Ralph Edward Hay (January 12, 1891 – July 29, 1944) was the owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918 through the 1922 season.

He set up the Ralph E. Hay Motor Company, and sold Jordan Hupmobiles and Pierce-Arrows.

The team did not compete much in 1918 due to manning issues related to the United States involvement in World War I.

On Friday, August 20, 1920, Hay met in Canton with the managers of the Akron Pros, Cleveland Tigers, and Dayton Triangles to form the American Professional Football Conference.

He then wrote to every important pro team in the Midwest, including George Halas manager of the Decatur Staleys, inviting them to meet in Canton on Friday, September 17, 1920, at 8:00 pm.

The Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Tigers, and Dayton Triangles from Ohio; the Hammond Pros and Muncie Flyers from Indiana; the Rochester Jeffersons from New York; and the Rock Island Independents, Decatur Staleys, and Racine Cardinals from Illinois.

Four other franchises the Buffalo All-Americans, Chicago Tigers, Columbus Panhandles, and Detroit Heralds would join the league later that year.

The plaque recognizes Ralph Hay and Jim Thorpe, and the historic meeting on September 17, 1920, that saw the birth of the NFL.

In 2020, Hay was named a finalist for that year's class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor for the first time, but was not elected.