Founded by a pair of Chicago Sports Promoters Joe Plunkett and Ambrose McGuirk, the Milwaukee Badgers were one of four new teams joining the newly renamed National Football League. Plunkett and McGuirk wanted to make the Badgers contenders right away and scouted teams on the East Coast hoping to fill the roster with All-Americans and All-Stars.

The Badgers would be successful in signing Fritz Pollard away from the Akron Pros. Pollard would be one of three African Americans on the Badgers, joining Duke Slater, and Paul Roberson, who would become a world renowned actor.

The Badgers would play their first game on October 1st losing to the Chicago Cardinals 3-0. Following a 12-12 tie against the Toledo Maroons, the Badgers would host the Racine Legion in their first home game at Athletic Park, earning their first win 20-0.

Following back to back scoreless ties against the Green Bay Packers and Hammond Pros, the Badgers would get a second win, beating the Oorang Indians 13-0. It would be the Badgers final win, as they became beset by injuries and finished the season at 2-4-3, dropping their final three games.