The 1923 Duluth Kelleys season was their inaugural season in the National Football League (NFL). The team — typically referred to by their official name, Kelley–Duluth, in the press of the day — finished 4–3, seventh place in the 17-team league.[1]

The team was captained by a former and future Chicago Bear, Joey Sternaman, younger brother of that team's co-owner and leading offensive star, Dutch Sternaman.

Background

The Hotel Sherman in Chicago, site of the January 1923 meeting that accepted Kelley-Duluth into the NFL.

Sometime in 1922, representatives of the Kelley-Duluth football team made application to the National Football League (NFL) for a franchise. This effort paid dividends in January 1923, when the club was invited to send a representative to the league's annual scheduling meeting, held at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago.[2] Joining Duluth's representative would be the delegates of professional clubs from four other cities: St. Louis, Detroit, and Cleveland.[2]

Membership in the "big time" NFL was seen as a means of increasing the level of competition and interest in local football games. Team manager Dewey Scanlon expressed hope that games could be scheduled with the major professional teams of the region, including the Milwaukee Badgers, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Canton Bulldogs.[2] "At least five big games will be played here" with Duluth's admission into the league, it was confidently predicted.[2]


Schedule

Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources
— September 16 Ironwood Legion W 7–0 — Duluth Athletic Park 3,000 — [3][4]
— September 23 Bessemer Legion W 15–0 — Duluth Athletic Park 3,000 — [5][6]
1 September 30 Akron Pros W 10–7 1–0 Duluth Athletic Park 3,000 Recap [7][8]
2 October 7 at Minneapolis Marines W 10–0 2–0 Nicollet Park 2,500 Recap [9][10][11]
— October 14 Hibbing Rangers W 6–0 — Duluth Athletic Park "largest crowd of season" — [12]
3 October 21 Hammond Pros W 3–0 3–0 Duluth Athletic Park 4,000 Recap [13][14]
4 October 28 Minneapolis Marines W 9–0 4–0 Duluth Athletic Park 3,000 Recap [15][16][17][18]
— November 4 at Ironwood Legion W 9–7 — Ironwood Ball Park "record crowd" — [19][20][21]
5 November 11 at Milwaukee Badgers L 3–6 4–1 Athletic Park 5,000 Recap [22][23]
6 November 18 at Chicago Cardinals L 0–10 4–2 Comiskey Park 5,500 Recap
7 November 25 at Green Bay Packers L 0–10 4–3 Bellevue Park 3,000 Recap [24][25]
Note: Games in italics indicate a non-NFL opponent.

Standings

Halfback Wally Gilbert's punting ability was a field possession weapon for Kelley–Duluth.
NFL standings
W L T PCT PF PA STK
Canton Bulldogs 11 0 1 1.000 246 19 W5
Chicago Bears 9 2 1 .818 123 35 W1
Green Bay Packers 7 2 1 .778 85 34 W5
Milwaukee Badgers 7 2 3 .778 100 49 W1
Cleveland Indians 3 1 3 .750 52 49 L1
Chicago Cardinals 8 4 0 .667 161 56 L1
Duluth Kelleys 4 3 0 .571 35 33 L3
Buffalo All-Americans 5 4 3 .556 94 43 L1
Columbus Tigers 5 4 1 .556 119 35 L1
Toledo Maroons 3 3 2 .500 35 66 L1
Racine Legion 4 4 2 .500 86 76 W1
Rock Island Independents 2 3 3 .400 84 62 L1
Minneapolis Marines 2 5 2 .286 48 81 L1
St. Louis All-Stars 1 4 2 .200 25 74 L1
Hammond Pros 1 5 1 .167 14 59 L4
Akron Pros 1 6 0 .143 25 74 W1
Dayton Triangles 1 6 1 .143 16 95 L2
Oorang Indians 1 10 0 .091 50 257 W1
Louisville Brecks 0 3 0 .000 0 90 L3
Rochester Jeffersons 0 4 0 .000 6 141 L4
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Roster

Duluth end Dick O'Donnell was named a third team NFL All-Pro in 1923 by a vote of 15 sportswriters from NFL cities.

The 1923 Kelleys featured Joe Sternaman, younger brother of Dutch Sternaman — co-owner and offensive star of the Chicago Bears. The following individuals played at least one game with Kelley-Duluth during the 1923 season.[26] The total number of NFL league games played during the year follows in parentheses.

Linemen

Backs

†- Designates a starter in the non-league season opener against Ironwood, Michigan.

References

  1. ^ "1923 Duluth Kelleys," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com
  2. ^ a b c d "Duluth After Berth in Football League: Kelley-Duluth Eleven May be in 'Big Time'," Duluth News Tribune, Jan. 18, 1923, p. 7.
  3. ^ Louis H. Gollop, "Duluth Opens Football Year with Victory Over Ironwood; Milwaukee Comes Here Next," Duluth News Tribune, Sept. 17, 1923, p. 7.
  4. ^ "Minus Services of Novak, Ironwood Loses to Kelley-Duluth, 7 to 0: Sternaman Scores Lone Touchdown First Period," Ironwood Daily Globe, Sept. 17, 1923, p. 8.
  5. ^ Louis H. Gollop, "Joe Sternaman, Bill Rooney Star in Football Win: Duluth Eleven Scores Victory in Grid Contest," Duluth News Tribune, Sept. 24, 1923, p. 7.
  6. ^ "Bessemer Legion Falls Before Kelley Duluth Squad Sunday, 15 to 0: Lacked Fresh Men to Spare Off Heat Weary," Ironwood Daily Globe, Sept. 17, 1923, pp. 8-9.
  7. ^ Louis H. Gollop, "Sternaman's Drop Kick Defeats Akron Eleven: Duluth Opens League Season with 10-to-7 Victory Over Ohio Eleven; Local Backfield Stars," Duluth News Tribune, Oct. 1, 1923, p. 7.
  8. ^ "Akron Takes Beating in First Game," Akron Beacon Journal, Oct. 1, 1923, p. 15.
  9. ^ "Duluth Continues on Way to National Grid Title: Marines Downed by 10–0 Count; Line Stonewall," Duluth News Tribune, Oct. 8, 1923, p. 7.
  10. ^ "Thorpe's Team Faces Marines in Next Game: Redskins Make Second Appearance at Nicollet Park Sunday," Minneapolis Star, Oct. 8, 1923, p. 9.
  11. ^ "Last Half Rally Enables Duluth to Beat Marines: Long Pass Scores Touchdown in Third Period — Sternaman Adds Three Points with Dropkick," Minneapolis Tribune, Oct. 8, 1923, p. 8.
  12. ^ Louis H. Gollop, "Aerial Attack Gives Duluth Hibbing Win: Rangers Outplay Local Eleven But Fail to Make Good in Pinches; Final 6-to-0," Duluth News Tribune, Oct. 15, 1923, p. 9.
  13. ^ Louis H. Gollop, "Duluth Retains National Football League Leadership: Joe Sternaman Boots Dropkick for 3–0 Victory," Duluth News Tribune, Oct. 22, 1923, p. 7.
  14. ^ "Duluth 3, Hammond 0," Hammond Times, Oct. 22, 1923, p. 8.
  15. ^ "Kelley-Duluth Eleven Bumps Marines, 9 to 0: Upstate Team Robs Millers of Score with Sterling Defense Inches From Goal," Minneapolis Journal, Oct. 28, 1923, p. 8.
  16. ^ Louis H. Gollop, "Duluth Eleven Keeps Slate Clean by Defeating Marines: Stonewall LIne Proves Too Much for Minneapolis," Duluth News Tribune, Oct. 29, 1923, p. 7.
  17. ^ "Marines Back; Duluth Wins Second Game: Weather Conditions Hurt Local Eleven," Minneapolis Star, Oct. 29, 1923, p. 10.
  18. ^ "Marines Lose to Duluth Team, 9–0: Minneapolis Eleven Loses Two Opportunities to Score Early in Contest," Minneapolis Journal, Oct. 29, 1923, p. 23.
  19. ^ "Kelleys Trim Legion Squad, 9 to 7: Joe Sternaman's Toe Saves Kelley–Duluth," Ironwood Daily Globe, Nov. 5, 1923, pp. 5, 9.
  20. ^ "Duluth Noses Out Ironwood: Joe Sternaman's Dropkick in Second Quarter Brings His Team 9 to 7 Victory," Rock Island Argus, Nov. 5, 1923, p. 14.
  21. ^ "Sternaman's Toe Gives Duluth Close Victory at Ironwood: Michigan Team Downed After Thrilling Go," Duluth News Tribune, Nov. 5, 1923, p. 7.
  22. ^ "Milwaukee Beats Duluth," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Nov. 12, 1923, p. 12.
  23. ^ "Milwaukee Defeats Duluth Eleven by 6 to 3 Score: Gilbert Missed as Dropkicks Defeat Locals," Duluth News Tribune, Nov. 12, 1923, p. 7.
  24. ^ "Aerial Attack Gives Green Bay Win Over Duluth: Stubborn Game by Both Teams Thrills 3,000," Duluth News Tribune, Nov. 26, 1923, p. 27.
  25. ^ "Packers Win Northwest Title, Defeat Duluth 10–0: Mills Gets Touchdown on Pass from Lambeau; Buck Kicks Another Field Goal," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Nov. 26, 1923, pp. 12-13.
  26. ^ "1923 Duluth Kelleys Roster & Players," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923_Duluth_Kelleys_season
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