1925 Chicago Bears season
During the fall, Bears owners George Halas and Edward Sternaman reached an agreement with C. C. Pyle to sign Illinois Fighting Illini football star Red Grange, a deal that included organizing a barnstorming tour that spanned 19 games and 67 days.
Before their game, the Bears – accompanied by Illinois Senator William B. McKinley – visited President Calvin Coolidge who greeted them, "Glad to meet you.
[17] In addition to allowing a safety, Hanny lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown, while Bryan scored the Bears' lone points in the 9–6 win.
[18] Before their next game against an all-star team in Pittsburgh, former All-American Bo McMillin visited the Bears in the locker room and advised Grange to not play upon seeing his arm.
"[17] Twelve minutes into the game, Grange attempted to block for halfback Johnny Mohardt, but tore a ligament and ruptured a blood vessel in his arm, the latter of which resulted in artery hemorrhaging.
At the end of the 1925 season, the Bears embarked on a barnstorming tour, playing games in Florida, Louisiana, California and Washington, usually against local pick-up teams.
[27] The Bears' roster, which typically carried 18 players, grew to 21 for the tour with additions like quarterback Richard Vick, halfback Harold Erickson, end Paul Goebel, tackle Roy Lyman, and center Ralph Claypool.
[28] The team left for Florida on December 21,[29] traveling in a Pullman train car called "Bethulla" that the players nicknamed "Dog House".
To their surprise, a group of 200 carpenters quickly began constructing a temporary 25,000-seat stadium;[32] however, the poor field conditions led Halas to contact New York for new cleats.
Britton, who also played kicker, received a new pair of shoes which he argued would not help him; although he had two 50-yard punts in the game, he subsequently reverted to his original footwear.
[36][37] The next day, the Bears defeated a Jacksonville team featuring former Stanford All-American Ernie Nevers by a score of 19–6, with Grange throwing two touchdown passes, one of which went for 30 yards to Verne Mullen.
[39] After resting for a week, the team departed for New Orleans, though Halas' wife Minnie, daughter Virginia, and son George Jr. decided to return to Chicago.
[41] In front of 65,000 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Grange and Joey Sternaman scored for the Bears in the 17–7 win, while Roy Baker recorded the Wildcats' lone touchdown.
[48] Despite being betting favorites, the Bears fell behind as the Tigers' James Bradshaw recorded two interceptions, while his teammates Bob Fitzke and Houston Stockton scored.
[52] In Portland, with a "small but highly critical crowd" of between 5,000 and 6,500 watching, Grange and Britton combined for five touchdowns, including three by the latter, en route to a 60–3 blowout.
[55] Seattle's Rollie Corbett broke his leg in the game, leading to Grange, Pyle, and Wilson setting up a fund to support him for which they donated $50 apiece.
[57] Grange was richly rewarded for his rookie year in professional football, netting salary and bonuses totaling nearly $125,000 — far more than any individual player had ever received.
