National Football League v American Football League 1927-1928

Results NFL v AFL (California Winter League) 1927-1928

DateNFL TeamAFL Team
California Winter League1927
25.12.1926Duluth Eskimoes3Hollywood Generals6
18.12.1926Duluth Eskimoes19California All-Stars *0
26.12.1926Duluth Eskimoes7California All-Stars *9
07.01.1927Duluth Eskimoes10California All-Stars *0
16.01.1927Los Angeles Buccaneers30New York Yankees0
23.01.1927Los Angeles Buccaneers0Los Angeles Wildcats17
30.01.1927Los Angeles Buccaneers0New York Yankees14
06.02.1927Los Angeles Buccaneers7New York Yankees6
California Winter League1928
02.01.1928New York Yankees0Los Angeles Wildcats6
08.01.1928New York Yankees0Los Angeles Wildcats7
15.01.1928Cleveland Bulldogs12Los Angeles Wildcats6
29.01.1928Cleveland Bulldogs0Los Angeles Wildcats0
National Football League v American Football League – California Winter League 1927-1928 [Ref:

Note: *Pacific Coast Football League All-Star Team

Report

In the Winter of January-February 1927 & 1928, some of the top teams in the National Football League & American Football League played in a Winter League in California, following the end of the Fall (Autumn) NFL & AFL seasons. The teams included star players from college teams in California and were dubbed after the teams’ star NFL & AFL players. e.g. the Nevers Eskimoes were the Duluth Eskimoes of the NFL with star player, Ernie Nevers.

While the best team both seasons, the Los Angeles Wildcats, dubbed Wilson’s Wildcats by the press, were not to play in the season ending game, as they did not provide the draw the organisers wanted. Instead Red Grange’s Yankees (New York Yankees) played both climactic games, first against Muller’s Californians (Los Angeles Buccaneers) and in 1928, winning at the second attempt versus Friedman’s Bulldogs (Cleveland Bulldogs).

The League was essentially a AAA League/Major League Rival to the NFL from 1927-1928, featuring both star NFL & AFL teamxs and players and teams and players from the Semi-Pro Pacific Coast Football League and Californian College players.

In 1927 the NFL teams won 5 of the 8 matches between the Leagues, and in 1928, there were two wins for AFL teams, one for the NFL with one tie. Reference: [1]

References

Websites / Online Magazines

[1] Bob Gill (2009) Seasons in the Sun – The California winter league of 1927 and ’28 The Coffin Corner Volume 31,No. 1, Pro Football Researchers Association (2009)[Internet] Available from: http://www.profootballresearchers.org/coffin-corner00’s/CC-31-1.pdf [Accessed 20 October 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Eoin O’Fearghaill.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 14 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

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