1935 Chicago Bears season

NFL team season November 2013 March 2026 Chicago Bears 1935 6–4–2 T-3rd NFL Western George Halas Wrigley Field Did not qualify Bears seasons The 1935 season was the Chicago Bears' 16th in the National Football League and 13th season under head coach George Halas. The team was unable to match on their 13–0 record from 1934 and finished with a 6–4–2 record and finishing in a tie for third (and last) place in the Western Division, and failed to return to the championship game. The Bears had little trouble with the weaker teams in the league, led the league in scoring, and occasionally showed signs of brilliance against top-flight competition, but for the most part, they were outclassed by the Lions, Packers, and Giants. The biggest problem was the veterans from the 1920s had largely retired or were past their prime but not enough young talent had emerged to offset these losses. In particular, the retirement of Link Lyman and Red Grange hurt the team, especially on defense. Additionally, Bronko Nagurski and Bill Hewitt were injured for large portions of the season and could not play to their normal level. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1935_roster.htm 1935 Chicago Bears Starters, Roster, & Players Pro Football www.sports-reference.com Their record of missing the playoffs after going undefeated in the regular season the previous year would eventually be broken by the 2008 New England Patriots. Season highlights Keith Molesworth was the brightest spot on offense and was a triple threat from the halfback position. Bernie Masterson ran the T-formation adequately but was not particularly accurate as a passer. Luke Johnsos was the most reliable end and led the team in receptions. Gene Ronzani led the club in rushing, but Feathers, Molesworth, and Manders shared rushing duties. Manders had a subpar year as a kicker, making only 1 of 8 field goals. The Bears lost to Green Bay twice, to Detroit once (tying the Lions in the other game), split the series with New York, and beat the Redskins in their only meeting. After a 5–2 start, the Bears faded in the end, winning only 1 of their last 5 games, with one tie. Of note, every other team in the NFL ran either the Single Wing or the A Formation (a variant of the Single Wing run only by the Giants), but the Bears still used the T formation. Many today falsely believe the Bears of the 1940s "invented" the modern T and then everyone adopted it. The truth is everyone ran the T when the league began in 1920. All the other teams switched to the Single Wing after it was perfected in the college game. Meanwhile, coach George Halas and his assistants perfected the T, which they never changed from, and other teams switched back from the Single Wing only after the Bears of the 1940s demonstrated the T's superiority. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1935/gamelog/ Chicago Bears 1935 Games and Schedule www.pro-football-reference.com Schedule Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources 1 September 22 at Green Bay Packers L 0–7 0–1 City Stadium 13,600 Recap 2 September 29 at Pittsburgh Pirates W 23–7 1–1 Forbes Field 11,858 Recap 3 October 13 at Philadelphia Eagles W 39–0 2–1 Baker Bowl 20,000 Recap 4 October 20 Brooklyn Dodgers W 24–14 3–1 Wrigley Field 18,000 Recap 5 October 27 Green Bay Packers L 14–17 3–2 Wrigley Field 29,386 Recap 6 November 3 at New York Giants W 20–3 4–2 Polo Grounds 40,000 Recap 7 November 10 at Boston Redskins W 30–14 5–2 Fenway Park 16,000 Recap 8 November 17 New York Giants L 0–3 5–3 Wrigley Field 19,000 Recap 9 November 24 Detroit Lions T 20–20 5–3–1 Wrigley Field 14,624 Recap 10 November 28 at Detroit Lions L 2–14 5–4–1 Titan Stadium 18,000 Recap 11 December 1 Chicago Cardinals T 7–7 5–4–2 Wrigley Field 12,167 Recap 12 December 8 Chicago Cardinals W 13–0 6–4–2 Wrigley Field 17,373 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Thanksgiving: November 28. Standings thumb|right|260px|Program for a preseason game between the Bears and the Calumet All-Stars. Roster Future Hall of Fame players Bill Hewitt, end George Musso, tackle Bronko Nagurski, fullback Other leading players Beattie Feathers, halfback Luke Johnsos, end Bill Karr, end Joe Kopcha, guard Jack Manders, fullback/kicker Bernie Masterson, quarterback Keith Molesworth, halfback Gene Ronzani, back Players departed from 1934 Carl Brumbaugh, quarterback (did not play for unknown reasons) Red Grange, back (retired) Walt Kiesling, guard (signed by Packers) Link Lyman, tackle (retired) References Chicago Bears Category:Chicago Bears seasons Chicago Bears Category:1935 in Chicago