Columbus Panhandles

[3] In 1901, managed by William Butler of the Ohio Medical University, the Panhandles played two games against the Columbus Barracks, a team consisting of local soldiers.

[4] Butler left the Panhandles for unknown reasons, and the new manager for the 1902 season was Harry Greenwood.

[citation needed] Since the team was composed mainly of railroad workers, the scenario gave the players limited time to practice and prepare for games.

[citation needed] Carr built his team around pro football's most famous family the Nesser Brothers, who were already drawing crowds throughout the country.

[citation needed] Carr used the seven Nesser brothers as the backbone of the Panhandles, and the football-playing family remained in that role for nearly 20 years.

[15] The seven Nesser brothers, who worked as boilermakers for the Pennsylvania Railroad, were exceptionally large and strong for people living in the early 20th century.

[citation needed] Carr took out ads describing his Panhandles as the toughest professional team in football, led by the famous Nesser brothers.

[citation needed] In 1921 the Panhandles line-up included player-coach Ted Nesser and his son Charlie.

[13] The Nesser brothers nephew, Ted Hopkins and brother-in-law, John Schneider, also played on the team.

[citation needed] The Panhandles' rosters did not include many former college players or All-Americans, so the athletic field in the railroad yards was the place where the team found out who could play.

[citation needed] The press sometimes criticized the Panhandles for their rough play; but it was a big draw for the fans and a main reason many paid to attend games.

[citation needed] The majority of the early pro teams would go out of their way to schedule the Panhandles, as they knew it would be easy to advertise a game featuring the famous Nessers.

[18] On August 20, 1920, a meeting attended by representatives of four Ohio League teams—the Canton Bulldogs, the Cleveland Tigers, the Dayton Triangles, and the Akron Pros—was held.

[21] At the meeting in September, held at Ralph Hay's Hupmobile showroom, representatives of the Rock Island Independents, the Muncie Flyers, the Decatur Staleys, the Massillon Tigers, the Chicago Cardinals, the Rochester Jeffersons, and the Hammond Pros were present.

Rookie end Gus Tebell, who was also the coach, was awarded 1st Team All NFL by the Canton Daily News as well as the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

[31] Gus Sonnenberg, Paul Goebel, Jack Sack, and Bob Rapp were all awarded 1st Team All-NFL by the Canton Daily News.