1920 Rock Island Independents season

Background

The Independents in the APFA

After the 1919 season, representatives of the Canton Bulldogs, the Cleveland Tigers, the Dayton Triangles, and the Akron Pros met on August 20, 1920, to discuss the formation of a new league. At the meeting, they tentatively agreed on a salary cap and pledged not to sign college players or players already under contract with other teams. They also agreed on a name for the circuit: the American Professional Football Conference. They then invited other professional teams to a second meeting on September 17.

At that meeting, held at Bulldogs owner Ralph Hay's Hupmobile showroom in Canton, representatives of the Rock Island Independents, the Muncie Flyers, the Decatur Staleys, the Racine Cardinals, the Massillon Tigers, the Chicago Cardinals, and the Hammond Pros agreed to join the league. Representatives of the Buffalo All-Americans and Rochester Jeffersons could not attend the meeting, but sent letters to Hay asking to be included in the league. Team representatives changed the league's name slightly to the American Professional Football Association and elected officers, installing Jim Thorpe as president. Under the new league structure, teams created their schedules dynamically as the season progressed, so there were no minimum or maximum number of games needed to be played. Representatives of each team were to vote to determine the winner of the APFA trophy.

Personnel changes

The Rock Island Independents finished 9–1–1 in their 1919 season, claiming the National Championship. For the 1920 season, the Independents added multiple players to its roster: Keith Dooley, who previously played from 1912 to 1916; Fred Denfield, Mark Devlin, and Harry Gunderson, who previously played in 1917; Ed Healey, Polly Koch, George Magerkurth, Ed Shaw, Ben Synhorst, Harry Webber, Obe Wenig, and Arnie Wyman.

The team was diminished with the departure of 1919 players Wes Bradshaw, Leland Dempsey, Al Jorgenson, Loyal Robb, Fats Smith, Red Swanson, and co-coach John Roche.

Players split the pot

The Independents were structured on a cooperative basis, rather than as a commercial enterprise with player-employees paid every week. In the evening of December 1, 1920, with the team's final game of the year over and done, a "secret meeting of officials and players" was held at the New Harper Hotel in Rock Island. The results of a day-long audit of the books by team manager Walter A. Flanigan and treasurer Zwicker were presented, showing total receipts in round figures of $29,000, expenses of $16,000, and a net surplus of $13,000.

Three players not on the roster at the end of the season were voted full shares for their work earlier in the year, with a total of 20 full shares paid. "Others who played one or two games were paid accordingly," it was noted. The original split was estimated at $660 per player (approximately $11,000 in 2025 dollars); however as a few bills remained outstanding, a portion of this was left by each member of the team until final accounts were settled.

According to a report in the Rock Island Argus, "the meeting went through without the slightest dissent, which characterized showdowns of former years." Members of the club decided to end their season as it stood, without further negotiation for post-season road games, and players began to leave Rock Island for their homes the morning after the disbursement meeting.

Flanigan wants out

Following the conclusion of the 1920 season and about one week after the team's disbursement of funds, Independents team manager Walter A. Flanigan — connected with the team since 1912 and serving as chief organizer for the past several seasons — indicated a desire to resign his position. Flanigan first approached the local post of the American Legion seeking to turn over the operation to them, stating that the post seemed the most logical successor to operate the franchise. Flanigan promised to donate one month of his time at the start of the 1921 season to help the legion post to navigate the difficulties of scheduling and any other problems of initial team organization that should arise.

A four-member committee was appointed by the Legion post to study the matter, with a report due to the organization on December 21, 1920.

Schedule

Standings

Game summaries

Game 1: vs. St. Paul Ideals

September 26, 1920, at Douglas Park, Rock Island, Illinois

To start its 1920 season, the Independents played the first game in the history of the league against the non-APFA St. Paul Ideals. This was the Ideals' second game of the season, coming off a 14–7 victory the week prior. Coach Flanigan had Fred Chicken, Bobby Marshall, and Freeman Fitzgerald—the 1919 Independents' main stars—in reserve in case he needed to play them. The Independents shutout the Ideals, winning 48–0. Every touchdown by the Independents were rushing. In the first quarter, Ed Novak and Chicken both scored; Novak and Jerry Mansfield scored in the second quarter. The Independents scored 14 points in the third quarter with touchdowns from Ray Kuehl and Mansfield. In the final quarter, Kuehl scored the Independents' last points of the game.

Game 2: vs. Muncie Flyers

October 3, 1920, at Douglas Park

Next up, the Green and White faced the Muncie Flyers — reckoned to be one of the first games featuring two APFA teams. As the Columbus Panhandles played against the Dayton Triangles on the same day it is unknown which of the two games started first. In the first quarter, the Independents scored three touchdowns: two from Arnold Wyman and one from Rube Ursella. In the second quarter, Ursella scored kicked a 25 yard field goal, and Wyman scored from an 86 yard kickoff return. In the third quarter, Sid Nichols had a 5 yard rushing touchdown, and Waddy Kuehl scored a 7 yard rushing touchdown. The final score of the game was 45–0. This game was the only one that counted towards the Flyers' standing for the entire 1920 season.

Game 3: vs. Hammond Pros

October 10, 1920, at Douglas Park

This was the Pros' first game of the 1920 season. There were no scores by either team in the first or third quarters, but the Independents scored 13 points in the second and fourth. Back Fred Chicken scored a 1 yard rushing touchdown; back Ray Kuehl scored two touchdowns: a 5 yard rushing touchdown and a 35 yard receiving touchdown from back Pudge Wyman; and back Gerald Mansfield caught a 20 yard receiving touchdown from Wyman. Hammond started to purposely injure their opponents during the game. As a result, Rube Ursella suffered a twisted knee. Duey Lyle was kicked in the face and required seven stitches. Lastly, Ed Healey was kicked in the face and needed five stitches in the cheek.

Game 4: vs. Decatur Staleys

October 17, 1920, at Douglas Park

In week 4, the Independents played the Decatur Staleys. After two games against non-APFA teams, the Staleys played against an APFA team. Late in the first quarter, the Independents' Freeman Fitzgerald forced a fumble on Jimmy Conzelman; Fitzgerald retrieved it at the 49 yard line. The Independents drove the ball down the field, and the Staleys' players were tired. As a result, they called a timeout. With possession on 23, Arnie Wyman rushed for 10 yards, and the Independents were in the Red zone. The first quarter ended there. Wyman took the next snap and fumbled as he was tackled. George Trafton recovered the ball at the 8 yard mark. Later in the quarter, Conzelman scored the only touchdown in the game.

In the third quarter, Fred Chicken intercepted a Staley pass on the Independents' 28. Early in the fourth quarter, the Staleys drove to the Independents' 14, where they lined up for a field goal. Wyman blocked the kick, however. The Independents next possession resulted in a punt, and the Staleys started the possession at their own 7 yard line. On this possession, Kuehl intercepted a pass. The Independents attempted a Hail Mary pass late in the game, but it was unsuccessful. The game ended a few minutes later with the Staleys with possession.

Game 5: vs. Chicago Cardinals

October 24, 1920, at Douglas Park

Coming off their first loss of the season, the Independents played against the Chicago Cardinals in week 5, with 4,000 spectators in attendance. The Independents out-gained the Cardinals in yards; the Independents had 263 total yards while the opponent had 153. The only score was in the second quarter when Wyman caught a 6 yard receiving touchdown from Nichols, making the final score 7–0. This was the first loss of the season for the Cardinals.

Game 6: vs. Chicago Tigers

October 31, 1920, at Douglas Park

In week six, the Independents played the Chicago Tigers. The Independents out-gained the Tigers in first downs, 14 to 3. The first score of the game was a 6 yard rushing touchdown by Chicken; however, the extra point was missed, so the score was only 6–0. The Tigers took the lead in the second quarter after Dunc Annan had a 2 yard rushing touchdown. Chicken ended up having two rushing touchdowns, and Wyman had another rushing touchdown, as the Independents beat the Tigers 20–7.

Game 7: vs. Decatur Staleys

November 7, 1920, at Douglas Park

On a five-game winning streak, the Staleys played against the Independents again. The game ended in a 0–0 tie. Several injuries occurred throughout the game for the Independents. Sid Nichols, Fred Chicken, and Oak Smith injured their knees on different plays. Harry Gunderson was hit late by George Traften and the former had to get thirteen stitches on his face, and his hand was broken.

Game 8: at Chicago Thorn-Tornadoes

November 11, 1920, at Monmouth College Athletic Park

With Rock Island depleted by injury at the hands of "Staley's butchers," the Independents would have cancelled this first road game of the season had there not been a binding contract in place, according to Argus sportswriter Bruce Copeland.

Game 9: vs. Dayton Triangles

November 14, 1920, at Douglas Park

For their second game in week eight, the Independents played against the Dayton Triangles. The Independents had six players returning from injuries this game. In the first quarter, Rube Ursella for the Independents fumbled a punt on the 40 yard line, and the Triangles gained possession. On that possession, Frank Bacon scored a rushing touchdown. The Independents controlled the football for a majority of the second quarter. On their final possession of the half, they managed to take the ball to just four inches outside the Triangles' goal line, but the referee signaled to end the first half. In the fourth quarter, Ed Novack and Arnold Wyman left the game due to injury. The Triangles scored two passing touchdowns in the final 10 minutes of the game; the first was caught by Dave Reese, and the second was caught by Roudebush.

Game 10: vs. Washington & Jefferson All-Stars

November 28, 1920, at Douglas Park

A game against Jim Thorpe's Canton Bulldogs had been originally scheduled for Sunday, November 21, but a series of injuries to Rock Island's starting eleven forced a postponement of the Douglas Field game to November 28. Finances intervened, however, when on November 19 it was announced that Canton owner Jim Thorpe was canceling the game for economic reasons, despite having been offered a $4,000 guarantee.

Another game of the season was hastily organized for the open November 28 date. Fortunately, about three weeks previously J.F. Mulaney of the Wheeling Steel and Iron Corporation had worked with team captain Garbisch of Washington and Jefferson College to organize an All-Star football team with a view to facing either the Canton Bulldogs or the Akron Pros in a post-season game. Mulaney and Garbisch had been unable to get either of those teams to commit to playing, however.

The Washington and Jefferson All-Star team had already been signed for an as-yet unannounced December 5 visit to Rock Island to play the Independents. The November 28 date had proved difficult to fill, with first Akron and then Canton canceling planned games in Rock Island on that date. With that Sunday slot once again open, team manager Flanagan contacted Mulaney and had the game with the collegiate stars moved up one week.

This impromptu assemblage — remembered in historic accounts variously as the "Pittsburgh All-Collegians," "the Wheeling Collegians," or the "Washington and Jefferson All-Stars" — proved a chimera. Most players from the All-Collegians did not show up for the game, and the coach used people from the crowd to form a team.

The first score of the game came in the first quarter when Wenig blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. The only points the All-Collegians scored was a blocked punt from Morris, who returned it for a touchdown. The game ended with a 48–7 victory for the Independents.

Post season

Since there were no playoff system in the APFA until 1932, a meeting was held to determine the 1920 APFA Champions. Each team that showed up had a vote to determine the champions. The Akron Pros were awarded the Brunswick-Balke Collender Cup on April 30, 1921. Ties were not counted in standings until 1972, which is why Akron is credited with a 1.000 winning percentage. The Independents tied for fourth place in the standings. The sportswriter Bruce Copeland compiled the All-Pro list for the 1920 season. Denfield, Lyle, and Novak made the first-team; Wenig and Shaw made the second-team; and Buland and Fitzgerald made the third-team. Of all the players on the roster, only Healey has been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Roster

References

References

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15. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-independents-split/165220830/ "Independents Split Season's Cash: Receipts are $29,000; Men Get $660 Each,"] ''Rock Island Argus,'' Dec. 2, 1920, p. 17.
16. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-offers-legion-inde/165187235/ "Offers Legion Independent Team: Post is Given First Chance by W. Flanigan,"] ''Rock Island Argus,'' Dec. 8, 1920, p. 17.
17. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-muncie-too-easy-for-rock-is/162812989/ "Muncie Too Easy for Rock Island: Independents Batter Visitors' Defense for Three Scores in Opening Period,"] ''Moline Dispatch,'' Oct. 4, 1920, p. 16.
18. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-rock-island-independents-wi/162808719/ "Rock Island Independents Win by 7 Points: Driscoll Proves His Reputation is Deserved by Nearly Trimming Entire Islander Team,"] ''Moline Dispatch,'' Oct. 25, 1920, p. 14.
19. Bruce Copeland, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-super-independents/165226444/ "Super-Independents Crush Tigers: Vindication of Fred Chicken Outstanding Feature of Play; Tigers Stopped at All Turns,"] ''Rock Island Argus,'' Nov. 1, 1920, p. 12.
20. Frank Weir, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-independents-stage-rally/165225731/ "Independents Stage Rally and Defeat Tigers; Great Use of Passes Features,"] ''Davenport Daily Times'', Nov. 1, 1920, p. 16.
21. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-rock-island-independents/165225997/ "Rock Island Independents Smash Chicago Tiger Line For 20–7 Win: Beaten at Half, Islanders Whip 'Chi' Battlers,"] ''Davenport Democrat and Leader,'' Nov. 1, 1920, p. 7.
22. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-rock-island-holds-staleys-to-0/162829041/ "Rock Island Holds Staleys to 0–0 Tie,"] [Hammond, IN] ''Lake County Times,'' Nov. 8, 1920, p. 6.
23. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-staley-and-rock-island/162810669/ "Staley and Rock Island Football Teams Battle to Tie: Great Professional Grid Elevens Unable to Score in Contest,"] ''Decatur Herald,'' Nov. 8, 1920, p. 4.
24. According to the ''Monmouth Daily Review,'' "frigid temperatures kept many away." The ''Rock Island Independent,'' noting a presale of 3,000 tickets, indicates only "a comparative handful" showed up owing to cold temperatures and biting winds.
25. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-review-atlas-football-game-here-ye/165240675/ "Football Game Here Yesterday Classy Affair: Thorn Tornadoes Battle Rock Island to 7–7 Tie — Cold Weather,"] ''Monmouth Daily Review,'' Nov. 12, 1920, p. 1.
26. Bruce Copeland, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-ursella-breaks-isl/165241179/ "Ursella Breaks Islanders' Jinx: Master Mind Saves Game for Independents After Unlucky Slip Leaves Goal Unguarded,"] ''Rock Island Argus,'' Nov. 12, 1920, p. 26.
27. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dayton-herald-what-rock-island-think/164787084/ "What Rock Island Thinks of Triangles,"] ''Dayton Herald,'' Nov. 18, 1920, p. 22.
28. Game postponed by Rock Island to November 28 due to player injuries, then canceled by Canton for financial reasons.
29. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-canton-bulldogs-pl/162816369/ "Canton Bulldogs Play Here Nov. 28: Jim Thorpe Allows Time for Crippled Locals to Regain Condition; No Game Sunday,"] ''Rock Island Argus,'' Nov. 16, 1920, p. 15.
30. Bruce Copeland, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-collegians-superio/162830125/ "Collegians Superior to Bulldogs: Washington and Jefferson Combination with Three 1920 Collegiate Captains in Lineup, Adjudged Better Than Cantonians,"] ''Rock Island [IL] Argus,'' Nov. 20, 1920, p. 13.
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43. Herrera, Simon. "Lack of Practice and Poor Physical Condition Account for First Upset of Season". RockIslandIndependents.com.
44. It was anticipated that new players would be brought in to supplant the team's crippled backfield, with Green and White manager Walter Flanagan reportedly free to borrow stars from the Dayton Triangles and Chicago Tigers for the game.Bruce Copeland, "The Sportscope," ''Rock Island Argus,'' Nov. 17, 1920, p. 17.
45. Bruce Copeland, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-canton-game-is-off/162817970/ "Canton Game is Off, Thorpe Says: Turns Down $4,000 Guarantee on Pretext of Losing Money; Sinister Motives are Feared,"] ''Rock Island Argus,'' Nov. 19, 1920, p. 32.
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