Boston Bulldogs (AFL)
Encyclopedia
The Boston Bulldogs were a professional American football
team that competed in the first American Football League in 1926
. Owned by Robert McKirby, the Bulldogs lasted only six games into the AFL season, playing one home game in Braves Field
and one in Fenway Park
. Coached by player-coach
Herb Treat
, the majority of the team played their college football in New England
, Pennsylvania
, and New York. The offense led by Joe McGlone (who started the season playing for the Providence Steam Roller
) was inconsistent, scoring a total of 20 points in its existence… 17 of which were tallied in one game (a 17-0 victory over the Brooklyn Horsemen
on October 17, 1926). Erwin Gehrke
and Carl Etelman shared the kicking duties. Bill Cronin
, a tailback
, scored the team’s only offensive touchdown (the other TD was scored on a fumble
recovery by Charlie Morrison).
While Robert McKirby was the owner of the team, it was subsidized by league founders C. C. Pyle
and Red Grange
(who owned the New York Yankees
, the Los Angeles Wildcats
, and a portion of the Chicago Bulls
). While the team’s first home game (a 13-0 loss to the Yankees at Fenway Park, October 9, 1926) drew 12,000 fans, only 2000 fans attended the team’s next game (a 21-0 demolition by the Wildcats at Braves Field). The Bulldogs were not a draw on the road, having drawn no more than 4000 people to any game away from Boston. Despite the financial support by C. C. Pyle, the team was in such financial straits that it became the fourth AFL team to leave the league (November 14, 1926 – after Newark
, Cleveland
, and Brooklyn
).
With the departure of the Rock Island Independents
the following week, the fate of the first American Football League was sealed. Its last official game (the Yankees vs. the Bulls at Comiskey Park
) was played on December 12, 1926. The AFL was no more.
in late November and finished their NFL careers the next month.
On the other hand, a few members of the 1926 Boston Bulldogs continued their pro football careers by signing contracts with National Football League teams:
Bill Cronin – 1927-29 Providence Steam Roller
Bull Lowe
– 1927 Providence Steam Roller
Al Pierotti
– 1927 Providence Steam Roller, 1929 Boston Bulldogs
(NFL)
In 1929, there was a new Boston Bulldogs franchise in the National Football League. Unrelated to the AFL team, it was the relocated Pottsville Maroons
franchise. It, too, lasted only one season in Boston before calling it quits.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team that competed in the first American Football League in 1926
1926 American Football League season
The 1926 American Football League season is the only season of the existence of the first American Football League. It started with nine teams, with the initial game of the season being played in front of 22,000 fans in Cleveland, Ohio, but by the end of the season , only four teams were still in...
. Owned by Robert McKirby, the Bulldogs lasted only six games into the AFL season, playing one home game in Braves Field
Braves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
and one in Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
. Coached by player-coach
Player-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
Herb Treat
Herb Treat
Charles Herbert "Herb" Treat was an American football player who played for Princeton University and was unanimously selected as an All-American at the tackle position in 1922. He was also the player-coach of the first professional football team in Boston, the Boston Bulldogs of 1926...
, the majority of the team played their college football in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and New York. The offense led by Joe McGlone (who started the season playing for 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...
) was inconsistent, scoring a total of 20 points in its existence… 17 of which were tallied in one game (a 17-0 victory over the Brooklyn Horsemen
Brooklyn Horsemen
The Brooklyn Horsemen was a professional football team that competed in the American Football League during the 1926 season.On November 12, 1926, the team withdrew from the AFL and merged with Brooklyn Lions of the National Football League. The new team created by the merger was initially called...
on October 17, 1926). Erwin Gehrke
Erwin Gehrke
Erwin L. Gehrke was a professional football fullback, halfback, and quarterback in the first American Football League. In his one season career he played for the Boston Bulldogs in 1926....
and Carl Etelman shared the kicking duties. Bill Cronin
Bill Cronin
William Patrick Cronin was a catcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Boston Braves.-External links:...
, a tailback
Tailback
Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
, scored the team’s only offensive touchdown (the other TD was scored on a fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recovery by Charlie Morrison).
While Robert McKirby was the owner of the team, it was subsidized by league founders C. C. Pyle
C. C. Pyle
Charles C. "C. C." Pyle , often called Cash and Carry Pyle, was a Champaign, Illinois theater owner and sports agent who represented American football star Red Grange and French tennis player Suzanne Lenglen...
and Red Grange
Red Grange
Harold 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...
(who owned the New York Yankees
New York Yankees (NFL)
The New York Yankees were a short-lived professional American football team from 1926 to 1928. The team was a member of the first American Football League in 1926, and later the National Football League from 1927-1928. They played their home games at Yankee Stadium...
, the Los Angeles Wildcats
Los Angeles Wildcats
The Los Angeles Wildcats was a traveling team of the first American Football League that was not based in its nominal home city but in Chicago, Illinois...
, and a portion of the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls (AFL)
The Chicago Bulls were a professional American football team that competed in the first American Football League in 1926. Owned by Joey Sternaman , the Bulls also had AFL founders C. C. Pyle and Red Grange as shareholders...
). While the team’s first home game (a 13-0 loss to the Yankees at Fenway Park, October 9, 1926) drew 12,000 fans, only 2000 fans attended the team’s next game (a 21-0 demolition by the Wildcats at Braves Field). The Bulldogs were not a draw on the road, having drawn no more than 4000 people to any game away from Boston. Despite the financial support by C. C. Pyle, the team was in such financial straits that it became the fourth AFL team to leave the league (November 14, 1926 – after Newark
Newark Bears (AFL)
The Newark Bears were a professional American football team that competed in the first American Football League in 1926. Owned by the New Jersey Athletic Association , the Bears played their home games in Davids' Stadium...
, Cleveland
Cleveland Panthers
The Cleveland Panthers were a professional American football team that competed in the first American Football League in 1926. Owned by General C. X. Zimmerman , the Panthers played their home games in Luna Bowl in Luna Park...
, and Brooklyn
Brooklyn Horsemen
The Brooklyn Horsemen was a professional football team that competed in the American Football League during the 1926 season.On November 12, 1926, the team withdrew from the AFL and merged with Brooklyn Lions of the National Football League. The new team created by the merger was initially called...
).
With the departure of the 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...
the following week, the fate of the first American Football League was sealed. Its last official game (the Yankees vs. the Bulls at 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...
) was played on December 12, 1926. The AFL was no more.
| Year | W | L | T | Finish | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6th | Herb Treat Herb Treat Charles Herbert "Herb" Treat was an American football player who played for Princeton University and was unanimously selected as an All-American at the tackle position in 1922. He was also the player-coach of the first professional football team in Boston, the Boston Bulldogs of 1926... |
After the first AFL
Immediately after the sudden departure of the Bulldogs from the AFL, two of the team’s members managed to join other rosters in either the NFL or the AFL. Carl Etelman and Vern Hagenbuckle both joined the Providence Steam RollerProvidence 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...
in late November and finished their NFL careers the next month.
On the other hand, a few members of the 1926 Boston Bulldogs continued their pro football careers by signing contracts with National Football League teams:
Bill Cronin – 1927-29 Providence Steam Roller
Bull Lowe
Bull Lowe
Bull Lowe was an American football running back. He played five seasons for the Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Providence Steam Roller, and Frankford Yellow Jackets of the National Football League and the Boston Bulldogs of the first American Football League....
– 1927 Providence Steam Roller
Al Pierotti
Al Pierotti
Pierotti began his professional baseball career with the minor league Providence Grays of the Eastern League. The following season, he joined the Boston Braves in August, appearing in six games. He pitched in two games the following year before returning to the Eastern League with the Pittsfield...
– 1927 Providence Steam Roller, 1929 Boston Bulldogs
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...
(NFL)
In 1929, there was a new Boston Bulldogs franchise in the National Football League. Unrelated to the AFL team, it was the relocated 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...
franchise. It, too, lasted only one season in Boston before calling it quits.