[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 206 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE 100TH SEASON OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 19, 2019

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
commemorate the 100th season of the National Football League. Chicago 
is home to the 1986 Superbowl XX Champion Chicago Bears and the 7th 
Congressional District is one of 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 arid 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 service 
members 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.
  I therefore, recognize the National Football League as a great sports 
league of the 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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