1926 Chicago Bears season
Encyclopedia
Season Overview
The 19261926 NFL season
The 1926 NFL season was the 7th regular season of the National Football League. The league grew to 22 teams, a figure that would not be equaled in professional football until 1961, adding the Brooklyn Lions, the Hartford Blues, the Los Angeles Buccaneers, and the Louisville Colonels, with Racine...
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 seventh 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 12-1-3 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, their fifth showing in that place in the last seven years. This year's Bears may have been the most talented to date, with most of their veterans still playing well and the addition of talented veteran Paddy Driscoll
Paddy Driscoll
John Leo "Paddy" Driscoll was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team...
and hard-running rookie William Senn
Bill Senn
William Franklin Senn was a professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Chicago Bears, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the Cincinnati Reds/St. Louis Gunners....
. The Bears opened their season with 13 undefeated games (11 wins and 2 ties). Since ties didn't count in the standings at that time, the Bears were in first place since their main competition, the 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...
, had lost an earlier game to the Providence Steam Roller
Providence Steam Roller
The Providence Steam Roller was a professional American football team based in Providence, Rhode Island in the National Football League from 1925 to 1931. Providence was the first New England team to win an NFL championship...
. The showdown came on December 4 at Frankford. Neither team scored for the first three quarters of this game; the tie was broken when Senn burst through the Frankford line for a 62 yard touchdown run. Driscoll missed the PAT, leaving Frankford a chance. Frankford proceeded to complete two long passes, the second for a score. Their kicker, Ernest Hamer, made the point after and Frankford won the game. Due to more victories, Frankford was the champion. The Bears were second yet again.
Driscoll was easily Chicago's best player in 1926, scoring 5 TDs, kicking 11 field goals, and converting 14 PATs. Senn scored 7 rushing touchdowns and Frank Hanny
Frank Hanny
Frank Matthew "Duke" Hanny was an American football end who played eight seasons in the National Football League....
had 4 touchdown catches to lead the Bears.
Future Hall of Fame Players
- Paddy DriscollPaddy DriscollJohn Leo "Paddy" Driscoll was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team...
, Back (from Cardinals) - 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 - Link Lyman, Tackle (from Frankford)
- 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
- William Senn, Back (rookie from Knox College)
- 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
Players Departed from 1925
- Hunk Anderson, Guard (retired)
- Red GrangeRed GrangeHarold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
, Back (to New York Yankees of new American Football League)
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 19 | 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... |
Athletic Park Borchert Field Borchert Field was a baseball park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was the home field for several professional baseball clubs for most of the years from 1888 through 1952.... |
Win | 10-7 | 1-0-0 |
| Sep. 26 | 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... |
City Stadium City Stadium (Green Bay) City Stadium is a football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It served as home of the Green Bay Packers of the NFL from 1925 to 1956. It remains the home of the Green Bay East High School football team... |
Tie | 6-6 | 1-0-1 |
| Oct. 3 | Detroit Panthers | Navin Field | Win | 10-7 | 2-0-1 |
| Oct. 10 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
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 | 7-0 | 3-0-1 |
| Oct. 17 | 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 | 16-0 | 4-0-1 |
| Oct. 24 | Duluth Eskimos | 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 | 24-6 | 5-0-1 |
| Oct. 31 | 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 | 17-0 | 6-0-1 |
| Nov. 7 | Louisville Colonels | 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 | 34-0 | 7-0-1 |
| Nov. 11 | Chicago Cardinals | Soldier Field Soldier Field Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears... |
Win | 10-0 | 8-0-1 |
| Nov. 14 | 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 | 10-7 | 9-0-1 |
| Nov. 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... |
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 | 19-13 | 10-0-1 |
| Nov. 25 | 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... |
Tie | 0-0 | 10-0-2 |
| Nov. 28 | 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... |
Win | 35-0 | 11-0-2 |
| Dec. 4 | 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... |
Shibe Park | Loss | 6-7 | 11-1-2 |
| Dec. 12 | Pottsville Maroons Pottsville Maroons The Pottsville Maroons were an American football team based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1920, they went on to play in the National Football League for four seasons, from 1925–1928... |
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 | 9-7 | 12-1-2 |
| Dec. 19 | 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... |
Soldier Field Soldier Field Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears... |
Tie | 3-3 | 12-1-3 |
Standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning PercentageNote: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972
| NFL | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| Frankford Yellow Jackets 1926 Frankford Yellow Jackets season The 1926 Frankford Yellow Jackets season was their third in the National Football League. The team improved on their previous output of 10-4, winning fourteen games. By virtue of their league-best record of 14-1-2, they were crowned the 1926 NFL Champions.... |
14 | 1 | 2 | .933 | 236 | 49 | W-6 |
| Chicago Bears | 12 | 1 | 3 | .923 | 216 | 63 | L-1 |
| Pottsville Maroons 1926 Pottsville Maroons season The 1926 Pottsville Maroons season was their second in the National Football League. The team matched their previous league record of 10-2, They finished third in the league standings.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
10 | 2 | 2 | .833 | 155 | 29 | T-1 |
| Kansas City Cowboys 1926 Kansas City Cowboys season The 1926 Kansas City Cowboys season was their third and final season in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 2-5-1, winning eight games. They finished fourth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
8 | 3 | 0 | .727 | 76 | 53 | W-7 |
| Green Bay Packers 1926 Green Bay Packers season The 1926 Green Bay Packers season was their sixth season in the National Football League. The club posted a 7-3-3 record under player/coach Curly Lambeau earning them a fifth place finish... |
7 | 3 | 3 | .700 | 151 | 61 | T-1 |
| New York Giants 1926 New York Giants season The 1926 New York Giants season was the second season for the club in the National Football League. They ended with an 8-4-1 regular season record and had one postseason appearance against the AFL Philadelphia Quakers, which the Giants won 31-0.-Schedule:... |
8 | 4 | 1 | .667 | 151 | 61 | W-3 |
| Los Angeles Buccaneers 1926 Los Angeles Buccaneers season The 1926 Los Angeles Buccaneers season was their only season in the league. The team finished 6-3-1, tying for sixth place in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
6 | 3 | 1 | .667 | 67 | 57 | L-1 |
| Duluth Eskimos 1926 Duluth Eskimos season The 1926 Duluth Eskimos season was their fourth in the league and first season as the Eskimos. The team improved on their previous output of 0-3, winning six games. They finished eighth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
6 | 5 | 3 | .545 | 113 | 81 | L-1 |
| Buffalo Rangers 1926 Buffalo Rangers season The 1926 Buffalo Rangers season was their seventh in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 1-6-2, winning four games. They finished ninth in the league.-Background:... |
4 | 4 | 2 | .500 | 53 | 62 | T-1 |
| Chicago Cardinals 1926 Chicago Cardinals season The 1926 Chicago Cardinals season was their seventh in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 11-2-1, winning only five games. They finished tenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
5 | 6 | 1 | .455 | 74 | 98 | L-1 |
| Providence Steam Roller 1926 Providence Steam Roller season The 1926 Providence Steam Roller season was their second in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous season's output of 6-5-1, winning only five games. They finished eleventh in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
5 | 7 | 1 | .417 | 89 | 103 | L-1 |
| Detroit Panthers 1926 Detroit Panthers season The 1926 Detroit Panthers season was their fourth in the league and final season as the Panthers. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 8-2-2, winning only four games. They finished twelfth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
4 | 6 | 2 | .400 | 107 | 60 | L-3 |
| Hartford Blues 1926 Hartford Blues season The 1926 Hartford Blues season was their only season in the league. The team finished 3-7, finishing thirteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
3 | 7 | 0 | .300 | 57 | 99 | L-1 |
| Brooklyn Lions 1926 Brooklyn Lions season The 1926 Brooklyn Lions season was their first and only season in the league. The team finished 3-8, finished fourteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
3 | 8 | 0 | .273 | 60 | 150 | L-3 |
| Milwaukee Badgers 1926 Milwaukee Badgers season The 1926 Milwaukee Badgers season was their fifth and final season in the National Football League. The team improved on their previous output of 0-6, winning two games. They finished fifteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
2 | 7 | 0 | .222 | 41 | 66 | L-5 |
| Dayton Triangles 1926 Dayton Triangles season The 1926 Dayton Triangles season was their seventh in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 0-7, winning one game. They tied for sixteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
1 | 4 | 1 | .200 | 15 | 82 | L-2 |
| Akron Indians 1926 Akron Indians season The 1926 Akron Indians season was their seventh and final season in the league and only season as the Indians. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 4-2-2, winning only four games. They tied for sixteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:... |
1 | 4 | 3 | .200 | 23 | 89 | T-1 |
| Racine Tornadoes 1926 Racine Tornadoes season The 1926 Racine Tornadoes season was their fourth and final season in the league and only season as the Tornadoes. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 4-3-3, winning only one game. They tied for sixteenth place in the league.-Schedule:... |
1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 8 | 92 | T-4 |
| Columbus Tigers 1926 Columbus Tigers season The 1926 Columbus Tigers season was their seventh and final season in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 0-9, winning one game. They finished nineteenth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 26 | 93 | L-5 |
| Canton Bulldogs 1926 Canton Bulldogs season The 1926 Canton Bulldogs season was their sixth and final season in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 4-4, winning only one game. They finished twentieth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
1 | 9 | 3 | .100 | 46 | 161 | L-1 |
| Hammond Pros 1926 Hammond Pros season The 1926 Hammond Pros season was their seventh and final season in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 1-4, losing all their games. They finished twenty-first in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 3 | 56 | L-4 |
| Louisville Colonels 1926 Louisville Colonels season The 1926 Louisville Colonels season was their fourth and final season in the National Football League and only season as the Colonels. The team failed to improve on their previous output of 0-3, losing four games. They tied for twenty-first in the league.... |
0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 108 | L-4 |