The National Football League (NFL) as we know it today, with 32 teams, huge stadiums, massive television deals, and millions of fans, was not always this powerful. In its early decades, the league was fragile, unstable, and filled with teams that came and went almost overnight. These are the “forgotten” NFL teams, franchises that folded, merged, or vanished entirely.
Some won championships, while others barely lasted a season. Understanding their stories shows how the NFL became stronger by learning from those early struggles. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most interesting forgotten teams, the reasons they disappeared, and the lessons they left behind.
Early NFL Chaos: The First Wave of Disappearances
When the NFL began in 1920, it was called the American Professional Football Association (APFA). The league changed its name to the NFL in 1922, but during those first years, it was far from stable. Teams were formed and folded constantly, and the idea of long-term franchises barely existed.
Many Teams Never Lasted Beyond a Season
During the 1920s, dozens of teams joined the NFL, only to vanish within a year or two.
- New York Brickley Giants (1921): Founded by Charles Brickley, this team played only two league games before shutting down.
- Evansville Crimson Giants (1921–1922): Despite local support, poor management and scheduling mistakes caused their collapse after two seasons.
- Tonawanda Kardex (1921): One of the shortest-lived teams in NFL history, they played just a single official game before disappearing.
The main causes for these quick failures were poor finances, weak attendance, and high travel costs. At the time, many fans were more interested in college football, which had a stronger reputation, leaving pro teams to fight for attention.
Some Were Champions That Fell
A few early NFL teams actually found success on the field, but even that didn’t save them.
- Providence Steam Roller (1925–1931): This Rhode Island team joined the NFL in 1925 and won the 1928 league championship. However, the Great Depression made it impossible to stay afloat. By 1931, they folded.
- Frankford Yellow Jackets (1924–1931): Based near Philadelphia, they won the 1926 NFL championship but went bankrupt just a few years later. Their disappearance eventually opened the door for the creation of the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Canton Bulldogs (1920–1926): One of the strongest teams in early football, Canton won back-to-back NFL championships in 1922 and 1923. Still, they struggled financially in the mid-1920s and ceased operations by 1927.
These stories show that success on the field didn’t always mean survival off it.
Case Studies: Notable Forgotten Teams
Some forgotten teams have particularly fascinating histories that reveal the challenges of early pro football.
Duluth Eskimos (Originally Duluth Kelleys)
The Duluth Eskimos, originally called the Duluth Kelleys, played from 1923 to 1927. Based in Duluth, Minnesota, a small city by NFL standards, they often acted as a traveling team, playing most of their games on the road. The travel demands were brutal, and without a stable home crowd, they struggled financially.
Despite having a legendary player, Ernie Nevers, the team withdrew from the league after 1927. Their story highlights how geography and logistics made survival tough for small-market teams.
Providence Steam Roller
Providence was the pride of Rhode Island in the late 1920s. The Steam Rollers were tough, disciplined, and even captured the 1928 NFL championship, the only team from the state ever to do so. They played home games at Kinsley Park and later at the Cycledrome, one of the first stadiums with floodlights for night games.
But when the Great Depression hit, attendance dropped, money dried up, and the team folded after the 1931 season. Providence remains the last defunct franchise to have won an NFL title.
Canton Bulldogs
The Canton Bulldogs were a powerhouse long before the NFL even existed. They came from the old Ohio League, one of the leagues that led to the NFL’s creation. Canton won NFL championships in 1922 and 1923 and featured some of the era’s best players, including Jim Thorpe.
But Canton, like many small towns, couldn’t financially sustain a professional team as the league grew. By 1927, the Bulldogs ceased operations, leaving behind a proud but short-lived legacy.
Others Worth Remembering
- Boston Yanks (1943–1948): Played home games at Fenway Park but never caught on with fans. After several losing seasons, they folded.
- Brooklyn Dodgers/Tigers (1930–1944): Not related to the baseball team, this NFL version struggled through the 1930s before disappearing during World War II.
- Columbus Panhandles/Tigers (1920–1926): Known for their rough style and early start in pro football, they folded due to financial issues.
- Detroit Panthers (1925–1926): A short-lived franchise that lasted only two seasons before financial pressure forced them out.
Each of these teams struggled with small crowds, poor organization, or stiff competition from college football, all reasons why so many early franchises failed.
Why So Many Teams Failed
The short lives of these teams can be traced to several core problems:
- Financial Instability
Ticket sales were the only real source of income. Without large fan bases or stadium deals, teams couldn’t pay players or travel expenses. - Travel and Logistics
In the 1920s and 1930s, long-distance travel was difficult and expensive. Teams like the Duluth Eskimos faced major challenges playing in distant cities every week. - Small Markets and Competition
Many teams came from small towns that couldn’t support professional sports. College football, already well-established, drew most of the fan attention. - Economic Depression
The Great Depression of the late 1920s and 1930s wiped out fan spending and sponsorships, leading to the collapse of many franchises. - Poor Management and Organization
Early NFL teams often had little structure. Some didn’t even have set schedules or proper facilities. This made long-term success nearly impossible. - League Contraction
In 1927, the NFL intentionally reduced its size by revoking the weakest franchises to improve stability and competition. Many of the short-lived teams vanished as a result. - Mergers and Absorptions
A few franchises merged or had their players absorbed by others. While this occasionally preserved a team’s talent, it erased the original name and identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many NFL teams have folded or disappeared altogether?
A: Around 49 franchises have disappeared from NFL history, mostly during the 1920s and 1930s. None has folded outright since the early 1950s.
Q: What was the last NFL team to fold?
A: The Dallas Texans of 1952 were the last NFL team to fold. The league reclaimed the franchise mid-season, and the following year, the new Baltimore Colts were created as a separate entity.
Q: Did any forgotten teams ever win championships?
A: Yes. Several defunct teams won NFL titles, including the Canton Bulldogs (1922, 1923), Frankford Yellow Jackets (1926), Providence Steam Roller (1928), and Akron Pros (1920).
Q: Why did later teams succeed where earlier ones failed?
A: As the NFL matured, it focused on stable ownership, strong finances, and large markets. Television deals, revenue sharing, and better stadiums also helped modern teams thrive.
Q: Could an NFL team fold today?
A: It’s highly unlikely. Today’s teams are worth billions and operate under strict financial and organizational standards. While relocations can happen, complete shutdowns are nearly impossible.
Conclusion
- The forgotten NFL teams show that today’s powerful football league was built through trial and error.
- Early teams like the Brickley Giants, Duluth Eskimos, and Providence Steam Roller faced tough challenges and often folded despite their talent and dedication.
- Their failures helped the NFL learn how to better handle finances, travel, and growing fan bases.
- Short-lived teams such as the Tonawanda Kardex, which played only one game, highlight how unstable the early league was.
- Even championship teams like the Canton Bulldogs couldn’t survive forever, but their legacy helped shape the modern NFL.
- Together, these vanished teams taught the league valuable lessons about endurance, organization, and success.
- Their impact lives on in the NFL’s structure, stability, and popularity today.
Read More
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
