Dale Johnson

Dale Johnson

Date of birth	August 15, 1902
Place of birth	Rock Island, Illinois, United States
Date of death	April 24, 1963 (aged 60)
Place of death	Muscatine, Iowa, United States
Career information
College	None
Career history
As owner
1923-1926	Rock Island Independents

Dale Johnson was a local businessman in Rock Island, Illinois, who is best known for his role in the ownership of the Rock Island Independents of the National Football League from 1923 until 1925. He took over the team from Walter Flanigan after Flanigan decided to refocus all of his time on his insurance and real estate businesses.

Once he became owner of the team, Johnson made Vince McCarthy, the team's back-up quarterback, his new general manager. He also signed the legendary Jim Thorpe to the team in 1924. After the 1925 season, Johnson moved the team to the rivial American Football League. Johnson felt that the AFL, which featured Red Grange, would out perform the NFL. He even signed Elmer Layden, one of the legendary Four Horsemen of Notre Dame. However a lack of revenue prevented Johnson from signing and retaining many of his players. As a result, the Independents franchise folded after the 1926 season.

References

• Peterson, Robert W. (1997). Pigskin: The Early Years of Pro Football. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-511913-4.
• Braunwart, Bob and Bob Carroll (1983). "The Rock Island Independents" (PDF). Coffin Corner (Professional Football Researchers Association) 5 (3): 1–7.
• Obituary info