In 1901, he began his professional career playing on the 1901 Homestead Library & Athletic Club football team.

[1] Reiter recalled trying to imitate the motion of a baseball catcher throwing to second base.

"[1] Prior to the start of the series, Syracuse A.C. under Cornell University coach, Frank "Buck" O'Neill, signed three running backs from the Watertown Red & Black, along with Hawley and his brother Bemus.

Syracuse defeated the heavily favored "New York team" in what has been called the first indoor pro football game.

The finale on New Year's night against the Orange Athletic Club resulted in another 36–0 win, and the series championship, for Pierce and Syracuse.