1929 Chicago Bears season
Encyclopedia
Season Overview
The 19291929 NFL season
The 1929 NFL season was the 10th regular season of the National Football League. The league increased back to 12 teams with the addition of Orange Tornadoes and Minneapolis Red Jackets and the re-entry of the Buffalo Bisons...
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was their 10th regular season
Regular season (NFL)
The National Football League regular season begins the weekend after Labor Day. Each team plays 16 games during a 17-week period. Traditionally, the majority of each week's games are played on Sunday afternoon, with weekly games on Sunday night and Monday night, and occasional games on Thursday...
completed in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The club posted a 4-9-1 record during head coach George Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
's final season. The showing earned them a ninth place finish in the team standings their worst record to date with the club finishing only below .500. Halas would return to coach in a few years.
The Bears' season started promising enough, with a 4-1-1 start. However, three of those wins were against the Minneapolis Red Jackets, a team that finished the season 1-9. The final 9 games represented the worst stretch in franchise history, as the Bears went 0-8-1 to finish the season. Few of the Bears losses were even close contests. They lost three times to Green Bay
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, all shutouts. They also lost three times to New York
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Against the Chicago Cardinals, the Bears fought them to a 0-0 tie in the first meeting, but ran into an NFL record performance in the rematch. Ernie Nevers, the former All-America from Stanford and owner-coach-player of the defunct Duluth Eskimos, had the game of a lifetime against Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th. Nevers rushed for an NFL record 6 touchdowns and added 4 PATs for an NFL record 40 points; 6 TDs and 40 points are both still records and among the oldest standing records in NFL history (although Gale Sayers
Gale Sayers
Gale Eugene Sayers also known as "The Kansas Comet", is a former professional football player in the National Football League who spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears....
and Dub Jones tied Nevers with 6 touchdowns in a game, Nevers' 6 rushing touchdowns are still an unmatched record). The Bears were crushed 40-6, with Nevers scoring all the Cardinals' points.
The inability of Chicago to compete with the top teams in the NFL may have been the catalyst for Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
to step down as player-coach and focus on his owner duties. Clearly, the Bears needed more talent at the "skill positions" as the Chicago backfield was mostly unchanged since the early 1920s. One bright spot was the emergence of End Luke Johnsos
Luke Johnsos
Luke Andrew Johnsos, Sr. was an American football player, assistant coach, and head coach for the National Football League's Chicago Bears franchise. He started with the Bears in 1929 at the age of 23 as an All-Pro end. He played eight NFL seasons in Chicago finishing his playing career in 1936...
, who caught two touchdown passes late in the season. In addition, the legendary Red Grange
Red Grange
Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
rejoined the team and regained some of his earlier form.
Future Hall of Fame Players
- Paddy DriscollPaddy DriscollJohn Leo "Paddy" Driscoll was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team...
, Back - Red GrangeRed GrangeHarold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
, Back (did not play in 1928) - George HalasGeorge HalasGeorge Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
, End - Ed HealeyEd HealeyEdward Francis Healey, Jr. was a professional football player for the Rock Island Independents, and best known with the Chicago Bears.-College years:...
, Tackle - Link Lyman, Tackle
- George TraftonGeorge TraftonGeorge Edward Trafton , was an American football player. He played as a center for the Decatur Staleys of the National Football League from 1920 to 1921 and 1923–1932. He is credited as being the first center to snap the ball with one hand...
, Center
Other Leading Players
- Luke JohnsosLuke JohnsosLuke Andrew Johnsos, Sr. was an American football player, assistant coach, and head coach for the National Football League's Chicago Bears franchise. He started with the Bears in 1929 at the age of 23 as an All-Pro end. He played eight NFL seasons in Chicago finishing his playing career in 1936...
, End (rookie from NorthwesternNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
) - Joe KopchaJoe KopchaJoseph Edwards "Joe" Kopcha is a former professional American football player....
, Guard (rookie from ChattanoogaUniversity of Tennessee at ChattanoogaThe University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a public university located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The University, often referred to as UTC or simply "Chattanooga" , is one of three universities and two other affiliated institutions in the University of Tennessee System; the others being in...
) - William SennBill SennWilliam Franklin Senn was a professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Chicago Bears, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the Cincinnati Reds/St. Louis Gunners....
, Back - Joe SternamanJoey SternamanJoey Sternaman was a former professional American football player, born in Springfield, Illinois, who played quarterback for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and Duluth Kelleys. In 1926, he was the quarterback, head coach, and owner of the Chicago Bulls of the first American Football League...
, Quarterback - Laurie WalquistLaurie WalquistLawrence "Laurie" Walquist was a professional American football player who played quarterback for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears. He was born in Rockford, Illinois....
, Quarterback
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 22 | Minneapolis Red Jackets | Breese Stevens Field Breese Stevens Field Breese Stevens Field is the oldest playing field in Madison, Wisconsin, located northeast of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Until the mid-1960s, this was the only city park with lights. Almost all major outdoor athletic events took place here, including all Madison high school football games... |
Win | 19-6 | 1-0-0 |
| Sep. 29 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
Green Bay City Stadium | Loss | 0-23 | 1-1-0 |
| Oct. 6 | Minneapolis Red Jackets | Nicollet Park Nicollet Park Nicollet Park is a former baseball ground located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The ground was home to the minor league Minneapolis Millers of the Western League and later American Association from 1896 to 1955. During its first season it was officially known as Wright Field name for... |
Win | 7-6 | 2-1-0 |
| Oct. 13 | Buffalo Bisons Buffalo Bisons The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets... |
Bison Stadium | Win | 16-0 | 3-1-0 |
| Oct. 20 | Chicago Cardinals | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Tie | 0-0 | 3-1-1 |
| Oct. 27 | Minneapolis Red Jackets | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Win | 27-0 | 4-1-1 |
| Nov. 3 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Loss | 14-26 | 4-2-1 |
| Nov. 10 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Loss | 0-14 | 4-3-1 |
| Nov. 16 | Frankford Yellowjackets | Frankford Stadium Frankford Stadium Frankford Stadium was a football field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was the home of the Frankford Yellow Jackets football team of the National Football League, which predated the Philadelphia Eagles. The stadium was also known as Yellow Jacket Field.The stadium, located at Frankford Avenue... |
Loss | 14-20 | 4-4-1 |
| Nov. 17 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
Polo Grounds Polo Grounds The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963... |
Loss | 0-34 | 4-5-1 |
| Nov. 24 | Buffalo Bisons Buffalo Bisons The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Loss | 7-19 | 4-6-1 |
| Nov. 28 | Chicago Cardinals | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Loss | 6-40 | 4-7-1 |
| Dec. 1 | Frankford Yellowjackets | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Tie | 0-0 | 4-7-2 |
| Dec. 8 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Loss | 0-25 | 4-8-2 |
| Dec. 15 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
Loss | 9-14 | 4-9-2 |
Standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning PercentageNote: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972
| NFL | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| Green Bay Packers 1929 Green Bay Packers season The 1929 Green Bay Packers season was their ninth season in the National Football League. The club posted an undefeated 12-0-1 record under player/coach Curly Lambeau, earning them a first-place finish and the Packers' first National Football League Championship... |
12 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | 198 | 22 | W-2 |
| New York Giants 1929 New York Giants season The 1929 New York Giants season was the fifth season for the club in the National Football League.-Schedule:-Standings:-External links:*... |
13 | 1 | 1 | .929 | 312 | 86 | W-4 |
| Frankford Yellow Jackets 1929 Frankford Yellow Jackets season The 1929 Frankford Yellow Jackets season was their sixth in the National Football League. The team failed to improve on their previous league output of 11-3-2, winning only ten games, losing four, and tying five. They finished third in the league standings.... |
9 | 4 | 5 | .692 | 129 | 128 | W-1 |
| Chicago Cardinals 1929 Chicago Cardinals season The 1929 Chicago Cardinals season was their 10th in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 1-5, winning six games. They finished fourth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
6 | 6 | 1 | .500 | 154 | 83 | W-1 |
| Boston Bulldogs 1929 Boston Bulldogs season The 1929 Boston Bulldogs season was their fifth and final season in the league and their only season after changing their name from the Pottsville Maroons. The team improved on their previous output of 2-8, winning four games... |
4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 98 | 73 | L-1 |
| Staten Island Stapletons 1929 Staten Island Stapletons season The 1929 Staten Island Stapletons season was their inaugural season in the league. The team finished 3-4-3 and finished sixth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
3 | 4 | 3 | .429 | 89 | 65 | L-2 |
| Orange Tornadoes 1929 Orange Tornadoes season The 1929 Orange Tornadoes season was their first in the league. The team went 3-5-4, finishing eighth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
3 | 4 | 4 | .429 | 35 | 80 | L-1 |
| Providence Steam Roller 1929 Providence Steam Roller season The 1929 Providence Steam Roller season was their fifth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous season's output of 8-1-2, winning only four games. They finished eighth in the league.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
4 | 6 | 2 | .400 | 107 | 117 | L-1 |
| Chicago Bears | 4 | 9 | 2 | .308 | 119 | 227 | L-1 |
| Buffalo Bisons 1929 Buffalo Bisons (NFL) season The 1929 Buffalo Bisons season was their ninth and final season in the league. The team marginally improved on their previous output of 0-5, winning one game... |
1 | 7 | 1 | .125 | 48 | 142 | W-1 |
| Minneapolis Red Jackets 1929 Minneapolis Red Jackets season The 1929 Minneapolis Red Jackets season was their fifth in the league and first as the Red Jackets. The team improved on their previous output of 0-6, winning one game. They finished eleventh in the league. Prior to this season, the Red Jackets were the Minneapolis... |
1 | 9 | 0 | .100 | 48 | 185 | L-7 |
| Dayton Triangles 1929 Dayton Triangles season The 1929 Dayton Triangles season was their tenth and final season in the league. The team did not improve on their previous output of 0-7, losing all six games they played bringing their losing streak up to 17 games. Hence, they were winless for two consecutive seasons... |
0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 7 | 136 | L-6 |