1920 – 1929
The Dayton Triangles football team played in the first game for what is now known as the National Football League (NFL). The Triangles beat the Columbus Panhandles 14-0 on October 3, 1920 in Dayton’s Triangle Park. During the course of the game, the Triangles’ Lou Partlow scored the first touchdown and George “Hobby” Kinderline kicked the point after, making NFL history. The Triangles were made up of weekend players, like most of the early NFL teams. Their manager, Carl Storck, participated in the formation of the NFL at Ralph Hays Hupmobile dealership in Canton, Ohio in 1920; in 1921 he was named league secretary-treasurer; and in 1939 he became president of the NFL. In 1929 the Triangles franchise was sold and moved to Brooklyn, New York. The present-day Indianapolis Colts can trace their ancestry to the original Dayton Triangles. Although many relocations, name changes and thrilling NFL games have transpired since then, Dayton can be proud of the Triangle’s role in the start of it all.