The Evolution Of NFL Training Camps
Training camps are opening this month. Two teams have already started camp. The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns began training activities a week early because they begin the preseason a week early when they play in the Hall of Fame game on August 3rd.
Training Camp practices were the most grueling part of the season. Most players worked during the off-season until salaries escalated over the past 30 years. Players used training camp as a time to get back into football shape.
Most teams did not have training facilities or even practice fields, so college facilities were used. George Halas had to use Wrigley Field to hold practices during the season. The Bears started traveling to a campsite in 1930.
From 1930 through 1934, the team practiced in a different location each year. Halas settled on a permanent location in 1935, and St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, WI, welcomed the Bears for nine seasons. Prior to the 1944 season, Halas moved the camp from Wisconsin to Indiana. St. Joseph’s College in the small town of Rensselaer became the summer home of the Chicago Bears.
Chicago stayed in Rensselaer for 31 seasons before Lake Forest College became their home in 1975. The team moved to UW Platteville in 1984 and held camp in the southwest corner of Wisconsin for 28 years. The team moved back to Halas Hall in 2020 after 18 seasons of training at Olivet Nazarene University.
Training Camp Locations
| From | To | Location | City | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2023 | Halas Hall | Lake Forest | Illinois |
| 2002 | 2019 | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais | Illinois |
| 1984 | 2001 | UW Platteville | Platteville | Wisconsin |
| 1975 | 1983 | Lake Forest College | Lake Forest | Illinois |
| 1944 | 1974 | St. Joseph’s College | Rensselaer | Indiana |
| 1935 | 1943 | St. John’s Military Academy | Delafield | Wisconsin |
| 1934 | 1934 | Lane Tech High School | Chicago | Illinois |
| 1933 | 1933 | University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame | Indiana |
| 1932 | 1932 | Logan Square Ballpark | Chicago | Illinois |
| 1931 | 1931 | Loyola (IL) University | Chicago | Illinois |
| 1930 | 1930 | Mills Stadium | Chicago | Illinois |
The Evolution of NFL Training Camps
Grueling Summer camps were the norm in the NFL for decades. There was little or no regard for players caring for their bodies until camp. Even as athletes started to stay in shape all year, training camps remained grueling. Two daily practice in full pads was still part of NFL life through 2001.
Tragedy struck that year when Minnesota Viking offensive tackle Korey Stringer collapsed due to a heat stroke that took his life. Changes were made, but it wasn’t until 2011 that the NFLPA instilled precise rules regarding how practices are conducted.
There are limitations regarding how many practices are in full pads each week, mandatory days off, and other protocols, all with player safety in mind.
There will not be on-field practices when the Bears meet for the first time next Wednesday. Day one activities are limited to player physicals, team meetings, and tests. On days two and three, players cannot be in full pads.
Only nine days of training camp are open to the public due to the team’s plans to hold joint workouts in Indianapolis ahead of their game against the Colts in week 2. The last practice open to the public is August 10th.