History
Jimmy Conzelman, who seems to be everywhere in the early history of the NFL, organized the Detroit Panthers in 1925. As owner, coach, and player, he put together a team that was particularly strong on defense, recording eight shutouts in 12 league games. But a 6-3 upset by Rock Island on Thanksgiving Day knocked the Panthers out of first place and they ended up in third.
The Panthers opened the 1926 season with three straight losses. After rallying with four wins and two ties in their next six games, they lost their last three. Conzelman gave up the franchise and joined the Providence Steam Roller as player-coach.