Cleveland Bulldogs

The Cleveland Bulldogs were an American football team from Cleveland. The team was established in 1923 under the name of the Cleveland Indians and in 1924 merged with the Canton Bulldogs. At this time both played in the NFL. Therefore, the Cleveland Bulldogs participated until their resettlement to Detroit in 1928, the game operation of the NFL.

History

Samuel German, a jeweler and boxing promoter from Cleveland, who also owned a baseball team, in 1923 bought the rights to an NFL franchise and named the team the Cleveland Indians. They played only seven games in the first season and had a total score of three wins and three draws a chance to win the NFL Championship. But first, they had a play against the also undefeated Canton Bulldogs deny what was lost 46-0. Thus, they were fifth in the NFL at that time comprehensive twenty teams.

Foundation

After German had obtained the rights establishing an NFL franchise in 1923, which he called the Cleveland Indians, he bought in August 1924 the reigning NFL champion, the Canton Bulldogs. The Bulldogs put straight in a financial quagmire and bought the German team without more ado, for $ 2,500. The two teams were merged into one team, the Cleveland Bulldogs. Seven players of the Canton Bulldogs were included in the squad, among them was the player-coach Guy Chamberlin. The team played well in Dunn Field in Cleveland, but returned for the Thanksgiving game in 1924 again returned to Canton.

NFL Championship 1924

The Cleveland Bulldogs were this year with a record of seven wins, one draw and one defeat NFL champion. After six wins in their first six games of the season, the Bulldogs lost to the Frankford Yellow Jackets and attracted so simultaneously with the Chicago Bears, who also were the first to the table now. The Bears had more games, more draws and had lost the first game of the season against the Bulldogs. Despite the poorer balance, the Bears now called for a play, which was to take place after the season. That was in 1924 but the rules of the NFL. In July 1924, the owner of the NFL had the offer agreed that the season starts on September 27 and ends on November 30. This offer came coincidentally by the then co-owner of Dutch Bears Sternaman.

Exclusion from the NFL in 1926

1925 bought several businessmen from Cleveland for $ 3000 the rights to the former team, the Canton Bulldogs, from German. They played during the seasons 1925 and 1926 continue under the name Canton Bulldogs in the NFL. Deutsch's team from Cleveland played yet further under the name Bulldogs. In addition, he sold the Cleveland Indians, half of his team, to Herb Brandt, in August 1925. The following season, the NFL season in 1925, won the Cleveland Bulldogs five times in eight defeats and one draw. But financially it was the Bulldogs very poor and in November of the year the franchise was almost bankrupt. Because of these financial difficulties the team for next season was banished from the game.

Decline

1927 returned the Bulldogs again in the NFL back. The association, whose chairman was still German, has been redeveloped financially by the support of investors and the game operation in the NFL was resumed. The team, the native of Cleveland quarterback Benny Friedman belonged, played an average season. They reached eight wins, four defeats and a draw and was fourth in the NFL. After this halfway satisfactory last season the Bulldogs were sold to Elliott Fisher. The team moved to Detroit and was renamed the Detroit Wolverines. In the following game time, 12 former players the Bulldogs were in the squad. After just one season, the entire squad of the New York Giants was purchased and the franchise of the Wolverines broke up. In the 1928 NFL season played at least eight former players, including Benny Friedman, the Bulldogs for the Giants.

Statistics

Players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

  • Guy Chamberlin
  • Benny Friedman
  • William R. Lyman
  • Steve Owen
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