1931-1933: The St. Louis Gunners were formed as an independent team, the team’s name came from the fact that their headquarters were located at the St. Louis National Guard Armory, and sponsored by the Missouri National Guard. The Gunners would play several exhibition games against NFL teams and often played well, winning a pair of games in 1933. The Gunners looked to join the NFL and purchased the NFL’s Cincinnati Reds for $20,000. However, their bid to join the NFL was rejected by the other league owners because St. Louis was considered to be too remote from the rest of the clubs, all in the Northeast, and yearly trips there would have increased travel expenses.

1934: The St. Louis Gunners shot down an invitation to join the newly formed American Football League, which was considered a minor league. Meanwhile the Cincinnati Reds, who the Gunners attempted to purchase to join the NFL were struggling through a 0-8 season and were non-competitive. When the Reds failed to reach payroll, the team was suspended, and the Gunners were given the go ahead to join the NFL for the final three games of the Reds season. On November 11th, the Gunners defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0 at Sportsman’s Park, earning a win in their first NFL game. However, facing a strong Detroit Lions team on the road, the Gunners were overmatched in their second game, suffering a 40-7 loss. The Gunners would wrap up their brief NFL existence with a hard fought 21-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers on December 2nd. However, the Gunners would not be invited to remain in the NFL, and returned to the independent circuit. St. Louis would again get a NFL team when the Chicago Cardinals moved to St. Louis in 1960.