The Best American Football Team Ever Assembled
In the early days of professional football, the Franklin All-Stars were a force to be reckoned with. In 1903, they went undefeated and unscored upon, winning... — www.youtube.com
Who was the most dominant team in Pro Football history? The popular choices range from the 1972 Miami Dolphins and the 1948 Cleveland Browns, both undefeated champions of their respective leagues. Other selections might be Lombardi’s Packers or even the ‘85 Chicago Bears. All of these are excellent candidates, but what if there was a team in mainstream professional football that excelled beyond any of those mentioned above?
This book tells the story of a wealthy Pennsylvania town and the legendary mercenary players who carried out the mission to make Franklin the World’s Greatest Gridiron Team.
Back at the turn of the last century, there was a team assembled that did just that: dominated every opponent. The 1903 Franklin All-Stars were as close to perfection as the game will ever see in a pro team for an entire season.
Buy a Copy of the Book Here!
Amazon.com: The World’s Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars eBook : Hayes, Darin: Kindle Store — www.amazon.com
You can get your own copy of the World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars here on Amazon.
It is an amazing story that is founded on the business of Big Oil at the turn of the last century and the top football team that was produced as a result of the rivalry of civic pride between two neighboring towns.
The Last Word on Greatest Pro Football Team Ever Came From Franklin
Some people in the Venango County community of Franklin may believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers had the greatest professional football team ever back in the... — www.youtube.com
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.
The Packaged Tourist Dives into the Pages of the Worlds Greatest Pro Gridiron
Listen to this episode from The Packaged Tourist Show on Spotify. My guest is Darin Hayes. Darin is the producer and host of his magnificent podcast “Pigskin Dispatch”. I have been honored to appear as a guest on his show numerous and tonight I finally get to repay the numerous favors he has shown by having him appear as a guest on my show. Darin has lived in Western Pennsylvania all his life. He has loved football, first as a player in high school then as an official for 25 years and now — open.spotify.com
Podcast, author, and Sports Historian Host Matthew DiBiase sat down with Darin Hayes to go deep into the World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team and their fantastic season of 1903.
The Packaged Tourist, hosted by archivist and historian Matthew DiBiase, offers a diverse and engaging exploration of various topics ranging from arts and sports history to American and world history. Here's a summary of the podcast's key characteristics:
Content:
Wide range of themes: The podcast delves into diverse subjects, showcasing DiBiase's broad knowledge and interests. Episodes feature discussions on historical events, sports figures, literary figures, artists, and current socio-political issues.
Informative and thought-provoking: The host presents well-researched information and encourages critical thinking through interviews with experts, analysis of historical events, and discussions of modern topics.
Engaging format: DiBiase adopts a conversational style, making the podcast accessible and enjoyable for listeners with varied interests. He often incorporates humor and personal anecdotes to enhance the discussion.
Sports Forgotten Heroes Talks 1903 Franklin Team with Darin Hayes
There have been many dominant defenses in the @NFL . The Steel Curtain of the @steelers in the mid-70s. The Doomsday Defense of the @DallasCowboys also of t... — www.youtube.com
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.
Rich Shmelter of Raiders Fan Radio Flashback Recounts the Franklin All-Stars
Podcaster and Author Rich Shmelter kindly used his platform on Raiders Fan Radio to give mention about the World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team.
Doc Roller Star On the Gridiron and the Mat
Benjamin "Doc" Roller carved a unique path in the early days of American football. While his professional football career was impressive, it served more as a springboard for his academic pursuits and, surprisingly, his professional wrestling career.
Image of George Hackenschmidt with Ben Roller, 1911 Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Roller's athletic prowess emerged early. Despite his relatively small stature, he excelled in football and track at DePauw University, becoming captain of both teams. This success paved the way for him to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he continued to play football while funding his education through athletics.
Roller's professional football career spanned from 1898 to 1902. He played for several prominent teams, including the Pittsburgh Athletic Club and the Philadelphia Athletic Club. The highlight of this period was undoubtedly his participation in the early iterations of the "World Series of Football." He played in the championship game in both 1902 and 1903, showcasing his skills on the national stage.
However, football was not Roller's sole passion. He was also a dedicated student, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania's medical school with top honors. This academic achievement earned him the nickname "Doc," which would follow him throughout his life.
While some athletes might have focused solely on their medical career, Roller continued to be a man of many talents. He leveraged his athletic background to secure a professorship at the University of Washington, overseeing the university's athletic programs. This role allowed him to promote physical fitness and hygiene, two causes he deeply believed in.
Intriguingly, Roller's athletic pursuits took an unexpected turn. In 1904, he transitioned from the gridiron to the wrestling mat. His wrestling career spanned an impressive 27 years, and he earned the moniker "The Pride of Seattle." While details about his wrestling success are scarce, it's clear that his athletic prowess transcended the world of football.
Benjamin "Doc" Roller's story is a testament to the versatility of early 20th-century athletes. He thrived not only on the football field but also in the classroom and the wrestling ring. His life serves as a reminder that athletic talent can pave the way for success in various fields, both physical and academic.
Image of George Hackenschmidt with Ben Roller, 1911 Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Roller's athletic prowess emerged early. Despite his relatively small stature, he excelled in football and track at DePauw University, becoming captain of both teams. This success paved the way for him to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he continued to play football while funding his education through athletics.
Roller's professional football career spanned from 1898 to 1902. He played for several prominent teams, including the Pittsburgh Athletic Club and the Philadelphia Athletic Club. The highlight of this period was undoubtedly his participation in the early iterations of the "World Series of Football." He played in the championship game in both 1902 and 1903, showcasing his skills on the national stage.
However, football was not Roller's sole passion. He was also a dedicated student, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania's medical school with top honors. This academic achievement earned him the nickname "Doc," which would follow him throughout his life.
While some athletes might have focused solely on their medical career, Roller continued to be a man of many talents. He leveraged his athletic background to secure a professorship at the University of Washington, overseeing the university's athletic programs. This role allowed him to promote physical fitness and hygiene, two causes he deeply believed in.
Intriguingly, Roller's athletic pursuits took an unexpected turn. In 1904, he transitioned from the gridiron to the wrestling mat. His wrestling career spanned an impressive 27 years, and he earned the moniker "The Pride of Seattle." While details about his wrestling success are scarce, it's clear that his athletic prowess transcended the world of football.
Benjamin "Doc" Roller's story is a testament to the versatility of early 20th-century athletes. He thrived not only on the football field but also in the classroom and the wrestling ring. His life serves as a reminder that athletic talent can pave the way for success in various fields, both physical and academic.
The Sports Time Traveler Goes Back to the 1903 Franklin All-Stars
Experiencing great moments in sports from the past as if it were happening now. Click to read The Sports Time Traveler™, by Len Ferman, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers. — lenferman.substack.com
Host Len Ferman goes back in time to newspapers of 1903 to take a look at the 1903 Franklin All-Stars.
Len travels back to New York City, 120 years ago, where, inside Madison Square Garden, was the football championship of the world, or so the promoters fashioned it to be.
The combatants were the football teams from Franklin and Watertown.
Darin Hayes on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars and "The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team"
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.
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.
