Determining the oldest NFL team requires looking past modern franchise branding and examining continuous operational lineage. While multiple teams lay claim to early roots, the distinction belongs to the Arizona Cardinals, tracing their origins back to 1898 as an amateur athletic club in Chicago. Understanding how the league's oldest franchises evolved clarifies the complicated history of professional American football.
The True Origin of the Arizona Cardinals
Long before the National Football League organized in 1920, the team known today as the Arizona Cardinals existed on the south side of Chicago. Founded in 1898 by Chris O'Brien, the squad started as the Morgan Athletic Club. They soon changed their name to the Racine Cardinals, taking their moniker from Racine Avenue where their home field sat.
When the American Professional Football Association (soon renamed the NFL) formed in Canton, Ohio, in 1920, the Cardinals joined as a charter member. The franchise stayed in Chicago through 1959, moved to St. Louis for the 1960 season, and finally relocated to Phoenix in 1988. Throughout these geographic moves, the corporate entity and administrative lineage remained unbroken, cementing the Cardinals as the oldest continuously operating professional football franchise in the United States.
The Green Bay Packers and Community Ownership
While the Cardinals hold the title for oldest continuous corporate existence, the Green Bay Packers represent the oldest franchise operating continuously in the same city. Founded on August 11, 1919, by Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun, the Packers joined the NFL in 1921.
Unlike any other professional sports franchise in North America, the Green Bay Packers operate as a publicly owned, non-profit corporation. Thousands of local stockholders hold shares, ensuring the team can never be bought or moved by a billionaire owner. This unique structure preserves a direct link to the industrial midwestern roots of early professional football. For more details on the founding era, the Pro Football Hall of Fame provides extensive archives on early league history.
The Chicago Bears and Decatur Roots
The Chicago Bears share a direct foundational connection to the birth of the NFL, though their story begins about 180 miles southwest of Chicago. Founded in 1919 by starch manufacturer A.E. Staley, the team was originally known as the Decatur Staleys.
George Halas took control of the team in 1920 and moved them to Chicago in 1921, renaming them the Chicago Staleys before changing the name to the Bears in 1922. Halas became a towering figure in American sports, serving as player, coach, and owner over several decades. The rivalry between the Bears and the Packers remains the oldest continuous matchup in professional football, spanning over a century of fierce competition.
Early League Evolution and Survival
Early professional football bore little resemblance to the multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry seen today. Teams operated out of local athletic clubs, automotive shops, and university fields. Financial instability plagued the early decades, causing dozens of teams to fold after only a single season.
Operating costs were high, equipment was minimal, and players often held day jobs in factories or offices during the week. Teams like the Dayton Triangles, the Rock Island Independents, and the Buffalo All-Americans competed in the early 1920s before eventually dissolving. The franchises that survived did so by building local fan bases, establishing stable ownership, and navigating the economic turbulence of the Great Depression. The Library of Congress offers historical collections documenting sports culture during these formative decades.
Common Misconceptions About NFL History
Fans often confuse the oldest franchise with the oldest stadium or the most historically successful organization. For instance, Lambeau Field opened in 1957, making it the oldest continually operating NFL stadium, but the Packers are not the oldest overall franchise.
Another common confusion stems from name changes and relocations. Teams frequently swapped identities during the league's formative years to attract local ticket buyers. Recognizing the true timeline requires separating geographic location from corporate continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NFL team is officially the oldest?
The Arizona Cardinals are the oldest continuously operating franchise, tracing their roots back to 1898 in Chicago.
Are the Green Bay Packers older than the Chicago Bears?
The Packers were founded in August 1919, while the Decatur Staleys (now the Chicago Bears) formed in September 1919. Both started play in the inaugural 1920 NFL season.
Did the original NFL teams play in major cities?
Not always. Early franchises often represented smaller industrial towns like Decatur, Illinois; Dayton, Ohio; and Rock Island, Illinois, where local manufacturing companies could sponsor teams.
Why did the Arizona Cardinals move away from Chicago?
As the Chicago Bears dominated the local market and fan base, the Cardinals struggled for attendance and financial viability, prompting their move to St. Louis in 1960.
