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

Paddy Driscoll’s Almost Perfect Season
Back at the beginning of the National Football League in 1920, one of the

Historical Sporting Events That Helped Shape the Sports Betting Industry
The sports betting industry is massive. A multi-billion-dollar industry. So big, in fact, that

Top Five Matches in Table Tennis History
“Ping Pong” has a rich and fascinating history that is over a century old.

John Davis: An American Weightlifting Legend
When I first started competing in Olympic Weightlifting in 1981, I wanted to learn

Football Evolution: From English Fields to American Stadiums
Football, a sport cherished by millions, boasts a history that crosses continents and cultures.

Sports Betting: A Journey Through Time and Technology
How did placing a bet on your favorite sports team become so popular? Sports

Remembering Two Great NFL Playoff Games of the 1970s
There were a couple of very competitive playoff games in the NFL during the

The Birth of the NFL: Revisiting Sports History’s Most Iconic Moments
The National Football League’s journey began modestly in an Ohio car dealership. A group