NFL Football History
In the early 1920’s the American Professional Football Conference was created and as of this moment the history of the NFL began. Some of the teams that first conformed the conference were: Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, and Dayton Triangles. Later on the conference’s name changed to the American Professional Football Association (APFA).
As the years passed several changes were implemented regarding scheduling as well as players belonging to the teams; additionally, other teams like Columbus Panhandles, the Buffalo All-Americans, the Detroit Heralds and Buffalo All-Americans joined the league.
Since the APFA had not been legally recognized; it was not until 1921 that the previous season championship was awarded to Akron as it was the only undefeated team in the Association. Finally, the APFA was recognized and better arranged with its center of operations based in Columbus and a new listing of member of 22. This new implementation gave teams territorial rights, developed membership criteria for the franchises, restricted player movements and issued standings for the first time, in order for the APFA to be able to have a clear champion.
On June 24, 1922 the APFA changed its name to NFL. The National Football League was composed of 18 teams and established a player limit of 16. The NFL proceeded to gain country wide recognition and by the middle of the season more than 36,000 spectators were present at the Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Bears play the Chicago Cardinals. A crowd-record in NFL history at the time.
Some years later, in 1927 the Association’s president made the decision to strengthen the NFL’s future by discarding the financially feeble groups and consolidating the high-quality players to the successful teams. This decision made the team list dropped to 12 teams then in 1928 to 10 teams.
In 1929 the NFL first instituted a fourth official field judge.
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