Hammond, Indiana has storied NFL History

Indiana Makes Its Pitch to the Chicago Bears

Indiana legislators are reportedly willing to commit public funding to construct a 21st-century, state-of-the-art stadium for the National Football League’s Chicago Bears. The proposal would place the franchise in Hammond, Indiana, roughly 30 miles from downtown Chicago. If ownership were to accept the offer, the Bears would become the second NFL team to call Hammond home — though the city’s first experience with the league came more than a century ago.

The idea reflects the growing competition among municipalities eager to secure or retain NFL franchises, particularly as teams seek modern venues that maximize revenue through premium seating, sponsorships, and year-round event capabilities.

Hammond’s Forgotten NFL History

Long before Chicago became synonymous with professional football, Hammond briefly held a place in league history. The Hammond Pros were a charter member of the American Professional Football Association, which began play in 1920 and soon became the National Football League. The franchise competed in the NFL from 1920 through 1926.

However, despite the city’s name attached to the team, the Hammond Pros rarely played in Hammond. The club functioned largely as a traveling team and played only two games in the city during its existence. Most of its so-called home games were staged in Chicago, limiting Hammond’s ability to build a lasting fan base.

Meanwhile, Chicago secured its own NFL foothold in 1921 when the Decatur Staleys relocated to the city and eventually became the Chicago Bears.

A Legacy of Early Integration

The Hammond Pros nonetheless left a meaningful imprint on league history. During the early 1920s, the franchise played a significant role in the desegregation of professional football. At one point, six of the NFL’s nine African American players were on Hammond’s roster. In 1925, Fritz Pollard was named co-coach, making him one of the first African American head coaches in NFL history.

That progress was short-lived. By 1926, the NFL had effectively removed African American players from team rosters, a ban that informally persisted until 1946.

A City on the Edge of Major League Sports

Hammond also brushed against major league basketball history. The city fielded a team in the National Basketball League during the 1948-49 season, when the NBL was considered a top-tier league. But when the NBL merged with the Basketball Association of America to form the National Basketball Association in 1949, Hammond’s ownership group could not raise the funds required to join the new league. Proximity to Chicago’s Stags franchise may have further complicated matters.

Now, decades later, Indiana lawmakers see Hammond as a viable destination for the Bears — a city with historic ties to professional sports and a renewed opportunity to secure a permanent place on the major league stage.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at [email protected]