July 28, 1933 – The NFL took a huge step in growth on this day as it divided itself into two 5 team divisions. It was by no means the complexity of today’s two conferences and 6 divisions of 32 teams but it was a baby step in that direction.
The new Eastern Division consisted of the Boston Redskins, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Western Division consisted of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Green Bay Packers, and Portsmouth Spartans. It certainly set the state for future growth of professional football as winning one’s division became paramount to capturing a title.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Every Ball Can Change the Odds: Why Cricket Is Built for Live Betting
A sport where the game can change 240 times in a match Six months

Seahawks Remain the NFC West’s Measuring Stick After Wild Openers to 2026 Season
Melbourne Cricket Ground, the site of the Rams’ Week 1 stunner – Source: Unsplash

What Actually Makes a FUT Card a Smart Long-Term Hold
EA Sports FC 27 is a football video game, and its most popular mode,

5 Best Places to Buy a Golf Simulator: A Complete Buyer’s Guide
Photo by Mariah Hewines on Unsplash Golf simulators are a serious investment, and there’s

Ontario’s Long History of Betting on Its Own Games
Ontario’s long history of betting on its own games. Long before anyone in Ontario

Chuck Bednarik: The Legacy of NFL’s Last Two-Way Player
Just say the name Chuck Bednarik (bed-nare-ick) and you can be certain you’re not talking

Mark Morthier’s Favorite Sport Cards (1972 – 1989)
Although I was never a big hockey fan, I would consider myself a NY

NFL Over/Under Lines: What Past Scoring Trends Could Mean for 2026
NFL scoring patterns rarely stay the same from one season to the next. Offensive