The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr Read online

  Joe F. Carr

  Chris Willis

  Foreword James A. Carr, grandson of Joe F. Carr v

  Preface vii

  Acknowledgments ix

  Introduction: One Man's Vision xiii

  Part I: Humble Beginnings (1879-1919)

  1 The Irish Way (1841-1878) 3

  2 Growing Up in Columbus, Ohio (1879-1893) 8

  3 The Love of a Family Is Replaced by a Love of Sports (1894-1906) 13

  PRO FOOTBALL s RAG DAYS 22

  4 The Columbus Panhandles and the Great Nesser Brothers (1907-1909) 26

  5 Starting a Family (1910-1913) 45

  6 Pro Football's Most Famous Traveling Team (1914-1916) 66

  7 Making a Name for Himself (1917-1919) 96

  Part II: The Presidency (1920-1939)

  8 The American Professional Football Association (1920) 119

  9 President Elect (1921) 133

  10 The National Football League (1922) 145

  11 Defending Professional Football (1923) 160

  12 Baby Steps for President Carr (1924) 172

  13 The NFL Comes to New York City (1925) 181

  14 The Galloping Ghost and Pottsville Controversy (1925) 192

  15 The Grange League (1926) 208

  16 Traveling for a Cause (1927-1928) 227

  17 How Do We Get to the Big Cities and Stay? (1929-1930) 244

  18 Small-Town Green Bay Is Titletown (1931) 267

  19 Indoor Circus (1932) 279

  20 The Pro Game Separates Itself from the College Game (1933) 299

  21 Sneakers in New York (1934) 322

  22 The Postgraduate Game Is Finally a Big-City Sport (1935) 337

  23 Packers, Redskins, and the NFL Draft (1936) 348

  24 Heart of Gold Continues to Work (1937) 357

  25 "Greatest Show in Football" (1938) 368

  26 Death of a President (1939) 380

  27 Aftermath 393

  28 Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963) 397

  29 The Legacy of Joe F. Carr 402

  Appendix: Dates and Locations of NFL Meetings Presided by NFL President Joe F. Carr (1921-1939) 407

  Notes 409

  Bibliography 439

  Index 447

  About the Author 461

  t is a pleasure to introduce a book that I have watched grow from its inception to publication. It was at our Aunt Mary's "knee" that my four brothers-John, Michael, Dennis, and Gregory-and I were told about the life and outstanding accomplishments of our grandfather, Joe F. Carr. Now, thanks to his tireless efforts, author Chris Willis shares the life and career of Joe Carr for all to enjoy.

  Like so many of our ancestors in the United States, Joe Carr's family fled the terrible conditions of mid-nineteenth-century Ireland. They came to settle in the town of Columbus, Ohio. Joe Carr was a railroader; a machinist; a sportswriter; a manager of the semipro football squad, the Columbus Panhandles; and the chief organizer of Major League Baseball's minor league system. He was also the devoted husband of his wife, Josephine Sullivan; the father of two adoring children, Mary and Joe Jr.; and a deeply religious man.

  All of these factors came to fruition when, in 1921, Joe Carr was elected president of the APFA-the American Professional Football Associationwhich Carr immediately renamed the National Football League (in 1922). From 1921 until his death in 1939, he sowed the seeds of a sports organization that, arguably, has become one of the most popular in the world.

  Chris Willis's extensive biography artfully expands upon this brief summary of the life of Joe Carr. I am fortunate to know Chris Willis, and I have been enormously impressed with his tenacity and tireless efforts in spending untold hours to create this biography of my grandfather. He is an author who leaves "no stone unturned" in his efforts to assemble all of the pertinent facts. For example, when researching his previous work on the Columbus Panhandles, Chris discovered that the team records had been destroyed. Undaunted, Chris researched all of the relevant local newspapers of the day covering a period of nineteen years to reconstruct the evidence of the Columbus Panhandles' past.

  As in his prior books and articles, Chris Willis tells this story in a direct, readable, and entertaining style. The members of my family are very grateful to Chris for telling this story of our famous relative.

  His work demonstrates that Joe Carr had a vision of a pro football league, and without that vision and a higher purpose beyond short-term profits and "relaxing the rules," the league would have perished. This vision and the singularity of purpose, shared with such pioneer owners as George Preston Marshall of Washington D.C., Art Rooney of Pittsburgh, Tim Mara of New York, Charlie Bidwill of Chicago, Bert Bell of Philadelphia, and George Halas of Chicago, made the dream of the National Football League the reality it is today.

  I am confident that all who read this book, historian and the fan alike, will find it a very enjoyable and informative read.

  Many thanks to Chris Willis for bringing the life of Joe Carr to light.

  -James A. Carr

  Grandson of Joe F. Carr

  n 2002 while working for NFL Films, I pitched a project on the Nesser brothers-the group of six brothers who played for the Columbus (Ohio) Panhandles professional football team in the early 1900s. After my boss-Steve Sabol-approved the project, we found out that the Nesser family was holding their annual family reunion that fall at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. It was perfect timing. While at the reunion I was planning to interview family members who had intimate stories on the famous Nesser brothers that would appear in one of our shows.

  As I was preparing to shoot the reunion, I got an idea to invite a descendant from the Joe F. Carr family. Joe F. Carr had been the Panhandles long-time manager (1907-1922), and he had known the Nesser family for decades. Surely someone from the Carr family could talk about the Nessers. So I tracked down the family, who lived in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, to see if they could send a representative to talk about Carr. The family's spokesperson was James Carr, grandson of the late Joe F. Carr, who agreed to attend.

  On September 14, 2002, well before the reunion started, I sat down with James Carr to talk about his grandfather. For nearly an hour James discussed his grandfather's life and career with me, and I was totally fascinated. Being the head of the research library at NFL Films and part of the National Football League, I had heard the name Joe Carr and some of his accomplishments in starting the NFL. But after interviewing James I knew I wanted to know more about Joe's life. I knew right then that I wanted to write about the career of Joe F. Carr and preserve the legacy of one of pro football's most important pioneers. Also, the fact that Carr was born and had the NFL office in my hometown of Columbus made it a no-brainer for me to write the first-ever biography of him.

  The following spring while back in Columbus to visit my family I made an appointment to talk with James to see about writing a biography of his grandfather. He was more than willing to allow me to write the book, and he also agreed to help me with any interviews with the family or any research the family might have. I couldn't have asked for a better situation. The Carr family opened its doors and hearts to me. Over the past eight years, I've researched the life of Joe F. Carr and the early history of the NFL. It has been a great journey.

  Most people and football fans probably haven't heard the name Joe F. Carr. But he was the Henry Ford of the NFL. He laid the groundwork and foundation on which the NFL now stands. I hope this book can capture the legacy of Joe F. Carr and give football fans and readers a glimpse into what Carr meant to professional football and the NFL.

  fter spending nearly ten
years researching the life of Joe F. Carr, I feel .1 don't have enough words to thank all of the people who helped me in completing this book. First and foremost I want to thank the entire Carr family for their support and generosity. Without their help this book could never have been written. I especially want to thank the grandsons of Joe F. Carr who spent so much time answering my questions in person, by phone, or through numerous e-mails.

  I am extremely indebted to James Carr and his wife, Velda, for all their time and energy in helping me obtain the family material I needed to learn about James's famous grandfather. James helped in lining up family interviews; allowing me to use his home for the interviews; making copies of material; feeding a hungry researcher on occasion; and answering every question I had. In the end he made me feel like one of the family, and I am very grateful for all his help. Today I consider James a friend. Thanks also to his two children-Jennifer and Andy Carr.

  Through James I met Joe Carr's other three grandsons. Thanks to the late Dennis Carr, who was always entertaining; Michael Carr, for giving me such passionate and honest answers during our interview; and Gregory Carr, for telling me all of his thoughtful stories about his grandfather. I also want to thank Gregory (and his wife, Karen) for allowing me to use the Joe F. Carr Scrapbook (which was on microfilm). You all went beyond the call of duty in helping me with my research, and I thank you.

  Extra thanks goes to Margaret Mooney, great-niece of Joe F. Carr, and her husband, Pat. Margaret's knowledge and research of the Carr family tree (which included several trips to Ireland) gave me much needed insight into the early history of the Carr family. I will always treasure our visits and time together. I also want to thank Martha Sullivan, niece of Joe F. Carr, whose interviews about the Sullivan family were helpful in learning more about Carr's wife, Josephine. You gave me insight into events I didn't know about; thanks.

  Special thanks goes to Joy Dolan and Kathy Frederick (brother Edward Carr's family); as well as Jim and Audey Heavey (brother John Karr's family), who made my weekend trip to Pine Island, Florida, an enjoyable one.

  I want to thank Stephen Ryan, senior editor at Scarecrow Press, for believing in preserving the history of professional football. This is our third book together, and I can think of no other editor I would rather work with. Thanks to Jessica McCleary, production editor, for all her great help in getting this book done. I also want to thank Scarecrow Press and their professional staff for putting this book together. They are a joy to work with.

  I want to applaud all the families of the former Columbus Panhandles players who gave me their time. Thanks to Irene and Al Cassady; Ted Schneider; Kate Benson; Terri Murdick; Thersea Graham; Sally Nesser; Connie Shomo; Joseph Nesser; Babe Sherman; Judi Doran; Tess Nesser; Bill and Linda Mulbarger; Sharon Ruh-Manhart; Joseph and Katherine Colburn; Andrea Lynch; Joann Franke; Marilyn Sue Hopkins; Joanne Distelweig; and Jerry Entingh. I especially want to thank James Brigham (and his wife, Mary) for talking about his father and making my trip to Detroit very productive.

  I owe special thanks to all the NFL families, owners, and PR directors who helped me with my research. First, I want to thank Virginia McCaskey (daughter of George Halas) for agreeing to do two interviews-the first at her lovely home and the second in Canton, Ohio, on Hall of Fame weekend. Virginia's insight on her father, as well as her stories of Joe Carr's visits, are priceless. Meeting you, Virginia, was an experience I will never forget. Thanks to Scott Hagel, George McCaskey, and Patrick McCaskey of the Chicago Bears for all your help. Many thanks to the late Wellington Mara (son of Tim Mara); John Mara (son of Wellington Mara); Pat Hanlon; Doug Murphy; and Peter John-Baptise-all of the New York Giants. My gratitude to Dan Rooney (son of Art Rooney) of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Matt Barnhart and Deanna Caldwell of the Detroit Lions for their help.

  Sometimes when researching a book you meet someone unexpectedly, a diamond in the rough, so to speak. In this case for me it would be locating the family of former NFL vice president Carl L. Storck. I am extremely grateful to Sandy Allen and her husband, Richard. Talking to Sandy led me to her mother Dolores (Storck) Seitz, who gave me an entire afternoon talking about her father, Carl. It was a very memorable day for me learning about one of the pioneers of the NFL. The Storcks are a special family. More thanks to Charles Seitz Sr. and son Charles Jr.

  I also want to thank Jordan Wright (granddaughter of George Preston Marshall) for her interview and the wonderful time spent talking about her grandfather. My weekend in Alexandria, Virginia, was a great experience, and I learned so much. Many thanks to Bert Bell Jr. (son of Bert Bell) for giving me insight into his father. Additional thanks must go to Rozene Supple, and her husband, Ric, for her interview on her father, George A. Richards, original owner of the Detroit Lions.

  Thanks go to Bob Lingo (son of Walter Lingo) for talking about his father and the famous Oorang Indians; Dr. James King (grandson of Ralph Hay) for his stories about the man who held the NFL's first organizational meeting in his automobile showroom; and Peg Holmes (daughter of Dutch Sternaman). I also want to thank the Tehan family-Kevin Johnson and Jeanne Johnson, Joe Deters and Nancy Deters, and Patrick Tehan-for their help in learning about their father, Dan Tehan.

  Another unexpected find was locating the family of Kathleen Rubadue, the former secretary of Joe Carr. Special thanks to Robert Knapp (son of Kathleen [Rubadue] Knapp) for all his info on the NFL's first secretary.

  I want to thank current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and his staff-Joe Browne and Pete Abitante-as well as former commissioner Paul Tagliabue for all their support in trying to preserve the legacy of Joe F. Carr. I also want to thank Rita Benson LeBlanc of the New Orleans Saints for all her advice and support. You always have my best interests in mind, so thanks!

  As with my previous projects, my favorite place to visit and do research is the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. I want to thank the staff in the research library-Pete Fierle, Saleem Choudhry, Jason Aikens, and Jon Kendle-for all their help. You guys are the best at what you do-thanks! I also want to thank Joe Horrigan, vice president of communicationsexhibits, for all his support; I really appreciate it.

  I also want to thank my friends with the Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA). First, I want to thank the late Bob Carroll, who passed away in August of 2009, for all his help and guidance over the past fifteen years I've known him. Bob published my first ever article in the Coffin Corner-the PFRA publication-back in 1994, and I will always be grateful for his generosity. You'll be missed. Thanks to PFRA members Michael Moran (thanks for finding the Carr photo); Tod Maher; Sean Lahman; Roy Sye; Andy Piascik; and Ken Crippen, the new executive director of the PFRA. Lastly, thanks to coach T. J. Troup for all his support. I truly enjoy all our phone calls; can't wait for the next one.

  I also want to thank fellow authors Sal Paolantonio (ESPN), Dan Daly (Washington Times), Allen Barra (Wall Street Journal), Jim Dent, and Ray Didinger for all their advice-keep up the good work. I would also like to thank my colleagues at NFL Films: Dave Plaut, Diane Kimball, Ray Dominick, Lawrence Remsen, Kevin McLoughlin, Sue Nicholson, and, especially, Neil Zender, who gave his time to help read the manuscript. Special thanks to Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films, for allowing me every day to feed my passion for football.

  I also want to thank Geoffrey Cutler, Matt Ball, and Tom Vogelphol for taping all my interviews. Special thanks go to former Columbus city councilwomen Maryellen O'Shaughessy for getting me (as well as James and Gregory Carr) into the vacant building of Joe Carr's office at 16 East Broad Street. The walk up to the eleventh floor where the NFL had their first office was an experience of a lifetime-I know James and Greg enjoyed it very much, too. I also want to thank Lelia Cady, Randy Black, Michael Broidy, Don Camerino, and Ted Poland (thanks for bringing the flashlight) for our access to the building.

  Kudos go to all the libraries and organizations who helped me during my journey. Thanks to the staff at St. Patrick Church (Susan Livingston and father Andre LaCasse
, O.P.) and St. Joseph's Cathedral (secretary Kathleen Finneran Slattery); Doug Motz (The Library Store); Jeff Lafever (Columbus Historical Society); Mike Foley (WCBE Radio); Bob Hunter (Columbus Dispatch); Mindy Drayer (NBC-TV); and Judy Williams.

  Thanks to the Ohio Historical Society; Brown County (Wisconsin) Public Library; Greenwich (Connecticut) Library; the Ohio State University Library; Columbus (Ohio) Public Library; Egan-Ryan Funeral Home; Canton (Ohio) Public Library; Wayne County (Indiana) Historical Museum; Morrisson-Reeves (Indiana) Public Library; State Library of Ohio; Burlington County (New Jersey) Public Library; and Carneige Library of Pittsburgh. Also want to thank Ancestry.com and Newspaperarchives .com for their very helpful websites.

  Lastly, I want to thank my family and friends. I want to thank my brothers, Rhu and Adrian, for all their support. Thanks to my best friend, Jennifer Heinz, for all her continued support and friendship. Although you couldn't care less about football, you are always there for me, and I couldn't have asked for a better friend. Thanks also to Jennifer's husband, Craig, and baby, Sean, a future quarterback. Thanks to my mother, Tina, for all her love and inspiration this past year in helping me finish this book. I know I couldn't have done it without you. Finally, I want to thank my father, Roy Willis (1941-2008). Thank you for giving me my passion for reading and writing while being a book dealer for nearly three decades. I miss you so much, and I hope you're proud of this book.

  in a cold and snowy day in Columbus, Ohio, a rather small, unassuming gray-haired man in his fifties, standing no taller than five feet nine, walked around the busy intersection at the corner of Broad and High streets on his way to work. He entered the building at 16 East Broad Street, a big skyscraper located in the middle of downtown Columbus that was right across the street from the Ohio Statehouse building, which the governor of Ohio called home. The unassuming man headed up to his small two-room office on the eleventh floor, unlocking the door-the door that read "Joe F. Carr, President of the National Football League."