The Massillon Tigers Professional Football Team
The Massillon Tigers stand as a colossal figure in the annals of early American football. Emerging from the industrial heartland of Ohio, they were more than just a team; they were a cultural phenomenon. Their dominance in the early decades of the 20th century, particularly in the pre-NFL era, was unparalleled, earning them the moniker "The Million Dollar Team."
Massillon's significance lies in several key areas. First, they were instrumental in popularizing professional football. Their high-scoring, fast-paced style of play captivated audiences, drawing crowds that were unprecedented for the time. This spectacle helped to transform football from a collegiate pastime to a professional sport. Second, the Tigers served as a proving ground for numerous football pioneers. Players like Benny Friedman, a Jewish quarterback who broke numerous barriers, and the legendary "Bull" Schmidt honed their skills in Massillon before moving on to greater fame.
The team's impact also extends beyond the field. Their success fostered a deep-rooted football culture in Massillon that endures to this day. The city's commitment to the sport has produced generations of talented players, and the Tigers' legacy continues to inspire.
While the Massillon Tigers' era was relatively brief, their influence on the game is immeasurable. Their story is a testament to the passion, skill, and entrepreneurial spirit that fueled the early days of professional football.
Massillon's significance lies in several key areas. First, they were instrumental in popularizing professional football. Their high-scoring, fast-paced style of play captivated audiences, drawing crowds that were unprecedented for the time. This spectacle helped to transform football from a collegiate pastime to a professional sport. Second, the Tigers served as a proving ground for numerous football pioneers. Players like Benny Friedman, a Jewish quarterback who broke numerous barriers, and the legendary "Bull" Schmidt honed their skills in Massillon before moving on to greater fame.
The team's impact also extends beyond the field. Their success fostered a deep-rooted football culture in Massillon that endures to this day. The city's commitment to the sport has produced generations of talented players, and the Tigers' legacy continues to inspire.
While the Massillon Tigers' era was relatively brief, their influence on the game is immeasurable. Their story is a testament to the passion, skill, and entrepreneurial spirit that fueled the early days of professional football.
COLLEGE HOF | ‣
Knute Rockne Building a Legacy Beyond the Gridiron
Knute Rockne, born March 4, 1888, transcended the boundaries of football, leaving an indelible mark not only on the sport but also on the hearts and minds of fans and players. His 13 seasons as head coach of the University of Notre Dame solidified his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in college football history.
A Stellar Player and Early Coaching Stint:
Rockne's football journey began as a player at Notre Dame, where he showcased both his athletic prowess and leadership qualities on the field. In 1915, Knute followed Irish teammate Gus Dorias to the professional level as both played for the famous Massillon Tigers football team. He seamlessly transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant after graduation before taking the helm in 1918.
Building a Dynasty: Wins, Strategies, and Leadership:
Under Rockne's leadership, Notre Dame experienced a golden age. He led the team to a staggering 105 victories, 12 losses, and five ties, achieving an impressive .881 winning percentage, the highest for a prominent college football coach at the time. He masterminded iconic victories, including four undefeated seasons and three national championships (1924, 1929, and 1930).
Beyond his exceptional win-loss record, Rockne's legacy is intertwined with the strategies and innovations he brought to the game. He is credited with popularizing the forward pass, a play that revolutionized the sport by introducing a new element of offensive creativity. Additionally, he championed the importance of mental preparation and instilled a sense of discipline and teamwork in his players.
The "Win One for the Gipper" Legacy:
One of Rockne's most enduring legacies is his association with the inspirational phrase "Win one for the Gipper," uttered before a crucial game against Army in 1928. The word referred to George Gipp, a star Notre Dame player and close friend of Rockne who tragically died before the start of the season. The slogan became a rallying cry for Notre Dame and athletes and underdogs across the nation.
Tragic End and Enduring Legacy:
Rockne's life and career were tragically cut short in a plane crash in 1931, leaving a void in the college football world. However, his impact transcended his short tenure. He is remembered for his coaching prowess and strategic brilliance and his ability to inspire and motivate players and fans alike. His legacy inspires generations of athletes, coaches, and leaders, forever solidifying his place as a true icon of American football history.
A Stellar Player and Early Coaching Stint:
Rockne's football journey began as a player at Notre Dame, where he showcased both his athletic prowess and leadership qualities on the field. In 1915, Knute followed Irish teammate Gus Dorias to the professional level as both played for the famous Massillon Tigers football team. He seamlessly transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant after graduation before taking the helm in 1918.
Building a Dynasty: Wins, Strategies, and Leadership:
Under Rockne's leadership, Notre Dame experienced a golden age. He led the team to a staggering 105 victories, 12 losses, and five ties, achieving an impressive .881 winning percentage, the highest for a prominent college football coach at the time. He masterminded iconic victories, including four undefeated seasons and three national championships (1924, 1929, and 1930).
Beyond his exceptional win-loss record, Rockne's legacy is intertwined with the strategies and innovations he brought to the game. He is credited with popularizing the forward pass, a play that revolutionized the sport by introducing a new element of offensive creativity. Additionally, he championed the importance of mental preparation and instilled a sense of discipline and teamwork in his players.
The "Win One for the Gipper" Legacy:
One of Rockne's most enduring legacies is his association with the inspirational phrase "Win one for the Gipper," uttered before a crucial game against Army in 1928. The word referred to George Gipp, a star Notre Dame player and close friend of Rockne who tragically died before the start of the season. The slogan became a rallying cry for Notre Dame and athletes and underdogs across the nation.
Tragic End and Enduring Legacy:
Rockne's life and career were tragically cut short in a plane crash in 1931, leaving a void in the college football world. However, his impact transcended his short tenure. He is remembered for his coaching prowess and strategic brilliance and his ability to inspire and motivate players and fans alike. His legacy inspires generations of athletes, coaches, and leaders, forever solidifying his place as a true icon of American football history.
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
