1935 Detroit Lions season
Encyclopedia
The 1935
Detroit Lions
season resulted in the Lions winning their first NFL Championship. In their second season in Detroit, the Lions placed first in the NFL's Western Division and went on to defeat the New York Giants
in the 1935 NFL Championship Game. The team was coached by Potsy Clark. The leading offensive players were Dutch Clark, who led the NFL with 55 points, and Ernie Caddel
, who led the league with 621 yards from scrimmage and 6.4 yards per touch.
in a Friday night game in Detroit. Following the game, the Associated Press reported that the Lions has "definitely established themselves as serious contenders for the 1935 National Professional football league championship." Dutch Clark and Ernie Caddel
led the scoring, and the Lions prevented the Eagles from making a first down. The Lions totaled 381 total yards against the Eagles, including 324 rushing yards on 57 carries for an average of 6.8 yards per carry.
kicked a field goal.
.
in Boston. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 35-yard field goal by Glenn Presnell
. The Lions added a touchdown in the third quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ace Gutowsky
to Dutch Clark. Both teams scored touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Lions' final touchdown was fueled by a 40-yard run by Ernie Caddel
and a final 10-yard touchdown run by Caddel.
13-9 at State Fair Park in Milwaukee. Former Oregon State tackle Tar Schwammel kicked two field gaols for the Packers.
Through the first five games, Ernie Caddel
was tied with Dale Burnett
for the NFL scoring lead with five touchdowns and 30 points. Caddel had gained 297 yards on 39 carries for an average of 7.6 yards per carry.
threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Schneller for the first points of the game. The second half was played in heavy fog, "at times almost completely blotting out all action, and making necessary the use of a white ball." The Redskins drove to the Lions' nine-yard line in the third quarter, but the Lions intercepted a pass to stop the drive. The Lions scored in the fourth quarter on a one-yard plunge by Ace Gutowsky
.
. The final score was 7-6 with the difference being a successful extra point kicked by Dutch Clark after a 12-yard touchdown run by Ernie Caddel
in the first quarter. The Cardinals scored a touchdown in the second quarter but missed the extra point attempt.
, this time by a score of 31-7.
on November 4, 1935, scored two touchdowns for the Lions. Ebding added another. Dutch Clark kicked two extra points. The game was attended by 14,000 spectators at University of Detroit Stadium.
to a 20-20 tie at Wrigley Field
. The Bears' Bill Karr
caught three touchdown passes in the game. The Lions' touchdowns were scored by Dutch Clark, Bill Shepherd and Klewicki.
fumbled and recovered the ball behind his own goal line.
, a touchdown reception by Presnell, two safeties, and touchdowns by Dutch Clark and Ace Gutowsky
. The scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. The win gave the Lions the undisputed NFL Western Division title.
(some sources call it Titan Stadium) in Detroit. The game was played in a snowstorm in front of 12,000 spectators. It was the 3rd annual title game for the NFL. The champion of the Western Division was the Detroit Lions
(7-3-2) and the champion of the Eastern Division was the New York Giants
(9-3). On the opening drive of the game, the Lions Glenn Presnell
threw a 36-yard pass to Frank Christensen
, and Ace Gutowsky
threw another long pass to Ed Klewicki
at the Giants' 8-yard line. Gutowsky then ran the ball into the end zone to give the Lions a 7-0 lead. The Lions scored again after Christensen intercepted a pass thrown by New York's Ed Danowski
and ran it back to midfield. Three plays later, Dutch Clark ran 40 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Lions blocked a punt, and George Christensen recovered the ball on the Giants' 22-yard line. Ernie Caddel
ran the ball in from the one-yard line for the Lions' third touchdown. The Lions added to their lead late in the game after Parker intercepted a pass from New York quarterback (and former University of Michigan
star) Harry Newman
on the Giants' 45-yard line and returned it to the nine-yard line. Buddy Parker
ran for the touchdown as the Lions won the championship by a final score of 26-7.
. The Lions scored five touchdowns, including three in the third period, for a 33-0 victory.
also won the 1935 World Series
, and the Detroit Red Wings
won the 1935–36 Stanley Cup championship. Detroit's "champions" included Detroit's "Brown Bomber," Joe Louis
, the heavyweight boxing champion; native Detroiter Gar Wood who was the champion of unlimited powerboat racing
and the first man to go 100 miles per hour on water; Eddie "the Midnight Express" Tolan
, a black Detroiter who won gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter races at the 1932 Summer Olympics
.
1935 NFL season
The 1935 NFL season was the 16th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended when the Detroit Lions defeated the New York Giants in the NFL Championship Game....
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
season resulted in the Lions winning their first NFL Championship. In their second season in Detroit, the Lions placed first in the NFL's Western Division and went on to defeat the 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...
in the 1935 NFL Championship Game. The team was coached by Potsy Clark. The leading offensive players were Dutch Clark, who led the NFL with 55 points, and Ernie Caddel
Ernie Caddel
Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions...
, who led the league with 621 yards from scrimmage and 6.4 yards per touch.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 20, 1935 | Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 35-0 |
| 2 | September 29, 1935 | Chicago Cardinals | T 10-10 |
| 3 | October 6, 1935 | at Brooklyn Dodgers Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL) The Brooklyn Dodgers were an American football team that played in the National Football League from 1930 to 1943, and in 1944 as the Brooklyn Tigers. The team played its home games at Ebbets Field. In 1945, because of financial difficulties, the team was merged with the Boston Yanks... |
L 12-10 |
| 4 | October 13, 1935 | at Boston Redskins | W 17-7 |
| 5 | October 20, 1935 | at 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... |
L 13-9 |
| 6 | October 30, 1935 | Boston Redskins | W 14-0 |
| 7 | November 3, 1935 | at Chicago Cardinals | W 7-6 |
| 8 | November 10, 1935 | at 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... |
L 31-7 |
| 9 | November 17, 1935 | 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... |
W 20-10 |
| 10 | November 24, 1935 | at 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... |
T 20-20 |
| 11 | November 28, 1935 | 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... |
W 14-2 |
| 12 | December 1, 1935 | Brooklyn Dodgers Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL) The Brooklyn Dodgers were an American football team that played in the National Football League from 1930 to 1943, and in 1944 as the Brooklyn Tigers. The team played its home games at Ebbets Field. In 1945, because of financial difficulties, the team was merged with the Boston Yanks... |
W 28-0 |
Playoffs
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | December 15, 1935 | 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... |
W 26-7 |
Post-season games
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Star Game | January 1, 1936 | NFL All-Stars | W 33-0 |
| Post-season game | January 13, 1936 | Westwood Clubs Los Angeles | W 67-14 |
| Post-season game | January 20, 1936 | Los Angeles All-Stars | W 42-7 |
| Post-season rematch | January 26, 1936 | Green Bay Packers | W 10-3 |
Standings
| NFL Western Eastern and Western Divisions (NFL) 1933-69 The Eastern and Western Divisions of the National Football League, renamed the American and National Conferences in 1950 and then the Eastern and Western Conferences in 1953, were organized as a result of the disputed NFL championship of 1932... |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| Detroit Lions | 7 | 3 | 2 | .700 | 191 | 111 | W-2 |
| Green Bay Packers 1935 Green Bay Packers season The 1935 Green Bay Packers season was their 15th season in the National Football League. The club posted a 8-4 record under coach Curly Lambeau, earning them a second-place finish in the Western Conference. They failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive... |
8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | 181 | 96 | W-1 |
| Chicago Cardinals 1935 Chicago Cardinals season The 1935 Chicago Cardinals season was their 16th in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 5-6, winning six games. They failed to qualify for the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
6 | 4 | 2 | .600 | 99 | 97 | L-1 |
| Chicago Bears 1935 Chicago Bears season -Season overview:The 1935 Chicago Bears season was their 16th regular season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 6-4-2 record, finished in a tie for third place in the Western Division, and failed to return to the championship game... |
6 | 4 | 2 | .600 | 192 | 106 | W-1 |
Roster
Backs
Ends
|
Linemen
Ox Emerson Gover Conner “Ox” Emerson was an American football player.Born and raised in rural East Texas, Emerson played high school football at Orange High School. He later played starting left guard on the Texas Longhorns team of 1929 and 1930 under coach Clyde Littlefield. He garnered all-Southwest... Thomas Hupke Thomas George Hupke was a former American football player. He played college football at the University of Alabama from 1930 to 1933 and was selected as an All-American in 1933. During the four years Hupke played for the Crimson Tide, the team compiled a record of 34-4-1... Jack Johnson (American football) John "Jack" Denoil Johnson was a professional American football player who played offensive tackle for seven seasons for the Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.... Regis Monahan John Regis Head Monahan was a professional football player in the NFL.-College career:... Clare Randolph Clare Loring Randolph was a professional American football player who played center for seven seasons for the Chicago Cardinals, the Portsmouth Spartans, and the Detroit Lions.... Red Stacy James William "Red" Stacy was an American football player. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma from 1932 to 1934 and professional football for the Detroit Lions from 1935 to 1937. During the summer of 1933, Stacy appeared in a motion picture with Charles Bickford... Jim Steen James Steen has been the head coach of the swim teams at Kenyon College since 1976.Steen's teams have won more NCAA championships than any other team in any division or any sport. The Lords have won 31 consecutive NCAA Division III championships, the first having been in 1980, while the Ladies... |
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Week 1: Lions 35, Eagles 0
The Lions opened the 1935 season with a 35-0 victory over the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in a Friday night game in Detroit. Following the game, the Associated Press reported that the Lions has "definitely established themselves as serious contenders for the 1935 National Professional football league championship." Dutch Clark and Ernie Caddel
Ernie Caddel
Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions...
led the scoring, and the Lions prevented the Eagles from making a first down. The Lions totaled 381 total yards against the Eagles, including 324 rushing yards on 57 carries for an average of 6.8 yards per carry.
Week 2: Lions 10, Cardinals 10
In the second week of the 1935 season, the Lions and Chicago Cardinals played to a 10-10 tie in front of 10,000 spectators in Detroit. The Lions came from behind to tie the score in the final minutes, as Glenn PresnellGlenn Presnell
Glenn Emery "Press" Presnell was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He set the NFL single-season scoring record in 1933 and led the league in total offense. He was the last surviving member of the Detroit Lions inaugural 1934 team and helped lead the team to...
kicked a field goal.
Week 3: Dodgers 12, Lions 10
The Lions suffered their first loss of the season in a road game against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets FieldEbbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA, on a city block which is now considered to be part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. It was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League. It was also a venue for professional football...
.
Week 4: Lions 17, Redskins 7
In week four, the Lions defeated the Boston Redskins 17-7 in front at Fenway ParkFenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
in Boston. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 35-yard field goal by Glenn Presnell
Glenn Presnell
Glenn Emery "Press" Presnell was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He set the NFL single-season scoring record in 1933 and led the league in total offense. He was the last surviving member of the Detroit Lions inaugural 1934 team and helped lead the team to...
. The Lions added a touchdown in the third quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ace Gutowsky
Ace Gutowsky
LeRoy Erwin "Ace" Gutowsky was an American football fullback. He played professional football for eight years from 1932 to 1939 and set the NFL career rushing record in October 1939. He held the Detroit Lions' career and single-season rushing records until the 1960s.-Early years:Gutowsky was...
to Dutch Clark. Both teams scored touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Lions' final touchdown was fueled by a 40-yard run by Ernie Caddel
Ernie Caddel
Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions...
and a final 10-yard touchdown run by Caddel.
Week 5: Packers 13, Lions 9
In week five, the Lions suffered their second loss of the season, falling to the Green Bay PackersGreen 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...
13-9 at State Fair Park in Milwaukee. Former Oregon State tackle Tar Schwammel kicked two field gaols for the Packers.
Through the first five games, Ernie Caddel
Ernie Caddel
Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions...
was tied with Dale Burnett
Dale Burnett
Dale R. Burnett was an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League....
for the NFL scoring lead with five touchdowns and 30 points. Caddel had gained 297 yards on 39 carries for an average of 7.6 yards per carry.
Week 6: Lions 14, Redskins 0
In the sixth game of the season, the Lions defeated the Boston Redskins 14-0 in front of 14,000 spectators in Detroit. In the first quarter, Ernie CaddelErnie Caddel
Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions...
threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Schneller for the first points of the game. The second half was played in heavy fog, "at times almost completely blotting out all action, and making necessary the use of a white ball." The Redskins drove to the Lions' nine-yard line in the third quarter, but the Lions intercepted a pass to stop the drive. The Lions scored in the fourth quarter on a one-yard plunge by Ace Gutowsky
Ace Gutowsky
LeRoy Erwin "Ace" Gutowsky was an American football fullback. He played professional football for eight years from 1932 to 1939 and set the NFL career rushing record in October 1939. He held the Detroit Lions' career and single-season rushing records until the 1960s.-Early years:Gutowsky was...
.
Week 7: Lions 7, Cardinals 6
In week seven, the Lions narrowly defeated the Chicago Cardinals in the rain and mud at Wrigley FieldWrigley 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...
. The final score was 7-6 with the difference being a successful extra point kicked by Dutch Clark after a 12-yard touchdown run by Ernie Caddel
Ernie Caddel
Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions...
in the first quarter. The Cardinals scored a touchdown in the second quarter but missed the extra point attempt.
Week 8: Packers 31, Lions 7
In week eight, the Lions lost for the second time in 1935 to the Green Bay PackersGreen 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...
, this time by a score of 31-7.
Week 9: Lions 20, Packers 10
In week nine, the Lions and Packers met for the third time in the 1935 season. This time, the Lions came out on top 20-10. Bill Shepherd, who had been acquired by the Lions in a trade for Doug NottDoug Nott
Douglas N. Nott was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Boston Redskins and the Detroit Lions. He attended the University of Detroit Mercy....
on November 4, 1935, scored two touchdowns for the Lions. Ebding added another. Dutch Clark kicked two extra points. The game was attended by 14,000 spectators at University of Detroit Stadium.
Week 10: Lions 20, Bears 20
In week 10, the Lions played the Chicago BearsChicago 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...
to a 20-20 tie at 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...
. The Bears' Bill Karr
Bill Karr
William Morrison Karr Jr. was an end who played six seasons in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears. Karr attended West Virginia University....
caught three touchdown passes in the game. The Lions' touchdowns were scored by Dutch Clark, Bill Shepherd and Klewicki.
Week 11: Lions 14, Bears 2
For their 11th game, the Lions played the Bears on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit. Dutch Clark scored two touchdowns as the Lions beat the Bears 14-2. The Bears scored a safety after Buddy ParkerBuddy Parker
Raymond "Buddy" Parker is a former football player and coach in the National Football League who served as head coach for three teams: the Chicago Cardinals, the Detroit Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers....
fumbled and recovered the ball behind his own goal line.
Week 12: Lions 28, Dodgers 0
In their final regular season game, the Detroit Lions defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 28-0 in front of 12,000 spectators in Detroit. The Lions scored on a field goal by Glenn PresnellGlenn Presnell
Glenn Emery "Press" Presnell was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He set the NFL single-season scoring record in 1933 and led the league in total offense. He was the last surviving member of the Detroit Lions inaugural 1934 team and helped lead the team to...
, a touchdown reception by Presnell, two safeties, and touchdowns by Dutch Clark and Ace Gutowsky
Ace Gutowsky
LeRoy Erwin "Ace" Gutowsky was an American football fullback. He played professional football for eight years from 1932 to 1939 and set the NFL career rushing record in October 1939. He held the Detroit Lions' career and single-season rushing records until the 1960s.-Early years:Gutowsky was...
. The scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. The win gave the Lions the undisputed NFL Western Division title.
NFL Championship Game
The 1935 NFL Championship Game was held on December 15, 1935 at University of Detroit StadiumUniversity of Detroit Stadium
University of Detroit Stadium, also known as U of D Stadium, Titan Stadium, or Dinan Field, was a stadium in Detroit, Michigan on the campus of the University of Detroit...
(some sources call it Titan Stadium) in Detroit. The game was played in a snowstorm in front of 12,000 spectators. It was the 3rd annual title game for the NFL. The champion of the Western Division was the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
(7-3-2) and the champion of the Eastern Division was the 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...
(9-3). On the opening drive of the game, the Lions Glenn Presnell
Glenn Presnell
Glenn Emery "Press" Presnell was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He set the NFL single-season scoring record in 1933 and led the league in total offense. He was the last surviving member of the Detroit Lions inaugural 1934 team and helped lead the team to...
threw a 36-yard pass to Frank Christensen
Frank Christensen
Frank Langton Christensen was an American athlete. After receiving all-state honors at Granite High School in baseball, football, and basketball, Christensen played fullback at the University of Utah. "Crashing Chris" was the university’s first three-time All-American...
, and Ace Gutowsky
Ace Gutowsky
LeRoy Erwin "Ace" Gutowsky was an American football fullback. He played professional football for eight years from 1932 to 1939 and set the NFL career rushing record in October 1939. He held the Detroit Lions' career and single-season rushing records until the 1960s.-Early years:Gutowsky was...
threw another long pass to Ed Klewicki
Ed Klewicki
Edward Leonard Klewicki was an American football player. He is in the National Polish-American Hall of Fame.Edward L. Klewicki was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to Hamtramck, Michigan with his family at a young age. At the time, Hamtramck was an enclave of Polish immigrants in the...
at the Giants' 8-yard line. Gutowsky then ran the ball into the end zone to give the Lions a 7-0 lead. The Lions scored again after Christensen intercepted a pass thrown by New York's Ed Danowski
Ed Danowski
Edward Frank Danowski was an American football player who played quarterback and halfback in the National Football League. Danowski played for the New York Giants for seven seasons and quarterbacked the team when they won the 1934 and 1938 NFL Championship Games...
and ran it back to midfield. Three plays later, Dutch Clark ran 40 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Lions blocked a punt, and George Christensen recovered the ball on the Giants' 22-yard line. Ernie Caddel
Ernie Caddel
Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions...
ran the ball in from the one-yard line for the Lions' third touchdown. The Lions added to their lead late in the game after Parker intercepted a pass from New York quarterback (and former University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
star) Harry Newman
Harry Newman
Harry Lawrence Newman was an American football quarterback who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines , the New York Giants , and the Brooklyn/Rochester Tigers .-College career:...
on the Giants' 45-yard line and returned it to the nine-yard line. Buddy Parker
Buddy Parker
Raymond "Buddy" Parker is a former football player and coach in the National Football League who served as head coach for three teams: the Chicago Cardinals, the Detroit Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers....
ran for the touchdown as the Lions won the championship by a final score of 26-7.
All-Star Game: Lions 33, NFL All-Stars 0
After the NFL Championship Game, the Lions played a game against an NFL All-Star team on January 1, 1936. The game was attended by 11,000 spectators and marked the first NFL game to be played in Denver, ColoradoDenver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. The Lions scored five touchdowns, including three in the third period, for a 33-0 victory.
Detroit: "City of Champions"
When the Lions won the 1935 NFL Championship Game, the City of Detroit was mired in the Great Depression, which had hit Detroit and its industries particularly hard. But with the success of the Lions and other Detroit athletes in 1935, Detroit's luck appeared to be changing, as the City was dubbed the "City of Champions." The Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
also won the 1935 World Series
1935 World Series
The 1935 World Series featured the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, with the Tigers winning in six games for their first championship in five Series appearances. They had lost in , , , and ....
, and the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
won the 1935–36 Stanley Cup championship. Detroit's "champions" included Detroit's "Brown Bomber," Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
, the heavyweight boxing champion; native Detroiter Gar Wood who was the champion of unlimited powerboat racing
Hydroplane racing
Hydroplane racing is a sport involving racing hydroplanes on lakes and rivers. It is a popular spectator sport in several countries.-International Professional Outboard Hydroplane Racing:...
and the first man to go 100 miles per hour on water; Eddie "the Midnight Express" Tolan
Eddie Tolan
Thomas Edward "Eddie" Tolan , nicknamed the "Midnight Express", was an American track and field athlete who compete in the Sprints. He set world records in the 100 yard dash and 100 meters event and Olympic records in the 100 meters and 200 meters events...
, a black Detroiter who won gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter races at the 1932 Summer Olympics
1932 Summer Olympics
The 1932 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the X Olympiad, was a major world wide multi-athletic event which was celebrated in 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States. No other cities made a bid to host these Olympics. Held during the worldwide Great Depression, many nations...
.
Rushing
| Player | GP | Att | Net Yards | Yds/Att | TD |
| Ernie Caddel Ernie Caddel Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions... |
12 | 87 | 450 | 5.2 | 6 |
| Dutch Clark | 12 | 102 | 427 | 3.6 | 4 |
| Ace Gutowsky Ace Gutowsky LeRoy Erwin "Ace" Gutowsky was an American football fullback. He played professional football for eight years from 1932 to 1939 and set the NFL career rushing record in October 1939. He held the Detroit Lions' career and single-season rushing records until the 1960s.-Early years:Gutowsky was... |
9 | 59 | 276 | 2.9 | 2 |
| Glenn Presnell Glenn Presnell Glenn Emery "Press" Presnell was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He set the NFL single-season scoring record in 1933 and led the league in total offense. He was the last surviving member of the Detroit Lions inaugural 1934 team and helped lead the team to... |
12 | 71 | 225 | 3.2 | 0 |
| Buddy Parker Buddy Parker Raymond "Buddy" Parker is a former football player and coach in the National Football League who served as head coach for three teams: the Chicago Cardinals, the Detroit Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers.... |
11 | 59 | 156 | 2.6 | 0 |
| Bill Shepherd | 5 | 54 | 140 | 2.6 | 3 |
Passing
| Player | GP | Att | Comp | Int | Comp % | Yds | Yds/Comp | TD |
| Glenn Presnell Glenn Presnell Glenn Emery "Press" Presnell was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He set the NFL single-season scoring record in 1933 and led the league in total offense. He was the last surviving member of the Detroit Lions inaugural 1934 team and helped lead the team to... |
12 | 45 | 15 | 6 | 33.3 | 193 | 12.9 | 0 |
| Ernie Caddel Ernie Caddel Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions... |
12 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 66.6 | 169 | 42.3 | 2 |
| Dutch Clark | 12 | 26 | 11 | 4 | 42.3 | 133 | 12.1 | 2 |
| Pug Vaughan Pug Vaughan Charles Wesley "Pug" Vaughan was a former American football running back. He played college football under head coach Bob Neyland at the University of Tennessee from 1932 to 1934 and professional football for the Detroit Lions in 1935 and the Chicago Cardinals in 1936.Vaughan was born in... |
7 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 46.7 | 104 | 14.9 | 2 |
| Bill Shepherd | 5 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 77.8 | 99 | 14.1 | 1 |
| Ace Gutowsky Ace Gutowsky LeRoy Erwin "Ace" Gutowsky was an American football fullback. He played professional football for eight years from 1932 to 1939 and set the NFL career rushing record in October 1939. He held the Detroit Lions' career and single-season rushing records until the 1960s.-Early years:Gutowsky was... |
12 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 55.6 | 95 | 19.0 | 2 |
| Frank Christensen Frank Christensen Frank Langton Christensen was an American athlete. After receiving all-state honors at Granite High School in baseball, football, and basketball, Christensen played fullback at the University of Utah. "Crashing Chris" was the university’s first three-time All-American... |
12 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 28.6 | 92 | 15.3 | 0 |
Receiving
| Player | GP | Recp | Yds | Yds/Recp | TD |
| Ernie Caddel Ernie Caddel Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions... |
12 | 10 | 171 | 17.1 | 0 |
| John Schneller John Schneller John Schneller was a player in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions from 1933 to 1936, playing end on offense and defense. As a player in 1935, the Detroit Lion's won their first NFL Championship, beating the NY Giants 26-7. He went to the University of Wisconsin... |
12 | 7 | 149 | 21.3 | 2 |
| Harry Ebding Harry Ebding Harry Joseph Ebding was a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played seven seasons for the Portsmouth Spartans and the Detroit Lions . He was named All-Pro in 1933.... |
11 | 8 | 128 | 16.0 | 1 |
| Dutch Clark | 12 | 9 | 124 | 13.8 | 2 |
| Ed Klewicki Ed Klewicki Edward Leonard Klewicki was an American football player. He is in the National Polish-American Hall of Fame.Edward L. Klewicki was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to Hamtramck, Michigan with his family at a young age. At the time, Hamtramck was an enclave of Polish immigrants in the... |
11 | 4 | 112 | 28.0 | 2 |
| Glenn Presnell Glenn Presnell Glenn Emery "Press" Presnell was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He set the NFL single-season scoring record in 1933 and led the league in total offense. He was the last surviving member of the Detroit Lions inaugural 1934 team and helped lead the team to... |
12 | 3 | 73 | 24.3 | 1 |
Scoring
| Player | GP | Rush TD | Recv TD | PR TD | Total TD | FG | XPM | Points |
| Dutch Clark | 12 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 16 | 55 |
| Ernie Caddel Ernie Caddel Ernest Wiley Caddel was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football League for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions... |
12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| Glenn Presnell Glenn Presnell Glenn Emery "Press" Presnell was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He set the NFL single-season scoring record in 1933 and led the league in total offense. He was the last surviving member of the Detroit Lions inaugural 1934 team and helped lead the team to... |
12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 28 |
| Bill Shepherd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
Awards and records
- Ernie Cadell
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- Led NFL in all-purpose yards and yards from scrimmage (621)
- Led NFL in rushing touchdowns (6)
- Led NFL in yards per rushing attempt (5.2)
- Led NFL in yards per touch (6.4)
- Tied for NFL lead in rushing/receiving touchdowns (6)
- 2nd in NFL in rushing yards (450)
- Dutch Clark
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- Led NFL in points scored (55)
- Tied for NFL lead in extra points made (16)
- Tied for NFL lead in rushing/receiving touchdowns (6)
- 2nd in NFL in all-purpose yards (551)
- Glenn Presnell
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- Tied for NFL lead in punt return touchdowns (1)