1923 Chicago Bears season
Encyclopedia
The 1923
Chicago Bears
season was their fourth regular season
completed in the National Football League
. The club posted a 9-2-1 record under head coach/player George Halas
earning them a second place finish in the team standings earning, the third time in the last four years. As was normal for those days, the Bears played a few games on the road at the beginning of the season and then finished the season with a 9 game homestand. The Bears started very slow, losing 2 of their first 4 games and scoring only 6 points during those games (their two wins were both won 3-0). After losing 6-0 to eventual champion Canton Bulldogs
in week 4, the Bears went undefeated after that. Just like in 1922, the Sternaman brothers starred, scoring 5 touchdowns, 6 field goals, and 8 PATs between the two of them. Johnny Bryan
emerged as a scoring threat as well, running for 4 scores and passing for another. Most notably, in week 6's game against the Oorang Indians
, George Halas
set an NFL record with a 98 yard fumble return.
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972
1923 NFL season
The 1923 NFL season was the 4th regular season of the National Football League. For the first time, all of the clubs that were considered to be part of the NFL fielded teams. The new teams that entered the league included the Duluth Kelleys, the St. Louis All Stars , and a new Cleveland Indians team...
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was their fourth regular season
Regular season (NFL)
The National Football League regular season begins the weekend after Labor Day. Each team plays 16 games during a 17-week period. Traditionally, the majority of each week's games are played on Sunday afternoon, with weekly games on Sunday night and Monday night, and occasional games on Thursday...
completed in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The club posted a 9-2-1 record under head coach/player George Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
earning them a second place finish in the team standings earning, the third time in the last four years. As was normal for those days, the Bears played a few games on the road at the beginning of the season and then finished the season with a 9 game homestand. The Bears started very slow, losing 2 of their first 4 games and scoring only 6 points during those games (their two wins were both won 3-0). After losing 6-0 to eventual champion Canton Bulldogs
Canton Bulldogs
The Canton Bulldogs were a professional American football team, based in Canton, Ohio. They played in the Ohio League from 1903 to 1906 and 1911 to 1919, and its successor, the National Football League, from 1920 to 1923 and again from 1925 to 1926. The Bulldogs would go on to win the 1917, 1918...
in week 4, the Bears went undefeated after that. Just like in 1922, the Sternaman brothers starred, scoring 5 touchdowns, 6 field goals, and 8 PATs between the two of them. Johnny Bryan
Johnny Bryan
John Frederick "Johnny" Bryan was a professional football player for the Chicago Cardinals, the Chicago Bears, and the Milwaukee Badgers...
emerged as a scoring threat as well, running for 4 scores and passing for another. Most notably, in week 6's game against the Oorang Indians
Oorang Indians
The Oorang Indians were a traveling team in the National Football League from LaRue, Ohio . The team was named after the Oorang dog kennels. It was a novelty team put together by the kennels' owner, Walter Lingo, for marketing purposes. All of the players were Native American, with Jim Thorpe as...
, George Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
set an NFL record with a 98 yard fumble return.
Other Leading Players
- Ed SternamanEdward SternamanEdward Sternaman , better known as Dutch, was an American player, coach, and owner in professional football for the NFL's Chicago Bears....
, Back - Joe SternamanJoey SternamanJoey Sternaman was a former professional American football player, born in Springfield, Illinois, who played quarterback for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and Duluth Kelleys. In 1926, he was the quarterback, head coach, and owner of the Chicago Bulls of the first American Football League...
, Quarterback - Laurie WalquistLaurie WalquistLawrence "Laurie" Walquist was a professional American football player who played quarterback for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears. He was born in Rockford, Illinois....
, Quarterback - Hunk Anderson, Guard
- Johnny BryanJohnny BryanJohn Frederick "Johnny" Bryan was a professional football player for the Chicago Cardinals, the Chicago Bears, and the Milwaukee Badgers...
, Back
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 30 | Rock Island Independents Rock Island Independents The Rock Island Independents were a professional American football team based in Rock Island, Illinois. One of the first professional football teams, they were founded in 1907 as an independent club. They later played in what is now the National Football League from 1920 to 1925. They joined the... |
Douglas Park Douglas Park Douglas Park was a football stadium in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, the home ground of Hamilton Academical FC from 1888 to 1994.The stadium holds the record for Hamilton Academical's largest ever attendance, 28,690 people against Hearts in 1937... |
Loss | 3-0 | 0-1-0 |
| Oct. 7 | Racine Legion/Tornadoes Racine Legion/Tornadoes The Racine Legion was a professional American football team based in Racine, Wisconsin of the National Football League from 1922 to 1924. Its official name was the Horlick-Racine Legion. The team then operated as the Racine Tornadoes in 1926.... |
Racine, Wisconsin Racine, Wisconsin Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196... |
Win | 3-0 | 1-1-0 |
| Oct. 14 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
Bellevue Park Bellevue Park Bellevue Park was the name of a stadium used for football games in Green Bay, Wisconsin. A minor league baseball park, it was the home of the Green Bay Packers of the NFL in 1923 and 1924.... |
Win | 3-0 | 2-1-0 |
| Oct. 21 | Canton Bulldogs Canton Bulldogs The Canton Bulldogs were a professional American football team, based in Canton, Ohio. They played in the Ohio League from 1903 to 1906 and 1911 to 1919, and its successor, the National Football League, from 1920 to 1923 and again from 1925 to 1926. The Bulldogs would go on to win the 1917, 1918... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Loss | 6-0 | 2-2-0 |
| Oct. 28 | Buffalo All-Americans | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 18-3 | 3-2-0 |
| Nov. 4 | Oorang Indians Oorang Indians The Oorang Indians were a traveling team in the National Football League from LaRue, Ohio . The team was named after the Oorang dog kennels. It was a novelty team put together by the kennels' owner, Walter Lingo, for marketing purposes. All of the players were Native American, with Jim Thorpe as... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 26-0 | 4-2-0 |
| Nov. 11 | Akron Pros Akron Pros The Akron Pros were a professional football team located played in Akron, Ohio from 1908–1926. The team originated in 1908 as a semi-pro team named the Akron Indians, however name was changed to the Pros in 1920 as the team set out to become a charter member of the American Professional... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 20-6 | 5-2-0 |
| Nov. 18 | Rock Island Independents Rock Island Independents The Rock Island Independents were a professional American football team based in Rock Island, Illinois. One of the first professional football teams, they were founded in 1907 as an independent club. They later played in what is now the National Football League from 1920 to 1925. They joined the... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 7-3 | 6-2-0 |
| Nov. 25 | Hammond Pros Hammond Pros The Hammond Pros from Hammond, Indiana played in the National Football League from 1920 to 1926 as a traveling team.-History:The Pros were established by Paul Parduhn and Dr. Alva Young who was a boxing promoter, owner of a racing stable and a doctor and trainer for a semi-pro football team... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 14-7 | 7-2-0 |
| Nov. 29 | Chicago Cardinals | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 3-0 | 8-2-0 |
| Dec. 2 | Milwaukee Badgers Milwaukee Badgers The Milwaukee Badgers were a professional American football team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that played in the National Football League from 1922 to 1926. The team played its home games at Athletic Park, later known as Borchert Field, on Milwaukee's north side... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Tie | 0-0 | 8-2-1 |
| Dec. 9 | Rock Island Independents Rock Island Independents The Rock Island Independents were a professional American football team based in Rock Island, Illinois. One of the first professional football teams, they were founded in 1907 as an independent club. They later played in what is now the National Football League from 1920 to 1925. They joined the... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 29-7 | 9-2-1 |
| Dec. 16 | Milwaukee Badgers Milwaukee Badgers The Milwaukee Badgers were a professional American football team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that played in the National Football League from 1922 to 1926. The team played its home games at Athletic Park, later known as Borchert Field, on Milwaukee's north side... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Tie | 7-7 | 9-2-1 |
- Game in italics was an exhibition game.
Standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning PercentageNote: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972
| Team | W | L | T | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton Bulldogs 1923 Canton Bulldogs season The 1923 Canton Bulldogs season was their fourth in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 10-0-2, winning eleven games. With the best record in the league, they were crowned the NFL Champions.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
11 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| Chicago Bears | 9 | 2 | 1 | .818 |
| Green Bay Packers 1923 Green Bay Packers season The 1923 Green Bay Packers season was their third season in the National Football League. The club posted a 7-2-1 record under player/coach Curly Lambeau earning them third place... |
7 | 2 | 1 | .778 |
| Milwaukee Badgers 1923 Milwaukee Badgers season The 1923 Milwaukee Badgers season was their second in the National Football League. The team improved on their previous league record of 2-4-3, winning seven games. They tied for third place in the league.-Schedule:*Games in italics are exhibition games.... |
7 | 2 | 3 | .778 |
| Cleveland Indians 1923 Cleveland Indians (NFL) season The 1923 Cleveland Indians season was their third in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 3-5, losing only one game. They finished fifth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
3 | 1 | 3 | .750 |
| Chicago Cardinals 1923 Chicago Cardinals season The 1923 Chicago Cardinals season was their fourth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 8-3, losing four games. They finished sixth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
8 | 4 | 0 | .667 |
| Duluth Kelleys 1923 Duluth Kelleys season The 1923 Duluth Kelleys season was their inaugural season in the league. The team finished 4-3, and finished seventh in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
4 | 3 | 0 | .571 |
| Buffalo All-Americans 1923 Buffalo All-Americans season The 1923 Buffalo All-Americans season was their fourth in the league and final season as the All-Americans. The team matched their previous output of 5-4-1, going 5-4-3. They finished eighth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
5 | 4 | 3 | .556 |
| Columbus Tigers 1923 Columbus Tigers season The 1923 Columbus Tigers season was their fourth in the league and first season as the Tigers. The team improved on their previous output of 0-8, winning five games. They finished eighth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
5 | 4 | 1 | .556 |
| Racine Legion 1923 Racine Legion season The 1923 Racine Legion season was their second in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 6-4-1, winning only four games. They finished tenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
4 | 4 | 2 | .500 |
| Toledo Maroons 1923 Toledo Maroons season The 1923 Toledo Maroons season was their second in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 5-2-2, winning only three games. They finished tenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
3 | 3 | 2 | .500 |
| Rock Island Independents 1923 Rock Island Independents season The 1923 Rock Island Independents season was their fourth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 4-2-1, winning only two games. They finished twelfth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
2 | 3 | 3 | .400 |
| Minneapolis Marines 1923 Minneapolis Marines season The 1923 Minneapolis Marines season was their third in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 1-3, winning two games. They finished thirteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
2 | 5 | 2 | .286 |
| St. Louis All-Stars 1923 St. Louis All-Stars season The 1923 St. Louis All-Stars season was their sole season in the league. The team finished 1-4-2 in league play, and a 2-5-2 overall record finishing fourteenth in the standings.-Schedule:*Games in italics are against a non-league teams.-Standings:... |
1 | 4 | 2 | .200 |
| Hammond Pros 1923 Hammond Pros season The 1923 Hammond Pros season was their fourth in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 0-5-1, winning one game. They finished fifteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
1 | 5 | 1 | .167 |
| Dayton Triangles 1923 Dayton Triangles season The 1923 Dayton Triangles season was their fourth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 4-3-1, winning only one game. They tied for sixteenth place in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
1 | 6 | 1 | .143 |
| Akron Pros 1923 Akron Pros season The 1923 Akron Pros season was their fourth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 3-5-2, winning only one game. They tied for sixteenth place in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
1 | 6 | 0 | .143 |
| Oorang Indians 1923 Oorang Indians season The 1923 Oorang Indians season was their second and final season in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous league record of 3-6, winning only one NFL game. They finished eighteenth in the league.-Schedule:... |
1 | 10 | 0 | .091 |
| Louisville Brecks 1923 Louisville Brecks season The 1923 Louisville Brecks season was their third season in the league and final season as the Brecks. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 1-3, losing all their games. They tied for nineteenth place in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:... |
0 | 3 | 0 | .000 |
| Rochester Jeffersons 1923 Rochester Jeffersons season The 1923 Rochester Jeffersons season was their fourth in the league. The team equaled their previous output of 0-4-1, going 0-4. They tied for nineteenth place in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
0 | 4 | 0 | .000 |