Football History

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A local Erie television group Erie News Now ran a piece based on the book World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars and the team's place in football history.

It was quite an honor to have the team celebrated in the community where it played over 120 years ago. This aired two days before Super Bowl LVIII to celebrate pro championship football.

Excellent job by TV journalist John Last, a Franklin native, and the entire ENN crew.

Buy on Amazon Here

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The Forgotten Heroes in this episode of the podcast classic are the Franklin, Pennsylvania, Players of the 1903 team.

Warren Rogan, host of the Sports Forgotten Heroes Podcast, interviews Author Darin Hayes about his book The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars.

So you are here on Pigskin Dispatch and are reading, viewing, and listening to our content on football history. So, who is this guy, Darin Hayes? We hope this rundown gives you the answer.

Hayes always had an avid interest in sports, participating in football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and softball. As a youngster, he collected football cards, reading each card's back on the players' statistics and accomplishments. This interest in sports numbers became a passion when his father gave him an NFL book of records as a pre-teen, which he leafed through so much that the binding wore out!

Darin took this love of being a part of the games to adulthood, where they officiated high school football for 27 seasons and even dabbled as a softball umpire for half a decade. In the early 2000s, Hayes contributed to several athletic-based websites, including SportsCombine.com and Officiating.com. This online experience allowed him to express his interest in football history and general sports lore.

Football enthusiasts rejoice! The Packaged Tourist Podcast welcomes renowned author Darin Hayes, chronicler of forgotten gridiron heroes, for a deep dive into his latest book, "The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team." Join host Matthew DiBiase as they dissect the remarkable story of the 1903 Franklin All-Stars, a team shrouded in myth and deemed by Hayes as arguably the best ever.

Prepare to be transported back to a time when professional football was in its infancy. Hayes, armed with meticulous research and captivating storytelling, delves into the All-Stars' meteoric rise. Get ready to:

Meet the players: Hayes paints vivid portraits of legends like Tackle Blondy Wallace, the elusive halfback Teck Matthews, and the enigmatic quarterback Jack Hayden, bringing their forgotten achievements to life.
Witness their dominance: Uncover the All-Stars' revolutionary tactics and explosive plays that left opponents aghast and redefined the game.
Relive their controversial season: Dive into the heated debates surrounding the All-Stars' legitimacy and tumultuous journey through a fractured football landscape.
Hayes and DiBiase promise a thought-provoking discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and rewrites forgotten chapters of football history. Whether you're a die-hard fan or simply fascinated by the evolution of the sport, this episode is guaranteed to ignite your passion.