Chronology
of the early years of the NFL
Compiled by Ray Byrne from the October 19 programme
of 1947
1935 Player limit increased to 24 men on September 4. St. Louis
franchise dropped leaving nine-club league, five eastern and four
western members. On December 9, the Detroit Lions defeated the New
York Giants for the league title in Detroit by a score of 26-7.
1936
First year of player selective draft rule - Jay Berwanger, Chicago,
first collegiate player to be drafted by Philadelphia (February 8).
Player limit increased to 25 men on February 9. Green Bay Packers
defeated Boston at New York, 21-6, on December 13, for title.
1937
Homer Marshman granted franchise for Cleveland on February 12, again
bringing league membership to ten clubs. Boston Franchise of George
Marshall transferred to Washington, D. C. (February 13) and renamed
Washington Redskins, who in turn defeated the Chicago Bears for the
championship at Chicago on December 12 by a score of 28-21.
1938
On February 19, the player limit was increased to 30 men. On December
11 at New York, the Giants defeated the Green Bay team, 23-17.
1939
Carl L. Storck replaced Jog Carr as league president since 1921 when
it was founded on May 25. Mr. Carr died at Columbus, Ohio, on May
20, 1939.
Rule
giving kickoff-out-of bounds ball opponents on their 45-yard line
adopted on February II. Green Bay won league championship title after
defeating the New York Giants at Milwaukee on December 10, 27-0.
1940
Largest fine ($5,000) yet imposed levied on Detroit Lions for 'tampering'
with 'Bulldog' Turner of Hardin-Simmons, Texas, University center
who was drafted by the Chicago Bears (February 2). Fred J. Mandel,
Jr., purchased Detroit Lions franchise from G. A. Richards on February
10.
Membership
fee set at $50,000. Player limit increased to 33 men maximum and 22
minimum. Clipping penalty reduced to 15 yards. All distance penalties
enforced from spot on field of play limited to half the distance to
goal (line). Adopted April 12. Dennis J. Shea elected treasurer of
National League on April 12.
Pittsburgh
Steeler franchise purchased from Arthur J. Rooney by Alexis Thompson.
Rooney in turn, bought half interest in Philadelphia Eagles (December
9).
Adoption
of rule prohibiting the sale or trade of a team's first two selections
in player draft without the unanimous consent of league until one
playing season after player's selection on December 9. The Chicago
Bears defeated the Washington Redskins, winners of Eastern Division
title by horrendous score of 73-0 on the Redskins home grounds in
Washington on December 8, thus winning the league championship crown.
1941
Elmer Layden, head coach at Notre Dame, named commissioner of National
Football League at reported salary of $50,000 per anum on a five-year
contract (March 1, 1941). Elmer Layden replaced Carl L. Storck as
president following Mr. Storck's resignation on April 5.
Philadelphia
Club and franchise transferred to Pittsburgh and vice-versa, also
on April 5.
The
umpire of all league games made official timer. Cleveland franchise
transferred from Homer Marshman to Daniel Reeves and Fred Levy, Jr.,
on June 1.
On
December 21, the Chicago Bears, for the second straight year annexed
the championship title by defeating the New York Giants at Chicago,
37-9.
