American Football League (1926)

The American Football League (AFL) of 1926 was a short-lived professional American football league that existed for only one season. It was formed as a rival to the National Football League (NFL), which was then known as the National Football League.

The league consisted of nine teams: the Atlantic City Roses, the Brooklyn Horsemen, the Camden Bullets, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Panthers, the Hartford Blues, the Los Angeles Buccaneers, the Newark Bears, and the Philadelphia Quakers.

The Philadelphia Quakers won the league championship with an 8-2 record. Guy Chamberlin, a legendary player and coach, led the Quakers.

Several factors contributed to the league's demise after a single season. The NFL, with its established teams and stronger financial footing, proved too difficult to compete with. The cross-country travel required for the Los Angeles Buccaneers proved challenging and expensive, highlighting the logistical difficulties of a truly national league at that time. The league also struggled to attract and retain a consistent fan base, and faced financial difficulties.

While the 1926 AFL was short-lived, it represents an early attempt to challenge the NFL's dominance in professional American football. The failure of this league also underscores the challenges faced by aspiring rival leagues throughout the history of the sport.