1925 Rock Island Independents season

National Football League team season March 2026 November 2013 Rock Island Independents 1925 5–3–3 NFL6–3–3 overall 8th in NFL Dale Johnson A.H. Bowlby Rube Ursella Douglas Park The 1925 Rock Island Independents season was their sixth and final season in the National Football League. The team failed to improve on their previous league record of 5–2–2, losing three NFL games.1925 Rock Island Independents They finished eighth in the NFL.Pro Football Archives: 1925 Rock Island Independents The team would join the upstart rival American Football League for the 1926 season. Background The 1925 season would prove to be the final campaign of the Rock Island Independents as part of the National Football League. The year started promisingly, with business manager A.H. Bowlby representing the club at the league's annual scheduling meeting, held the weekend of August 1–2 at the Sherman Hotel in Chicago.Art Williams, "Independents' Grid Schedule to Be Drafted: A.HJ. Bowlby Attends Annual Pro Meet to Arrange 1925 Dates," Rock Island Argus, Aug. 1, 1925, p. 14. Interest in booking the Independents for 1925 was high, with Chris O'Brien, owner of the Chicago Cardinals, and representatives of the Duluth Kelleys immediately seeking to schedule home-and-home dates and other teams lining up for single games. This early agreement with the Cardinals would become the focus of a disagreement in October, when Bowlby managed to add a game with the Chicago Bears at Cubs Park to fill what had become an open date on November 1."Cardinals Object to Islander–Bears Game: Claim Prior Appearance of Independents in City Would Hurt Their Game on Nov. 27," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 13, 1925, p. 12. O'Brien objected to the appearance of the Green-and-White in the Windy City to start November, believing that it would undercut attendance for the previously scheduled game against the Cardinals on November 29. After negotiations, both games were ultimately held. Schedule thumb|right|250px|The 1925 Independents schedule as announced following the August 1–2 owners' meeting in Chicago. Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources 1 September 20 Chicago Bears T 0–0 0–0–1 Douglas Park 2,500 The Davenport Daily Times estimated the size of the crowd at 2,000. Recap George W. Wickstrom, "Independents Battle Chicago Bears to Scoreless Tie in Opener: Fumbles Defeat Islander Threat at One-Yard Line," Moline Dispatch, Sept. 21, 1925, p. 13."Luck Gives Bears Scoreless Tie with Islanders: Fumble on Goal Line Costs Independents Score in Third Period," Davenport Daily Times, Sept. 21, 1925, p. 14."Bears Hold Rock Island to Scoreless Tie: Fumble Ruins Independents' Chances When Ball Rests On One-Yard Line," Rock Island Argus, Sept. 21, 1925, p. 12. 2 September 27 Dayton Triangles T 0–0 0–0–2 Douglas Park 2,500 Estimates of the size of this crowd range from 1,500 (Moline Dispatch) to 3,000 (Dayton Herald). The middle estimate of the Davenport Daily Times appears here. Recap "Dayton Pros Hold Independents to Scoreless Tie: Triangles Present Stone Wall Defense in Pro Grid Battle," Davenport Daily Times, Sept. 28, 1925, p. 14.R.E. Jeanes, "Rock Island and Dayton Play Scoreless Tie: Both Teams Display Lack of Punch in Slow Game Played on Field Covered with Mud," Rock Island Argus, Sept. 28, 1925, p. 14. 3 October 4 Green Bay Packers W 3–0 1–0–2 Douglas Park 3,500 The Green Bay Press-Gazette has the size of this crowd as 3,000. Recap "Independents Upset Green Bay Packers by 3 to 0: Ursella's Drop Kick Gives Islanders Win Over League Leaders," Davenport Daily Times, Oct. 5, 1925, p. 18.R.E. Jeanes, "Independents Beat Green Bay Packers, 3–0: Ursella's Drop-Kick Gives Rock Island Close Victory Over Fast Wisconsin Team," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 5, 1925, p. 19.G.W. Calhoun, "Packers Beaten by Rock Island Independents, Score 3–0: Rube Ursella's Field Goal from 20-Yard Line Defeats Green Bay Professionals," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 5, 1925, pp. 16–17. 4 October 11 at Duluth Kelleys W 12–0 2–0–2 Athletic Park 4,000 Said to be the largest pro football crowd in Duluth in years, the Rock Island Argus estimated attendance at 6,000. Recap Cubby Campbell, "Rock Island Trounces Duluth With Brilliant Air Attack: Invaders 'Fly' Over Goal Line in Quick Order," Duluth News Tribune, Oct. 12, 1925, p. 8.Art Williams, "Rock Island Crushes Duluth Team, 12 to 0: Independents Flash Across Northern Sky; Foe Dazzled by Aerial and Line Assault," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 12, 1925, p. 15. 5 October 18 at Green Bay Packers L 0–20 2–1–2 City Stadium 5,000 The Moline Daily Dispatch has this crowd as 7,000. Recap "Independents Trimmed by Green Bay Pros, 20 to 0: Rock Island Weakens in Second Half and Packers Get Revenge," Davenport Daily Times, Oct. 19, 1925, p. 14."Independents Lose at Green Bay: Cold Wind and Rains Fatal to Island Aerials," Moline Daily Dispatch, Oct. 19, 1925, p. 14.G.W. Calhoun, "Packers Take Revenge on Rock Island; Win 20 to 0: Big Bay Blues Get Going in Second Half; Cross Goal of Independents Three Times," Green Bay Press Gazette, Oct. 19, 1925, pp. 14–15. 6 October 25 Kansas City Cowboys T 3–3 2–1–3 Douglas Park 1,500 Recap Herb Willson, "Independents Set to Prevent Cowboys Roping: Return of Ivar Swanson to Wing Position Will Bolster Ursella's Plan for Offense," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 24, 1925, p. 14.Herb Wilson, "Independents Held, 3 to 3, on Muddy Field: Kansas City Opens Up with Passes in Last Quarter to Match Ursella's Goal Kick," Rock Island Argus, Oct. 26, 1925, p. 12. 7 November 1 at Chicago Bears L 0–6 2–2–3 Cubs Park 8,000 Recap – November 8 Hammond ProsCanceled due to snow "Indees Meet Clinton Team Wednesday: Game Scheduled with Hammond Yesterday is Postponed," Davenport Daily Times, Nov. 9, 1925, p. 15. – November 11 at Clinton Legion W 23–6 — Clinton, Iowa — 8 November 15 Kansas City Cowboys W 35–12 3–2–3 Douglas Park 1,500 Recap 9 November 22 Milwaukee Badgers W 40–7 4–2–3 Douglas Park 1,200 Recap Herb Wilson, "Year's Play at Home Closed by Independents with Lamb Flashing as Another Grange," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 23, 1925, p. 17. 10 November 26 at Detroit Panthers W 6–3 5–2–3 Navin Field 5,000 Recap "Independents Defeat Detroit Panthers, 6–3: Lamb Drives Over Goal for Touchdown in Last Quarter of Close Game," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 27, 1925, pp. 1, 10."Rock Island Defeats Detroit (Panthers), 6–3; Roddy Lamb is Star," Davenport Daily Times, Nov. 26, 1925, pp. 1, 15. 11 November 29 at Chicago Cardinals L 0–7 5–3–3 Comiskey Park 3,000 Recap Note: Game in italics against non-NFL team. Armistice Day: Nov. 11. Thanksgiving Day: Nov. 26. Standings Season review The year started with two scoreless ties and a 3–0 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Even the feel-good moment of an upset victory in the third game proved short-lived, however, when a rematch with the Packers two weeks later ended in a 20–0 loss regarded as the worst defeat in Rock Island franchise history. Despite continued extensive and positive coverage in the four daily newspapers of the Rock Island–Moline–Davenport metro area, paid attendance at home games went into the tank, with only 1,500 fans showing up for a game with the Kansas City Cowboys traveling team. Legendary halfback Jim Thorpe was added to the Independents' roster for a rematch three weeks later after having started the season with the New York Giants."Independents Set Stage for Sunday Clash: Breaking of Cowboy Offense Through Air Made Object of Defense Practice This Week," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 12, 1925, p. 14. Business manager Bowlby expressed disappointment over the attendance of the first three home games in 1925, noting that paid admissions had been insufficient to cover expenses of the team."Strong Independent Lineup to Meet Bears in Chicago: 1500 Rooters to Follow Players on Special Train," Moline Dispatch, Oct. 31, 1925, p. 17. "We are losing money every day at home," Bowlby told one reporter, adding that in 1924 a weaker team had achieved almost double the average attendance. The little town of Green Bay, population 35,000, could put 5,000 bodies into the stands to see Rock Island play; the 165,000 people of the Tri-Cities could muster barely more than half of that. The situation cut deep. The Islanders hoped for a saving turnout of 10,000 for its next home date, slated for November 8 against the Hammond Pros. Instead, they were met with disaster. A fall snowstorm blanketed the field with snow, chasing away prospective fans. The call was made not to play in the elements after the visitors had traveled to Douglas Field from Indiana, presumably putting the home team on the hook for payment of visitor travel costs. Presold tickets were to be valid for a makeup game scheduled for November 22, initially planned as the completion of the postponed game with Hammond but ultimately played against the Milwaukee Badgers."Independents to Play at Clinton: Weather Conditions Prevent Hammond Game; Tickets to Be Good Later," Moline Dispatch, Nov. 9, 1925, p. 16. An Armistice Day game on the road against the American Legion team of Clinton, Iowa — no better than a break-even proposition financially — was scheduled as a stop-gap. As the 1925 season came down the home stretch, the Islanders' financial situation was clearly perilous. One local newspaper warned that "the future of National League football in the tri-cities rests on the attendance at the Kansas City game and civic clubs are cooperating with the Islanders in their efforts to keep Sunday football.""Islanders Resume Practice for Game with Kansas City," Davenport Daily Times, Nov. 12, 1925, p. 20. Another paper editorialized that attendance at the November 22 second Kansas City game "will answer locally as to whether fans desire a continuance here of professional football as furnished by the Independents.""Editorial," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 12, 1925, p. 6. The result of the call to arms proved underwhelming, with "a handful of fans, perhaps 1,500," making their way to the turnstiles to support the home team in their resounding 35–12 win over the overmatched Kansas City squad.Herb Wilson, "Ponybacks Stampede Way to 35–12 Victory: Fast Boys Win Game in Last Half with Five Touchdowns; Fans to Get Another Chance," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 16, 1925, p. 18. Despite failing the exam, Tri-City fans were given a final opportunity to lend support, with one more home game added to the schedule "against either Duluth or Milwaukee" the following week. The bitingly cold winds of fall triumphed, with a "disappointing" trickle of fans coming to see the green-and-white take on the Milwaukee Badgers."Independents' Pony Backs Smother Badgers, 40–7: Lamb and Armstrong Thrill Fans with Spectacular Runs," Davenport Daily Times, Nov. 23, 1925, p. 17. One local newspaper estimated the paltry crowd at just 1,200. Another paper chalked up virtually the entire gate to the efforts of the local Elks Club to save the team through a presale of tickets. A final decision on the future of the team was promised shortly. The financial crisis Despite a passable league record of 5–3–3, 1925 proved to be a year of severe financial crisis for the Independents, with the local press noting that with a series sub-2,000 person home crowds "the management of the team has gone far down into debt.""Independents' 1925 Record Shadowed by Finance Crisis: Heavy Loss Offsets Play of Greatest Team; Five Battles Won in League Title Chase," Rock Island Argus, Dec. 30, 1925; section 7, p. 7. Expenses had been heavy and losses great for the team's sixth year in the National Football League. According to team secretary A.H. Bowlby and others, only "definite assurance of a paying proposition next year" would allow the team to take the field in Rock Island. The roll of the dice would be on membership in a new league to rival the NFL — the American Football League, founded by jilted New York team owner Charlie Pyle as a vehicle for his New York Yankees, starring superstar halfback Red Grange. Roster Linemen Name Age Games Starts Height Weight Paul Anderson 23 1 0 6'0" 200 Lyle Burton 25 7 6 6'1" 195 Forrest Cotton 24 8 5 6'1" 195 George Dahlgren 38 1 0 5'10" 200 Frank DeClerk 25 6 1 5'9" 191 Ed Herman 23 1 1 5'10" 175 Louie Kolls 33 11 10 6'1" 205 Joe Little Twig 28 10 10 5'11" 183 Joe Rooney 27 10 9 6'0" 177 Duke Slater 27 11 11 6'1" 215 George Thompson 26 11 11 6'1" 210 Chet Widerquist 30 11 11 6'1" 219 Note: Excludes Clinton Legion game. Pro Football Hall of Fame members in bold. Backs Name Age Games Starts Height Weight Johnny Armstrong 28 11 8 5'8" 170 Les Belding 25 1 0 5'11" 195 Buck Gavin 34 5 5 5'10" 179 Harry Hall 23 1 1 5'11" 165 Dutch Hendrian 29 1 1 5'9" 182 Chuck Hill 21 1 1 5'8" 190 Jim Kendrick 32 1 1 6'0" 195 Roddy Lamb 26 9 8 5'6" 160 Vince McCarthy 25 4 2 5'10" 165 Eddie Novak 28 11 8 5'9" 175 Evar Swanson 23 2 1 5'9" 171 Jim Thorpe 38 2 2 6'1" 202 Rube Ursella 35 11 9 5'9" 172 Note: Excludes Clinton Legion game. Pro Football Hall of Fame members in bold. 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