1937 NFL season
The 1937 NFL season marked the entry of the Cleveland Rams as an expansion team. This move added a new franchise to the league's roster for its 18th regular season. Meanwhile, the Redskins relocated from Boston to Washington, D.C. The team moved their home games from Fenway Park in Boston to Griffith Stadium in Washington. The Cleveland Rams split their home games between Cleveland Municipal Stadium and League Park. These shifts signaled a growing geographic footprint for professional football during this era.
The 1937 NFL draft took place on the 12th of December 1936, at New York City's Hotel Lincoln. With the first pick, the Philadelphia Eagles selected running back Sam Francis from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. This selection process determined the early rosters for teams entering the upcoming season. The draft served as a critical mechanism for distributing talent across franchises. It set the stage for how teams would build their squads before the season began.
All players were required to wear numerals on their jerseys with colors sharply contrasting the jersey color. Numbers on the front had to be at least four inches tall while those on the back needed to be at least eight inches high. If a kickoff went out of bounds, officials placed the ball on the opponent's 35-yard line or ten yards from where it crossed the sideline. An illegal forward pass thrown beyond the line of scrimmage resulted in a loss of down and five yards from the foul spot. These regulations aimed to improve visibility and clarify game mechanics for both players and spectators.
Midway through the league's eleven-game season, the Bears stood unbeaten at five wins and zero losses in the Western Division. The Giants led the Eastern Division with four wins and one loss, though they played to a three-win, three-loss tie against another team. The Giants and Bears maintained their leads throughout the campaign. On the 5th of December 1937, Washington traveled to New York with records of seven wins and three losses versus six wins, two losses, and two ties. A win or tie would secure the Eastern title for the Giants, but the Redskins triumphed forty-nine to fourteen. This victory gave them the division crown and a trip to face Chicago in the championship game.
The season concluded when the Redskins defeated the Chicago Bears in the NFL Championship Game. Sammy Baugh, a rookie quarterback, led the Redskins to this decisive victory. The final score was twenty-eight to twenty-one at Wrigley Field in Chicago on the 12th of December 1937. This game determined the champion of the 1937 National Football League. Baugh's performance as a first-year player highlighted his impact on the team's success during that year.
Sammy Baugh of Washington topped the league with eleven hundred twenty-seven passing yards. Cliff Battles from the same team rushed for eight hundred seventy-four yards. Gaynell Tinsley of the Chicago Cardinals led receivers with six hundred seventy-five yards. These statistics highlight top performers across key categories for the season. The data reflects individual achievements within the context of team performance and league-wide competition.
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Common questions
Which team entered the 1937 NFL season as an expansion franchise?
The Cleveland Rams entered the 1937 NFL season as an expansion franchise. This move added a new team to the league's roster for its 18th regular season.
When and where did the 1937 NFL draft take place?
The 1937 NFL draft took place on the 12th of December 1936 at New York City's Hotel Lincoln. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Sam Francis from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln with the first pick.
What were the jersey numeral requirements during the 1937 NFL season?
All players were required to wear numerals on their jerseys that sharply contrasted the jersey color. Numbers on the front had to be at least four inches tall while those on the back needed to be at least eight inches high.
Who won the 1937 NFL Championship Game and what was the final score?
The Washington Redskins defeated the Chicago Bears in the 1937 NFL Championship Game. The final score was twenty-eight to twenty-one at Wrigley Field in Chicago on the 12th of December 1937.
Which player led the 1937 NFL season in passing yards?
Sammy Baugh of Washington topped the league with eleven hundred twenty-seven passing yards. He served as a rookie quarterback who led his team to the championship victory.