The 1934 Cincinnati Reds season was their second and final in the National Football League (NFL). The team was shut out in six of their eight games, scoring a total of 10 points in those contests — barely more than 1 point per game — while surrendering 243 points to the opposition.
The team played each of the four home games at different stadiums: Crosley Field, Dayton's Triangle Park, Portsmouth's Universal Stadium, and Xavier University's Corcoran Stadium in a rare night game against the Chicago Cardinals. Including their four road games, every game played by the Cincinnati Reds took place in a different stadium.
The 1934 Reds surrendered 6.40 rushing yards per attempt, the worst figure in professional football history. They are the only team in NFL history to surrender more than five yards per carry.
The team lost 64–0 in week 8 and folded as a franchise. The team was purchased by a group of St. Louis businessmen, who played out the final three games of the Reds' schedule as the St. Louis Gunners.Associated Press, "Stevenson Signed on Red Grid Team," (Tucson) Arizona Daily Star, Aug. 2, 1934, p. 8.
Background
The Cincinnati Reds football club had come into the National Football League (NFL) in 1933 optimistic and flush with funds. "We have plenty of money and we do not intend to chisel," declared team president Scott Kearns to the press in June.Associated Press, "Cincinnati to Enter Team in Pro Grid Loop," Sandusky Register, June 22, 1933, p. 7. One year later, financial losses mounted and enthusiasm waned and the quest began to find new ownership.
The team was still signing players at the start of August for Reds' training camp, scheduled to begin on the 25th of that month.Associated Press, "Stevenson Signed on Red Grid Team," (Tucson) Arizona Daily Star, Aug. 2, 1934, p. 8. At the same time, a potential purchaser had emerged in the person of Charles Francis "Chile" Walsh, former head coach at St. Louis University, who was negotiating the purchase of the Reds on behalf of a group of St. Louis businessmen.Lou Smith, "Sport Sparks," Cincinnati Enquirer, Aug. 6, 1934, p. 12. A certified check for $20,000 for purchase of the franchise was reportedly turned over to Reds president Kearns and the offer accepted by the team's stockholders — with only approval by league owners holding up final transfer of the team.Lou Smith, "Sport Sparks," Cincinnati Enquirer, Aug. 7, 1934, p. 15. "If this so the Red officials got well out of the 'red' from the disastrous season last year, and also made a few dollars to boot," a Cincinnati sports columnist remarked.
Schedule Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources 1 September 9 at Pittsburgh Pirates L 0–13 0–1 Forbes Field 14,164 Recap 2 September 23 Chicago Cardinals L 0–9 0–2 Triangle Park 6,000 Recap 3 September 30 Chicago Bears L 3–21 0–3 Crosley Field 5,500 Recap 4 October 7 Chicago Cardinals L 0–16 0–4 Corcoran Stadium 2,500 Recap 5 October 14 at Green Bay Packers L 0–41 0–5 City Stadium 3,000 Recap 6 October 21 at Chicago Bears L 7–41 0–6 Wrigley Field 11,000 Recap 7 October 28 Detroit Lions L 0–38 0–7 Universal Stadium 4,800 Recap 8 November 6 at Philadelphia Eagles L 0–64 0–8 Temple Stadium 2,000 Recap Final three games played as St. Louis Gunners
Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources 9 November 11 Pittsburgh Pirates W 6–0 1–0 Sportsman's Park 13,678 Recap 10 November 18 at Detroit Lions L 7–40 1–1 U of Detroit Stadium 13,000 Recap 11 December 2 Green Bay Packers L 14–21 1–2 Sportsman's Park 6,300 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. November 6: Tuesday.
Standings
References