The year 1933 marked a significant expansion for the National Football League, welcoming three new teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles. This season was not just the Eagles' debut but also a pivotal moment for the league itself, as it introduced a divisional structure and a championship game for the first time. The Eagles, along with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, joined a league that was evolving, with the Boston Braves also rebranding
as the Boston Redskins. For Philadelphia, 1933 represented the birth of a franchise that would go on to have a long and storied history in professional football, beginning with a modest but foundational first year.
The Genesis of a Franchise
The establishment of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933 was partly facilitated by changes in local legislation. When Pennsylvania eased its "Blue laws," which had previously restricted Sunday sporting events, cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh became viable locations for NFL franchises. This allowed teams to schedule home games on Sundays, a crucial factor for attracting fans and revenue. The Eagles were granted an expansion franchise on July 8, 1933, to Bert Bell and Lud Wray, who also acquired the assets of the defunct Frankford Yellow Jackets organization. Bell and Wray chose the name "Eagles," inspired by the symbol of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, signaling a new era for professional football in Philadelphia.
Before their first official game, the Eagles held their inaugural training camp at Bader Field in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This period was essential for building team cohesion and preparing for the rigors of an NFL season. The team played its very first game, a preseason matchup, on Sunday, September 17, 1933. This historic contest took place in Clifton, New Jersey, against the Wessington eleven, drawing a crowd of 4,000 fans. The Eagles secured a victory in this initial outing, with Swede Hanson scoring the team's only touchdown, Oren Pape leading in rushing, and Les Maynard sealing the win with a late interception. This preseason success offered an early glimpse of the team's potential.
The 1933 NFL Landscape and Eagles' Performance
The 1933 NFL season was the 14th regular season for the league and brought about significant structural changes. Following the success of a playoff game the previous year, the NFL decided to divide its teams into two divisions: the Eastern and Western Divisions. The winners of these divisions would then compete in a Championship Game to determine the NFL Champion. This new format added a layer of excitement and competition to the league, culminating in the Chicago Bears defeating the New York Giants in the first-ever NFL Championship Game.
In this evolving league, the Philadelphia Eagles found themselves in the Eastern Division alongside established teams like the New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Redskins, and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Eagles played a league-low total of nine games in their inaugural season, a reflection of the unbalanced schedule common in that era. They finished the season with a record of 3 wins, 5 losses, and 1 tie, resulting in a .375 winning percentage. This placed them fourth in the Eastern Division standings. Their offensive output saw them score 77 points, while their defense allowed 158 points over the course of the season. Despite the challenging start, the Eagles' participation marked their official entry into professional football.
Home Field and Early Statistics
For their home games, the Philadelphia Eagles initially scheduled their contests at the Philadelphia Phillies' National League Park in North Philadelphia. This arrangement allowed the team to utilize an existing sports venue, providing a familiar setting for local sports fans. The Eagles would play at the Phillies' ballpark for three seasons before eventually moving to the newer Philadelphia Municipal Stadium in South Philadelphia, which is now the site of the Philadelphia Sports Complex. This early stadium history reflects the team's efforts to establish a permanent home base in the city.
The 1933 season was also notable for the NFL as it marked the second year that official statistics were tracked and retained by the league. While many statistics considered staples today, such as interceptions, punting average, kickoff return yardage, and field goal percentage, were not yet maintained, the league was beginning to build a statistical record. For the Eagles, this meant their inaugural season's performance, including their win-loss record and points scored and allowed, became part of the league's growing historical data. This foundational year, though not marked by championship success, laid the groundwork for the Philadelphia Eagles' enduring presence in the National Football League.
