Duluth Eskimos, National Football League professional team, 1926. Posing in mackinaw jackets, team left to right: Ole Haugsrud(owner), Walt "Chet" Gayer, Dewey Scanlon, Walt Kiesling, Russ Method, "Jock" Murray, "Porky" Rundquist, Joe Rooney, Ernie Nevers, Art Johnson, Jack Underwood, "Cobb" Rooney, Bill Stein, Johnny "Blood" McNally, James Manion, "Oke" Carlson, and Paul Fitzgibbon. (Not shown: Charles "Doc" Kelly, "Red" Sullivan, "Doc" Williams, "Red" Quam, Jimmy Manion, and Wally Gilbert). (Brian Stensaas/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

National Football League: The first decade

1920: American Professional Football Association formed in Canton, Ohio, with 14 teams: Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Tigers, Dayton Triangles, Akron Pros, Rochester Jeffersons, Rock Island Independents, Muncie Flyers, Decatur Staleys, Chicago Cardinals, Buffalo All-Americans, Chicago Tigers, Columbus Panhandlers, Detroit Heralds and Hammond Pros.

1921: League adds eight teams, including Green Bay Packers.

1922: APFA becomes the National Football League. Chicago Staleys become the Chicago Bears.

1925: Five new franchises admitted, including the New York Giants.

1926: Duluth Eskimos, featuring Ernie Nevers, joined NFL

1928: Nevers retired from pro football and Duluth was disbanded. NFL reduced to 10 teams

1929: Nevers returned to the NFL with the Chicago Cardinals. He rushed for six TDs and four PATs in a 40-6 victory over the Bears. His 40 points in one game remains an NFL record.

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