The Undefeated 1920 Akron Pros: Champions of the NFL’s Inaugural Season
Team Name | Year | Record | Championship |
---|---|---|---|
Akron Pros | 1920 | 8-0-3 | APFA Champions |
Hey football fans! π Ever heard of the 1920 Akron Pros? π€ They were absolute LEGENDS, going undefeated in the very first season of what would later become the NFL! π€© Let’s dive into the story of this amazing team and the players who made history.π
This team wasn’t just lucky; they were seriously talented. πͺThey only allowed seven points the ENTIRE season! π€― Their defense was an impenetrable wall, and their offense was a scoring machine. π Let’s meet some of the stars who made this dream team a reality.
The Stars of the Show: Key Players
Player | Position | College | Notable Achievement |
---|---|---|---|
Fritz Pollard | Tailback | Brown University | Hall of Famer, one of the first African American players |
Al Nesser | End | – | 3 touchdowns on fumble recoveries in one game! |
Frank McCormick | Wingback | – | Scored two rushing touchdowns against Columbus |
First up, Fritz Pollard! π Not only was he a phenomenal running back, but he was also one of the first two African American players in the league. π Talk about breaking barriers! He was even inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.π He was also one of the highest paid players in the league – cha-ching! π°
Then there’s Al Nesser, part of the famous football-playing Nesser brothers. π This guy was a fumble-recovering MACHINE. In the season opener, he scored THREE touchdowns off of fumble recoveries!π€― Can you imagine?!
Offensive Firepower: Scoring Legends
Player | Position | Key Skill | Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Bob Nash | End/Tackle | Forced turnovers | Scored a touchdown on a blocked punt return |
Rip King | Fullback | Slashing runner, strong defender, passer | Provided a versatile offensive threat |
Let’s not forget Frank McCormick, who originally played guard but switched to wingback. He was a touchdown-scoring machine, with two rushing touchdowns in a single game against the Columbus Panhandles!πͺ
“Nasty” Nash lived up to his nickname! This guy was relentless. In one game, he burst through the line, snatched the ball right out of the punter’s hands, and ran it back for a touchdown! π₯ You don’t want to mess with “Nasty” Nash. π€
Unsung Heroes: The Supporting Cast
Player | Position | Contribution |
---|---|---|
Harry Harris | Quarterback | Excellent game manager and punt returner |
Charley Copley | Tackle | Team captain, vocal leader of the offensive line |
Pike Johnson | Tackle | Known for his speed and agility on the line |
Alf Cobb | Guard | Named to the All-APFA second team |
And then we have Rip King, the fullback who could do it ALL. He was a powerful runner, a tough defender, AND he could throw the ball! π A true triple threat! π
Let’s give a shoutout to the unsung heroes too! π Harry Harris, the quarterback, ran the team like a well-oiled machine. βοΈ Charley Copley, the team captain, was the vocal leader on the line, while Pike Johnson was known for his speed.π¨ And Alf Cobb? Well, he was so good he was named to the second-team all APFA!π Each player brought something special to the table, making the Akron Pros an unstoppable force. π―
The 1920 Akron Pros were a perfect blend of seasoned pros and rising stars. β¨ Their incredible defense and powerful offense led them to an undefeated season and the championship title. π They truly set the standard for excellence in the early days of the NFL. π― Share this post if you found it interesting! π
Learn More About the Akron Pros
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1920 Akron Pros, NFL History, Fritz Pollard, Early NFL, Football Legends