In checking our vast archives we note some interesting 'this and that' about the defunct Detroit Panthers, who played in the National Football League for just two seasons - 1925-1926. NFL Football Historian Hall of Famer star Jimmy Conzelman was selected player/coach/owner by NFL president Joe Carr and Conzelman purchased the Detroit franchise for a mere $100. In their first season, 1925, the Panthers vaulted to a 8-2-2 record, third best in the NFL. They were without a doubt the finest defense team in the league and shutout an amazing 8-of-12 rival teams.

A disappointing 4-6-2 finish the next season, along with their inability to complete with the highly popular University of Michigan were the causes of doom, and with attendance way-down in 1926, the team lost money and disbanded. In their superb defensive season of 1925, the Panthers were paced by four All Pro performers, Wingback Jimmy Conzelman, Tackle Gus Sonneberg, End Tillie Voss and Center Ernie Vick. Football HIstory

1925 Detroit Panthers Roster
Just 18 players on most squads during this era when players played both offense and defense... No Sissies Allowed! Football History

Detroit Panthers Roster 1925: Jimmy Conzelman... Bill Bucher... Al Crook... Dinger Doane... Walt Ellis... Jack Fleischman... Al Hadden... Tom Hogan... Vivian Hultman... Dutch Lauer... Phillip 'Dutch' Marion... Tom McNamara... Russ Smith... Gus Sonnenberg... Ernie Vick... Dick Vick... Tillie Voss... By Wimberly... Player Profiles: * Phil 'Dutch' Marion, Fullback - an excellent defensive tackler and a brash performing, ball carrier, he scored four touchdowns in his rookie season of 1925, and scored 24 of the team's 129 points... Dutch Marion started all 22 of the Panthers games in '25-'26 and retired from the pro ranks after the club folded after the season ended. * Richard 'Dick' Vick, Tailback (Quarterback), Blocking Back - one of the main men, he threw seven touchdown passes in leading the Panthers to a 8-2-2 record in '25... was traded to Canton (an early NFL team) in mid-1926... Dick Vick three-year career stats: 9 touchdowns in 29 Games. * Harold 'Dutch' Lauer, Wingback, End, Fullback - attended James Monroe High School in Detroit and starred at the college of Detroit Mercy before debuting in the pro ranks in 1922. The 5-ft, 10-inch, 183-pounder was a solid ground gainer in his four-year NFL career... Dutch Lauer career stats: 6 touchdowns, including four rushing in 37 Games... Football Historian

Gus Sonnenberg
Tackle, Fullback, Tailback - Buffalo & Columbus Tigers 1923; Detroit Panthers 1925-1926; Providence Steam Roller

Gustave Sonnenberg

An aggressive defensive player, the muscular 5-ft, 6-inch, 196-pounder used his strong legs to bulldoze past rival linemen. He carried two nicknames - Dynamite and The Iron Duke and was one of the Panthers' in-the-trench leaders on offense, a hustling stalwarth on defense and the squads kicker. An All-Pro in 1925, Gus Sonnenberg kicked 5 field goals and converted 12 extra point kicks in 12 games.

Tillie Voss
End and Tackle - Detroit Wolverines & Buffallo All-Americans 1921; Rock Island (Illinois) Independents 1922; Akron Pros 1923; Green Bay Packers 1924; Detroit Panthers 1925; NY Giants 1926; Chicago Bears 1927-28; Dayton/Buffalo 1929

A huge player during this era, the 6-ft, 3-inch - 207-pounder Tillie Voss played nine seasons in the NFL - 1921-1929 with 10 different teams, eight of which folded during the 1920s.

Noted for his upper body strength, he was a battering-ram, and opened gapping holes for teammate backfield runners, and was one of the leading pass catchers in this era. A star at Detroit Mercy College, Voss was chosen NFL All-Pro in four consecutive seasons, 1922-1925 and led the NFL with 5 touchdown receptions in 1924 while playing for the Green Bay Packers. Footballhistorian.com - NFL Football History - All Rights Reserved

Ernie Vick
Center, Guard and Tackle - Detroit Panthers 1925; Chicago Bears 1927; Detroit Wolverines

An All Pro selection in his rookie season with the Detroit Panthers in 1925, the 5-ft, 10-inch, 190-pounder was a noted defensive stalwart at Guard and Tackle positions and an outstanding offensive blocker in the-line-of-scrimmage as the team's starting Center. As a youth, Ernie Vick attended Denfeld High School in Duluth, MN, and Washington & Jefferson College and also played one season with the Bears in Chicago and one year with the defunct Detroit Wolverines... Played 27 Games in three NFL seasons

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