SportingPost

Cleveland Rams

Frank Fleming
Author: 
Frank Fleming
4 mins
October 31st, 2023
Bet With Confidence
Ad Disclosure
  • First Game Played September 10, 1937

  • Final Game Played December 16, 1945*

  • Moved to Los Angeles in 1946

  • *-NFL Championship Game

HISTORICAL MOMENTS

1937:On Februay13th, the National Football League grants a Cleveland franchise to Homer Marshman and Associates, a prominent group of local businessmen. It was Cleveland’s fourth NFL franchise. There had been a pair of teams called the Indians, one at the NFL’s founding and another in 1931. Cleveland was also home to the Cleveland Bulldogs, 1924 NFL Champions. The group had owned a team in the rival American Football League in 1936. That team was also known as the Rams and finished with a 5-2-2 record, second-best in the league. This new NFL franchise was a separate entity since none of the personal joined the new NFL team. The NFL Rams’ first coach was Hugo Bezdek, and he led the Rams on to the field at Cleveland Municipal Stadium for their first game in on September 10th. Unfortunately, the Detroit Lions would shut down the Rams 28-0. The Rams would get their first win 11 days later when they beat the Eagles in Philadelphia 21-3. However, the Rams would not score more than ten points in any more games that the first season finishing with a 1-10 record.

1938:The Rams, now playing their home games at Shaw Stadium, a high school stadium on Shaw Avenue in Cleveland, losing their first three games of the season before coach Hugo Bezdek is fired. The move pays off right away as a new coach as the Rams win their first three games under Art Lewis. The Rams would win only one of their final five games and finish their second season with a 4-7 record.

1939:The Rams return to Municipal Stadium as rookie halfback Parker Hall makes a big splash earning MVP honors as the Rams finish with a .500 record for the first time at 5-5-1 under new coach Earl “Dutch” Clark.

1940:The Rams would stumble in Dutch Clark’s second season as coach falling back below the .500 mark at 4-6-1.

1941:Daniel F. Reeves and Fred Levy, Jr. purchase the Rams. The Rams get the new ownership group off on the right foot by winning their first two games. However, they would not win again and closed the season with a 2-9 record.

1942:With new owners Daniel F. Reeves and Fred Levy, Jr. enlisting in the Armed Forces, Bob Kelley is named club secretary. After three seasons in Municipal Stadium, the Rams decide to play their home games at League Park. The Rams would finish the season with a 5-6 record in Dutch Clark’s final season as coach.

1943:Daniel F. Reeves buys out partner Fred Levy Jr., as the Rams are forced to suspend operations due to wartime travel restrictions and lack of manpower.

1944:The Rams resume operations with an expansion style roster full of free agents and castoffs. Under coach Buff Donelli the ragtag Rams get off to a great start winning their first three games. However, their inexperience would catch up to them as they won just one of their next seven games to finish with a 4-6 record.

1945:After coach Buff Donelli joins the military, General Manager Charlie Walsh names his brother Adam as the team’s new coach. Bob Waterfield, a quarterback drafted in 1944, joins the team and leads the Rams to their first division championship with a 9-1 record Waterfield would become the first player ever to win the NFL MVP by a unanimous vote. The highlight of the season came on Thanksgiving in Detroit when Jim Benton caught ten passes for NFL record 303 yards in a 28-21 win at Detroit over the Lions. On December 16th, on a frozen field at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, the Rams defeated the Washington Redskins 15-14 to win their first NFL Championship. However, the joy for Cleveland fans would be short-lived as the Rams got approval to move to Los Angles less than a month later. As the Rams headed for the coast, a new league called the All-American Football Conference would begin play. The league was dominated by the Cleveland Browns, who would eventually join the NFL in 1950.

CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS

1945 NFL Champions Cleveland Rams

RAMS STADIUMS

Cleveland Municipal Stadium 1937, 1939-1941, 1944-1945

RAMS MEMORIES

Ted Livingston

1937-1940

Ollie Cordill

1940

Johnny Drake

1937-1941

Vic Spadaccini

1938-1941

Parker Hall

1939-1942

1939 NFL MVP

The Rams try to stay warm

on the sideline at Cleveland Municipal Stadium during the 1945 NFL Championship.

Chet Adams

1939-1942

Dante Magnani

1940-1942

Jim Benton

1938-1942, 1944-1945

Riley Matheson

1939-1942, 1944-1945

Bob Waterfield

1945

1945 NFL MVP

Related Content

Super Bowl 58 is just around the corner. It’s the biggest event on everyone’s sporting calendar - and for good reason.
January 24th, 2024
s a sports fan, I’ve been following the developments closely and have discovered some of the best online sportsbooks available for NY residents.
December 22nd, 2023
Best March Madness Betting Platforms & Sportsbooks in 2024
As the NCAA Tournament unfolds, many people look to enhance their experience by betting on the games. Finding the right betting sites for March Madness is essential for placing smart bets and enjoying a seamless experience.
March 6th, 2024
Online sports betting has gained significant traction in recent years, with many people eager to participate in this fast-growing industry. As I dive into the topic, it’s essential to consider the legal landscape and how it varies across different states in the US. The legalization of sports betting has undoubtedly become a hot topic, with some states fully embracing it, while others are still on the fence.
November 10th, 2023
Best Sports Betting Sites in Iowa
Interested in finding out more about Iowa's sports betting scene? After the legalization of sports betting in May 2019, a range of sportsbooks both online and retail have become available to Iowa bettors.
February 5th, 2024

Author

Frank Fleming
Frank Fleming founded the Sports Ecyclopedia in 2001 & is a passionate Devils fan.