The 1933 Portsmouth Spartans season was their fourth in the National Football League (NFL) and final season before the franchise was sold and moved to Michigan to become the Detroit Lions. The team went 6–5 (), failing to improve on their previous season's output of 6–2–4 ().1933 Portsmouth Spartans

Portsmouth failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Schedule The Spartans started out fast with a 5–1 mark, just a half-game behind the first place Bears (5–0). After splitting their next two contests, Portsmouth (at 6–2) was still within half a game of Chicago (6–1–1). But the Spartans would lose their next three games, including back-to-back defeats to the Bears to close the season.

The Spartans were sold and headed north for the 1934 season, becoming the Detroit Lions. Ironically, the team would return for one last game at Spartan Field when the Lions' October 28 contest against failing Cincinnati Reds franchise was moved from the Queen City to Portsmouth; Detroit won, 38–0, in the last NFL game played in the small Ohio town.

Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources — September 13 at Indianapolis Indians W 19–0 — Perry Stadium 2,206Paid admission, Indianapolis Times estimated 2,500 in attendance. — "Indianapolis Pro Eleven is Ready for Portsmouth," Indianapolis News, Sept. 13, 1933, p. 12."2,500 See Spartans Rap City Pro Eleven," Indianapolis Times, Sept. 14, 1933, p. 12. 1 September 17 Cincinnati Reds W 21–0 1–0 Spartan Field 5,000 Recap "Grid Tribe Signs Eight New Stars," Indianapolis Times, Sept. 8, 1933, p. 25. 2 September 24 New York Giants W 17–7 2–0 Universal Stadium 7,000 Recap "Famed Passer Given Object Lesson as Presnell Tosses Rings Around Harry Newman: Portsmouth Trims New York Giants, 17–7, on Spartan Field for Second National Loop Win," Cincinnati Enquirer, Sept. 25, 1933, p. 13. 3 October 1 Chicago Cardinals W 7–6 3–0 Spartan Field Recap "Portsmouth Blocks Lillard's Kick; Cardinals Beaten, 7–6," Chicago Tribune, Oct. 2, 1933, p. 23."Third in a Row is Taken By Spartans When They Come Through, 7–6, Over Chicago Cards," Cincinnati Enquirer, Oct. 2, 1933, pp. 21-22. 4 October 8 at Green Bay Packers L 0–17 3–1 City Stadium 5,200 Recap 5 October 15 at Boston Redskins W 13–0 4–1 Fenway Park 20,000 Recap 6 at Philadelphia Eagles W 25–0 5–1 Baker Bowl 20,000 Recap 7 November 5 at New York Giants L 10–13 5–2 Polo Grounds 15,000 Recap 8 November 12 Green Bay Packers W 7–0 6–2 Spartan Field 7,500 Recap 9 November 19 at Cincinnati Reds L 7–10 6–3 Redland Field 7,500 Recap Lou Smith, "Redlegs Jolt Portsmouth 10 to 7 as 7,500 Fans Look On: Real Power is Shown by Victor, Who Play Fine Football in Home Game on Gridiron," Cincinnati Enquirer, Nov. 20, 1933, pp. 11–12. 10 November 26 at Chicago Bears L 14–17 6–4 Wrigley Field 9,000 Recap 11 December 3 Chicago Bears L 7–17 6–5 Spartan Field 10,000 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Non-league game in italics. Roster 1933 Portsmouth Spartans final roster Backs 59 Gene Alford RB/S/K 51 Ernie Caddel RB/CB 55 Ace Gutowsky FB/LB 57 Father Lumpkin RB/CB 60 Glenn Presnell RB/S/K 66 Elmer Schaake FB/LB 56 Mule Wilson RB/CBEnds 50 John Cavosie K 33 Harry Ebding 30 John Schneller Linemen 38 Maury Bodenger G/DG 46 Jim Bowdoin G/DG 48 George Christensen T/DT 49 Earl Elser G/T/DG/DT 45 Ox Emerson G/DG 42 Buster Mitchell T/DT 43 Clare Randolph C/MG 41 Harry Thayer T/DT 44 John Wager C/G/MG

Reserve Dutch Clark RB/S/K

rookies in italics

Standings

References

External links 1933 Portsmouth Spartans at Pro-Football-Reference.com 1933 Portsmouth Spartans at JT-SW.com 1933 Portsmouth Spartans at The Football Database (FootballDB.com)