Detroit (1920s NFL teams)

• 1. The Heralds Begin

  ›

  In 1905, several University of Detroit football players led by Bill Marshall organized the Heralds as an amateur team. The university had not fielded a squad that year, leaving these young athletes to create their own path. They played games against other local clubs while maintaining their student status. When the university resumed its football program in 1906, the Heralds continued operating independently. By 1911, the group dropped amateur status and became semi-professional. This shift marked a turning point for early football in Michigan. The team began recruiting out-of-town talent to replace aging members who had been with them since 1905. In 1917, they recorded an impressive 8, 2 record despite playing outside Ohio. Their only losses came against the Canton Bulldogs and a military team from Battle Creek. During World War I and the flu pandemic, most teams stopped play or reduced schedules. The Heralds maintained a full schedule and traveled to other cities. They finished 1918 with a 6, 2 record, losing both games to the Dayton Triangles. As travel restrictions eased in 1919, the team went 1, 4, 2, including losses to the Massillon Tigers.

• 2. Tigers Midseason Fold

  ›

  The Detroit Tigers emerged after the city's Major League Baseball team adopted the name for the 1921 season. The franchise represented a continuation of the earlier Heralds organization. After winning their first two games with one tie and one victory, the team lost five consecutive matches. Players complained about not receiving payment during the season. Several athletes left the roster mid-year due to financial disputes. The official folding occurred in mid-November 1921 when the team could no longer sustain operations. Remaining players were distributed to the Buffalo All-Americans. This collapse highlighted the financial instability plaguing early professional football leagues. The Tigers played just one season before disbanding completely. Their brief existence contributed to the chaotic nature of the American Professional Football Association's inaugural year. Despite finishing 16th overall with a 1, 5, 1 record, the team left behind a legacy of struggle rather than success. The league standings listed them as part of the association even though they never officially joined.

• 3. Conzelman Dual Role

  ›

  Jimmy Conzelman organized the Detroit Panthers franchise in 1925 while serving multiple roles simultaneously. He acted as owner, head coach, and starting quarterback throughout his tenure. Before forming this team, Conzelman had played for the Decatur Staleys, Rock Island Independents, and Milwaukee Badgers. The Panthers started the season strong with an 8, 1 record. A 6, 3 upset loss to the Rock Island Independents on Thanksgiving Day knocked them out of first place. They finished third overall with an 8, 2, 2 record after that pivotal game. The following year opened poorly with an 0, 3 start despite hopes of building momentum. After rallying to a 4, 0, 2 record over six games, the team lost their final three matches. Conzelman abandoned the franchise entirely to join the Providence Steam Rollers as player-coach. His dual role as owner and active player was unusual for professional football at the time. This arrangement demonstrated how loosely structured early leagues allowed individuals to wear many hats simultaneously.

• 4. Wolverines Disappears

  ›

  Following the 1927 season, Cleveland Bulldogs investors moved their team to Detroit and renamed it the Wolverines. LeRoy Andrews coached the squad through its single 1928 season. The name honored quarterback Benny Friedman's alma mater, the Michigan Wolverines. The team finished third in the league with a 7, 2, 1 record. Their only losses came against the Providence Steam Rollers and Frankford Yellow Jackets, who finished first and second respectively. During the offseason, Tim Mara purchased the entire Wolverines franchise rather than trading for individual players. Mara owned the New York Giants and wanted to acquire Friedman specifically. He deactivated the Detroit team immediately after buying it. Star players including Friedman were delivered directly to New York. This transaction left the Motor City without an NFL presence for six years until the Portsmouth Spartans relocated there in 1934. The sudden disappearance of the Wolverines exemplified how business decisions could erase entire franchises overnight.

• 5. Thanksgiving History

  ›

  Detroit teams played on Thanksgiving Day before the Lions era began establishing that tradition. Historical records show multiple matchups across different decades. In 1917, the Heralds lost 7, 0 to the Canton Bulldogs during holiday play. Two years later, they traveled to Dayton Triangles and lost 28, 0 away from home. The Tigers merged with Buffalo All-Americans for a 1921 game at Chicago Staleys, winning 7, 6. Jimmy Conzelman's Panthers faced Rock Island Independents in 1925, losing 6, 3 on the holiday. They also played Los Angeles Buccaneers in 1926, falling 9, 6. The Wolverines defeated Dayton Triangles 33, 0 during their final season. These games occurred while other Detroit franchises existed outside the modern Lions organization. Holiday scheduling provided early exposure for teams struggling financially or geographically. The pattern continued even as ownership changed names and rosters shifted annually. Each matchup added to the growing tradition of football on American holidays.

• 6. Hall Fame Recognition

  ›

  Only two individuals from these defunct Detroit franchises earned Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. Jimmy Conzelman received honors in 1964 after his tenure as quarterback and coach from 1925 through 1926. He played halfback and quarterback positions throughout his career before organizing the Panthers. Benny Friedman gained recognition much later when inducted in 2005 following his single season with the Wolverines in 1928. Friedman played quarterback exclusively during his time in Detroit. No other players or coaches from the Heralds, Tigers, Panthers, or Wolverines achieved similar distinction. Their collective records show varying levels of success across different seasons. The Heralds finished ninth overall in 1920 with a 2, 3, 3 record under Bill Marshall. The Tigers placed 16th in 1921 with just one win. The Panthers reached third place twice but never won a championship. The Wolverines also finished third in their only season. These achievements remain overshadowed by the eventual arrival of the Lions franchise that replaced them all.