July 12, 1931 - Cleveland Indians franchise forms after the Cleveland Tigers franchise changed their name and then subsequently folded after the 1921 season per the ProFootballHOF.com website. According to the American Football Fandom site this was the first of three different instances of an “Indians” pro football franchise in Cleveland. A second "Indians" NFL team arose in 1923. That team played as the "Indians" for the 1923 season before changing their name to the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1924. The third rendition of the Cleveland Indians came in 1931 when the League sponsored the club that only played games on the road. The NFL intended to locate this team permanently in Cleveland. However when no suitable owner was found, the franchise folded after just one season as visiting gate revenues. These three Cleveland teams are viewed as three totally different franchises by the NFL.
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Cleveland Indians of NFL Football
The Cleveland Indians, a professional football team that briefly existed in the early 1930s, were granted their NFL franchise on July 12, 1931. This team emerged during a transformative period for professional football as the league sought to expand its reach and solidify its popularity across the United States.
The Indians played their inaugural season in 1931, featuring a roster filled with talented players who showcased their skills in a growing league. Despite the team's competitive spirit, they faced challenges typical of early professional franchises, including financial instability and inconsistent attendance.
The Indians managed to compete for three seasons before the franchise was ultimately dissolved in 1933. Their existence, though short-lived, contributed to the rich tapestry of Cleveland's sports history and the evolution of professional football.
Today, the legacy of the Cleveland Indians is often remembered by football historians and fans, serving as a reminder of the early days of the NFL and the passionate pursuit of sports in American culture.
The Indians played their inaugural season in 1931, featuring a roster filled with talented players who showcased their skills in a growing league. Despite the team's competitive spirit, they faced challenges typical of early professional franchises, including financial instability and inconsistent attendance.
The Indians managed to compete for three seasons before the franchise was ultimately dissolved in 1933. Their existence, though short-lived, contributed to the rich tapestry of Cleveland's sports history and the evolution of professional football.
Today, the legacy of the Cleveland Indians is often remembered by football historians and fans, serving as a reminder of the early days of the NFL and the passionate pursuit of sports in American culture.
Stan Cofall The Legend
Born May 5, 1895 in Cleveland, Ohio was a man that touched different aspects of early pro football, and made an impact, Stan Cofall.
Cleveland native Stan Cofall made his mark at the University of Notre Dame as a player before the Great War. He later played with the Massillon Tigers in the mythical Ohio League. Stan would leave the game of football for two seasons to bravely serve his country during World War I. Upon his return to civilian life, Cofall would help create the Cleveland Indians football franchise along with Jimmy O'Donnell. The two Tigers founders attended the August 20, 1920, meeting as one of four teams represented in Ralph Hay's office in Canton to seriously discuss the organization of professional teams. Almost a month later, a follow-up meeting would have more attendees on September 17 in Hay's Hupmobile Showroom and organized under the American Professional Football Association (APFA) name, and again, Cofall, alongside O'Donnell, was in attendance. The group would rebrand as the National Football League two years later. Cofall even served as the vice president of the APFA alongside the face of the newly constructed League, President Jim Thorpe, in 1920.
Cofall was the centerpiece player and manager of the Cleveland team for the first part of the 1920 season. In late October, after a disastrous 0-2-1 start for the Tigers and a 0-7 loss to the nearby Akron Pros, O'Donnell fired Cofall for poor results. Soon after, a brutal courtroom battle commenced over the club's ownership, as Cofall claimed he and O'Donnell were partners in the Cleveland football venture. Cofall claimed he was signed to manage, play, and coach the Cleveland Tigers, and in addition to his $350 per week salary, the former Fighting Irish star would also receive 25% of the gate.
Rumors soon swirled that Cofall and perhaps a handful of Cleveland Tigers would sign on elsewhere to play ball, including the Rock Island Independents. This whisper did not come to fruition, nor did any rumors of Cofall joining another APFA team.
Within a few weeks, Cofall's name was on the Union Club of Phoenixville roster, giving him his first taste of pro football life in Eastern Pennsylvania. The Phoenixville team was among the most successful professional teams that most people have never heard of.
The height of the Phoenixville team was in 1920, when two local football squads, the Phoenixville Athletic Club and the rival Union Club team, merged to become a powerhouse. Besides Cofall, the newly created Union Club of Phoenixville had roster signings of players that included: Lud Wray (co-founder of the Philadelphia Eagles along with Bert Bell); Pro Football Hall of Famer Fritz Pollard, Lou Little, Heine Miller, Fats Eyrich, Bodie Weldon, Swede Youngstrom, Earl Potteiger, Butch Stagna, and Ockie Anderson.
***insert image of Cofall Nov 25, 1920 Image Stan Cofall of Union Club of Phoenixville
***insert QR code for Union Club of Phoenixville podcast episode
That 1920 Union Club squad finished with an 11-0 record, defeating a local rival from Frankford who would become the NFL Yellow Jackets franchise.
The following year in 1921, Stan played briefly alongside former Cleveland teammate Charles Brickley for the shortlived New York Brickley Giants team before coming to Pottsville in 1922.
He coached the Pottsville Maroons to the Anthracite League Championship in 1924.
Cleveland native Stan Cofall made his mark at the University of Notre Dame as a player before the Great War. He later played with the Massillon Tigers in the mythical Ohio League. Stan would leave the game of football for two seasons to bravely serve his country during World War I. Upon his return to civilian life, Cofall would help create the Cleveland Indians football franchise along with Jimmy O'Donnell. The two Tigers founders attended the August 20, 1920, meeting as one of four teams represented in Ralph Hay's office in Canton to seriously discuss the organization of professional teams. Almost a month later, a follow-up meeting would have more attendees on September 17 in Hay's Hupmobile Showroom and organized under the American Professional Football Association (APFA) name, and again, Cofall, alongside O'Donnell, was in attendance. The group would rebrand as the National Football League two years later. Cofall even served as the vice president of the APFA alongside the face of the newly constructed League, President Jim Thorpe, in 1920.
Cofall was the centerpiece player and manager of the Cleveland team for the first part of the 1920 season. In late October, after a disastrous 0-2-1 start for the Tigers and a 0-7 loss to the nearby Akron Pros, O'Donnell fired Cofall for poor results. Soon after, a brutal courtroom battle commenced over the club's ownership, as Cofall claimed he and O'Donnell were partners in the Cleveland football venture. Cofall claimed he was signed to manage, play, and coach the Cleveland Tigers, and in addition to his $350 per week salary, the former Fighting Irish star would also receive 25% of the gate.
Rumors soon swirled that Cofall and perhaps a handful of Cleveland Tigers would sign on elsewhere to play ball, including the Rock Island Independents. This whisper did not come to fruition, nor did any rumors of Cofall joining another APFA team.
Within a few weeks, Cofall's name was on the Union Club of Phoenixville roster, giving him his first taste of pro football life in Eastern Pennsylvania. The Phoenixville team was among the most successful professional teams that most people have never heard of.
The height of the Phoenixville team was in 1920, when two local football squads, the Phoenixville Athletic Club and the rival Union Club team, merged to become a powerhouse. Besides Cofall, the newly created Union Club of Phoenixville had roster signings of players that included: Lud Wray (co-founder of the Philadelphia Eagles along with Bert Bell); Pro Football Hall of Famer Fritz Pollard, Lou Little, Heine Miller, Fats Eyrich, Bodie Weldon, Swede Youngstrom, Earl Potteiger, Butch Stagna, and Ockie Anderson.
***insert image of Cofall Nov 25, 1920 Image Stan Cofall of Union Club of Phoenixville
***insert QR code for Union Club of Phoenixville podcast episode
That 1920 Union Club squad finished with an 11-0 record, defeating a local rival from Frankford who would become the NFL Yellow Jackets franchise.
The following year in 1921, Stan played briefly alongside former Cleveland teammate Charles Brickley for the shortlived New York Brickley Giants team before coming to Pottsville in 1922.
He coached the Pottsville Maroons to the Anthracite League Championship in 1924.
Peggy Parratt A Man of Firsts in Pro Football
Peggy Parratt was born George Watson Parratt on March 21, 1883, in Ontario, Canada. As a youth, his family moved across the border, so he grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Parratt is not in the Hall of Fame but has a distinctively fascinating pigskin past of firsts in American football history.
-College Career
Peggy was a standout athlete at Case School of Applied Science (now Case Western Reserve University). He earned the prestigious title of a three-time All-Ohio college star while playing quarterback. However, his college career took an unexpected turn in 1905 when he was caught playing professional football on Sundays for the Shelby Blues under the alias "Jimmy Murphy." This revelation led to Parratt becoming the first college football star to be disciplined for playing professionally, marking a pivotal moment in the sport's early days.
When questioned, Parratt did not deny the charge. Thus, he became the first college football star to be disciplined by his school for moonlighting as a professional football player.
-Road to the Pro Game
Parratt's foray into professional football began while he was still in college. Despite the risks, he played for the Shelby Blues, showcasing his talent and passion for the game. After being barred from further intercollegiate play, Parratt fully embraced his professional career, joining the Lorain Pros for the remainder of the 1905 season. In 1906, he signed with the Massillon Tigers, where he made history by throwing the first legal forward pass in professional football on October 25, 1906. This groundbreaking moment solidified Parratt's place in football history, although initial recognition was delayed due to a later, erroneously credited pass. He stood as the first professional thrower of a legal pass until 2018.
Later findings by the researcher Gregg Ficery found an earlier forward pass on the same Massillon team, but it was a passer named Charlie Moran who threw a couple of forward tosses to our man, Peggy Parratt. Parratt is connected with Pro Football's first legal forward pass in either story.
Parratt's professional career spanned several teams, including the Massillon Tigers, Massillon All-Stars, Franklin Athletic Club, Shelby Blues, Akron Indians, and Cleveland Tigers. He was a talented player, coach, and owner, demonstrating his commitment to the sport.
-Football Legacy
Peggy Parratt's legacy extends beyond his historic forward pass. He was a pioneer of professional football, playing a crucial role in the sport's evolution in the early 20th century.
His decision to play professionally while in college, despite the consequences, highlighted the growing allure of the sport and the challenges faced by athletes in balancing amateur and professional opportunities. Parratt's versatility as a player, coach, and owner showcased his dedication to the game and his desire to contribute to its growth. His impact on the sport was recognized posthumously when he was inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Football Learning Academy. Peggy Parratt's contributions to football, both on and off the field, cemented his status as a true pioneer and legend of the game.
-Career information
-Position(s) Quarterback
-College Case School of Applied Science
Career history
As administrator
-1925 Cleveland Tigers
As coach
-1908–1911 Shelby Blues
-1912–1914 Parratt's Indians
-1916 Cleveland Tigers
As player
-1905 Shelby Blues
-1905 Lorain Pros
-1906 Massillon Tigers
-1907 All-Massillons
-1907 Franklin (Ohio) A.C.
-1908–1911 Shelby Blues
-1912–1915 Parratt's Indians
-1916 Cleveland Tigers
-Career highlights and awards
-4× Ohio League champion (1906, 1911, 1913, 1914)
-Threw first-ever legal forward pass in a professional game or more probably caught the 1st one
-Appointed to NFL Rules committee
-NFL representative the Intercollegiate Committee of Athletics
Peggy Parratt. (2024, October 10). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Parratt
-College Career
Peggy was a standout athlete at Case School of Applied Science (now Case Western Reserve University). He earned the prestigious title of a three-time All-Ohio college star while playing quarterback. However, his college career took an unexpected turn in 1905 when he was caught playing professional football on Sundays for the Shelby Blues under the alias "Jimmy Murphy." This revelation led to Parratt becoming the first college football star to be disciplined for playing professionally, marking a pivotal moment in the sport's early days.
When questioned, Parratt did not deny the charge. Thus, he became the first college football star to be disciplined by his school for moonlighting as a professional football player.
-Road to the Pro Game
Parratt's foray into professional football began while he was still in college. Despite the risks, he played for the Shelby Blues, showcasing his talent and passion for the game. After being barred from further intercollegiate play, Parratt fully embraced his professional career, joining the Lorain Pros for the remainder of the 1905 season. In 1906, he signed with the Massillon Tigers, where he made history by throwing the first legal forward pass in professional football on October 25, 1906. This groundbreaking moment solidified Parratt's place in football history, although initial recognition was delayed due to a later, erroneously credited pass. He stood as the first professional thrower of a legal pass until 2018.
Later findings by the researcher Gregg Ficery found an earlier forward pass on the same Massillon team, but it was a passer named Charlie Moran who threw a couple of forward tosses to our man, Peggy Parratt. Parratt is connected with Pro Football's first legal forward pass in either story.
Parratt's professional career spanned several teams, including the Massillon Tigers, Massillon All-Stars, Franklin Athletic Club, Shelby Blues, Akron Indians, and Cleveland Tigers. He was a talented player, coach, and owner, demonstrating his commitment to the sport.
-Football Legacy
Peggy Parratt's legacy extends beyond his historic forward pass. He was a pioneer of professional football, playing a crucial role in the sport's evolution in the early 20th century.
His decision to play professionally while in college, despite the consequences, highlighted the growing allure of the sport and the challenges faced by athletes in balancing amateur and professional opportunities. Parratt's versatility as a player, coach, and owner showcased his dedication to the game and his desire to contribute to its growth. His impact on the sport was recognized posthumously when he was inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Football Learning Academy. Peggy Parratt's contributions to football, both on and off the field, cemented his status as a true pioneer and legend of the game.
-Career information
-Position(s) Quarterback
-College Case School of Applied Science
Career history
As administrator
-1925 Cleveland Tigers
As coach
-1908–1911 Shelby Blues
-1912–1914 Parratt's Indians
-1916 Cleveland Tigers
As player
-1905 Shelby Blues
-1905 Lorain Pros
-1906 Massillon Tigers
-1907 All-Massillons
-1907 Franklin (Ohio) A.C.
-1908–1911 Shelby Blues
-1912–1915 Parratt's Indians
-1916 Cleveland Tigers
-Career highlights and awards
-4× Ohio League champion (1906, 1911, 1913, 1914)
-Threw first-ever legal forward pass in a professional game or more probably caught the 1st one
-Appointed to NFL Rules committee
-NFL representative the Intercollegiate Committee of Athletics
Peggy Parratt. (2024, October 10). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Parratt
Roberto Alomar and His Amazing MLB Career
Many of the opponents of this legend were challenged by his raw talent and skill that set him apart from his peers. Roberto Alomar played the position of Second Baseman/HD and Shortstop, wearing the uniforms of the San Diego Padres (88, 89, 90), Toronto Blue Jays (91, 92, 93, 94, 95), Baltimore Orioles (96, 97, 98) Cleveland Indians (99, 00, 01) New York Mets (02, 03) Chicago White Sox (03, 04) Arizona Diamondbacks (04).
Alomar, a Puerto Rican legend, carved his name in baseball history with a 17-year career marked by defensive brilliance and offensive prowess. For his MLB career, he batted 0.3, had a Base percentage of 0.443, with 210 career Home Runs, and 10 Gold Glove Awarded Seasons.
That astonishing amount of Gold Gloves is the most for any second baseman, as it cemented his defensive legacy. His smooth fielding at second and acrobatic plays wowed audiences for years.
He earned 12 All-Star selections, was an ALCS MVP, and helped the Toronto Blue Jays win back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. Despite on-field controversies, Alomar's talent and impact on the game earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011, solidifying his status as one of the greatest second basemen ever.
Alomar, a Puerto Rican legend, carved his name in baseball history with a 17-year career marked by defensive brilliance and offensive prowess. For his MLB career, he batted 0.3, had a Base percentage of 0.443, with 210 career Home Runs, and 10 Gold Glove Awarded Seasons.
That astonishing amount of Gold Gloves is the most for any second baseman, as it cemented his defensive legacy. His smooth fielding at second and acrobatic plays wowed audiences for years.
He earned 12 All-Star selections, was an ALCS MVP, and helped the Toronto Blue Jays win back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. Despite on-field controversies, Alomar's talent and impact on the game earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011, solidifying his status as one of the greatest second basemen ever.
Cleveland Indians Football
July 12, 1931 - Cleveland Indians franchise forms after the Cleveland Tigers franchise changed their name and then subsequently folded after the 1921 season per the ProFootballHOF.com website. According to the American Football Fandom site this was the first of three different instances of an “Indians” pro football franchise in Cleveland. A second "Indians" NFL team arose in 1923. That team played as the "Indians" for the 1923 season before changing their name to the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1924. The third rendition of the Cleveland Indians came in 1931 when the League sponsored the club that only played games on the road. The NFL intended to locate this team permanently in Cleveland. However when no suitable owner was found, the franchise folded after just one season as visiting gate revenues. These three Cleveland teams are viewed as three totally different franchises by the NFL.
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Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
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Gridiron Legacy: Pro Football's Missing Origin Story
Author Gregg Ficery tells the story of the beginnings of Pro Football through the pro football career of his Great Grandfather, Bob Shiring
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Sports Jersey Dispatch
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Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry
Author Joe Ziemba the master historian of football in Chicago has released another beauty. It is titled Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry.
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