Massillon Tigers
On the 3rd of September 1903, thirty-five local businessmen gathered inside the Hotel Sailor in Massillon, Ohio. They met to create a professional football team capable of defeating their cross-county rivals from Canton. Jack Goodrich took on the role of manager while Ed J. Stewart became the first coach. Stewart had previously played at Western Reserve College and Mount Union College before taking charge. The group hired Baldy Wittman, a 32-year-old cigar store owner who had never played the sport. Charles Cy Rigler started at tackle despite having not touched a football in eight years. Their inaugural game against Wooster College ended with a 6-0 defeat that locals blamed on a biased official.
J.J. Wise led a committee to secure funds for new jerseys that matched the color scheme of Princeton University. Local vendors only possessed enough orange and black striped uniforms to outfit the entire squad. These specific garments inspired the decision to christen the new team the Tigers. The choice reflected a desire to project strength and tradition through visual identity. The jersey design remained consistent throughout the early years of the franchise. This uniform style distinguished them from other amateur clubs in the region during the 1903 season.
The Tigers won four consecutive Ohio League championships between 1903 and 1906 through aggressive player recruitment strategies. They defeated Marion by a score of 148-0 during the 1904 season while scoring touchdowns worth five points each. Massillon signed players like Ted Nesser from the Shelby Blues to strengthen their lineup for multiple seasons. In 1905, they faced the Canton Bulldogs twice, winning both games with scores of 14-4 and 10-0. A dispute arose over the use of a lighter 10-ounce ball provided by a newspaper editor instead of the standard 16-ounce model. Despite protests from Blondy Wallace, the Tigers were declared champions of the league that year.
In 1906, coaches Blondy Wallace and Walter East conspired to manipulate the outcome of a two-game series between their teams. The plan required Canton to win the first match and Massillon to take the second, forcing a decisive third game. That final contest would determine the Ohio League championship with the largest gate revenue at stake. The Massillon Independent newspaper alleged this conspiracy involved professional gamblers attempting to fix the sport. Although neither side could prove the other threw a specific game, the scandal tarnished both reputations permanently. It marked the first known case of gambling interference in professional football history.
Massillon returned to play in 1915 after local businessmen Jack Donahue and Jack Whalen funded a new roster. They raided players from the Akron Indians while Canton signed Jim Thorpe for $250 per game. One anonymous official revealed costs reached between $1,500 and $2,000 just to field a lineup against Canton. The team finished tied with the Bulldogs at 5-2 but lost money despite record crowds. In 1917, backers dropped $4,700 at the gate even though they upset the Bulldogs once. A smaller fan base and lack of a decent ballpark prevented profitability regardless of star talent like Stan Cofall.
On the 17th of September 1920, managers gathered at Ralph Hay's Hupmobile dealership in Canton to establish the American Professional Football Association. Vernon Maginnis arrived wanting to field a traveling team under the name Massillon Tigers. Hay and other managers rejected his proposal because they feared the franchise would fail or become a road attraction. Hay announced that Massillon was withdrawing from professional football for the 1920 season. He instructed the league not to schedule any other Massillon team to prevent confusion. The original Tigers remained independent until folding in 1923 without ever joining the new league.
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Common questions
When did the Massillon Tigers professional football team form?
The Massillon Tigers formed on the 3rd of September 1903 when thirty-five local businessmen gathered inside the Hotel Sailor in Massillon, Ohio. Jack Goodrich served as manager and Ed J. Stewart became the first coach for this new franchise.
Why were the early Massillon Tigers jerseys orange and black striped?
Local vendors only possessed enough orange and black striped uniforms to outfit the entire squad during the 1903 season. These specific garments inspired the decision to christen the new team the Tigers to project strength and tradition through visual identity.
How many consecutive Ohio League championships did the Massillon Tigers win between 1903 and 1906?
The Massillon Tigers won four consecutive Ohio League championships between 1903 and 1906 through aggressive player recruitment strategies. They defeated Marion by a score of 148-0 during the 1904 season while scoring touchdowns worth five points each.
What scandal involving the Massillon Tigers marked the first known case of gambling interference in professional football history?
In 1906 coaches Blondy Wallace and Walter East conspired to manipulate the outcome of a two-game series between their teams to force a decisive third game. The Massillon Independent newspaper alleged this conspiracy involved professional gamblers attempting to fix the sport even though neither side could prove they threw a specific game.
When did the original Massillon Tigers fold after withdrawing from professional football for the 1920 season?
The original Massillon Tigers remained independent until folding in 1923 without ever joining the American Professional Football Association established on the 17th of September 1920. Vernon Maginnis arrived wanting to field a traveling team under the name Massillon Tigers but managers rejected his proposal because they feared the franchise would fail or become a road attraction.