Who Were the Original NFL Football Teams?

By Sarah Miller · June 23, 2035

The original NFL football teams were the ten franchises that participated in the inaugural season of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the National Football League (NFL) in 1922. These founding teams included the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Tigers, Dayton Triangles, Decatur Staleys (later Chicago Bears), Hammond Pros, Massillon Tigers, Muncie Flyers, Rochester Jeffersons, and the Rock Island Independents.

History of the Original NFL Teams

In 1920, a group of team owners gathered in Canton, Ohio, to form the American Professional Football Association (APFA), marking the beginning of what would become the most popular professional sports league in the United States. The APFA was created to bring structure and legitimacy to professional football, which had previously been played in loosely organized regional leagues.

Formation of the APFA

The meeting in Canton brought together representatives from independent football clubs seeking stability, standardized rules, and fair competition. Jim Thorpe, one of the greatest athletes of his time, was elected as the league's first president. Although the organization was national in scope, most of the original teams were based in the Midwest, reflecting where semi-professional football was most established at the time.

The league was founded on September 17, 1920.
It initially consisted of 10 teams from four states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and New York.
The name changed to the National Football League in 1922.
Many early teams were named after their parent industries or local businesses.

Profiles of the Founding NFL Teams

Each of the original teams contributed to the foundation of professional football, though only one of them—the Chicago Bears—still exists under continuous franchise lineage today.

Akron Pros

Based in Akron, Ohio, the Pros went undefeated in the 1920 season and were awarded the first championship. They were known for strong defensive play and innovative coaching strategies for the era.

Canton Bulldogs

One of the most dominant early teams, the Bulldogs won championships in 1922 and 1923. Led by player-coach Guy Chamberlin, they helped elevate the league’s credibility through consistent performance.

Decatur Staleys / Chicago Bears

Founded by George Halas, the Decatur Staleys moved to Chicago in 1921 and were renamed the Bears in 1922. This franchise is the only original team still active today, making it one of the oldest continuously operating professional football teams in the U.S.

Dayton Triangles

From Dayton, Ohio, the Triangles played a key role in early league operations. They hosted the first official NFL game against the Columbus Panhandles on October 3, 1920.

Other Original Teams

The remaining teams—Cleveland Tigers, Hammond Pros, Massillon Tigers, Muncie Flyers, Rochester Jeffersons, and Rock Island Independents—struggled with financial instability and folded within a few years due to limited revenue, travel costs, and lack of media exposure.

Team	City	State	Active Years (NFL)	Final Status	Notable Achievement
Akron Pros	Akron	Ohio	1920–1926	Folded	1920 APFA Champions
Canton Bulldogs	Canton	Ohio	1920–1923, 1925–1926	Folded	1922, 1923 NFL Champions
Cleveland Tigers	Cleveland	Ohio	1920–1921	Merged into Cleveland Indians (1923)	First New York-based opponent
Dayton Triangles	Dayton	Ohio	1920–1929	Moved, became Brooklyn Dodgers	Hosted first NFL game
Decatur Staleys / Chicago Bears	Decatur → Chicago	Illinois	1920–Present	Active (renamed 1922)	Only surviving original team
Hammond Pros	Hammond	Indiana	1920–1926	Folded	Pioneered Midwestern industrial city presence
Massillon Tigers	Massillon	Ohio	Never joined APFA despite invitation	Did not participate	Influential pre-NFL team
Muncie Flyers	Muncie	Indiana	1920–1921	Folded	One of shortest-tenured teams
Rochester Jeffersons	Rochester	New York	1920–1925	Folded	Represented East Coast early on
Rock Island Independents	Rock Island	Illinois	1920–1925	Folded	Played early rivalry games with Bears

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights that nine of the ten original teams disbanded or merged within a decade, underscoring the financial and logistical challenges of early professional football. Only the Decatur Staleys, now the Chicago Bears, survived due to strong leadership and relocation to a major market. The absence of modern revenue streams like television contracts made sustainability difficult for small-city teams.

Legacy and Evolution of the NFL

The original teams laid the groundwork for a league that would grow into a cultural and economic powerhouse. While most early franchises disappeared, their contributions shaped league policies, competitive balance, and fan engagement models. The NFL adopted formal standings, standardized schedules, and eventually introduced divisions and playoffs.

The Green Bay Packers, founded in 1919 and joining in 1921, are often mistaken as an original team but were not present at the 1920 meeting.
The league expanded rapidly in the 1930s, shifting from small towns to large cities.
Franchise stability improved after the introduction of gate-sharing and national broadcasting deals.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Original NFL Teams

Which of the original NFL teams still exist today?

The Chicago Bears, originally the Decatur Staleys, are the only founding team from 1920 that still exists under continuous franchise ownership. While the Arizona Cardinals (founded 1898) are older, they were not one of the charter members of the APFA in 1920.

Why did most original NFL teams fold?

Most original teams folded due to financial instability, limited fan bases, lack of media coverage, and high travel costs. Without national TV revenue or structured revenue sharing, small-market teams struggled to compete and survive.

What was the first game in NFL history?

The first official NFL game was played on October 3, 1920, between the Dayton Triangles and the Columbus Panhandles at Triangle Park in Dayton, Ohio. The Triangles won 14–0.

Who were the champions of the first NFL season?

The Akron Pros were declared champions of the 1920 APFA season after finishing with an 8–0–3 record. They were awarded the Brunswick-Balke Cup, the league’s first championship trophy.

Were there any notable players on the original NFL teams?

Yes, legendary athlete Jim Thorpe played for and managed the Canton Bulldogs. Other early stars included Joe Guyon and Pete Henry, who helped establish the credibility of professional football during its formative years.