1932 NFL season
The 1932 NFL season marked the thirteenth regular year of the National Football League. It was a year defined by a sharp reduction in franchise numbers to just eight teams. This count represented the fewest memberships in league history up to that point. The Boston Braves joined the roster for this specific season, while three other clubs departed entirely. The Providence Steam Roller, Cleveland Indians, and Frankford Yellow Jackets all left the competition. Their exits left the league with only half its previous size. Eight franchises remained to play through the schedule. Each team operated under a distinct head coach and home stadium. Lud Wray led the Boston Braves at Braves Field. Benny Friedman managed the Brooklyn Dodgers inside Ebbets Field. Ralph Jones coached the Chicago Bears at Wrigley Field. Jack Chevigny directed the Chicago Cardinals from Comiskey Park. Curly Lambeau guided the Green Bay Packers at City Stadium. Steve Owen ran the New York Giants out of Polo Grounds. George Clark oversaw the Portsmouth Spartans at Universal Stadium. Harold Hansen commanded the Staten Island Stapletons at Thompson Stadium. These eight groups formed the entire landscape of professional football for 1932.
Green Bay Packers started the season unbeaten after nine games with an 8, 0, 1 record. Their standing stood at 10, 1, 1 following Thanksgiving weekend. That .909 win percentage placed them well ahead of Portsmouth at 5, 1, 4 and Chicago at 4, 1, 6. Week Twelve brought dramatic shifts on December 4. The Spartans defeated the Packers 19, 0 in a stunning upset. Meanwhile, the Bears beat the Giants 6, 0. Portsmouth moved into first place with a 6, 1, 4 record. The Packers fell to 10, 2, 1 while the Bears sat at 5, 1, 6. Both teams tied for second at .833. Week Thirteen saw the Bears host the Packers inside Wrigley Field. A Green Bay victory would have secured second place for them with an 11, 2, 1 record. It also would have handed Portsmouth their first ever title. Instead, the Bears won 9, 0. This result pushed the Bears to 6, 1, 6. They finished tied for first with Portsmouth at .857. Despite the December 18 game being called a playoff, it counted toward regular standings. The Bears finished 7, 1, 6 and claimed the 1932 title. The Packers ended as runners-up while the Spartans took third at 6, 2, 4.
Extreme cold weather forced the league to move the championship decision indoors. The original venue was Wrigley Field but conditions made play impossible there. Officials relocated the match to the indoor Chicago Stadium. This event became the first-ever NFL championship playoff game in history. The makeshift football field within the stadium measured only 80 yards long. Endzones were undersized compared to standard dimensions. Players had to adapt to these tight constraints immediately. The goal posts could not fit at the back of the end zone due to lack of space. Officials moved them directly to the goal line instead. This change favored both players and fans present that day. The Bears defeated the Spartans 9, 0 in this scoreless contest until the fourth quarter. Since the playoff game counted in final standings, the Spartans finished third behind Green Bay. The game remains unique as the only time an NFL title was decided inside a building during winter.
The cramped dimensions of the Chicago Stadium dictated immediate rule adjustments for the playoff. Standard placement of goal posts required space unavailable in the indoor arena. Officials placed the uprights on the goal line rather than behind the end zone. This modification allowed play to continue without structural changes to the building. Players accepted the new arrangement quickly despite its unusual nature. The league adopted this specific rule change permanently starting in 1933. It remained in effect through the 1973 season before moving back to the back of the end zone. The decision demonstrated how physical limitations can reshape official regulations. No other stadium forced such a drastic alteration during regular play. The move highlighted the flexibility needed when weather disrupted normal operations. Fans witnessed history unfold under artificial lighting and confined walls.
Official statistics tracking began with the 1932 season for the first time ever. Pete Palmer edited the ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia which documented these early records. Certain modern staples like interceptions or punting averages were not maintained then. Kickoff return yardage and field goal percentage also lacked formal recording. Arnie Flash Heber led all passers with 639 yards for Green Bay. Walt Holmer followed with 449 yards for the Bears. Jack McBride threw for 363 yards as a Giant. Cliff Battles rushed for 606 yards leading Boston Braves runners. Bronco Nagurski gained 573 yards for Chicago. Bob Campiglio added 524 yards for Staten Island Stapletons. Ray Flaherty caught passes totaling 350 yards for New York Giants. Luke Johnsos recorded 321 yards for the Bears. Harry Ebding finished third in receiving with 171 yards for Portsmouth. Red Grange scored seven touchdowns for Chicago. Dutch Clark netted six scores for Portsmouth. Jack Grossman and Ray Flaherty each tallied five touchdowns.
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Common questions
Which teams played in the 1932 NFL season?
The 1932 NFL season featured eight franchises including the Boston Braves, Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Portsmouth Spartans, and Staten Island Stapletons. Three clubs departed entirely from the league that year leaving only half its previous size.
Who won the 1932 NFL championship game?
The Chicago Bears claimed the 1932 title by defeating the Portsmouth Spartans 9 to 0 in a playoff game held on December 4. The Bears finished with a 7, 1, 6 record while the Packers ended as runners-up and the Spartans took third place at 6, 2, 4.
Where was the 1932 NFL championship game played due to weather conditions?
Extreme cold forced officials to move the championship decision indoors to the Chicago Stadium after Wrigley Field became unplayable. This event marked the first-ever NFL championship playoff game in history and occurred inside a building during winter.
What rule change originated from the 1932 NFL playoff game dimensions?
Officials placed goal posts directly on the goal line instead of behind the end zone because the indoor stadium lacked space for standard placement. The league adopted this specific rule change permanently starting in 1933 and it remained in effect through the 1973 season before moving back to the back of the end zone.
Which player led all passers in the 1932 NFL season statistics?
Arnie Flash Heber led all passers with 639 yards for Green Bay during the 1932 NFL season. Walt Holmer followed with 449 yards for the Bears and Jack McBride threw for 363 yards as a Giant.