Douglas Park (Rock Island) facts for kids
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Site of First NFL Game, 1920
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| Location | 18th Avenue and 10th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, 61201 |
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| Coordinates | 41°29′42.3″N 90°35′07.0″W / 41.495083°N 90.585278°W |
| Public transit | Quad Cities MetroLINK |
| Owner | City of Rock Island, Illinois |
| Operator | Rock Island Park and Recreation Department |
| Capacity | 5,000 (1925) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1904 |
| Opened | 1905 |
| Tenants | |
| National Football League Rock Island Independents (1907–1925) Minor League Baseball Rock Island Islanders (1905–1937) |
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Douglas Park is a public park in Rock Island, Illinois. It's famous for being the place where the very first National Football League (NFL) game was played! This historic event happened on September 26, 1920.
The park was built between 1904 and 1905. It quickly became a popular spot for sports. From 1907 to 1925, it was home to the Rock Island Independents, one of the original NFL teams. Douglas Park also hosted minor league baseball games for the Rock Island Islanders from 1905 to 1937. Many legendary players, like George Halas, Curly Lambeau, and Jim Thorpe, played here. They are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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The First NFL Game Ever Played
Douglas Park holds a special place in sports history. It was the location of the very first game involving an NFL team. This game took place on September 26, 1920. Just nine days after the league was formed, the Rock Island Independents beat the St. Paul Ideals with a score of 48–0. The St. Paul Ideals were not yet part of the new league.
One week later, on October 3, 1920, the Independents played another game at Douglas Park. They defeated the Muncie Flyers 45–0. This game was part of the first full week of play for the new league.
The Rock Island Independents and the NFL (1907–1925)
The Rock Island Independents started playing football at Douglas Park in 1907. They had several amazing undefeated seasons, including in 1908, 1910, 1912, and 1918. When the National Football League was created, the Independents were one of its first teams.
The NFL, which we know today, was officially formed on September 17, 1920. A meeting was held in Canton, Ohio, and representatives from the Rock Island Independents were there. Jim Thorpe, a famous athlete, became the league's first president. The league was first called the American Professional Football Association. It changed its name to the "National Football League" in 1922.
The Independents' owner, Walter Flanigan, was very important in making the team a professional football club. He helped create the league's rules. The team had good records in the NFL's early years. They won more games than they lost for five out of six seasons.
Many famous NFL teams played at Douglas Park. These included the Chicago Bears (who were first called the Decatur Staleys), the Green Bay Packers, and the Chicago Cardinals. Several players who later became Pro Football Hall of Fame members played at Douglas Park. These legends include Jim Thorpe, Curly Lambeau, George Halas, Paddy Driscoll, and George Trafton.
Independents in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Four players from the Rock Island Independents who played at Douglas Park are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
- Jim Thorpe (inducted in 1963)
- Tackle Ed Healey (inducted in 1964)
- Back Jimmy Conzelman (inducted in 1964)
- Joe Guyon (inducted in 1966)
Jim Thorpe played with the Independents in 1924. After that season, he even created his own touring team called the "Thorpe Independents."
Exciting NFL Games at Douglas Park
Douglas Park saw many memorable football games:
- On November 22, 1925, the Independents won their final NFL game at Douglas Park. They beat the Milwaukee Badgers 40–7.
- On October 4, 1925, the Independents defeated the Green Bay Packers 3–0. The Packers were coached by the legendary Curly Lambeau.
- On September 30, 1923, the Independents beat the Chicago Bears 3–0. The Bears' coach was George Halas.
- The Independents and the Chicago Bears played to a scoreless tie twice. These ties happened on September 28, 1924, and September 20, 1925.
- On October 1, 1922, the Independents won their NFL home opener at Douglas Park. They beat the Green Bay Packers 19–14.
- On October 16, 1921, the Independents defeated the Chicago Cardinals 14–7.
- On October 7, 1920, the Independents beat the Chicago Cardinals 7–0.
The Rock Island Islanders Baseball Team (1905–1937)
Douglas Park was also home to the Rock Island Islanders, a minor league baseball team. They played there from 1905 to 1937. The baseball field and grandstands were built between 1904 and 1905.
The Islanders played in several different minor leagues over the years. In 1922, the team was managed by Jimmy Conzelman. He was a Pro Football Hall of Famer who also played for the Islanders that year. Conzelman was a player and coach for the Rock Island Independents football team too.
The Islanders were connected with two Major League Baseball teams. They were affiliates of the St. Louis Browns in 1932 and the Cincinnati Reds in 1933. The team won league championships in 1907, 1909, and 1932. Many Islanders players went on to play in the Major Leagues.
Other local teams, like the Moline Plowboys and Davenport Blue Sox, were rivals of the Islanders.
Other Fun Events at Douglas Park
Some people mistakenly think the first college football game between the University of Iowa and the University of Illinois happened at Douglas Park. However, that game actually took place at Twelfth Street Park.
Douglas Park hosted the ISC World Fastpitch Softball Tournament many times. It was held there from 1961 to 1969, and again in 1973.
In August 2015, a special "throwback" football game was played at Douglas Park. It honored the park's rich football history. The game used old-fashioned football rules. The Rock Island Independents team won against the Moline Universal Tractors with a score of 24–0.
Douglas Park Today
Douglas Park is still a busy place today! It is used for youth Baseball games. The Rock Island Legion Post 200 also plays there. The Quad City 76ers Semi–Pro Baseball Club has called Douglas Park home since 1986.
In 2007, a group called "Friends of Douglas Park" was formed. They raised money to fix up the large baseball field. This was the first step in a plan to renovate the entire park. On May 9, 2017, the newly remodeled baseball field reopened. A high school baseball game was played there, with Rock Island High School beating Alleman High School 2–0. About 450 people came to watch the game.
See also
Rock Island Islanders players List of Rock Island Independents players
