Long before the National Football League became the multi-billion-dollar enterprise it is today, it was a fledgling organization with a handful of teams that often struggled to survive: being created, moved, and sometimes folding, all within just a few years.Teams played on muddy fields with footballs made from inflated pig bladders. Among these early teams was the Pottsville Maroons, based in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, about an hour north of the Susquehanna Valley.The Maroons were a dominant force in the NFL during the 1920s. In 1925, they had the league’s best record, which, with no playoff system, meant they were top dog, but their championship title was controversially stripped away.Now, a century later, a Pennsylvania state senator is calling on the NFL to right what he calls a historical wrong.100 Years Ago: A Season with an AsteriskThe Pottsville Maroons, fresh off an undefeated 10-win season, were the official NFL champions in 1925. However, their championship hopes were dashed after what was, essentially, a territorial dispute.The controversy began when the Maroons played an exhibition game against the Notre Dame All-Stars in Philadelphia, defeating them 9-7.This game encroached on the territory of the Frankford Yellow Jackets, the Philadelphia-based team that preceded the Eagles.The Yellow Jackets filed a protest, and the NFL commissioner at the time revoked Pottsville’s championship, awarding it instead to the second-place Chicago Cardinals — a franchise that now plays as the Arizona Cardinals.A Longstanding DebateThe decision has been a point of contention for the past 100 years. In 2003, then-Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell sought a review of the case, but NFL owners voted 30-2 against restoring the Maroons’ title.The only dissenting votes: the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.Now, state Sen. David Argall of Pennsylvania’s 29th District is renewing the fight.He recently sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, urging him to restore the title to the Maroons.“There is no reason why this championship should not be restored — the reasoning given at the time had nothing to do with the performance of the team,” Argall said in a social media post.The Legacy of the MaroonsAs for why we don’t see NFL fans dressed in maroon to this day, Pottsville folded in 1929 after relocating to Boston and playing one season as the Boston Bulldogs.Despite their brief existence, the team remains a source of pride for Schuylkill County.The local historical society is planning a series of events to celebrate the Maroons’ centennial, including a special luncheon next month.
Long before the National Football League became the multi-billion-dollar enterprise it is today, it was a fledgling organization with a handful of teams that often struggled to survive: being created, moved, and sometimes folding, all within just a few years.
Teams played on muddy fields with footballs made from inflated pig bladders. Among these early teams was the Pottsville Maroons, based in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, about an hour north of the Susquehanna Valley.
The Maroons were a dominant force in the NFL during the 1920s. In 1925, they had the league’s best record, which, with no playoff system, meant they were top dog, but their championship title was controversially stripped away.
Now, a century later, a Pennsylvania state senator is calling on the NFL to right what he calls a historical wrong.
100 Years Ago: A Season with an Asterisk
The Pottsville Maroons, fresh off an undefeated 10-win season, were the official NFL champions in 1925. However, their championship hopes were dashed after what was, essentially, a territorial dispute.
The controversy began when the Maroons played an exhibition game against the Notre Dame All-Stars in Philadelphia, defeating them 9-7.
This game encroached on the territory of the Frankford Yellow Jackets, the Philadelphia-based team that preceded the Eagles.
The Yellow Jackets filed a protest, and the NFL commissioner at the time revoked Pottsville’s championship, awarding it instead to the second-place Chicago Cardinals — a franchise that now plays as the Arizona Cardinals.
A Longstanding Debate
The decision has been a point of contention for the past 100 years. In 2003, then-Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell sought a review of the case, but NFL owners voted 30-2 against restoring the Maroons’ title.
The only dissenting votes: the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, state Sen. David Argall of Pennsylvania’s 29th District is renewing the fight.
He recently sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, urging him to restore the title to the Maroons.
“There is no reason why this championship should not be restored — the reasoning given at the time had nothing to do with the performance of the team,” Argall said in a social media post.
The Legacy of the Maroons
As for why we don’t see NFL fans dressed in maroon to this day, Pottsville folded in 1929 after relocating to Boston and playing one season as the Boston Bulldogs.
Despite their brief existence, the team remains a source of pride for Schuylkill County.
The local historical society is planning a series of events to celebrate the Maroons’ centennial, including a special luncheon next month.
