1951 NFA Regular Season:
Eastern Division Standings:
| Washington Federals (12-1-1) |
| New York Aeros (11-3) |
| Boston Indians (8-6) |
| Buffalo Bison (6-8) |
| Philadelphia Minutemen (4-10) |
Western Division Standings:
| Minnesota Saints (11-2-1) |
| Chicago Wildcats (10-4) |
| Los Angeles Stars (9-5) |
| Pennsylvania Coal Miners (5-9) |
| Milwaukee Wolves (3-11) |
The sixth NFA season saw the Federals rise to domination, the fall of the Coal Miners, and the Stars of LA shine bright!
The NFA sixth season begins with a draw between the Minnesota Saints and the Washington Federals at a soldout Griffith Stadium. American Football, at least the professional version, was growing like never before. The DuMont Network and its sister stations across the nation help spread the game from East to West coast. Won’t be long till the league will expand again. In the meantime. The NFA, before the regular season, decided to move the field goal post to behind the endzone. While also making the 30th-yard line the start of the kickoff after each touchdown and start of each game.
The NFA would also air more games on the DuMont network this season, with almost the whole league being televised each week of the regular season. The playoffs are also now fully televised as well.
More black players started joining the league. Boston would sign fullback Willy Franklin to a three-year deal. While the LA Stars signed former San Fransisco Dons wide receiver Dwight Vernon to a four-year deal. Despite some signing for Milwaukee, two of the players they signed during the offseason, OLB Lyle Dotson and defensive tackle Peter Foster, were hit by the injury bug and were inactive for most of the season. This left Milwaukee without a good defensive core and left them at the bottom of the standings.
Team Season Report:
Eastern Division:
1. Washington Federals:
The Federals continue onward from their loss to Chicago in the National Bowl a better team. Quarterback Jimmy Wade Hill improved more on his skills and the improvements paid off with a first-place finish for the team.
2. New York Aeros:
The Aeros may have dropped one spot down, but they are still the same tough team from last season. The duo of Billy Evans in QB and a rejuvenated RB Josh Danielson proved to be a tough thing to beat. Added WR Curtis Mathews from Texas A&M and a good defensive squad. The “Mighty Aeros” might go all the way to the National Bowl.
3. Boston Indians:
Boston Terry Henderson, now 31 years of age, is doing better now with his new environment. The Indians QB Matthew Clark and fullback Dale Hammond and the rest are doing the best they can to help Terry win a title and try to go out on the sunset. Luckily for the Indians, the Bison and Minutemen help out and with the win over Milwaukee in week 14, grabbed the last spot in the playoffs.
4. Buffalo Bisons:
The team is improving, but they are nowhere near a solid unit. It shows against big opponents like Los Angeles, Boston, and New York. Washington was a surprise for them and the league with their win in week 10. That was the Federal’s only loss in the season (they also tied in week 3 against the Saints). I suspect a new coach might be in order but coach Raymond Rhodes, who was hired in after the move from Cleveland, was told to improve if he wants to keep his job.
5: Philadelphia Minutemen:
For head coach Eugene Boone, he is done. After another failed season, and failing to spark the fire in his team, was let go from the Minutemen. Sadly, the former HC from Michigan State would pass away weeks after the regular season. The team, despite not making the playoffs the last few seasons, paid tribute to Boone in the newspaper.
“He was a wonderful man. He was still positive with the team and keep fighting to the end. We will miss Eugene and we give our condolences to the family.” - Peter Harris, Owner of the Minutemen
Western Division:
1. Minnesota Saints:
As the saying goes, the Saints are marching in. This time to the playoffs. The Minnesota Saints, with Roy Vincent as QB., are on top of their game in the Western Division. Even outclassing the newer QB in both New York’s Billy Evans and Boston Matthew Clark. The Saints also have RB Kenny Rowe and a stellar offensive and defensive core. This team is National Bowl contenders for sure.
2. Chicago Wildcats:
The Wildcats, despite being second place in the division, are still top contenders for the NFA title. QB Andrew Patel and WR Raymond Walsh would prove to be tough to beat. Not helped that the Wildcats grabbed Gilbert Kirby from the CFA Winnipeg Wanderers. A move that upset the CFA but made NFA President Arch Ward very happy.
3. Los Angeles Stars:
The Stars, in just their second year, upset not just Milwaukee but the former three-time National Bowl champions Pennsylvania Coal Miners in record fashion. Stars quarterback Hayden Coleman, did very well for the City of Angels where he was treated like a Hollywood Star. Even made friends with Bing Crosby. Who, out of good faith, became a minority stakeholder for the LA Stars. It great to have good company.
4. Pennsylvania Coal Miners:
From winning three championships to no longer in the playoff hunt. The Rebuilding process now begins. Owner Garrett Smith decided to work on the team’s defense. Traded WR Michael Young for Milwaukee’s DT Derrick Noble. This was seen as a bad move, as Young was treated as a hero to the Miners faithful. Fans demanded for his return but Smith declined. Will it pay off next season is up to debate.
5. Milwaukee Wolves:
For the Wolves, the sophomore season will be a season to forget and forget fast. Dropping to the last place once more. The only bright spot is from the last few weeks when they signed former Miner Michael Young away. Young wasn’t very happy but decided to make the best of it. With Young, they would win the last three of the four remaining games of the regular season, including a nail biter against Philadelphia in week 12. Hope might be coming to the team, but HC Julian Bradley needs to get the team under control.
After the regular season, NFA President Arch Ward announced that the league will be holding their first draft before the 1952 season. Players who graduated from college are accepted to the NFA Draft. The Draft Order and the number of rounds will be announced before the National Bowl.
(Edit 1/14/21: Bing Crosby misspelling wasn't actually my fault, spellchecker on google screwed up for some reason? Weird, I wonder why Grammarly and Google Docs had issues with it. Anywho fixed now, thanks
@mrcubfan415. Should look into it, hopefully, it was just a weird bug or mistake on their part.)
