Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935
Very little has been documented about the early days of pro football and the pioneers who had a major influence in the history of the NFL. Chris Willis, head of the Research Library at NFL Films, seeks to address this neglect. In this collection of original and archival interviews, former players, owners, fans, family members and league officials provide a rare glimpse into the origins of professional football. Full of rich anecdotes, early stars such as Red Grange, Jim Thorpe, Dutch Clark, Glenn Presnell, and Pete Henry are brought back to the playing field. The interviews also reveal how small towns in Ohio such as Canton, Akron, Columbus, and Dayton came to host franchises, as the state became a major force in the founding and growth of the NFL.

Old Leather provides the reader with a firsthand look at a period that has largely been ignored. It recalls what the era of professional football was like in the age of leather helmets, no television, dirt fields, small salaries and when playing for the love of the game was its own reward. This book will appeal not only to historians, sportswriters, and scholars, but also to die-hard fans and general history buffs who can never get enough of America's favorite sport.

Contains 17 photographs of players, owners, and teams.
1123957746
Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935
Very little has been documented about the early days of pro football and the pioneers who had a major influence in the history of the NFL. Chris Willis, head of the Research Library at NFL Films, seeks to address this neglect. In this collection of original and archival interviews, former players, owners, fans, family members and league officials provide a rare glimpse into the origins of professional football. Full of rich anecdotes, early stars such as Red Grange, Jim Thorpe, Dutch Clark, Glenn Presnell, and Pete Henry are brought back to the playing field. The interviews also reveal how small towns in Ohio such as Canton, Akron, Columbus, and Dayton came to host franchises, as the state became a major force in the founding and growth of the NFL.

Old Leather provides the reader with a firsthand look at a period that has largely been ignored. It recalls what the era of professional football was like in the age of leather helmets, no television, dirt fields, small salaries and when playing for the love of the game was its own reward. This book will appeal not only to historians, sportswriters, and scholars, but also to die-hard fans and general history buffs who can never get enough of America's favorite sport.

Contains 17 photographs of players, owners, and teams.
49.0 In Stock
Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935

Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935

Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935

Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935

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Overview

Very little has been documented about the early days of pro football and the pioneers who had a major influence in the history of the NFL. Chris Willis, head of the Research Library at NFL Films, seeks to address this neglect. In this collection of original and archival interviews, former players, owners, fans, family members and league officials provide a rare glimpse into the origins of professional football. Full of rich anecdotes, early stars such as Red Grange, Jim Thorpe, Dutch Clark, Glenn Presnell, and Pete Henry are brought back to the playing field. The interviews also reveal how small towns in Ohio such as Canton, Akron, Columbus, and Dayton came to host franchises, as the state became a major force in the founding and growth of the NFL.

Old Leather provides the reader with a firsthand look at a period that has largely been ignored. It recalls what the era of professional football was like in the age of leather helmets, no television, dirt fields, small salaries and when playing for the love of the game was its own reward. This book will appeal not only to historians, sportswriters, and scholars, but also to die-hard fans and general history buffs who can never get enough of America's favorite sport.

Contains 17 photographs of players, owners, and teams.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780810856608
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 07/07/2005
Pages: 206
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

Chris Willis is head of the Research Library, NFL Films, a position he has held since 1996. He is the author of Columbus Panhandles: A Complete History of Pro Football's Toughest Team, 1900-1922 (2007) and The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr (2010), both published by Scarecrow Press.

Joe Horrigan is the Vice-President of Communications/Exhibits at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Foreword Part 2 Preface Part 3 Acknowledgments Part 4 Introduction Chapter 5 1 Lester H. Higgins Chapter 6 2 Joseph F. Carr Chapter 7 3 Fritz Pollard Chapter 8 4 Nesser Brothers Chapter 9 5 George "Hobby" Kinderdine Chapter 10 6 Lee Fenner Chapter 11 7 Ike Roy Martin Chapter 12 8 Arda Bowser Chapter 13 9 Art Haley Chapter 14 10 Walter Lingo Chapter 15 11 William Guthery, Sr. Chapter 16 12 William Roy "Link" Lyman Chapter 17 13 Hal Broda Chapter 18 14 Glenn Presnell Chapter 19 15 Dr. Louis Chaboudy Chapter 20 16 Leo Blackburn Chapter 21 17 Earl "Dutch" Clark Chapter 22 18 Cyrus Kahl Chapter 23 19 Norris Steverson Part 24 Overtime Part 25 Appendix: Complete Standings, Team Rosters, Game Results, and Attendance Figures for all Ohio Teams in the National Football League, 1920-1935 Part 26 Notes Part 27 Index Part 28 About the Author
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