When was the Rochester Jeffersons football team founded?
A 1925 report dates the founding of the Rochester Jeffersons to 1898. The rag-tag group of teenagers formed a football outfit in Rochester, New York after the turn of the 20th century.
Questions about Rochester Jeffersons
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who managed finances for the Rochester Jeffersons and when did he start?
Leo Lyons joined as a player around 1908 and soon began managing finances. Within two years he promoted the club on a full-time basis.
What happened during the match between the Rochester Jeffersons and Canton Bulldogs in October 1917?
Jim Thorpe starred for the visiting Canton Bulldogs squad which crushed the Jeffersons with a score of 41 to 0. This game provided early fame despite the decisive loss and demonstrated the gap between local talent and national stars.
Why did the Rochester Jeffersons fold their franchise in 1928?
Poor attendance caused financial mismanagement that crippled operations from 1922 through 1925. Leo Lyons dumped virtually all his assets into the team and his house faced foreclosure because of these failures before the franchise expired in 1928.
Which players represented the Rochester Jeffersons during its professional tenure?
John Barsha played starting in 1920 while Two-time First Team All Pro Doc Alexander joined from 1921 to 1924. Hal Clark served as a player during the 1920-1925 editions and Elmer Oliphant appeared in the 1920 edition.