What Is 1920 Dayton Triangles football team

Overview

The Dayton Triangles were a professional football team based in Dayton, Ohio, and one of the founding members of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which reorganized in 1922 as the National Football League (NFL). Formed in 1916 by employees of the Dayton Engineering and Manufacturing Company—commonly known as the Dayton Metal Products Company—the team derived its name from the "triangle" shape of the factory's floor plan.

By 1920, the Triangles had established themselves as a strong regional team, leading to their inclusion in the inaugural season of the APFA. Their participation helped legitimize the new league and laid the groundwork for professional football's national expansion. The team's early success and organizational involvement made them influential in shaping the NFL’s foundational years.

• First official APFA game: On October 3, 1920, the Dayton Triangles defeated the Columbus Panhandles 14–0 at Triangle Park, marking the first recorded league game in what would become NFL history.
• Season record: The Triangles finished the 1920 season with a 7–1–1 record, losing only to the Akron Pros, the eventual champions, and tying with the Decatur Staleys.
• Home field: Triangle Park, located in west Dayton, was a modest wooden-bleacher stadium with a capacity of approximately 3,000 fans and served as the team’s home throughout the 1920s.
• Leadership: Head coach George Clifford "Dim" Riley, a former college player, led the team with a disciplined approach, emphasizing conditioning and fundamentals over flashy play.
• Founding role: Co-founder Carl Storck was instrumental in the formation of the APFA and later served as league treasurer and vice president, contributing to early NFL governance.

Performance and Season Structure

The 1920 season for the Dayton Triangles operated under a loosely defined schedule, typical of the early APFA, where teams arranged games independently. Despite the disorganized structure, the Triangles maintained a rigorous schedule and demonstrated consistency against both established and emerging professional teams.

• Opponent strength: The Triangles faced several of the league’s strongest teams, including the Akron Pros (9–0–1) and the Decatur Staleys (10–1–2), both of which finished ahead in the final standings.
• Offensive output: Dayton scored 188 points during the 1920 season, averaging over 20 points per game, showcasing one of the more potent offenses in the league.
• Defensive record: The team allowed only 35 points all season, posting four shutouts and establishing a reputation for a disciplined, hard-hitting defense.
• Key players:Earl “Curly” Morrison and Jim “Buckets” Hilton were standout performers, contributing significantly to both passing and rushing efforts.
• Scheduling challenges: Due to the lack of a centralized schedule, the Triangles played 9 games, two fewer than the league-leading Akron Pros, affecting their final standing.
• Final standing: Though not awarded a championship, Dayton finished in third place in the unofficial 1920 standings, behind Akron and Decatur, based on win percentage and strength of schedule.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1920 Dayton Triangles with other top teams from the inaugural APFA season:

The Dayton Triangles ranked among the elite in defensive performance and win percentage during the 1920 season. While the Akron Pros were awarded the title due to an undefeated record and fewer ties, Dayton’s strong point differential and quality wins underscore their competitive standing. The lack of a formal playoff system meant final rankings were determined by consensus, often influenced by media reports and league executive opinions.

Why It Matters

The 1920 Dayton Triangles represent a critical chapter in the evolution of professional American football. As charter members of the APFA, they helped transition the sport from regional barnstorming circuits to a structured national league. Their contributions extended beyond the field, influencing league policies and organizational standards.

• Historical legacy: The Triangles played in the first official game recognized by the NFL, giving Dayton a unique place in professional football history.
• League development: Carl Storck’s leadership helped establish early governance structures, including financial reporting and scheduling norms, that shaped the modern NFL.
• Regional impact: The team fostered a strong local following in Dayton, proving that smaller cities could sustain professional football franchises.
• Player development: The Triangles provided a platform for athletes who later influenced the growth of the sport across the Midwest and beyond.
• Integration efforts: While not racially integrated in 1920, the team operated during a period when the NFL briefly included Black players before segregation intensified in the 1930s.
• Preservation: The legacy of the 1920 team is honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which recognizes the Triangles as pioneers of the professional game.

The Dayton Triangles may not have won a championship in 1920, but their role in launching the NFL and setting early standards for professionalism and competition remains historically significant.