Jimmy Conzelman Hall of Fame Induction

Lore & Background

Conzelman played 10 seasons as a quarterback, halfback, placekicker, and coach in the NFL for the Decatur Staleys (1920), Rock Island Independents (1921–1922), Milwaukee Badgers (1922–1924), Detroit Panthers (1925–1926), and Providence Steam Roller (1927–1929). He was also a team owner in Detroit and, as player-coach, led the 1928 Providence Steam Roller team to an NFL championship. He served as head coach of the NFL's Chicago Cardinals from 1940 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1948, leading the Cardinals to an NFL championship in 1947.

Reader's Guide

Conzelman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964. He was selected in 1969 as a quarterback on the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team. He led the 1928 Providence Steam Roller to an NFL championship and the 1947 Chicago Cardinals to an NFL championship.

Did You Know?

• Conzelman was a native of St. Louis and played college football at Washington University in St. Louis.
• He was an All-Missouri Valley Conference quarterback for the Washington University Pikers in 1919.
• Conzelman organized and owned the Detroit Panthers franchise in 1925, paying a franchise fee of only $50.
• He also served as an executive with the St. Louis Browns in Major League Baseball from 1943 to 1945.