Chicago Bears Owner Had Green Bay Packers Kicked Out of League
Published on June 28th, 2024 9:27 pm ESTWritten By: Dave Manuel
In 1921, the Green Bay Packers joined the American Professional Football Association (which would eventually become the NFL), where they finished with a record of 3-2-1. At the end of the season, they were kicked out of the league.
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The Chicago Staleys were the cream of the crop in the APFA in 1921, finishing the season with a record of 9-1-1.
The team was owned and coached by the legendary George Halas, who also played for the team as well.
Halas coveted a college player by the name of Harry "Hunk" Anderson, and he was intent on signing Anderson to a contract to play for the Staleys.
Halas discovered that the Packers had used three college players during the 1921 season, which was against the rules. These players, who included Harry Anderson, had played for the Packers under assumed names.
Remember - this was before football was televised, so it was much easier to get away with things like this.
It should also be mentioned that the Staleys used college players illegally as well, but that's a different story.
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Halas really wanted Anderson, but Anderson was already technically under contract to the Packers.
Halas, who had an immense amount of power in the league, requested that the APFA revoke the Packers franchise in order to punish them for using college players.
The APFA agreed, and the Packers had their franchise revoked.
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When the Packers had their franchise revoked, all of their players became free agents, including Harry Anderson.
The Packers filed to start another franchise for the 1922 season in the newly named National Football League, and their application was granted by the league.
The Packers played the 1922 season as the "Green Bay Blues" before returning to their original name a year later.
Harry Anderson, however, was not part of the new Green Bay franchise, as he had been signed by none other than George Halas.
Halas, in an attempt to land the player that he wanted, actually had the Packers removed from the league in order to get his guy, and it worked.
The Staleys would change their name to the Bears for the 1922, where they would finish with a record of 9-3-0, finishing in second place in the league.
The Green Bay Blues (Packers), on the other hand, would finish with a record of 4-3-3.
