Tampa Cardinals

[1] After the 1925 season, Thorpe formed a team, composed primarily of his teammates from the NFL’s Rock Island Independents, to play several games throughout Florida.

In a 1926 New Year's Day football exhibition, the Tampa Cardinals played against the Chicago Bears led by Red Grange.

The game itself was billed as a clash of old vs. new, with Grange, the rising star, taking on Thorpe, the aging legend.

The Villas were set to square off on January 7 against the Millville Big Blue, a successful independent club from New Jersey that was headed up by Guy Chamberlin.

[3][4] Another match-up against Millville/Haven Villa was arranged for January 20 in Winter Haven to be played at the local high school stadium.

[2] The team then ended its season due a lack of interest that led to a disappointing fan turnout.