Kansas City Cowboys (NFL)

Kansas City Blues-Cowboys
Founded1924
Folded1926
Based inKansas City, Missouri, United States
LeagueNational Football League
Team historyKansas City Blues (1924)
Kansas City Cowboys (1925–1926)
Team colorsBlack, white
  
Head coachesLeRoy Andrews
Home field(s)Traveling Team

The Kansas City Cowboys were a National Football League team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The team was founded as the Kansas City Blues in 1924, and as the Kansas City Cowboys in 1925 and 1926.[1] The Blues competed as a traveling team, playing all of their NFL games in other cities' stadiums in their only year under that name. LeRoy Andrews acted as the team's player-coach.

History

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The team was owned by Maurice R. Smith, Joe Brecklein and Cameron K. Reid. The Cowboys were known for dressing in cowboy attire and fans came out in great numbers to see them play. Immediately after the game, the Giants hired away head coach LeRoy Andrews and most of the Cowboys players. Maurice R. Smith then arranged to give what remained of the team to Cleveland under the condition that it would be given back if he wanted the team returned.

President Joe Carr (of the NFL) agreed to the arrangement although there was never any assurance it would be honored. The Kansas City Cowboys were actually purchased by the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1927[2] and merged with that franchise. It is believed The Bulldogs were sold to the Detroit Wolverines who hired coach LeRoy Andrews[3] to coach the team. The Wolverines were then bought by the New York Giants who deactivated the team bringing the story of the Kansas City Cowboys, Cleveland Bulldogs and Detroit Wolverines to an end.[4]

Coach Steve Owen played for the Kansas City Cowboys and played for the Cleveland Bulldogs. He and LeRoy Andrews fell out over their part of the purchase price for the Cowboys when they were sold to the Bulldogs and resulted in his contract being sold to the New York Giants. Owen was then hired as head coach of the Giants in 1931 and remained their coach until 1953.[5][6][7]

Pro Football Hall of Famers

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Kansas City Blues/Cowboys Hall of Famers
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
Joe Guyon T/HB 1925 1966
Steve Owen T/G 1924–25 1966

Season-by-season

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Year W L T Finish Coach
Blues 1924 2 7 0 15th LeRoy Andrews
Cowboys 1925 2 5 1 13th
1926 8 3 0 4th

References

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  1. ^ "Kansas City Cowboys (1924-1926)". sportsecyclopedia.com.
  2. ^ "CLEVELAND BULLDOGS - Encyclopedia of Cleveland History - Case Western Reserve University". Encyclopedia of Cleveland History - Case Western Reserve University. 11 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Detroit Wolverines (1928)". sportsecyclopedia.com.
  4. ^ Fleming, Frank. "Detroit Wolverines". Sportsecyclopedia. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Coach Tackle Steve Owen". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  6. ^ Fleming, Frank. "Kansas City Cowboys". Sportsecyclopedia. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Cleveland Bulldogs". Case Western Reserve University. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.

See also

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