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1921 Buffalo All-Americans season

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1921 Buffalo All-Americans season
Head coachTommy Hughitt
Home fieldCanisius College
Results
Record10–1–2 Overall
9–1–2 APFA
Division place2nd APFA
Playoff finishLost 10–7 to Chicago Staleys

The 1921 Buffalo All-Americans season was their second completed in the fledgling American Professional Football Association (APFA), later known as the National Football League (NFL). The team played 10 of their 12 league games at home, finishing 9–1–2 against league opponents.

The team lost the league title to the Chicago Staleys in a disputed tiebreaker, played on the road the day after a game played against another opponent in Buffalo.[1]

Background

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During the 1921 season, several of the Buffalo All-Americans, most notably future Philadelphia Eagles co-founder Lud Wray, also played for the Philadelphia Quakers, an independent club based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Since Philadelphia was subject to blue laws in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Quakers had to play their games on Saturdays, as opposed to the Sundays used by the APFA, including Buffalo. The Buffalo players played for Philadelphia on Saturday, then traveled back to Buffalo for Sunday's game. A few days before Buffalo played Canton, the league found out about violation of league policy, and made the players choose for which team they wanted to play. Five, including Wray, chose to stay with the Quakers, blaming the Buffalo management for "blowing the whistle."

Buffalo was able to hire players from the Detroit Heralds, who folded midseason, to complete their roster.[2]

For the 1921 season the All-Americans had a payroll of $2,000 per game for their 16-man roster.[3]

Schedule

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Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources
– September 25 McKeesport Olympics W 28–0 — Canisius Villa 3,000+ — [4][5][6]
1 October 2 Hammond Pros W 17–0 1–0 Canisius Villa 3,500 Recap [7][8][9]
2 October 9 Columbus Panhandles W 38–0 2–0 Canisius Villa "a good-sized crowd" Recap [10][11][12][13][14][15]
3 October 16 New York Brickley Giants W 55–0 3–0 Canisius Villa 7,500 Recap
4 October 23 Rochester Jeffersons W 28–0 4–0 Canisius Villa 10,000 Recap
5 October 30 Detroit Tigers W 21–0 5–0 Canisius Villa 7,000 Recap [16][17][18][19]
6 November 6 Cleveland Tigers W 10–6 6–0 Canisius Villa 7,000 Recap [20][21]
7 November 13 Akron Pros T 0–0 6–0–1 Buffalo Baseball Park "a large crowd" Recap [22][23][24]
8 November 20 Canton Bulldogs T 7–7 6–0–2 Canisius Villa Recap [25] [26]
9 November 24 at Chicago Staleys W 7–6 7–0–2 Cubs Park Recap [27][28][29]
10 November 27 Dayton Triangles W 7–0 8–0–2 Canisius Villa 3,500 Recap [30][31][32]
11 December 3 Akron Pros W 14–0 9–0–2 Canisius Villa Recap [33][34][35][36]
12 December 4 at Chicago Staleys L 10–7 9–1–2 Cubs Field 12,000 Recap [37][38][39]
Note: Non-APFA opponents in italics. Thanksgiving Day: November 24.

Standings

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All-Americans fullback Pat Smith stands in the end zone after a 15-yard scoring run against the Canton Bulldogs, November 20.
APFA standings
W L T PCT PF PA STK
Chicago Staleys 9 1 1 .900 128 53 T1
Buffalo All-Americans 9 1 2 .900 211 29 L1
Akron Pros 8 3 1 .727 148 31 W1
Canton Bulldogs 5 2 3 .714 106 55 W1
Rock Island Independents 4 2 1 .667 65 30 L1
Evansville Crimson Giants 3 2 0 .600 89 46 W1
Green Bay Packers 3 2 1 .600 70 55 L1
Dayton Triangles 4 4 1 .500 96 67 L1
Chicago Cardinals 3 3 2 .500 54 53 T1
Rochester Jeffersons 2 3 0 .400 85 76 W2
Cleveland Tigers 3 5 0 .375 95 58 L1
Washington Senators 1 2 0 .334 21 43 L1
Cincinnati Celts 1 3 0 .250 14 117 L2
Hammond Pros 1 3 1 .250 17 45 L2
Minneapolis Marines 1 3 0 .250 37 41 L1
Detroit Tigers 1 5 1 .167 19 109 L5
Columbus Panhandles 1 8 0 .111 47 222 W1
Tonawanda Kardex 0 1 0 .000 0 45 L1
Muncie Flyers 0 2 0 .000 0 28 L2
Louisville Brecks 0 2 0 .000 0 27 L2
New York Brickley Giants 0 2 0 .000 0 72 L2
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

De facto championship game

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Main article: Staley Swindle

The Chicago Staleys (to be renamed the Chicago Bears after the end of the season), led by player-coach George Halas, an end, and the Buffalo All-Americans, led by quarterback Tommy Hughitt and fullback Elmer Oliphant, were the two top teams in the league; each playing all of their games at home, Buffalo and Chicago amassed 6–0 records in league play. On Thanksgiving 1921, Buffalo played one of its only road games of the season, in Chicago, and prevailed 7–6. Chicago demanded a rematch.

The All-Americans agreed to rematch the Staleys on December 4, again in Chicago, on the condition that the game would be considered a "post-season" exhibition game not to be counted in the standings; had it not, Buffalo would have had an undefeated season and won the title. (Buffalo had played, and defeated, the Akron Pros just one day prior.) Chicago defeated Buffalo, who did not have the services of the Heralds players it had borrowed (they were playing against the Detroit Maroons the same day), in the rematch by a score of 10–7. Halas rebutted that the second game was played on December 4 (well before teams typically stopped playing games in those days), and the Staleys played two more games against top opponents, the Canton Bulldogs and Chicago Cardinals after the second Buffalo game (though, at the time of the Buffalo-Chicago matchup, Chicago had played three fewer games than Buffalo).

The league counted the All-Americans game in the standings, against Buffalo's wishes, resulting in Buffalo (9–1–2) and Chicago (9–1–1) being tied atop the standings. The league then implemented the first ever tiebreaker: a rule, now considered archaic and removed from league rulebooks, that states that if two teams play multiple times in a season, the last game between the two teams carries more weight. Thus, the Chicago victory actually counted more in the standings, giving Chicago the championship. Buffalo sports fans have been known to refer to this, justly or unjustly, as the "Staley Swindle."

Oliphant was the most valuable player for the All-Americans as he led the league in scoring; (47 points), FGs (5) and PATs (26), 1 touchdown; he also led the league in touchdown passes (7).

Roster

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According to Pro Football Reference, the following players saw game action as members of the 1921 Buffalo All-Americans.[40] Number of games played are in parentheses. APFA opening day starter marked with †, final game starter marked with ‡, per contemporary newspaper accounts.

References

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  1. ^ 1921 Buffalo All-Americans
  2. ^ "Who Really Won in 1921?" Bills Backers United, Sept. 29, 2007.
  3. ^ Craig R. Coenen, From Sandlots to the Super Bowl: The National Football League, 1967–1967. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press, 2005; p. 13.
  4. ^ "All-Americans Capture First Game of Season," Buffalo Post, Sept. 26, 1921, p. 8.
  5. ^ "Buffalo All-Americans Win First Game, 28 to 0: McKeesport Furnishes Stubborn Opposition," Buffalo News, Sept. 26, 1921, p. 18.
  6. ^ "McKeesport in Defeat as All-Americans Win: Nash and Urban, Newcomers, Win Favor and Old Stars Shine Again in Opening Victory," Buffalo Times, Sept. 26, 1921, p. 12.
  7. ^ "Hammond Hard Foe for Buffalo All-Americans: Thrilling Plays Abound in Game Won by Buffalo, 17 to 0," Buffalo News, Oct. 3, 1921, p. 17.
  8. ^ "Oliphant Leads All-Americans Over Hammond: Former Army Stars, Scott and Laird, Feature in Buffalo's Second Victory," Buffalo Times, Oct. 3, 1921, p. 12.
  9. ^ "Buffalo Pros in Clever Win Over Hammond Eleven: Oliphant's Kick, Laird's Plunging Feature Locals Victory," Buffalo Courier, Oct. 3, 1921, p. 9.
  10. ^ "Buffalo Pros Manhandled Panhandles," Buffalo Post, Oct. 10, 1921, p. 9.
  11. ^ "All-Americans Score 38 Against Columbus: Frank Nesser Only Redeeming Feature in Panhandles' Lineup," Buffalo News, Oct. 10, 1921, p. 18.
  12. ^ "Again Bisons Wallop Pans of Columbus: Ohio Gridiron Warriors Defeated, 38–0, on a Muddy Field," Buffalo Express, Oct. 10, 1921, p. 14.
  13. ^ "Buffalo Pros Win: Panhandle Team Outclassed in All Branches by Locals," Buffalo Courier, Oct. 10, 1921, p. 7.
  14. ^ "Buffalo's Pros Too Strong for Columbus Boys: Panhandles Overcome by Aerial Passwork and Fast End Runs," Buffalo Enquirer, Oct. 10, 1921, p. 6.
  15. ^ "Panhandles No Match for All-Americans, 38–0: Oliphant and Anderson Star in Rout of Famous Columbus Eleven at Villa," Buffalo Times, Oct. 10, 1921, p. 12.
  16. ^ "Buffalo Pros Beat Detroit: Successful Use of Forward Pass Wins for Buffalo Pros," Buffalo Post, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 6.
  17. ^ "Buffalo All-Americans Win Sixth Straight Victory: Aerial Attack in Early Part of Game Had Detroit Tigers Baffled," Buffalo News, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 16.
  18. ^ "Detroit Tigers Lose to Buffalo in Fast Game: Long Forward Passes Enable All-Americans to Puzzle Visiting Eleven — Oliphant Again a Star," Buffalo Enquirer, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 6.
  19. ^ "Buffalo Pros Beat Detroit: Detroit Good But Unable to Solve Buffalo's Attack," Buffalo Courier, Oct. 31, 1921, p. 9.
  20. ^ "All-Americans Defeat Cleveland After Being Scored Upon: Jim Thorpe's Cleveland Tigers Drew First Blood But Lose 10 to 6," Buffalo Times, Nov. 7, 1921, p. 16.
  21. ^ "All-Americans Beat Cleveland in Hard Game: Thorpe's Tigers Gave Buffalo Merry Battle — Touchdown by Visitors Not Allowed," Buffalo Enquirer, Nov. 7, 1921, p. 6.
  22. ^ "All-Americans Scoreless in Akron Game: Game of Pros Was Exciting, Despite Snow-Covered Field and Slippery Ball," Buffalo Enquirer, Nov. 14, 1921, p. 6.
  23. ^ "Akron—All-Americans Fail to Score: Oliphant's Miss of Field Goals Costs Victory," Buffalo Times, Nov. 14, 1921, p. 14.
  24. ^ "All-Americans and Akron Indians Fail to Score on Each Other: The Buffalo Team is Now a Formidable Contender for the World's Professional Football Championship," Buffalo News, Nov. 14, 1921, p. 19.
  25. ^ "Canton and All-Americans Play Tie Game: Buffalo Eleven Advances Nearer APFA Championship as Result of Contests Played Yesterday," Buffalo News, Nov. 21, 1921, p. 18.
  26. ^ "Bulldogs Tie Score by Final Period Rally: Smith Scores Touchdown in Opening Play and Griggs' Forward Passing Prevents Defeat," Buffalo Times, Nov. 21, 1921, p. 14.
  27. ^ "All-Americans Win by 1 Point From Staleys: Buffalo Professionals Are Now Only Undefeated Team in APFA," Buffalo News, Nov. 25, 1921, p. 32.
  28. ^ "Buffalo Mars Staleys Gridiron Record for 1921: Buffalo All-Stars Down Staleys 7–6 in Fierce Battle," Decatur Herald, Nov. 25, 1921, p. 5.
  29. ^ "Buffalo All-Stars Defeat Staleys, 7–6," Chicago Tribune, Nov. 25, 1921, p. 25.
  30. ^ "Undefeated All-Americans Win Championship of APFA: Victory Over Dayton Triangles Gives Buffalo Eleven Spotless Record, Earned in Greatest Season of Professional Football," Buffalo News, Nov. 28, 1921, p. 22.
  31. ^ "All-Americans Beat Dayton by Single Score: Anderson Makes Touchdowns in First Quarter and Saves Game in Final Period," Buffalo Times, Nov. 28, 1921, p. 12.
  32. ^ "Triangles Outplay Buffalo Eleven But Lose 7 to 0: All-Americans Get the Breaks. Dayton Team Ready to Score When Whistle Blows," Dayton Herald, Nov. 28, 1921, p. 14.
  33. ^ "Oliphant's 80-Yard Dash Puts Buffalo on Path to Victory: All-Americans Outclass Akron in All Departments, Triumph 14 to 0," Buffalo Courier, Dec. 4, 1921, p. 69.
  34. ^ "Akron Eleven Defeated by Buffalo Team: Ohio Professionals Lose Title When New York Staters Score Pair of Touchdowns," Pittsburgh Press, Dec. 4, 1921, p. 22.
  35. ^ "Buffalo Kayoes Akron Pro Team: Oliphant's Great Playing is Feature of 14 to 0 Win of Grid Game," Cleveland Plain Dealer, Dec. 4, 1921, p. 17.
  36. ^ "All-Americans Trounce Akron, 14 to 0: Oliphant's 80-Yard Run Features Final Game on Home Field," Buffalo Times, Dec. 4, 1921, p. 53.
  37. ^ "Staleys Meet Buffalo for National Pro Title Today: Staleys Confident as Battle for Pro Title with Buffalo Nears," Decatur Herald, Dec. 4, 1921, p. 5.
  38. ^ "Staleys Win National Pro Grid Title, Beat Buffalo, 10–7: Starchworkers Win 10–7; Chamberlain Makes 90 Yard Run," Decatur Herald, Dec. 5, 1921, p. 4.
  39. ^ "Buffalo Disputes Staley's Claim of Professional Football Title: Though Defeated 10–7 in Final Game, Locals Base Stand on Record," Buffalo Times, Dec. 5, 1921, p. 10.
  40. ^ "1921 Buffalo All-Americans Roster & Players," Pro Football Reference, https://www.pro-football-reference.com
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