Columbus Panhandles
Workers at the Panhandle shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad founded a football club in 1901. The Columbus Press-Post reported Jack Walsh creating this "Panhandle railroad team" consisting of "big hardy railroad men." No other articles from that year mentioned the group. A game was scheduled for October 19, yet no source provided an outcome. In 1902, manager Harry Greenwood placed advertisements in every newspaper he could find. His ad read "The Panhandle Athletic Club has organized a football team and would like to play any college, high school or manufacturing team on Saturday or Sunday." The team finished with a 0, 3, 1 record after playing three games against the Columbus Barracks and one against the Dennison Panhandles.
Joseph Carr built his team around pro football's most famous family, the Nesser Brothers. These seven brothers worked as boilermakers for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Frank Nesser stood 6-foot 1-inch tall and weighed 235 pounds. They were exceptionally large and strong for people living in the early 20th century. None of the Nessers attended college despite many offers. Carr took out ads describing his Panhandles as the toughest professional team in football. An athletic field behind the railroad shops became the team's practice field. Workers had a one-hour break during a normal workday. Players used the remaining 45 minutes to practice football. The team's "dirty" reputation developed on these yards rather than in college stadiums.
Over a span of 20 years, the Panhandles were considered the best pro team in the city of Columbus. The team compiled a 33, 5 record against opponents from Columbus. This included a 32, 1 record over their last 33 games. Between 1914 and 1916, the Nesser-led team went a combined 22, 10, 1. The majority of early pro teams would go out of their way to schedule the Panhandles. They knew it would be easy to advertise a game featuring the famous Nessers. In 1915, The Panhandles were rumored to have played against the legendary Knute Rockne six times. According to the team, each time they played Rockne, he was on a different team. This rumor is false because Rockne was too much of a family man to play that much professional football.
On the 20th of August 1920, representatives of four Ohio League teams met to discuss forming a new league. Attendees included members from the Canton Bulldogs, the Cleveland Tigers, the Dayton Triangles, and the Akron Pros. At this meeting, representatives tentatively agreed to introduce a salary cap for the teams. They also decided not to sign college players or players under contract with another team. A second meeting occurred in September at Ralph Hay's Hupmobile showroom. Representatives of the Rock Island Independents, the Muncie Flyers, and the Decatur Staleys were present. The name of American Professional Football Association was chosen during this gathering. Jim Thorpe was elected president of the new organization. A membership fee of $100 was set for all participating clubs.
Historians can not determine for sure which two teams played in the first league match-up due to unstandardized start times. What is known for a fact is that the first contests between teams listed as APFA members occurred on the 3rd of October 1920. On that date, the Panhandles were defeated by the Dayton Triangles, 14, 0, at Triangle Park. Frank Bacon of the Triangles is credited with the first punt return for a touchdown. The Rock Island Independents beat the Muncie Flyers, 45, 0, in Rock Island later that same day. The future NFL failed to record the start times of these early games. This lack of documentation prevents historians from confirming if the Panhandles played in the very first game.
Following the 1921 season, Carr became the league's new president and renamed the APFA, the NFL. He then discontinued the Panhandles after the 1922 season because of cost and salary demands. Following the 1922 season, the Panhandles became the Columbus Tigers. In 1923, the Tigers attained their best ranking in the NFL, finishing eighth. Rookie end Gus Tebell was awarded 1st Team All NFL by the Canton Daily News. Gus Sonnenberg, Paul Goebel, Jack Sack, and Bob Rapp were all awarded 1st Team All-NFL by the Canton Daily News. Pete Stinchcomb was awarded 2nd Team All-NFL by Collyer's Eye. Jerry Corcoran was owner of the Tigers during this time and at the moment the team folded.
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Common questions
Who founded the Columbus Panhandles football team in 1901?
Workers at the Panhandle shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad founded a football club in 1901. The Columbus Press-Post reported Jack Walsh creating this Panhandle railroad team consisting of big hardy railroad men.
When did the Panhandles play their first game against the Dayton Triangles after joining the APFA?
The first contests between teams listed as APFA members occurred on the 3rd of October 1920. On that date, the Panhandles were defeated by the Dayton Triangles, 14, 0, at Triangle Park.
What happened to the Columbus Panhandles following the 1922 season?
Carr discontinued the Panhandles after the 1922 season because of cost and salary demands. Following the 1922 season, the Panhandles became the Columbus Tigers.
How many games did the Nesser Brothers win during their tenure with the Panhandles from 1914 to 1916?
Between 1914 and 1916, the Nesser-led team went a combined 22, 10, 1 record. These seven brothers worked as boilermakers for the Pennsylvania Railroad and formed the core of the team.
Which league was established when representatives met in August 1920?
On the 20th of August 1920, representatives of four Ohio League teams met to discuss forming a new league. The name of American Professional Football Association was chosen during this gathering.