On this day in 1920 the American Professional Football League was formed. In 1922 they would change the name to the National Football League. There were originally 11 teams in the league. Jim Thorpe was named league President. The 1920 champions were the Akron Pro’s. The league did not have a playoff system until the 1932 season.
The “Papa Bear” George Halas was there in Canton when it all began. He represented the Decatur Staley’s-which would become the Chicago Bears.
slicethelife 
this is the NFL – which stands for not for long when you make these #@&*%*$ calls. – i am going to be sacking groceries in a week.
i dont think that they had any clue how large this entity would get. amazingly the popularity is where it is, but there is no guarantee that the nfl will stay popular.
especially with head injuries and things that they are learning more about these days.
Nothing is forever.. in 1950 the most popular sports in the United States were baseball, boxing and horse racing.. only baseball remains at the top.
I love football and played in high school. Unfortunately, the game has grown far too violent and will probably disappear unless the NFL forces some major safety improvements. I read somewhere that hundreds of former player are currently suing the league over all the head injuries and other things of that nature.
Quinn and I both agree with what you are saying.. the league will be gone in 20 years.
@Ryan Potter – so true and as Hans stated, he and I think that unless fundamental changes are made this league will go the way of the dodo. modern day gladiators only no one is killed in the arena thankfully. i think kickoffs will be eliminated in the next few years as the first step in reducing the collisions.