1921 Rock Island Independents season

Sports season March 2026 November 2013 Rock Island Independents 1921 4–2–1 APFA(5–2–1 overall) 5th in APFA Walter Flanigan Frank Coughlin,Jimmy Conzelman Douglas Park thumb|right|360px|Quarter-page newspaper ad for the 1921 season opener of the green-and-whites against the Detroit Tigers. The 1921 Rock Island Independents season was their second completed in the young American Professional Football Association (APFA), later rechristened the National Football League. The team failed to improve on their previous record against league opponents of 6–2–2, winning only four games.1921 Rock Island Independents They finished fifth in the league.1921 Rock Island Independents (APFA) Background The Independents entered their second season in the American Professional Football Association (APFA) with an air of positivity. Eight league games were tentatively scheduled for 1921 — four at home and four on the road, concluding with a November 27 match-up with the Columbus Panhandles at Rock Island's Douglas Park."Schedule," Rock Island Argus, "Sept. 29, 1921," p. 19. Ultimately, only seven league games would be managed, with just two of these contests at home, both weakly attended." 1921 Rock Island Independents Rosters, Stats, Schedule," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com It would be a forgettable year. This lack of home dates and poor attendance was ironic, as seating at Douglas park was significantly expanded for the 1921 season. On September 30 a squad of fifty men slapped up new bleacher seating to increase capacity at the facility to 6,000, with the ability to accommodate an additional 1,500 people watching from cars or in standing room."Islander Team Puts in Final Licks for Game," Davenport Democrat and Leader, Sept. 30, 1921, p. 23. The team was broadly supported by the community of Rock Island, Illinois and other neighboring members of the "Tri-Cities", Moline, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa. The evening of Saturday, October 1, the night before the big opening game against the Detroit Tigers, a marching band led an automobile parade of 1,000 Islander fans that traveled to all three cities to promote the team and the season."Islander Fans Parade Streets Saturday Night," Davenport Democrat and Chronicle, Oct. 2, 1921, p. 17. For away games one local newspaper, the Rock Island Argus, put up a large gridboard outside its offices and kept up with the game by direct wire, marking the position of the ball on the board."Weather Fails to Keep Down Crowd of Fans: Even Larger Throng Than Week Ago Packed Second Avenue to See Game on Argus Board," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 17. Large crowds were attracted to follow the action, with more than 2,000 people blocking Second Avenue to follow the progress of the Green Bay Packers game on October 30. For all the energy and support shown the team, the number of people through the gate — just 3,300 for the opener and fewer than 2,000 for the team's second and final home game of the season against Minneapolis the first Sunday in November — had to be a major disappointment to the team and its organizers. Schedule Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources 1 October 2 Detroit Tigers T 0–0 0–0–1 Douglas Park 3,304 Recap J.L. Hughes, "Independents Held to Even Terms: Great Defense Saves Detroit from a Defeat," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 3, 1921, p. 12. 2 October 10 at Chicago Staleys L 10–14 0–1–1 Staley Field 4,000 Recap Howard V. Millard, "Staleys Meet Islanders in Great Pro Game Today: Two of Strongest Professional Elevens in Country Clash at 3 O'Clock — Both Sides Optimisitic," Decatur Herald, Oct. 10, 1921, p. 4."Starchworkers Win 14–10 Over Rock Island Team: 4,000 See Staleys Trim Rock Island in Thrilling Tilt," Decatur Herald, Oct. 11, 1921, p. 4. 3 October 16 at Chicago Cardinals W 14–7 1–1–1 Normal Park 4,000 Recap 4 October 23 at Detroit Tigers W 14–0 2–1–1 Navin Field 3,000 Recap J.L. Hughes, "Independents' Line Forces Victory: Own Misplays Beat Detroit, by 14–0 Score," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 24, 1921, p. 10. 5 October 30 at Green Bay Packers W 13–3 3–1–1 Hagemeister Park 6,000 Sports editor J.L. Hughes of the Rock Island Argus estimated the size of this crowd at 5,000. Recap Cal [George W. Calhoun], "Rock Island Takes Fall Out of Packers, 13 to 3: Independents Break Down Packers' Offense; Lambeau Scores with Field Goal," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 10.J.L. Hughes, "Independents Beat Packers, 13–3: Wet Field and Slippery Ball Stops Scoring," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 17."Rock Island Pros Triumph Over Green Bay Packers in Hard Battle: Islanders Use Line Bucks to Beat Badgers," Davenport Democrat and Leader, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 7. 6 November 6 Minneapolis Marines W 14–3 4–1–1 Douglas Park < 2,000 Recap J.L. Hughes, "Victory is Snatched from Defeat: Passes Carry Ball 85 Yards in Late Rally," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 7, 1921, p. 14. 7 November 13 at Chicago Staleys L 0–3 4–2–1 Cubs Park 6,000 Recap "Staleys Trounce Rock Island 3–0 in Hard Fought Game: 6,000 Fans Brave Snow to See Fierce Tilt in Rain-Soaked Field," Decatur Herald, Nov. 14, 1921, p. 4.J.L. Hughes, "Field Goal Wins for Staley Crew: Independents Are Defeated by Sternaman," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 14, 1921, p. 12.J.L. Hughes, "Mud Battle Won by Independents: Duluth Takes First Defeat of Year, 29–0," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 14, 1921, p. 14. – November 20 Duluth Knights of Columbus W 28–0 – Douglas Park 800 — "Independents Crush Duluth Eleven, 28 to 0, on a Sloppy Girdiron: Northern Team No Match for Local Eleven," Davenport Democrat and Leader, Nov. 21, 1921, p. 7. – November 27 Columbus Panhandles (scheduled) "The Schedule," Rock Island Argus, Sept. 29, 1921, p. 19. Note: Games in italics indicate a non-league opponent. Standings thumb|right|240px|Star of the 1921 Rock Island team was quarterback Jimmy Conzelman, shown here in the team's green-and-white uniform. Roster thumb|left|600px|Team photo of the 1921 Rock Island Independents. The following individuals appeared in at least one game for the 1921 Rock Island Independents."1921 Rock Island Independents Roster & Players," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com The total number of NFL games in which they saw action in 1921 follows in parentheses. There were two future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the roster — tackle Ed Healey and quarterback Jimmy Conzelman, both members of the hall's second class, inducted in September 1964."Hall of Famers by Year of Enshrinement," Pro Football Hall of Fame, www.profootballhof.com Linemen Dick Barker (3) Walt Buland (6) Frank Coughlin (3) Jug Earp (6) Freeman Fitzgerald (2) Hal Hanson (6) John Hasbrouck (3) Dave Hayes (3) Ed Healey (7) Emmett Keefe (7) Dewey Lyle (7) Vic Menefee (2) Brick Travis (5) Obe Wenig (7) Backs Lane Bridgford (5) Walt Brindley (2) Jimmy Conzelman (7) Eddie Duggan (3) Buck Gavin (3) Jerry Johnson (2) Grover Malone (3) Jerry Mansfield (1) Sid Nichols (7) Eddie Novak (7) Paddy Quinn (1) Viv Vanderloo (3) References 35em Further reading Bob Braunwart and Bob Carroll, "The Rock Island Independents," The Coffin Corner, vol. 5, no. 3 (1983). Category:Rock Island Independents seasons Rock Island Independents Rock Island Independents