![]() Independents in the Pro Football Hall of Fame įour Independents players, who played at Douglas Park, were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Jim Thorpe (1963) Tackle Ed Healey (1964), Back Jimmy Conzelman (1964) and Joe Guyon (1966). Numerous Pro Football Hall of Fame players played at Douglas Park, including: Jim Thorpe, Curly Lambeau, George Halas, Paddy Driscoll, and George Trafton. ĭouglas Park played host to several famous NFL teams including the Chicago Bears and their early franchise, the Decatur Staleys, Green Bay Packers, and the Chicago Cardinals. The Independents overall NFL record was 26–14–9, with five winning seasons in six years. The American Football League and all its teams folded after the 1926 season, ending the Independents existence. At the same time, Johnson also moved the team's home to Browning Field in neighboring Moline, Illinois. The team, now owned by Dale Johnson, fatefully left the NFL after the 1925 season to become a charter member of the short-lived American Football League in 1926. Five of their six losses were to the Decatur Staleys/Chicago Staleys/Chicago Bears and George Halas. The Rock Island Independents posted records of 6–2–2 (1920), 4–2–1 (1921) and 4–2–1 (1922) in the NFL's first three seasons. Flanigan was present at the Septemmeeting in Canton and after the formation of the league, Flanigan was named to a committee that created the league's constitution. ![]() Rock Island Independents owner (and former player) Walter Flanigan was the driving force in establishing the franchise as an early football professional franchise. ![]() The Green Bay Packers would join the league a year later. The 14 original 1920 Franchises were the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Decatur Staleys, Chicago Cardinals, Chicago Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Dayton Triangles, Hammond Pros, Muncie Flyers, Rock Island Independents, Rochester Jeffersons, Buffalo All-Americans, Columbus Panhandles and Detroit Heralds. First known as the American Professional Football Association, the league would change names to the "National Football league" in 1922. Jim Thorpe was the first League President. Today's National Football League was formed on Septemat a meeting in Canton, Ohio with Rock Island Independents representation in attendance. Rock Island Independents/National Football League (1907–1925) Īfter beginning play at Douglas Park in 1907 (with undefeated seasons in 1908, 1910, 1912, 1912, 1918), the Rock Island Independents were an original franchise in the National Football League. The football lines are visible as the Rock Island Islanders minor league team played. Site of the first contest with an NFL team, September 26, 1920. Ī week later, on October 3, 1920, the Independents defeated the Muncie Flyers 45–0 at Douglas Park in the first full week of league play. Paul Ideals 48–0 in the new league's first contest. After the league had formed on September 17, 1920, Douglas Park was the scene when the Rock Island Independents defeated the non–member St. First NFL game ever played Septemĭouglas Park was the site of the first ever National Football League contest on September 26, 1920. The Independents hosted the first ever NFL game at Douglas Park on September 26, 1920. The Independents were a charter member of the NFL in 1920. Rock Island Independents Team Photo 1919. Numerous Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees, including NFL legends George Halas, Curly Lambeau and Jim Thorpe, performed at Douglas Park. The Independents were an original franchise of the National Football League (1920–1925).ĭouglas Park was also a minor league baseball stadium for the Rock Island Islanders teams between 19, replacing Twelfth Street Park (also called Rock Island Baseball Park), which had been the Islanders home from 1898 to 1904. The stadium was home to the Rock Island Independents from 1907 until 1925. The Rock Island neighborhood that is today called Douglas Park dates back to the 1830s, with the athletic park being constructed in 1904 to 1905 and utilized for football beginning in 1907. Ī former National Football League venue, Douglas Park was the site of the first National Football League game on September 26, 1920. ![]() Rock Island Park and Recreation Departmentĭouglas Park is a public park located at 18th Avenue and 10th Street in Rock Island, Illinois. ![]()
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