1920 NFL Season Recap

Originally published on Jun. 3, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, December 19th, 1920, the 1920 APFA (now NFL) season concluded with the Akron Pros holding the best regular season record at 8-0-3 to win the first championship in NFL history, while the Decatur Staleys (now Chicago Bears) took the runner-up spot with a 10-1-2 record. It was the first and only championship for the Pros franchise.

Al Mahrt of the Dayton Triangles earned the All-Pro selection at blocking back, which would later become known as the quarterback position.

1920 Final Standings (win-loss-tie format)

1. Akron Pros (8-0-3, 1.000)

2. Decatur Staleys (10-1-2, .909)

3. Buffalo All-Americans (9-1-1, .900)

4. Chicago Cardinals (6-2-2, .750)

5. Rock Island Independents (6-2-2, .750)

6. Dayton Triangles (5-2-2, .714)

7. Rochester Jeffersons (6-3-2, .667)

8. Canton Bulldogs (7-4-2, .636)

9. Detroit Heralds (2-3-3, .400)

10. Cleveland Tigers (2-4-2, .333)

11. Hammond Pros (2-5, .286)

12. Chicago Tigers (2-5-1, .286)

13. Columbus Panhandles (2-6-2, .250)

14. Muncie Flyers (0-1, .000)

1920 Akron Pros season

Link to stats database: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1920_APFA/