The oldest rivalry within the NFL doesn’t embrace a crew from Green Bay.
This matchup started in 1920 when two skilled soccer groups referred to as Illinois residence. That’s when the Chicago Bears, then referred to as the Decatur Staleys, confronted the Racine Cardinals — named after Racine Avenue the place their residence venue was Normal Park and never for town in Wisconsin — for the primary time.
The Cardinals began in 1898 because the Morgan Athletic Club on Chicago’s South Side earlier than turning into the Chicago Cardinals in 1922, then moved to Missouri to develop into the St. Louis Cardinals in 1960, after which to Arizona in 1988. Two successful seasons have been capped by championships for the Cardinals in 1925 (although it’s nonetheless controversial) and 1947. These stay the franchise’s solely titles.
The crew’s shade has a historical past too. The Cardinals first used borrowed maroon jerseys from the University of Chicago.
The Bears maintain the general benefit within the collection: 60-29-6 in regular-season video games. But let’s have a look at their first 72 conferences from 1920-59, when the groups have been principally crosstown rivals.
Bears-Cardinals rivalry: Record
For 72 video games performed between 1920 and 1959
Bears-Cardinals rivalry: Results by venue
For 72 video games performed between 1920 and 1959
Bears-Cardinals rivalry: Points scored
For 72 video games performed between 1920 and 1959
Bears-Cardinals rivalry: Memorable moments
For 72 video games performed between 1920 and 1959
Nov. 28, 1920: Cardinals 7, Staleys 6
In the groups’ first assembly, when the Bears nonetheless have been the Decatur Staleys, Paddy Driscoll kicked the deciding further level within the Cardinals’ 7-6 win and stored the Bears in poor subject place all afternoon along with his precision punts.
“How I wished I could get him on my team!” George Halas remembered pondering in his 1979 autobiography, “Halas by Halas.”
Driscoll later signed with the Bears in 1926. He was named first-team All-Pro six occasions, served as a participant/coach for the Cardinals for 3 seasons, rejoined Halas as an assistant in 1941, then stayed with the Bears by way of their championship season of 1963. In 1965, Driscoll was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s third class.
Nov. 26, 1925: Bears 0, Cardinals 0
More than 36,000 followers packed Wrigley Field for the skilled debut of Harold “Red” Grange, who signed with the Bears lower than 24 hours after his final sport on the University of Illinois. Fans got here away dissatisfied because the Bears and Cardinals tied 0-0.
Driscoll, later Grange’s teammate on the Bears, punted the ball away from Grange all sport, drawing a refrain of boos, and Grange rushed for under 36 yards.
“I decided if one of us was going to look bad, it wasn’t going to be me,” Driscoll informed the Tribune’s David Condon 40 years later. “Punting to Grange is like grooving a pitch to Babe Ruth.”
After the sport, Driscoll went to see his future spouse, Mary, within the stands. He lamented followers have been unsuitable to boo Grange for his uninspiring debut. “Don’t feel sorry for Grange,” Mary stated. “It’s you they’re booing.”
Oct. 14, 1945: Cardinals 16, Bears 7
The Cardinals broke a 29-game shedding streak — extending again to the 1942 season — by defeating the Bears 16-7 at Wrigley Field.
Sources: Tribune reporting and archives; Pro Football Reference
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