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In what city did the Washington Redskins originally play?

Boston. After the dissolution of the Newark Tornadoes in 1930, the NFL sold the remnants of that franchise to a group headed by laundry tycoon George Preston Marshall. Marshall and his partners established their new franchise in Boston and nicknamed the team the Braves. A year later the team changed its name to the Redskins, and after the 1936 season the franchise relocated to Washington D.C. Because of the two-year gap in ownership, the NFL does not recognize the Newark Tornadoes as part of the Redskins lineage.

Which Illinois town did the Chicago Bears originally call home?

Decatur. Founded in 1919 as a charter member of the National Football League, the Chicago Bears played two seasons as the Decatur Staleys before moving to Chicago in 1921.

When the Rams franchise won its first NFL championship, what city were they playing in?

Cleveland. Led by rookie quarterback Bob Waterfield, The Cleveland Rams won the 1945 NFL Championship in their final season before moving to Los Angeles.

How many NFL championships did the Detroit Lions win while playing in Portsmouth, Ohio?

0. Prior to the Super Bowl era, the Detroit Lions were one of the NFL's most decorated franchises, having won four league titles. All four championships were won after the team left Porstmouth, Ohio in 1934, where the team was known as the Spartans.

Prior to becoming a charter member of the National Football League in 1920 (when the NFL was known as the American Professional Football Association), what was the name of the Cardinals franchise?

The Racine Cardinals. The Cardinals began as an independent football club in 1898. The team was known as the Morgan Athletic Club, and later changed its name to the Racine Normals after moving into Normal Park on Racine Avenue in Chicago. In 1901, the team adopted the Cardinals nickname after owner Chris O'Brien purchased maroon uniforms from the nearby University of Chicago. The used uniforms had supposedly faded, causing O'Brien to quip, "These uniforms aren't maroon, they're cardinal red!" The Racine Cardinals twice suspended operations before joining the American Professional Football Association in 1920. In 1921 the APFA became the APFL, then again changed its name in 1922 to the National Football League.

The Philadelphia Eagles began their existence as a replacement for which bankrupt NFL franchise?

The Frankford Yellow Jackets. In the early years of the NFL, the league made an effort to insure its growth by 'replacing' dead franchises. In 1931 the Frankford (PA) Yellow Jackets failed to finish the season due to financial woes attributed mostly to the Great Depression. In 1933, a syndicate headed by future NFL commisioner and draft innovator Bert Bell paid money for the rights to the franchise, putting the NFL back in the Philadelphia market. Bell and his partner Lud Wray chose the 'Eagles' nickname as a public relations move following the implementation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 'New Deal' and its promise to help guide the United States out of the Depression.

After being founded in 1925 by Tim Mara, who did the New York Giants play in their first game?

All New Britain. During the NFL's infancy, it was a common practice among many franchises to schedule games outside the league. In 1925 The New York Football Giants (the franshise's legal name) debuted against the All New Britain (Conn) football club, winning the contest 26-0 in a game attended by 10,000 fans. The Giants' first season was almost its last. The nation's sports climate at the time was dominated by boxing, baseball, college football and horse racing. Professional football teams often suffered grave financial losses, and the Giants were no exception. The franchise was 'rescued' by Chicago Bears legend Harold 'Red' Grange when the Giants hosted the Bears in their eleventh game. Attended by over 73,000 people who came out to see the Galloping Ghost in person, revenue from that game helped reverse the team's fortunes.

How many years were the original Cleveland Browns in the NFL before winning the league championship?

One. Originally a member of the All America Football Conference from 1946-1949, the Cleveland Browns won all four AAFC titles, an accomplishment many believe helped destroy the league. The Browns, along with the San Francisco 49ers and the original Baltimore Colts (not the franchise that moved to Indianapolis), joined the NFL for the 1950 season. The Browns continued their championship streak that year by defeating the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL title.

Who was Earl 'Curly' Lambeau's partner when he co-founded the Green Bay Packers football club in 1919?

George Whitney Calhoun. The Green Bay Packers joined the NFL in 1921, two years after the club was founded by Curly Lambeau and Green Bay newspaper editor George Whitney Calhoun. The team took its name from the Indian Packing Company, Lambeau's employer at the time. Lambeau solicited uniform money from IPC in exchange for the naming and sponsorship rights, one of the earliest known instances of corporate naming rights in professional football.

Art Rooney founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933. During the 1940s, to whom did he briefly sell the team?

Alexis Thompson. After winning big at the horse track betting on longshots, Art Rooney brought the NFL to the city of Pittsburgh. Originally nicknamed the Pirates, the Steelers experienced various financal setbacks and wartime player shortages during the club's early years, and on two occasions had to merge wih another franchise in order to field a team. Prior to the 1941 NFL season, Rooney sold the Steelers to businessman Alexis Thompson. Rooney then purchased fifty percent of the Philadelphia Eagles from Bert Bell. Shortly after, Rooney and Bell swapped franchises with Thompson. Rooney again became Steelers owner, although he now shared the franchise with Bell. In 1946 Rooney assumed controlling interest of the team after Bell became NFL commisioner.

Formed in 1960, the Dallas Cowboys were originally owned by Clint Murchison Jr. and Bedford Wynne. However, Murchison and Wynne were not the first to attempt to bring pro football to the city. What football pioneer was rejected by the NFL when he tried to put a team in Dallas?

Lamar Hunt. Lamar Hunt, the man credited with naming the Super Bowl, formed the Dallas Texans of the American Football League in 1959 after the NFL refused to put a franchise in Dallas. Hunt soon had competition as the NFL changed its mind and awarded Murchison and Wynne a franchise. The pair eventually drove Hunt out of town, and the Dallas Texans became the Kansas City Chiefs.

Prior to the Minnesota Vikings, what were the names of the two pro football teams that played in Minneapolis?

The Minneapolis Marines / The Minneapolis Red Jackets. The football team known as the Minneapolis Marines existed for several years as an independent club before joining the NFL in 1921. They played four losing seasons before dropping out, and by 1929 the Marines were history. That same year, team owners John Dunn and Ossie Solem tried again to field a competitive pro franshise when they formed the Minneapolis Red Jackets. At the end of the 1930 NFL season the Red Jackets were disbanded.

What stadium did the San Francisco 49ers call home when the team began play in 1946?

Kezar Stadium. Before moving to Candlestick Park in 1970, the 49ers played their home games in nearby Kezar Stadium. After the 49ers left, the stadium became a popular concert site due to its proximity to the Haight-Ashbury district. The stadium was also featured in the 1971 Clint Eastwood film "Dirty Harry".

The Indianapolis Colts began in Baltimore in 1953. The Colts came into existence after the NFL awarded businessman Carroll Rosenbloom the remains of which franchise?

The Dallas Texans. Baltimore lost its original NFL team (also known as the Colts) after the 1950 season. Three years later, a group headed by uniform salesman Carroll Rosenbloom was interested in brining a team back to the city. They were given the remains of the Dallas Texans (not to be confused with Lamar Hunt's AFL Dallas Texans), a team that began in 1944 as the Boston Yanks and later became the New York Bulldogs and the New York Yanks. In 1972 Rosenbloom swapped franchises with Los Angeles Rams owner Robert Irsay. After the 1983 season Irsay packed up the team and relocated to Indianapolis.

Who was the fist player ever drafted by the Atlanta Falcons?

LB Tommy Nobis. After being founded in 1926 by insurance mogul Rankin M. Smith Sr., the Atlanta Falcons made University of Texas LB Tommy Nobis the first pick of the 1966 NFL Draft. Nobis was named Rookie of the Year and was later selected to five Pro Bowls in his eleven seasons with the team. Many sports writers have referred to Nobis as one of the best linebackers ever to play the game, but he remains overlooked when compared to the NFL's all-time greats. Nobis's best years occured while legendary Chicago Bears middle linebacker Dick Butkus was also in the league. Playing for the Falcons didn't help him either. In a cruel twist of irony, the Falcons defense set what was then the NFL record for fewest total points allowed in a single season the year after Nobis retired.