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The
Wheelmen
Bicycle
Club Football
1892 & 1893
Pennsylvania
Railroad YMCA
1886
- 1905
Philadelphia
FC
Philadelphia's
First All
Professional Football Team
1901
Phillies
vs. Athletics
National
Football League
1902
US
Army
Ambulance Corps
1917-1918
Conshohocken
AC
Eastern
Penna. Champions
1919
Union
Club
of Phoenixville
1907-1921
Ships
& Yards
Football
Along the Delaware
1919
Holmesburg
AC
Philadelphia
City Champions
1919 & 1920
Union
Quakers
Philadelphia
City Champions
1921
Sports fans in the Philadelphia area are pretty knowledgeable, especially when it comes to football. Since entering the National Football League in 1933 the Philadelphia Eagles have led those fans on a roller coaster ride, experiencing all the highs and lows the league has to offer. While it's been more than forty-five years since the Eagles last captured an NFL title, the team's relative success in recent seasons is building anticipation of a return to past glories. But don't be fooled, the rich history of pro football in this region doesn't begin and end with the Eagles. After all, before our beloved Birds there were the beloved, ...Bugs?
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Who were those Yellow Jackets, anyway? Are the old tales about them true, did they really bringing an NFL championship to Philadelphia? And what is their connection to the Eagles? |
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If you know anything about the Yellow Jackets then maybe you can also name the Eastern Pennsylvania coal-town that had its NFL championship "stolen"! |
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Here's a good stump-the-sports-buff question: What was the name of Philadelphia's one and only American Football League championship team? |
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Everyone knows that Philadelphia is the birthplace of our nation, but what's this about it also being the birthplace of the original National Football League? |
The history of professional football in this region is long and storied, stretching all the way back to the late 1800s. From the gridiron "elevens" sponsored by bicycle clubs and baseball teams to those of local athletic associations and the National Football League, this history is rich and interesting and chock-full-o' surprises. Just consider the game hinted at below:
Manager Connie Mack watches as his Philadelphia Athletics take to the field against their cross-town rivals, the Phillies. Everyone is ready,
...FOR THE KICK-OFF!
The primary purpose of this website is to share a little of what I enjoy about the early history of professional football. Hopefully it will also pique your curiosity to find out more. Please keep in mind that I'm still in the process of putting this thing together. It is, very much, a work in progress. Any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated, so feel free to contact me with your comments and suggestions!
This site was last updated December 16, 2008.
Click here to bookmark 'Ghosts of the Gridiron'
© John J. Fenton, 2008-2000, all rights reserved.
Pottsville
Maroons
Anthracite
League
Champions
1924
Bethlehem
Bears
Eastern
League Claimants
1926
Frankford
Yellow Jackets
National
Football League
Champions
1926
Philadelphia
Quakers
American
Football League
Champions
1926
Millville
F & AC
1921-1929
Frankford
Legion
Independent
Professional
Champions of Penna.
1931
Philadelphia's
Pro
Football Stadiums
Pro
Football &
Philly Sports Links