1932 Chicago Bears

The 1932 Chicago Bears season was their 13th regular season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 7-1-6 record under third year head coach Ralph Jones.

Season Overview
The season started strangely with three consecutive 0-0 ties. After a 0-2 loss to the Packers, the Bears had scored zero points in four games. After that, the offense got on track and the defense stayed incredibly stingy. The Bears were undefeated in their last nine "regular season" games (there was no established playoff system), with six wins, four by shutout, and three ties.

The team that gave the Bears the most trouble were the Portsmouth Spartans. The club tied with the Spartans with identical 6-1 records (ties did not count then), so a playoff game was set up to determine a winner. The Bears defeated the Spartans, 9-0 in the first ever NFL playoff game, which oddly enough was played in Chicago Stadium because it was too cold to play at Wrigley Field.

For the year, the powerful tandem of Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski again paced the Bears as Grange scored 7 touchdowns and Nagurski ran for 4 and also passed for 3 more. Keith Molesworth also contributed with 3 touchdowns on his own while passing for 3 more. Luke Johnsos had probably his finest season, catching two touchdown passes and scoring twice on defense as well. Coach Ralph Jones also found a reliable kicker in Paul "Tiny" Engebretson.

Future Hall of Fame Players

 * Red Grange, Back
 * Bill Hewitt, End (rookie from University of Michigan)
 * Bronko Nagurski, Fullback
 * George Trafton, Center

Other Leading Players

 * Carl Brumbaugh, Quarterback
 * John Doehring, Back (rookie)
 * Paul Engebretsen, Guard / Kicker (rookie from Northwestern)
 * Luke Johnsos, End
 * Joe Kopcha, Guard (back after two years off)
 * Keith Molesworth, Back
 * Dick Nesbitt, Back

Players Departed from 1931

 * Link Lyman, Tackle (did not play for unknown reasons)

Standings
Includes the result of the 1932 NFL Playoff Game

W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972

Awards

 * NFL Championship (2)