Changes

The NFL was originally formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association and adopted its current name in 1922.  Only two teams which were charter members of the league remain in operation today: the Chicago Cardinals (now the [[Arizona Cardinals]]) and the Decatur Staleys (now the [[Chicago Bears]]).<ref>Other teams currently in the league operated prior to 1920, either as independent clubs or in rival leagues.  As an example, the [[Green Bay Packers]], considered one of the NFL's historic franchises, was not a charter member; it formed in 1919 and played its first two seasons as an independent club before joining the league in 1921.</ref>  Then Staleys coach (and owner) George Halas is credited with being the father of the league and is compared to [[George Washington]] by many enthusiasts of the game.

The NFL was originally formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association and adopted its current name in 1922.  Only two teams which were charter members of the league remain in operation today: the Chicago Cardinals (now the [[Arizona Cardinals]]) and the Decatur Staleys (now the [[Chicago Bears]]).<ref>Other teams currently in the league operated prior to 1920, either as independent clubs or in rival leagues.  As an example, the [[Green Bay Packers]], considered one of the NFL's historic franchises, was not a charter member; it formed in 1919 and played its first two seasons as an independent club before joining the league in 1921.</ref>  Then Staleys coach (and owner) George Halas is credited with being the father of the league and is compared to [[George Washington]] by many enthusiasts of the game.

During its existence it has merged with all or parts of three rival football leagues:

During its existence it has merged with all or parts of three rival football leagues (unlike the NBA and NHL, the individual and team records of these franchises is recognized by the NFL):

*In 1937 the Cleveland Rams -- now the [[Los Angeles Rams]] -- switched from the American Football League (no relation to the 1960's league of the same name) to the NFL.

*In 1937 the Cleveland Rams -- now the [[Los Angeles Rams]] -- switched from the American Football League (no relation to the 1960's league of the same name) to the NFL.

*In 1950 it absorbed three teams from the All-America Football Conference (the [[Cleveland Browns]], the [[San Francisco 49ers]], and a team called the Baltimore Colts which is not related to the current franchise called the [[Indianapolis Colts]], that team folded within two seasons).

*In 1950 it absorbed three teams from the All-America Football Conference (the [[Cleveland Browns]], the [[San Francisco 49ers]], and a team called the Baltimore Colts which is not related to the current franchise called the [[Indianapolis Colts]], that team folded within two seasons).