5. "Staley Eleven Works at Top Speed as Defeat Looms in Sunday's Game," Decatur Herald, Oct. 20, 1921, p. 4.
6. "Play by Play Service for Big Game Today," Decatur Herald, Oct. 20, 1921, p. 5.
7. Jeff Davis, Papa Bear: The Life and Legacy of George Halas. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005; p. 63.
8. Whittingham, The Chicago Bears, p. 12.
9. "Legion Eleven Defeated 35–0 by the Staleys," Waukegan Daily Sun, Oct. 3, 1921, p. 10.
10. "Staleys 35, Waukegan 0," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 3, 1921, p. 12.
11. Howard V. Millard, "Staleys Meet Islanders in Great Pro Game Today: Two of Strongest Professional Elevens in Country Clash at 3 O'Clock — Both Sides Optimisitic," Decatur Herald, Oct. 10, 1921, p. 4.
12. "Starchworkers Win 14–10 Over Rock Island Team: 4,000 See Staleys Trim Rock Island in Thrilling Tilt," Decatur Herald, Oct. 11, 1921, p. 4.
13. "Staleys Defeat Rochester in Great Gridiron Battle: Starch Workers Come From Behind to Beat New York," Decatur Herald, Oct. 17, 1921, p. 4.
14. "Staleys Win Great Football Battle from Dayton Team: Starch Workers Beat Powerful Triangles by Score of 7 to 0," Decatur Herald, Oct. 24, 1921, p. 4.
15. "Rains Prevent Canton–Staley Go," Dayton Daily News, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 16.
16. "Cub Field Too Wet for Staley–Canton Contest," Chicago Tribune, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 15.
17. "Staley Gridiron Team Downs Tigers of Detroit, 20 to 9: Sternaman Starts Scoring for Staleys by Tripping 35 Yards to Goal," La Crosse Tribune, Nov. 8, 1921, p. 8.
18. "Detroit Heralds Force Staleys to Show Their Class: Starchmakers Cop Argument 20 to 9 After Trailing Behind at Half Time," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Nov. 7, 1921, p. 10.
19. "Staleys Trounce Rock Island 3–0 in Hard Fought Game: 6,000 Fans Brave Snow to See Fierce Tilt in Rain-Soaked Field," Decatur Herald, Nov. 14, 1921, p. 4.
20. J.L. Hughes, "Field Goal Wins for Staley Crew: Independents Are Defeated by Sternaman," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 14, 1921, p. 12.
21. "Trio of Indian Grid Stars Face Staleys," Chicago Tribune, Nov. 20, 1921, p. 27.
22. "Staleys Thump Pros of Cleveland, 22–7," Chicago Tribune, Nov. 21, 1921, p. 16.
23. "Record Crowd Sees Staleys Humble Cleveland, 22–7: Stinchcomb Runs 80 Yards Through Tiger Team for First Score," Decatur Herald, Nov. 21, 1921, p. 4.
24. "Staley Eleven Puts Tigers to Rout, Score 22–7: Stinchcomb Stars as Decatur Team Wallops Clevelanders," Davenport Democrat and Leader, Nov. 21, 1921, p. 7.
25. "Thorpe's Tigers Prove Easy for Decatur Staleys: Pete Stinchcomb Races Over Field for Two Touchdowns and is Factor in Scoring of Third; Jim Thorpe Fails to Play," Cleveland Plain Dealer, Nov. 21, 1921, p. 17.
26. "All-Americans Win by 1 Point From Staleys: Buffalo Professionals Are Now Only Undefeated Team in APFA," Buffalo News, Nov. 25, 1921, p. 32.
27. "Buffalo Mars Staleys Gridiron Record for 1921: Buffalo All-Stars Down Staleys 7–6 in Fierce Battle," Decatur Herald, Nov. 25, 1921, p. 5.
28. "Buffalo All-Stars Defeat Staleys, 7–6," Chicago Tribune, Nov. 25, 1921, p. 25.
29. Cal, "Staleys Smashing Attack Defeats Packers 20 to 0: Green Bay Team Fights to Finish in Chicago Clash; Outplay Foe in First Period," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Nov. 28, 1921, p. 10.
30. "Staleys Trim Packers 20 to 0 in Fast Game: Green Bay Eleven Unable to Stop Stinchcomb, Sternaman, Halas & Co.," Decatur Herald, Nov. 28, 1921, p. 8.
31. "Staleys Whale Green Bay Packers for 20 to 0 Victory," Chicago Tribune, Nov. 28, 1921, p. 19.
32. "Staleys Meet Buffalo for National Pro Title Today: Staleys Confident as Battle for Pro Title with Buffalo Nears," Decatur Herald, Dec. 4, 1921, p. 5.
33. "Staleys Win National Pro Grid Title, Beat Buffalo, 10–7: Starchworkers Win 10–7; Chamberlain Makes 90 Yard Run," Decatur Herald, Dec. 5, 1921, p. 4.
34. "Buffalo Disputes Staley's Claim of Professional Football Title: Though Defeated 10–7 in Final Game, Locals Base Stand on Record," Buffalo Times, Dec. 5, 1921, p. 10.
35. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-staley-eleven-beats-cant/163287581/ "Staley Eleven Beats Canton Team, 10 to 0," Chicago Tribune, Dec. 12, 1921, p. 17.
36. "Staleys Defend Grid Title Against Canton: Defeat Bulldogs, 10 to 0, in Drizzling Rain," Decatur Review, Dec. 12, 1921, p. 8.
37. "Staleys Humble Canton Bulldogs 10–0 in Fierce Clash: Rain-Soaked Field Fails to Halt Rush of Decatur Champions," Decatur Herald, Dec. 12, 1921, p. 4.
38. "Staleys Held to Tie by Chicago Cardinals: Driscoll's Eleven Had Three Chances to Register from Field — Small Crowd Out," Decatur Review, Dec. 19, 1921, p. 8.
39. "Chicago Cards Hold Staley Eleven to Scoreless Draw," Davenport Democrat and Leader, Dec. 19, 1921, p. 7.
40. "Cardinals Give Staleys a Scare in Tie Game, 0–0," Chicago Tribune, Dec. 19, 1921, p. 19.
41. "1921 Chicago Staleys Roster and Players," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com

External links

• 1921 Chicago Staleys season

Preceded by Akron Pros 1920	NFL Champion 1921	Succeeded by Canton Bulldogs 1922