| Year: | 1896 |
| Team: | Chicago Athletic Association |
| Bg Color: |
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| Text Color: | white |
| Border Color: | black |
| League: | Independent |
| Record: | 9–1–1 |
| Captain: | William Hale Thompson |
| Field: | Athletic Park |
| Previous: | 1895 |
| Next: | 1897 |
The 1896 Chicago Athletic Association football team was an American football team representing the Chicago Athletic Association (CAA). Led by captain and future Chicago mayor William Hale Thompson, the team compiled a 9–1–1 record while allowing only ten points. The team played its home games at Athletic Park, located at 35th Street and Wentworth Avenue in Chicago.
In mid-November, the CAA, seeking to maintain an amateur standing and to avoid any appearance of professionalism, purged from its roster six players of questionable amateur status: tackle Harry G. Hadden, end Paul G. Brown, halfback Philip S. Graver, quarterback William H. Aldrich, and guards Lee K. Stewart and Ben Thomas. With the exception of Thomas, all had traveled to Pittsburgh to temporarily play for the Allegheny Athletic Association – a suspected but not admitted professional team – in defiance of the wishes of CAA president Edwin A. Potter and Captain William Hale Thompson.[1] Thomas, who intended to make the trip but did not because of an ailing knee or leg, received the same sentence as those who did go.[1] [2] The CAA at first charged the six players with insubordination and supposed professionalism, but decided not to investigate the charge of professionalism and instead expelled the players on the grounds of insubordination and conduct detrimental to the reputation of the club.[3]
Hadden and Brown denied being paid by Allegheny.[4] Despite their denials, the 1896 Allegheny team is recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the first completely professional football team.[5]