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The
1937The 1937 NFL season was the 18th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Rams joined the league as an expansion team. Meanwhile, the Redskins relocated from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C....
Chicago BearsThe 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 18th
regular seasonThe 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 LeagueThe 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 Bears started the season fast, winning their first five games, three of them on the road. After a tie to the Giants and a loss to the Packers, the Bears finished the season strong, winning their last four games. The club was second in scoring offense, behind Green Bay, and led the league in scoring defense.
Season highlights
The Bear offense relied on a rugged rushing attack and a quick-strike passing game. Sixteen of their 21 offensive touchdowns were through the air and the team averaged a league-leading 18.3 yards per completion. Future hall of fame end Bill Hewitt was gone to Philadelphia and Luke Johnsos did not play so coach Halas relied on young Les McDonald and "Eggs" Manske, along with veteran Bill Karr to catch the long ball. Bernie Masterson was still the primary quarterback but rookie Ray Buivid played regularly and showed promise. Ray Nolting led the team in rushing, with Bronko Nagurski and Jack Manders contributing as well. Manders led the league in scoring with 8 field goals and 15 of 20 PATs, finishing with 69 points. The Bears' interior line was their real strong suit, however, with Musso, Stydahar, and Fortmann anchoring the best line in the NFL. Frank Bausch emerged as a top flight center as well. With a consistent offense and a solid defense, the Bears were the class of the West, finishing 2½ games ahead of the Packers and Lions and winning 3 of 4 games against those two teams.
Future Hall of Fame Players
- Dan Fortmann
Dr. Daniel John Fortmann was a professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears. He played college football at Colgate University and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1936 NFL Draft...
, Guard
- George Musso
George Francis Musso was an American National Football League lineman, playing both offensive guard and tackle as well as defensive middle guard...
, Tackle
- Bronko Nagurski
Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was a Canadian-born American football player. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.-Youth and collegiate career:...
, Fullback
- Joe Stydahar
Joseph "Jumbo Joe" Lee Stydahar was an American football offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears from 1936 to 1942 and 1945 to 1946 and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was born and raised about east of Pittsburgh in the small mining community of Kaylor, Pennsylvania in Armstrong...
, Tackle (rookie from West Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
)
Other Leading Players
- Frank Bausch
Frank Joseph Bausch was an American football center in the National Football League for the Boston Redskins, the Chicago Bears, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the University of Kansas....
, Center (acquired from Boston Redskins)
- Ray Buivid
Raymond Vincent Buivid was an American football player who played quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Buivid played for the Marquette "Golden Avalanche" football team in the first Cotton Bowl Classic. In 1936, he finished third in the voting for the Heisman Trophy and was named to Collier's...
, Back (rookie from MarquetteMarquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
)
- 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....
, End
- Jack Manders
Jack "Automatic Jack" Manders was a National Football League running back for the Chicago Bears from 1933 through 1940. He is the older brother of Clarence Manders....
, Fullback / Kicker
- Edgar Manske
Edgar John "Eggs" Manske was a former professional American football player who played six seasons in the National Football League. Manske was the last NFL player to play without a football helmet...
, End (acquired from Philadelphia Eagles)
- Bernie Masterson
, Quarterback
- Les McDonald
Lester Bruce McDonald was an American football end in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the University of Nebraska and was drafted in the first round of the 1937 NFL Draft....
, End (rookie from University of Nebraska)
- Keith Molesworth
Keith Frank Molesworth was an American football player and coach. He also played and managed in minor league baseball....
, Halfback
- Ray Nolting
Raymond A. Nolting was an American football running back for the Chicago Bears, as well as a college football coach. He played college football at Cincinnati, before spending 6 seasons with the Bears. He rushed for over 2,000 yards, and had over 500 receiving yards before retiring in 1943...
, Halfback (rookie from University of CincinnatiThe University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
)
- Gene Ronzani
Gene Ronzani was the second head coach of the Green Bay Packers. He coached the Packers from 1951 until 1953. He resigned with two games remaining in the 1953 season and was replaced on an interim basis by the tandem of Hugh Devore and Ray Scooter McLean....
, Back
Players departed from 1936
- Bill Hewitt, End (went to Philadelphia)
- 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...
, End (did not play for unknown reasons)
Schedule
| Date |
Opponent |
Location |
Result |
Score |
| Sep. 19 |
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...
|
East Stadium |
Win |
14-2 |
| Oct. 4 |
Pittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
|
Forbes FieldForbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise...
|
Win |
7-0 |
| Oct. 10 |
Cleveland Rams |
League ParkLeague Park was a baseball park located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It was situated at the northeast corner of Lexington Avenue and E. 66th Street in the Hough neighborhood. It was home to the National League Cleveland Spiders, the American League Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland...
|
Win |
20-2 |
| Oct. 17 |
Chicago Cardinals |
Wrigley FieldWrigley 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 |
16-7 |
| Oct. 24 |
Detroit LionsThe 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...
|
Wrigley FieldWrigley 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 |
28-20 |
| Oct. 31 |
New York GiantsThe 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 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...
|
Tie |
3-3 |
| Nov. 7 |
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 FieldWrigley 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 |
14-24 |
| Nov. 14 |
Brooklyn DodgersThe 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...
|
Wrigley FieldWrigley 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 |
29-7 |
| Nov. 25 |
Detroit LionsThe 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...
|
Titan 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...
|
Win |
13-0 |
| Nov. 28 |
Cleveland Rams |
Wrigley FieldWrigley 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 |
15-7 |
| Dec. 5 |
Chicago Cardinals |
Wrigley FieldWrigley 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 |
42-28 |
Standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PTS=Points Scored, OPP=Opponents' Points
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972
| NFL Western 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 |
| Chicago Bears |
9 |
1 |
1 |
.900 |
201 |
110 |
W-4 |
| Green Bay Packers The 1937 Green Bay Packers season was their 17th season in the National Football League. The club posted a 7-4 record under coach Curly Lambeau, earning them a second-place finish in the Western Conference.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:*...
|
7 |
4 |
0 |
.636 |
220 |
122 |
L-2 |
| Detroit Lions The 1937 Detroit Lions season was their eighth in the league. The team failed to improve on their previous season's output of 8-4, winning only seven games. They failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season.-Schedule:-Standings:...
|
7 |
4 |
0 |
.636 |
180 |
105 |
L-1 |
| Chicago Cardinals The 1937 Chicago Cardinals season was their 18th in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 3-8-1, winning five games. Playing their first eight games on the road, they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season....
|
5 |
5 |
1 |
.500 |
135 |
165 |
L-2 |
| Cleveland Rams The 1937 Cleveland Rams season was the team's first year with the National Football League and the second season in Cleveland.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:*...
|
1 |
10 |
0 |
.091 |
75 |
207 |
L-9 |
Championship Game
The Bears lost to the Washington Redskins at Wrigley Field 28-21.
Sammy BaughSamuel Adrian "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh was an American football player and coach. He played college football for the Horned Frogs at Texas Christian University, where he was a two-time All-American. He then played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1937 to 1952...
threw three third quarter touchdown passes to upset the Bears. The Bears quarterbacks were ineffective, completing only 8 of 30 passes for 207 yards. Baugh set several NFL championship game records while completing 17 of 34 passes for 358 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.