1935 Chicago Bears season

NFL team season

The 1935 season was the Chicago Bears' 16th in the National Football League and 13th season under head coach George Halas. The team was unable to match on their 13–0 record from 1934 and finished with a 6–4–2 record and finishing in a tie for third (and last) place in the Western Division, and failed to return to the championship game. The Bears had little trouble with the weaker teams in the league, led the league in scoring, and occasionally showed signs of brilliance against top-flight competition, but for the most part, they were outclassed by the Lions, Packers, and Giants. The biggest problem was the veterans from the 1920s had largely retired or were past their prime but not enough young talent had emerged to offset these losses. In particular, the retirement of Link Lyman and Red Grange hurt the team, especially on defense. Additionally, Bronko Nagurski and Bill Hewitt were injured for large portions of the season and could not play to their normal level.[1]

Season highlights

Keith Molesworth was the brightest spot on offense and was a triple threat from the halfback position. Bernie Masterson ran the T-formation adequately but was not particularly accurate as a passer. Luke Johnsos was the most reliable end and led the team in receptions. Gene Ronzani led the club in rushing, but Feathers, Molesworth, and Manders shared rushing duties. Manders had a subpar year as a kicker, making only 1 of 8 field goals. The Bears lost to Green Bay twice, to Detroit once (tying the Lions in the other game), split the series with New York, and beat the Redskins in their only meeting. After a 5–2 start, the Bears faded in the end, winning only 1 of their last 5 games, with one tie. Of note, every other team in the NFL ran either the Single Wing or the A Formation (a variant of the Single Wing run only by the Giants), but the Bears still used the T formation. Many today falsely believe the Bears of the 1940s "invented" the modern T and then everyone adopted it. The truth is everyone ran the T when the league began in 1920. All the other teams switched to the Single Wing after it was perfected in the college game. Meanwhile, coach George Halas and his assistants perfected the T, which they never changed from, and other teams switched back from the Single Wing only after the Bears of the 1940s demonstrated the T's superiority.[2]

Future Hall of Fame players

  • Bill Hewitt, end
  • George Musso, tackle
  • Bronko Nagurski, fullback

Other leading players

Players departed from 1934

Schedule

Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue
1 September 22 at Green Bay Packers L 0–7 0–1 City Stadium
2 September 29 at Pittsburgh Pirates W 23–7 1–1 Forbes Field
3 October 13 at Philadelphia Eagles W 39–0 2–1 Baker Bowl
4 October 20 Brooklyn Dodgers W 24–14 3–1 Wrigley Field
5 October 27 Green Bay Packers L 14–17 3–2 Wrigley Field
6 November 3 at New York Giants W 20–3 4–2 Polo Grounds
7 November 10 at Boston Redskins W 30–14 5–2 Fenway Park
8 November 17 New York Giants L 0–3 5–3 Wrigley Field
9 November 24 Detroit Lions T 20–20 5–3–1 Wrigley Field
10 November 28 at Detroit Lions L 2–14 5–4–1 Titan Stadium
11 December 1 Chicago Cardinals T 7–7 5–4–2 Wrigley Field
12 December 8 Chicago Cardinals W 13–0 6–4–2 Wrigley Field
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

NFL Western Division
  • view
  • talk
  • edit
W L T PCT DIV PF PA STK
Detroit Lions 7 3 2 .700 3–2–2 191 111 W2
Green Bay Packers 8 4 0 .667 4–4 181 96 W1
Chicago Cardinals 6 4 2 .600 3–2–2 99 97 L1
Chicago Bears 6 4 2 .600 1–3–2 192 106 W1
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

References

  1. ^ "1935 Chicago Bears Starters, Roster, & Players | Pro Football". www.sports-reference.com.
  2. ^ "Chicago Bears 1935 Games and Schedule". www.pro-football-reference.com.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Chicago Bears
  • Founded in 1919
  • Formerly the Decatur Staleys (1919–1920) and the Chicago Staleys (1921)
  • Based in Chicago, Illinois
  • Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois
Franchise
Records
Stadiums
Culture
Lore
Rivalries
Minor league affiliates
Retired numbers
Key personnel
Division championships (21)
Conference championships (4)
League championships (9)
Media
  • Broadcasters
  • Radio:
  • Personnel:
  • Television:
    • WFLD (pre-season and most regular season games through Fox, official pre-game and post-game alternate)
    • Marquee Sports Network (official post-game and in-season programming)
  • Personnel:
    • Lou Canellis (gameday television host, pre-season sideline reporter)
    • Adam Amin (pre-season play-by-play)
    • Jim Miller (pre-season analyst)
Current league affiliations
  • Category:Chicago Bears
  • WikiProject Chicago Bears
  • v
  • t
  • e
Chicago Bears seasons
Formerly the Decatur Staleys (1920) and the Chicago Staleys (1921)
Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–69) or Super Bowl (1966–present) victory
Italics indicates NFL Championship (1920–69) or Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance
  • v
  • t
  • e
Eastern DivisionBoston BrooklynChi BearsChi Cardinals Western Division
New York PhiladelphiaDetroitGreen Bay
Pittsburgh