[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 206 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMEMORATING THE 100TH SEASON OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB GIBBS

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 19, 2019

  Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my fellow 
Representatives Troy Balderson (OH-12), Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Danny 
Davis (IL-07), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Brian 
Higgins (NY-26), David P. Joyce (OH-14), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Robin 
Kelly (IL-02), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Greg Pence (IN-06), Mike Quigley 
(IL-05), Bobby Rush (IL-01), Tim Ryan (OH-13), Steve Stivers (OH-15), 
and Michael R. Turner (OH-10) to commemorate the 100th season of the 
National Football League. Our Congressional Districts include the 13 
``Original Towns'' from which came the 14 charter teams that formed the 
American Professional Football Association, which would become the NFL.
  During its inaugural 1920 season, the founding teams that competed in 
the new league included: the Akron Pros; Buffalo All-Americans; Canton 
Bulldogs; Decatur Staleys; Racine Cardinals; Chicago Tigers; Cleveland 
Tigers; Columbus Panhandles; Dayton Triangles; Hammond Pros; the 
Heralds (Detroit); Muncie Flyers; Rock Island Independents; and the 
Jeffersons (Rochester,.N.Y.). Two years later, the new league was 
renamed the National Football League.
  From its humble beginnings, the National Football League is now a 
preeminent sports league, comprised of 32 teams from 22 states across 
the country. In the span of a century, the league has become 
intricately woven into the fabric of American life and the foremost 
steward of what is now known as ``America's Game.'' The league's annual 
``Super Bowl'' Championship is the single most-watched annual 
television event in the United States, bringing together individuals of 
all ages, races, and backgrounds through a common enthusiasm for and 
appreciation of the game of football.
  The two pillars of the NFL are football and community, which are 
demonstrated through the volunteerism and philanthropic efforts of 
players, owners, coaches and staff, including through programs and 
initiatives ranging from honoring our nation's veterans and 
servicemembers to promoting cancer awareness to encouraging youth to 
maintain active and healthy lifestyles. These efforts, both on and off 
the field, reflect the character, commitment, fortitude and teamwork 
that make our communities resilient and strong.
  We, therefore, recognize the National Football League as a great 
sports league ofthe United States and congratulate the NFL for 100 
seasons of uniting communities across the country, and look forward to 
another century of NFL football.

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