The NFL was founded on September 17, 1920, in Canton, Ohio, by representatives of several independent professional football teams, initially as the American Professional Football Association (APFA).
Key Figures
Jim Thorpe, a star player for the Canton Bulldogs, was unanimously elected as the first president of the APFA, lending immediate credibility to the new league. The meeting took place at the auto showroom of Ralph Hay, owner of the Canton Bulldogs, with representatives from teams like the Akron Pros, Decatur Staleys (later Chicago Bears), and Dayton Triangles.
Founding Context
The group aimed to standardize professional football by addressing issues such as player poaching, high salaries, and scheduling conflicts among independent teams. George Halas, founder of the Decatur Staleys, played a key role in pushing for the league's structure. The APFA renamed itself the National Football League in 1922.
