Decatur Staleys

Decatur Staleys. The team was founded by A.E. Staley in 1913 and was originally a company team for the Staley Manufacturing Company. The Decatur Staleys played in the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the National Football League (NFL), and were one of the founding members of the league, along with teams like the Rock Island Independents, Chicago Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers. The team's home stadium was Staley Field, which was located in Decatur, Illinois, and they were coached by George Halas, who later became a legendary coach and owner of the Chicago Bears.

● History

The Decatur Staleys were founded in 1913 by A.E. Staley as a company team for the Staley Manufacturing Company, which produced starch and other food products. The team played in the Illinois League and the Central Illinois League before joining the American Professional Football Association (APFA) in 1920. The team's early success was due in part to the leadership of George Halas, who was the team's coach and a player, and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman, who was a player and later became a coach. The Decatur Staleys played against other teams in the APFA, including the Chicago Tigers, Cleveland Indians, and Dayton Triangles. In 1920, the team won the APFA Championship with a record of 10-1-2, defeating teams like the Rock Island Independents and Chicago Cardinals.

● Team Profile

The Decatur Staleys were known for their strong team profile, which included a mix of experienced players and young talent. The team's roster included players like George Halas, Edward "Dutch" Sternaman, and Jimmy Conzelman, who were all skilled athletes and leaders on the field. The team's home stadium, Staley Field, was a state-of-the-art facility that hosted games against other teams in the APFA, including the Green Bay Packers and Akron Pros. The Decatur Staleys were also known for their innovative playing style, which included the use of the T-formation and the forward pass. The team's coach, George Halas, was a pioneer in the use of these tactics, and his team's success was due in part to their ability to adapt and innovate on the field, much like other successful teams of the time, such as the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.

● Season Records

The Decatur Staleys played in the American Professional Football Association (APFA) for two seasons, from 1920 to 1921. During this time, the team compiled a record of 18-4-2, including a championship season in 1920. The team's season records were as follows: * 1920: 10-1-2 * 1921: 8-3-0 The team played against other teams in the APFA, including the Chicago Cardinals, Rock Island Independents, and Green Bay Packers. The Decatur Staleys also played against teams from other leagues, such as the New York Giants and Cleveland Bulldogs.

● Notable Players

The Decatur Staleys had several notable players during their time in the American Professional Football Association (APFA). Some of the team's most notable players included George Halas, Edward "Dutch" Sternaman, and Jimmy Conzelman. George Halas was a player and coach for the team, and is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in National Football League (NFL) history, with a career that spanned over 60 years and included stints with the Chicago Bears and New York Giants. Edward "Dutch" Sternaman was a player and coach for the team, and was known for his speed and agility on the field, earning him recognition alongside other greats of the time, such as Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski. Jimmy Conzelman was a player for the team, and was known for his passing ability and leadership on the field, similar to other notable quarterbacks of the era, such as Johnny Unitas and Joe Namath.

● Legacy

The Decatur Staleys have a lasting legacy in the world of American football. The team was one of the founding members of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the National Football League (NFL). The team's success on the field, including their APFA Championship in 1920, helped to establish the league as a major force in American sports, alongside other prominent leagues, such as the Major League Baseball and National Basketball Association. The team's innovative playing style, which included the use of the T-formation and the forward pass, also helped to shape the game of football as we know it today, influencing teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. The Decatur Staleys' legacy can still be seen in the Chicago Bears, who were founded by George Halas and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman in 1921, and have since become one of the most successful teams in the National Football League, with a history that includes notable players like Walter Payton and Mike Ditka. Category:American football teams