Oct. 27, 2010
Commodore History Corner Archive
During the 1930’s, Nashville was in the midst of “The Great Depression,” which swept across the nation. The gloomy economic situation limited the entertainment dollars for many in Nashville.
There was the Grand Ole Opry on WSM Radio, and on Dec. 26, 1932, the opportunity to see the first professional football game in Nashville. The game was scheduled for 2 p.m. at Vanderbilt’s 10-year old Dudley Field. The postseason game was arranged to benefit the Nashville Community Chest, designed to help the less fortunate.
The Bears arrived in Nashville just eight days after they won their first NFL championship (second if you count their league best record in 1921), a 9-0 indoor classic over the Portsmouth Spartans played at Chicago Stadium on an 80-yard field. The NFL had just completed its 13th season of operation.
Coach George Halas’ team was scheduled to play the Boston Braves, the forerunner of the Washington Redskins. The Bears were lead by former Illinois halfback, (known as the Galloping Ghost) Red Grange (pictured above). Another Bear, which performed, was the league’s best fullback, former Minnesota great, Bronko Nagurski.
The contract called for all of the Bears to be at the game with the teams receiving $4,000 each. The next $4,000 went towards the chest fund, but $500 went directly into Grange’s pocket.
An anticipated crowd of 10,000 failed to materialize as only 3,000 witnessed the game. The lack of interest could be blamed on the depression, and after all it was the day after Christmas.
The Bears took a first quarter lead behind the running of Grange, Nagurski and Keith Molesworth. The trio drove the football down to the Braves 20-yard line. Nagurski bulled his way for four yards followed by a 10-yard scamper around the right end.
After Nagurski added another four yards and Molesworth placed the ball to the 1-yard line, Nagurski plunged into the end zone. The conversion failed, and the Bears were up 6-0.
The Bears southpaw quarterback Johnny Doehring was responsible for positioning the Bears to their second touchdown. His passing gave the Bears a first down at the 50-yard line. Three of the Bears’ backs set up on one side of the field, drawing the attention of three Braves’ defenders. Grange streaked down the field, as Doehring flipped the ball over the safety’s head and into the open arms of Grange. Number 77’s touchdown put the score at 12-0 when the conversion failed again.
Some of the fans entertained themselves in the stands by throwing firecrackers at each other. It was reported that the firecrackers didn’t bother the Bears, since they were use to the rat-tat-tat of gangsters’ machine gun fire in the Windy City.
The Braves’ team consisted of just a portion of the regular squad. The remainder of the team was comprised of college players filling in for the extra money. The overpowering Bears dominated the game in all areas. The Braves were unable to move the ball or stop the outstanding Bears’ backs.
Just before the close of the first half, Nagurski was given the ball on a play and threw to Grange who raced 49-yards before being tackled at the one-yard line. This newspaper account described the third Bear touchdown.
Nagurski half-killed one side of the Brave line in breaking entirely through for six superfluous points. Another failed conversion made the score 19-0 at halftime.
Sports writer Tom Anderson of The Banner wrote about Grange.
Still later the former Wheaton iceman was on the receiving end of another valuable toss. Nagurski, the pike drivingest piece of gridiron machinery ever seen here, was the hurler.
On the subsequent dash for the goal line Grange displayed his flashiest bit of running of the day. He was hauled down on the 1-yard line after some nifty maneuvering that made a couple of Boston backs look pretty sick.
Except for that spurt the famous red-head appeared to move nowhere very rapidly. Years of cutting, dodging and whirling undoubtedly have slowed Grange down to something near a dog trot.
Rumors had persisted that Grange would be retiring at the end of the game. However, he played two more seasons, retiring after the 1934 campaign.
The third quarter was scoreless and the lone score of the second half occurred in the fourth quarter. Johnson caught a short pass from Grange in the end zone for a touchdown. The Bears won the game 25-0.
Sports writer Blinky Horn of The Tennessean did not take the economic conditions of the time into effect when he wrote about the disappointing attendance after the game.
One of two things is certain, pro football has no appeal to the citizenry of this township or the natives have poured out so much to assist charity that they have nothing left to give.
Just more than 3,000 were present yesterday in Dudley stadium to watch the Chicago Bears–pro champions–outclass, outrun, out pass, and even out-think an outfit which is touring around the provinces under the name of the Boston Braves. The Bears annihilated the remnants of the clan, which finished fourth in the pro league, 25-0.
The dismal attendance meant there would not be any additional financial aid for the Community Chest after the players were paid and expenses were covered.
Grange only managed 19 rushing yards, but his galloping on pass receptions was worth the price of the ticket. He also recorded an interception-playing defense.
One spectator left the stands and took off his overcoat in the chilly weather. He approached the Bears sidelines with football headgear seeking permission to play. The Bears’ coaches refused the request and the gentleman was ushered back to his seat.
Amazingly, 33 years later, Halas would bring another Bears’ team to Nashville and Dudley Field with a 1965 exhibition game with the Los Angeles Rams.
Bill Wade was the Bears’ quarterback, returning to his college home at Vanderbilt. Rookies Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus made their professional debuts in that game. The Bears beat the Rams 28-14. Halas retired from coaching after the 1967 season.
More amazing, another 33 years had passed when the Bears for a third time visited Dudley Field for a regular season game with the Tennessee Oilers in 1998. (Vanderbilt’s Dudley Field was home to the Tennessee Oilers/Titans while their new stadium was being constructed). The Bears also won that game, 23-20 completing an undefeated record of 3-0 at Vanderbilt’s Dudley Field.
After the 1932 game, Grange appeared on a WSM radio interview with Banner sports writer Fred Russell. Grange caused a controversy when he left after the 1925 college season for a professional contract before his class graduated.
Grange began his pro career in February 1926 as part of a tour, which paid him the unprecedented amount of $100,000 for playing eight games in 12 days.
Russell asked him if he had any regrets over that situation.
“No, I have no serious regrets,” Grange said on the radio. “I’ve made some mistakes, I know, but if I had the same thing to do over I would do it again. But I would have some money. College is great, and the best part of my life was spent there. But you know, college won’t pay for your meals all through life.”
If you have any comments or suggestions you can contact Bill Traughber via email WLTraughber@aol.com.
