1924 Chicago Bears season
Encyclopedia
The 1924
Chicago Bears
season was their fifth regular season
completed in the National Football League
. The club posted a 6-1-4 league record under head coach George Halas
earning them a second place finish in the team standings, the fourth time in the last five years. The Bears started slow with 2 ties and a loss, but quickly gained their stride, winning 6 of their last 8 games with two ties. The Bears only loss of the year was to the Cleveland Bulldogs
, the eventual champions (the NFL officially considers the 1924 Bulldogs a different team than the Canton team from the previous year -- however, all the players were the same). Despite coming in second, the Bears did defeat the cross-town rival Cardinals twice, both shutouts, and their future classic rival, the Green Bay Packers
, once in a 3-0 shutout. The Sternaman brothers again carried the team, with Joe Sternaman
having his best season. The younger Sternaman scored 6 touchdowns, threw for another, had 9 field goals, and 12 PATs, finishing with 75 of the Bears' 136 points.
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972
1924 NFL season
The 1924 NFL season was the 5th regular season of the National Football League. The league had 18 teams play during the season, including the new clubs Frankford Yellow Jackets, Kansas City Blues, and Kenosha Maroons. The Louisville Brecks, Oorang Indians, St...
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 fifth 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 6-1-4 league record under head coach 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, the fourth time in the last five years. The Bears started slow with 2 ties and a loss, but quickly gained their stride, winning 6 of their last 8 games with two ties. The Bears only loss of the year was to the Cleveland Bulldogs
Cleveland Bulldogs
The Cleveland Bulldogs was a team that played in Cleveland, Ohio in the National Football League. They were originally called the Indians in 1923, not to be confused with the Cleveland Indians NFL franchise in 1922...
, the eventual champions (the NFL officially considers the 1924 Bulldogs a different team than the Canton team from the previous year -- however, all the players were the same). Despite coming in second, the Bears did defeat the cross-town rival Cardinals twice, both shutouts, and their future classic rival, the 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...
, once in a 3-0 shutout. The Sternaman brothers again carried the team, with Joe Sternaman
Joey Sternaman
Joey 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...
having his best season. The younger Sternaman scored 6 touchdowns, threw for another, had 9 field goals, and 12 PATs, finishing with 75 of the Bears' 136 points.
Future Hall of Fame Players
- George HalasGeorge HalasGeorge 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...
, End - Ed HealeyEd HealeyEdward Francis Healey, Jr. was a professional football player for the Rock Island Independents, and best known with the Chicago Bears.-College years:...
, Tackle - George TraftonGeorge TraftonGeorge Edward Trafton , was an American football player. He played as a center for the Decatur Staleys of the National Football League from 1920 to 1921 and 1923–1932. He is credited as being the first center to snap the ball with one hand...
, Center
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
- John Bryan, Back
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 28 | 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... |
Tie | 0-0 | 0-0-1 |
| Oct. 5 | Cleveland Bulldogs Cleveland Bulldogs The Cleveland Bulldogs was a team that played in Cleveland, Ohio in the National Football League. They were originally called the Indians in 1923, not to be confused with the Cleveland Indians NFL franchise in 1922... |
Dunn Field League Park League Park was a baseball park located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It was situated at the northeast corner of Lexington Avenue and E. 66th Street in the Hough neighborhood. It was home to the National League Cleveland Spiders, the American League Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland... |
Loss | 14-16 | 0-1-1 |
| Oct. 12 | Racine Legion | 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 | 10-10 | 0-1-2 |
| Oct. 19 | 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 | 6-0 | 1-1-2 |
| Oct. 26 | Frankford Yellowjackets | 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 | 33-3 | 2-1-2 |
| Nov. 2 | 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... |
Tie | 3-3 | 2-1-3 |
| Nov. 9 | Columbus Tigers | 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 | 12-6 | 3-1-3 |
| Nov. 16 | Racine Legion | 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 | 3-3 | 3-1-4 |
| Nov. 23 | 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... |
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 | 4-1-4 |
| Nov. 27 | Chicago Cardinals | Comiskey Park Comiskey Park Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games... |
Win | 21-0 | 5-1-4 |
| Nov. 30 | 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... |
Win | 31-14 | 6-1-4 |
1924 NFL exhibition games
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 21 | 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.... |
Loss | 0-5 |
| Dec. 7 | Cleveland Bulldogs Cleveland Bulldogs The Cleveland Bulldogs was a team that played in Cleveland, Ohio in the National Football League. They were originally called the Indians in 1923, not to be confused with the Cleveland Indians NFL franchise in 1922... |
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 | 23-0 |
| Dec. 13 | Frankford Yellow Jackets Frankford Yellow Jackets The Frankford Yellow Jackets were a professional American football team, part of the National Football League from 1924 to 1931, though its origin dates back to as early as 1899 with the Frankford Athletic Association. The Yellow Jackets won the NFL championship in 1926... |
Frankford Stadium Frankford Stadium Frankford Stadium was a football field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was the home of the Frankford Yellow Jackets football team of the National Football League, which predated the Philadelphia Eagles. The stadium was also known as Yellow Jacket Field.The stadium, located at Frankford Avenue... |
Win | 13-10 |
| Dec. 14 | 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... |
Loss | 6-7 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Bulldogs 1924 Cleveland Bulldogs season The 1924 Cleveland Bulldogs season was their inaugural season in the league. The team finished 7-1-1, the best record in the league, making them 1924 NFL Champions.-Schedule:... |
7 | 1 | 1 | .875 |
| Chicago Bears | 6 | 1 | 4 | .857 |
| Frankford Yellow Jackets 1924 Frankford Yellow Jackets season The 1924 Frankford Yellow Jackets season was their inaugural season in the National Football League. The team finished 11-2-1 in league play and 17-3-1 overall, enough to finish in third in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
11 | 2 | 1 | .846 |
| Duluth Kelleys 1924 Duluth Kelleys season The 1924 Duluth Kelleys season was their second in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 4-3, winning five games. They finished fourth in the league standings.-Schedule:* Games in italics are non-league games-Standings:... |
5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| Rock Island Independents 1924 Rock Island Independents season The 1924 Rock Island Independents season was their fifth in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 2-3-3, winning five games. They finished fifth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
5 | 2 | 2 | .714 |
| Green Bay Packers 1924 Green Bay Packers season The 1924 Green Bay Packers season was their fourth season in the National Football League. The club posted a 7-4 league record under player/coach Curly Lambeau earning them a sixth place finish in the standings.-Schedule:... |
7 | 4 | 0 | .636 |
| Racine Legion 1924 Racine Legion season The 1924 Racine Legion season was their third in the league and last season as the Legion. The team improved on their previous output of 4-4-2, losing only three games. They finished seventh in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
4 | 3 | 3 | .571 |
| Chicago Cardinals 1924 Chicago Cardinals season The 1924 Chicago Cardinals season was their fifth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 8-4, winning only five games. They finished eighth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
5 | 4 | 1 | .556 |
| Buffalo Bisons 1924 Buffalo Bisons (NFL) season The 1924 Buffalo Bisons season was their fifth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 5-4-3, losing five games. They finished ninth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
6 | 5 | 0 | .545 |
| Columbus Tigers 1924 Columbus Tigers season The 1924 Columbus Tigers season was their fifth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 5-4-1, winning only four games. They finished tenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
4 | 4 | 0 | .500 |
| Hammond Pros 1924 Hammond Pros season The 1924 Hammond Pros season was their fifth in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 1-5-1, winning two games. They finished tenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
2 | 2 | 1 | .500 |
| Milwaukee Badgers 1924 Milwaukee Badgers season The 1924 Milwaukee Badgers season was their third in the National Football League. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 7-2-3, winning only five games. They finished twelfth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
5 | 8 | 0 | .385 |
| Akron Pros 1924 Akron Pros season The 1924 Akron Pros season was their fifth in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 1-6, winning two games. They tied for thirteenth place in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
2 | 6 | 0 | .250 |
| Dayton Triangles 1924 Dayton Triangles season The 1924 Dayton Triangles season was their fifth in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 1-6-1. They finished thirteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
2 | 6 | 0 | .250 |
| Kansas City Blues 1924 Kansas City Blues season The 1924 Kansas City Blues season was their inaugural season in the National Football League. The team finished 2-7, and finished fifteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
2 | 7 | 0 | .222 |
| Kenosha Maroons 1924 Kenosha Maroons season The 1924 Kenosha Maroons season was their sole season in the league. The team finished 0-4-1, and tied for sixteenth place in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
0 | 4 | 1 | .000 |
| Minneapolis Marines 1924 Minneapolis Marines season The 1924 Minneapolis Marines season was their fourth in the league and final as the Marines. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 2-5-2, losing six games. They tied for sixteenth place in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
0 | 6 | 0 | .000 |
| Rochester Jeffersons 1924 Rochester Jeffersons season The 1924 Rochester Jeffersons season was their fifth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 0-4, losing seven games. They tied for sixteenth place in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
0 | 7 | 0 | .000 |