The First NFL Playoff Game On This Day in 1932

On December 18, 1932, one of the most significant moments in American football history had taken place. It was on this day that the first playoff game in NFL history had been played which became a landmark event between the Chicago Bears and Portsmouth Spartans.

Despite the fact that the Great Depression had led to serious financial problems and continued closings of many franchises, the NFL was able to survive and adopt their set of rules that were different from the college game.

In the early years of the NFL, champions were determined by records with the winner having the top winning percentage with ties being ommitted. Because of this rule, the Bears and Spartans finished in a tie with identical 6-1 records(the Bears were 6-1-6 and the Spartans were 6-1-4). The Packers were eliminated from winning the league championship because of having 10 wins and three losses on the season which meant they had a lower winning percentage. An unofficial playoff game would determine the league's champion for the first time ever.

Originally, the game was to be played outdoors at Wrigley Field in Chicago. But due to poor frigid weather conditions and the concern of not drawing well for this game, it was moved indoors at Chicago Stadium. Over 11,000 fans came out to watch this game.

The venue was unlike a standard football field with it being only 80 yards long and 30 feet shorter in width on the dirt-covered surface. This also led to the goal posts being moved to the goal lines from the end lines. Also, the hash marks were moved in 10 yards from the sidelines with all plays starting as the ball was placed on them or between them. This game would lead to the NFL adopting rules the following season, too.

The game itself turned out to be a defensive struggle for the first three quarters of play. Then in the final quarter, the Bears scored a controversial touchdown when fullback Bronko Nagurski threw a 2-yard pass to Red Grange in the end zone. Because rules stated at the time that a player had to be five yards beyond the line of scrimmage in order to pass, the Spartans argued this play. The play stood, and the Bears added a safety later on in route to a 9-0 win. The success of the game changed the rules and effect on the future of pro football.

The forward pass was revised to where it was legal to throw the ball anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. Every play started on or between the hash marks and the goal posts were moved to the goal lines until it was moved back to the end lines in 1974.

This game also resulted in the league being divided into two divisions in 1933 with the winners of each playing for the NFL Championship at season's end. The Bears also won the first official NFL Championship by beating the Giants in 1933 as well.

The NFL had this same format until the NFL-AFL merger which had more teams making the playoffs and adopted what we now know as the Super Bowl. But the impact of this game wasn't just limited to rule changes in the league either.

Since the field at Chicago Stadium was very close to the stands, it is often cited as the precursor of arena football. Many attempts since that period of time have been made for an indoor-type of football, but only the Arena Football League has had any true success at it.

It was the first recognized pro football playoff game. It changed the rules on offense forever. It is widely regarded as the first indoor game played in American football history. It is accepted as the precursor of arena football. This game was significant in so many ways.

To me, it was only fitting that the game-winning touchdown was scored by Red Grange, who was one of the most influential football players that helped saved the league from possible extinction in 1925 as he became the face of the NFL.

The Chicago Bears franchise would win the 1933 NFL Championship Game which was officially the first scheduled playoff game. Then in the 1940s, the team would win four NFL Championships. They would add two more championships with an NFL Title in 1963 and Super Bowl in 1985.

The Portsmouth Spartans nearly folded the franchise due to the Great Depression and drawing very poor crowds at their games. But a businessman bought the rights to the franchise in 1934, and moved them to his city of Detroit. They exist today as the Detroit Lions.

The NFL's decision to add a playoff game in 1932 was a costly one, but it paid off in a huge way. They had finally seperated from being like college football, and this game helped their journey to become the most popular sport throughout the world.

Thanks for viewing, and I hope you enjoyed the history flashback!

Posted in: Bears, Chicago, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, football, National Football League, NFL, Portsmouth Spartans, pro football, Spartans

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