The following was reported in today's issue of the Pottsville Republican and Herald:
An HBO Sports video crew tried to slip quietly into Pottsville Tuesday to shoot an “Inside the NFL” feature on the Pottsville Maroons and the lost 1925 NFL Championship, set to air Jan. 30 at 10 p.m.
Pottsville native and former Denver Broncos wide receiver Jack Dolbin was interviewed for the feature inside Pottsville Area High School late Tuesday afternoon, along with Crimson Tide football coach Kevin Keating.
The crew said they could not release any details about the project, but HBO spokesman Kevin Flaherty later confirmed the group was shooting the piece.
He said the Maroons feature will last about 10 minutes as part of a bigger Super Bowl special.
Two weeks ago, “Inside the NFL” producer Christine Wilt, also at the high school Tuesday along with the two-man camera and audio crew, said the project was not finalized, but HBO was looking into the idea and making sure they “could tell the story visually.”
Wilt said the Maroons saga was “really neat.”
The REPUBLICAN & Herald was told any other information would have to come from Flaherty, who said he didn’t know anything about the project until Tuesday.
“I didn’t even know there was a team,” Flaherty said in a phone interview Tuesday evening.
David Fleming’s “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” was released Oct. 9, renewing interest in the legendary football team. An online petition supporting the Maroons and urging the NFL to return the title received 10,772 signatures as of Tuesday night.
Others interviewed for the program include Pottsville Mayor John D.W. Reiley, Maroons historian Nick Barbetta, and patrons at the Maroons Sports Bar and Grill Tuesday afternoon, according to Flaherty.
The hour long program airs each Wednesday at 10 p.m. on HBO and features recaps of NFL game highlights from the previous Sunday as well as special programs such as the Super Bowl show.
The Maroons defeated the Chicago Cardinals in 1925 NFL championship game, only to lose the title less than two weeks later after playing an exhibition game against the famed Notre Dame Four Horsemen squad at Shibe Park, Philadelphia.
The title was awarded to the Cardinals, who later moved to Arizona.
In 2003, NFL owners voted 30-2 against opening a new discussion about the Maroons’ claim to the title.
Only Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney voted in the Maroons’ favor.
In October, Lurie and Rooney said they still back the team.
Meanwhile, Fleming has written a new piece on the Maroons for a special Super Bowl issue of ESPN the Magazine, which hits shelves Jan. 31.
On Tuesday night, Fleming appeared on “It’s Your Call With Lynn Doyle” on Comcast CN8 in Philadelphia to talk about the Maroons.
Fleming also said he plans to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the week leading up to the Super Bowl to “pick his brain” about new Maroons discussions.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Local family sent book to president
The following was reported in today's issue of the Pottsville Republican and Herald:
George F. Halcovage and his wife, Barbara Marie, said Wednesday they were responsible for sending a copy of David Fleming’s book about the Pottsville Maroons 1925 championship to President Bush.
“It was actually via my wife, to my son-in-law, to the president’s aide and to the president,” said George, an insurance agent who resides in Pottsville.
On Tuesday, Fleming received a handwritten letter from Bush praising the book. And while the author recalled meeting someone from Pottsville in October who asked him to sign a book for Bush, he wasn’t sure who it was.
Fleming said support from the president might encourage more people to sign an online petition he started Oct. 16 at www.petitiononline.com/Maroons to encourage the NFL owners to return the 1925 championship to the legendary team. It’s received a total of 10,294 signatures as of 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Barbara said seeing the newspaper Wednesday and reading the president’s response to the book was “terrific.”
“I guess I wasn’t surprised. I see him as that kind of person, just real personable, to take the time to have done that. I thought it was great,” Barbara said.
She got the idea to send a copy of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” to Bush on Oct. 12 while standing in line to have Fleming autograph six copies at Good-Will Christian Book Store, 310 N. Centre St.
It was a long line. In fact, the store’s owner, Roy W. Musser, said what was planned as a two-hour event lasted more than four hours.
“It was like a two-hour wait and a lot goes through your mind when you’re just standing there,” Barbara said.
In particular, she thought about the legendary team and the time Lasting Legacy of Pottsville tried to encourage the NFL owners to return the 1925 title.
On Dec. 6, 1925, the Maroons defeated the Chicago Cardinals 21-7 at Chicago for the National League Championship. But the NFL stripped the Maroons of the title because on Dec. 12, 1925, the Maroons defeated a non-NFL team, the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame, 9-7, in an exhibition game at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, and the Philadelphia-based Frankford Yellow Jackets claimed the Maroons invaded their territory.
Even though Lasting Legacy mounted a campaign to secure the Maroons’ place in history, in October 2003, NFL owners voted 30-2 against discussing the reinstatement of the 1925 NFL championship.
“And I thought, ‘Hey, what can I do to help the cause here?’ ” Barbara said.
Since her son-in-law, Lt. Peter Dwyer, works at the White House — he’s a watch officer for the operations division of the White House Military Office, according to a spokesman from that office — Barbara thought perhaps she could get a copy of “Breaker Boys” to the commander-in-chief.
“I’ve heard he’s a great reader and a sports fan and I thought, heck, maybe he’ll read our book,” Barbara said.
However, when she got to the front of the line, all the store’s copies had sold out.
“I was like ‘oh, brother,’ And it kind of just bugged me all afternoon, because I knew (Fleming) was still in town,” she said.
Later that night, Barbara and her husband got a second opportunity to purchase a book and meet Fleming at Maroons Sports Bar & Grill, 556 N. Centre St.
Barbara said, “I heard he was going there after the Pottsville game and sure enough he came in. I said, ‘Oh my gosh, go down and see if you can buy a book, George.’ ”
When George asked Fleming to sign a copy for Bush, Fleming wasn’t sure what to think.
“I remember him trying to explain his connection to the White House. So, I mean, it sounded legit, but it’s one of those things,” Fleming said.
George told Fleming: “Tell him what you think about the community and put a plug in for us.”
Fleming went along and wrote: “To President Bush — As a sports buff I know you’ll enjoy this book. And when you finish it you’ll know what this great team and great town have meant to the NFL.” George and Barbara gave the book to Dwyer to deliver to the White House. Dwyer could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
And Bush responded, stating in a Dec. 12 letter to Fleming: “You were correct. I did enjoy the book. You are a fine writer. And your history of the Maroons was illuminating.”
Bush could not be reached for comment Tuesday or Wednesday.
“I think the fact the president read it is really shocking to me,” Fleming said.
Fleming said his daughters, Ally, 6, and Kate, 3, were so impressed, they told him to use a magnet to attach the president’s letter to the refrigerator at their Davidson, N.C., home, where the children post drawings and test papers with high marks.
“I made a copy and put it next to a picture of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and one of Ally’s tests. I think it’s hilarious,” Fleming said.
George F. Halcovage and his wife, Barbara Marie, said Wednesday they were responsible for sending a copy of David Fleming’s book about the Pottsville Maroons 1925 championship to President Bush.
“It was actually via my wife, to my son-in-law, to the president’s aide and to the president,” said George, an insurance agent who resides in Pottsville.
On Tuesday, Fleming received a handwritten letter from Bush praising the book. And while the author recalled meeting someone from Pottsville in October who asked him to sign a book for Bush, he wasn’t sure who it was.
Fleming said support from the president might encourage more people to sign an online petition he started Oct. 16 at www.petitiononline.com/Maroons to encourage the NFL owners to return the 1925 championship to the legendary team. It’s received a total of 10,294 signatures as of 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Barbara said seeing the newspaper Wednesday and reading the president’s response to the book was “terrific.”
“I guess I wasn’t surprised. I see him as that kind of person, just real personable, to take the time to have done that. I thought it was great,” Barbara said.
She got the idea to send a copy of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” to Bush on Oct. 12 while standing in line to have Fleming autograph six copies at Good-Will Christian Book Store, 310 N. Centre St.
It was a long line. In fact, the store’s owner, Roy W. Musser, said what was planned as a two-hour event lasted more than four hours.
“It was like a two-hour wait and a lot goes through your mind when you’re just standing there,” Barbara said.
In particular, she thought about the legendary team and the time Lasting Legacy of Pottsville tried to encourage the NFL owners to return the 1925 title.
On Dec. 6, 1925, the Maroons defeated the Chicago Cardinals 21-7 at Chicago for the National League Championship. But the NFL stripped the Maroons of the title because on Dec. 12, 1925, the Maroons defeated a non-NFL team, the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame, 9-7, in an exhibition game at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, and the Philadelphia-based Frankford Yellow Jackets claimed the Maroons invaded their territory.
Even though Lasting Legacy mounted a campaign to secure the Maroons’ place in history, in October 2003, NFL owners voted 30-2 against discussing the reinstatement of the 1925 NFL championship.
“And I thought, ‘Hey, what can I do to help the cause here?’ ” Barbara said.
Since her son-in-law, Lt. Peter Dwyer, works at the White House — he’s a watch officer for the operations division of the White House Military Office, according to a spokesman from that office — Barbara thought perhaps she could get a copy of “Breaker Boys” to the commander-in-chief.
“I’ve heard he’s a great reader and a sports fan and I thought, heck, maybe he’ll read our book,” Barbara said.
However, when she got to the front of the line, all the store’s copies had sold out.
“I was like ‘oh, brother,’ And it kind of just bugged me all afternoon, because I knew (Fleming) was still in town,” she said.
Later that night, Barbara and her husband got a second opportunity to purchase a book and meet Fleming at Maroons Sports Bar & Grill, 556 N. Centre St.
Barbara said, “I heard he was going there after the Pottsville game and sure enough he came in. I said, ‘Oh my gosh, go down and see if you can buy a book, George.’ ”
When George asked Fleming to sign a copy for Bush, Fleming wasn’t sure what to think.
“I remember him trying to explain his connection to the White House. So, I mean, it sounded legit, but it’s one of those things,” Fleming said.
George told Fleming: “Tell him what you think about the community and put a plug in for us.”
Fleming went along and wrote: “To President Bush — As a sports buff I know you’ll enjoy this book. And when you finish it you’ll know what this great team and great town have meant to the NFL.” George and Barbara gave the book to Dwyer to deliver to the White House. Dwyer could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
And Bush responded, stating in a Dec. 12 letter to Fleming: “You were correct. I did enjoy the book. You are a fine writer. And your history of the Maroons was illuminating.”
Bush could not be reached for comment Tuesday or Wednesday.
“I think the fact the president read it is really shocking to me,” Fleming said.
Fleming said his daughters, Ally, 6, and Kate, 3, were so impressed, they told him to use a magnet to attach the president’s letter to the refrigerator at their Davidson, N.C., home, where the children post drawings and test papers with high marks.
“I made a copy and put it next to a picture of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and one of Ally’s tests. I think it’s hilarious,” Fleming said.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
‘Breaker Boys’ author surprised by hand-written note from White House
The following was reported in today's issue of the Pottsville Republican and Herald:
President Bush called David Fleming’s book on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons “illuminating” in a surprise hand-written letter to the author dated Dec. 12 and delivered Tuesday.
“I just finished ‘Breaker Boys.’ You were correct. I did enjoy the book. You are a fine writer. And your history of the Maroons was illuminating,” Bush said in the letter sent to Fleming’s Davidson, N.C., home.
After opening it Tuesday morning, the author said he found the “rather thoughtful” letter in blue pen on White House letterhead.
“The way this book has gone so far, nothing surprises me anymore,” said Fleming, a writer for ESPN: The Magazine who was greeted by long lines and signed thousands of copies of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” while promoting the book in Pottsville in October and earlier this month.
Fleming started an online petition Oct. 16 to encourage the NFL owners to return the 1925 championship to the legendary team. It’s received a total of 10,275 signatures as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.
He said the president’s comments will become “more ammunition for supporters. If people run across a skeptic, or somebody who just wants to say ‘it’s 82 years ago, let’s let it go,’ it’s pretty nice to say to the commissioner of the NFL ‘the president of the United States begs to differ.’ ”
The president’s letter impressed Mayor John D.W. Reiley.
“How about that. It shows that the book’s getting around, from the streets of little ol’ Pottsville all the way up to the White House. And I think the president’s comments are pretty consistent with what other people are saying about the book. All the comments are favorable,” Reiley said.
Alex Conant, a White House spokesman, said Bush is a “voracious reader.”
“He reads a lot of books. And typically the White House doesn’t do book and movie reviews, but I will check out to see if I can find out anything more about this letter,” Conant said.
No further comment was made by late Tuesday.
“Somebody from the White House had contacted ESPN looking for my address. So I felt something was going on, but I was expecting like a stamped photo, not expecting a hand-written note that he had actually read it and enjoyed it,” Fleming said.
Fleming said he isn’t sure how the president received a copy of the book, but believes it was sent by someone who attended a book signing in Pottsville.
“I remember the first time I was in Pottsville, somebody in one of the long lines had me sign a copy for him. And they explained that either they worked in D.C. or knew somebody who worked in D.C., I don’t remember exactly who it was. But my guess is that’s how it got to him,” Fleming said.
Reiley said he does not know who sent the book to the president, though City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar thought it could be U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III, a Pottsville native.
But when contacted in Harrisburg Tuesday, Jones said it wasn’t him.
The president ended his letter to Fleming stating: “I appreciate having an inscribed copy of the book. With best wishes, George Bush.”
President Bush called David Fleming’s book on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons “illuminating” in a surprise hand-written letter to the author dated Dec. 12 and delivered Tuesday.
“I just finished ‘Breaker Boys.’ You were correct. I did enjoy the book. You are a fine writer. And your history of the Maroons was illuminating,” Bush said in the letter sent to Fleming’s Davidson, N.C., home.
After opening it Tuesday morning, the author said he found the “rather thoughtful” letter in blue pen on White House letterhead.
“The way this book has gone so far, nothing surprises me anymore,” said Fleming, a writer for ESPN: The Magazine who was greeted by long lines and signed thousands of copies of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” while promoting the book in Pottsville in October and earlier this month.
Fleming started an online petition Oct. 16 to encourage the NFL owners to return the 1925 championship to the legendary team. It’s received a total of 10,275 signatures as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.
He said the president’s comments will become “more ammunition for supporters. If people run across a skeptic, or somebody who just wants to say ‘it’s 82 years ago, let’s let it go,’ it’s pretty nice to say to the commissioner of the NFL ‘the president of the United States begs to differ.’ ”
The president’s letter impressed Mayor John D.W. Reiley.
“How about that. It shows that the book’s getting around, from the streets of little ol’ Pottsville all the way up to the White House. And I think the president’s comments are pretty consistent with what other people are saying about the book. All the comments are favorable,” Reiley said.
Alex Conant, a White House spokesman, said Bush is a “voracious reader.”
“He reads a lot of books. And typically the White House doesn’t do book and movie reviews, but I will check out to see if I can find out anything more about this letter,” Conant said.
No further comment was made by late Tuesday.
“Somebody from the White House had contacted ESPN looking for my address. So I felt something was going on, but I was expecting like a stamped photo, not expecting a hand-written note that he had actually read it and enjoyed it,” Fleming said.
Fleming said he isn’t sure how the president received a copy of the book, but believes it was sent by someone who attended a book signing in Pottsville.
“I remember the first time I was in Pottsville, somebody in one of the long lines had me sign a copy for him. And they explained that either they worked in D.C. or knew somebody who worked in D.C., I don’t remember exactly who it was. But my guess is that’s how it got to him,” Fleming said.
Reiley said he does not know who sent the book to the president, though City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar thought it could be U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III, a Pottsville native.
But when contacted in Harrisburg Tuesday, Jones said it wasn’t him.
The president ended his letter to Fleming stating: “I appreciate having an inscribed copy of the book. With best wishes, George Bush.”
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Maroons book mailed to NFL owners; author wraps up tour
The following was reported in today's issue of the Pottsville Republican and Herald:
In an effort to win further support for the Pottsville Maroons, Lasting Legacy of Pottsville mailed copies of David Fleming’s book about the legendary team to 19 of the 32 NFL owners Tuesday, according to Pottsville Mayor John D.W. Reiley.
While Lasting Legacy may send packages — which include a letter signed by Reiley and Gov. Ed Rendell — to other teams, Reiley said, “I don’t think there’s any plan to hit the others. ESPN more or less has contacts for the ones we’re sending out.”
“You only need a handful of owners, half a dozen, to get behind the team the way the region is and you’ll really start to see the issue move,” Fleming said Tuesday, the final day of his second promotional tour for “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” published by ESPN Books on Oct. 9.
It was an event-filled week for the ESPN The Magazine writer from Davidson, N.C., who signed hundreds of books, traveled to Harrisburg on Monday to watch the state House of Representatives approve a resolution to support the team, and shook hands with George P. Graham of Pine Grove, who wrote and recorded two songs dedicated to “The Great Pottsville Maroons.”
“In many ways it was more exciting than the first trip. It felt like we were launching the book and the cause to a whole other level,” Fleming said.
His latest tour wrapped Tuesday afternoon at the Pennsylvania Cable Network studio in Harrisburg, where he was interviewed and taped for the show “PA Books.” Fleming called the interview “in depth.” It was slated to air in February, but Fleming said he hopes it’s scheduled sooner.
Fleming caught a 7:55 p.m. flight out of Harrisburg Tuesday and arrived in Charlotte, N.C. just after 9.
As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, he’s gathered signatures on a petition to vindicate the team. He’s planning to take them directly to the NFL owners Feb. 3 at Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
And since October, Fleming has also been giving Lasting Legacy of Pottsville advice on how to connect with NFL owners, who could become potential supporters. On Nov. 30, he said he recommended the names of 21 of the 32 NFL owners who should receive copies of “Breaker Boys.”
But Reiley said in fact it was 20 NFL owners.
On Tuesday, Lasting Legacy mailed 20 packages containing the book, letter signed by Reiley and Rendell, a copy of a six-page article about the Pottsville Maroons written by Fleming in 2003, “Lost In Time,” published in ESPN Magazine, a copy of “Breaker Boys and a DVD copy of a ESPN video history of the Maroons.
Two packages were sent to representatives of the San Francisco 49ers, based on Fleming’s recommendations, according to Arlene Sibbett, Reiley’s secretary.
Reiley said the Philadelphia Eagles have already received a copy of the book.
“That’s why the numbers might be a bit off,” he said.
Single packages were also mailed to these teams: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a list provided by Sibbett.
Reiley also contacted those teams to notify them the packages were in the mail, Sibbett said.
The letter signed by Reiley and Rendell included with them states:
“As an NFL owner, you understand better than most the importance of honoring NFL pioneers, teams and towns that helped to make football our national pastime. Today, we would like to introduce you to one of those important teams — the Pottsville Maroons.
“Led by the indomitable running back, Tony Latone, this charismatic team from Pennsylvania coal country was universally regarded as the best football team in the world in 1925. After rolling over the NFL in their first season in the league, they also defeated Notre Dame (and its Four Horsemen) in an exhibition game in Philadelphia, in what was described as the greatest game ever seen. Pottsville’s win helped legitimize the fledging NFL. Yet instead of being rewarded for their pioneering efforts, the Maroons were unfairly stripped of the title by the league president for playing a game outside their own territory.
“We believe that the overwhelming evidence — as laid out in David Fleming’s recently published book ‘Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship — proves that the Pottsville Maroons are the true 1925 champions. It is a cause that the City of Pottsville and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have been working on for more than eight decades — one that is also supported by such pillars of the game as George Halas, Art and Dan Rooney, Red Grange, Paul Tagliabue, George Preston Marshall and Jeff Lurie.
“Accompanying this letter is an article from ESPN: The Magazine, which contains David Fleming’s original article on the Maroons, a DVD on the team that ESPN produced, and a signed copy of ‘Breaker Boys,’ which has already been optioned for the movies. We are not asking for your support of the Maroons or for any action on the team’s behalf — we simply hope to inform you about this very important and entertaining team. We are confident that, just like thousands of football fans before you, once you learn more about the incredible story you will eagerly join us in our quest to return the 1925 NFL title to its rightful owner, the Pottsville Maroons.”
In an effort to win further support for the Pottsville Maroons, Lasting Legacy of Pottsville mailed copies of David Fleming’s book about the legendary team to 19 of the 32 NFL owners Tuesday, according to Pottsville Mayor John D.W. Reiley.
While Lasting Legacy may send packages — which include a letter signed by Reiley and Gov. Ed Rendell — to other teams, Reiley said, “I don’t think there’s any plan to hit the others. ESPN more or less has contacts for the ones we’re sending out.”
“You only need a handful of owners, half a dozen, to get behind the team the way the region is and you’ll really start to see the issue move,” Fleming said Tuesday, the final day of his second promotional tour for “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” published by ESPN Books on Oct. 9.
It was an event-filled week for the ESPN The Magazine writer from Davidson, N.C., who signed hundreds of books, traveled to Harrisburg on Monday to watch the state House of Representatives approve a resolution to support the team, and shook hands with George P. Graham of Pine Grove, who wrote and recorded two songs dedicated to “The Great Pottsville Maroons.”
“In many ways it was more exciting than the first trip. It felt like we were launching the book and the cause to a whole other level,” Fleming said.
His latest tour wrapped Tuesday afternoon at the Pennsylvania Cable Network studio in Harrisburg, where he was interviewed and taped for the show “PA Books.” Fleming called the interview “in depth.” It was slated to air in February, but Fleming said he hopes it’s scheduled sooner.
Fleming caught a 7:55 p.m. flight out of Harrisburg Tuesday and arrived in Charlotte, N.C. just after 9.
As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, he’s gathered signatures on a petition to vindicate the team. He’s planning to take them directly to the NFL owners Feb. 3 at Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
And since October, Fleming has also been giving Lasting Legacy of Pottsville advice on how to connect with NFL owners, who could become potential supporters. On Nov. 30, he said he recommended the names of 21 of the 32 NFL owners who should receive copies of “Breaker Boys.”
But Reiley said in fact it was 20 NFL owners.
On Tuesday, Lasting Legacy mailed 20 packages containing the book, letter signed by Reiley and Rendell, a copy of a six-page article about the Pottsville Maroons written by Fleming in 2003, “Lost In Time,” published in ESPN Magazine, a copy of “Breaker Boys and a DVD copy of a ESPN video history of the Maroons.
Two packages were sent to representatives of the San Francisco 49ers, based on Fleming’s recommendations, according to Arlene Sibbett, Reiley’s secretary.
Reiley said the Philadelphia Eagles have already received a copy of the book.
“That’s why the numbers might be a bit off,” he said.
Single packages were also mailed to these teams: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a list provided by Sibbett.
Reiley also contacted those teams to notify them the packages were in the mail, Sibbett said.
The letter signed by Reiley and Rendell included with them states:
“As an NFL owner, you understand better than most the importance of honoring NFL pioneers, teams and towns that helped to make football our national pastime. Today, we would like to introduce you to one of those important teams — the Pottsville Maroons.
“Led by the indomitable running back, Tony Latone, this charismatic team from Pennsylvania coal country was universally regarded as the best football team in the world in 1925. After rolling over the NFL in their first season in the league, they also defeated Notre Dame (and its Four Horsemen) in an exhibition game in Philadelphia, in what was described as the greatest game ever seen. Pottsville’s win helped legitimize the fledging NFL. Yet instead of being rewarded for their pioneering efforts, the Maroons were unfairly stripped of the title by the league president for playing a game outside their own territory.
“We believe that the overwhelming evidence — as laid out in David Fleming’s recently published book ‘Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship — proves that the Pottsville Maroons are the true 1925 champions. It is a cause that the City of Pottsville and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have been working on for more than eight decades — one that is also supported by such pillars of the game as George Halas, Art and Dan Rooney, Red Grange, Paul Tagliabue, George Preston Marshall and Jeff Lurie.
“Accompanying this letter is an article from ESPN: The Magazine, which contains David Fleming’s original article on the Maroons, a DVD on the team that ESPN produced, and a signed copy of ‘Breaker Boys,’ which has already been optioned for the movies. We are not asking for your support of the Maroons or for any action on the team’s behalf — we simply hope to inform you about this very important and entertaining team. We are confident that, just like thousands of football fans before you, once you learn more about the incredible story you will eagerly join us in our quest to return the 1925 NFL title to its rightful owner, the Pottsville Maroons.”
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Maroons petition garners 10,000 signatures
The following was reported in today's issue of the Pottsville Republican and Herald:
After being online for nearly two months, the counter on David Fleming’s petition encouraging the NFL owners to give the Pottsville Maroons their 1925 championship title now has more than 10,000 signatures.
Fleming, author of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” said he had a feeling it would reach that number, after facing a “mob scene” at Bor-ders in Harrisburg on Saturday af-ternoon.
“There were 75 people waiting in line when I got there and the only thing that stopped the signing was they ran out of books,” Fleming said.
In an effort to continue to advertise “Breaker Boys” in the region and encourage people to log onto the Internet and sign the petition, Fleming, a writer for ESPN The Magazine from Davidson, N.C., returned to Pottsville on Wednesday and will be signing books at a series of events ending Tuesday.
He said his second promotional tour in the area for “Breaker Boys” is turning out to be much more successful than the first.
“It’s hard to ignore the proof. It’s doing exactly what we want,” he said.
Fleming said the daughter of Maroons Coach Dick Rauch, Alison Rauch Dudley, broke the news to him about the petition reaching the 10,000 mark at a book-signing at the Historical Society of Schuylkill County, Pottsville, on Saturday morning.
“That was initially my goal when we started the petition, and immediately when it just took off, I knew that we would hit it. To me that number is astronomical in this day and age. To get that many people is unheard of,” Fleming said.
Fleming started the petition Oct. 16, just after his first promotional tour for “Breaker Boys,” released Oct. 9. As of 11 p.m. Saturday, the petition gained 10,013 signatures.
Pottsville Mayor John D.W. Reiley said when he checked the counter Friday afternoon and saw the total was around 9,960, he said, “I figured it would go over this weekend. I think it’s great. It’s one threshold we want to get by now, and we’re going for 25,000. We’re going to keep going,” Reiley said.
Fleming said he’s hoping the show of support continues to build in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Staduim, Glendale, Ariz., where Fleming will present the petition to the NFL owners Feb. 3.
He’s not sure how many signatures the petition will ultimately collect.
“You know, I really don’t know. I’d hate to put a number on it, because if we don’t hit it, it will seem like we came up short. But I think everything on top of this is just gravy,” Fleming said.
The number of signatures accumulated at www.petitiononline.com/Maroons is close the number of books that have sold, “north of 10,000,” according to the book’s editor, Michael Solomon, New York.
“I signed 150 books today and I’d say at least 75 people mentioned signing the petition or spreading the word,” Fleming said.
Fleming said Lasting Legacy of Pottsville sold between 60 and 70 copies at the historical society Saturday morning.
Since this second promotional tour is turning into a success, ESPN Books might plan a third, Fleming said.
After being online for nearly two months, the counter on David Fleming’s petition encouraging the NFL owners to give the Pottsville Maroons their 1925 championship title now has more than 10,000 signatures.
Fleming, author of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” said he had a feeling it would reach that number, after facing a “mob scene” at Bor-ders in Harrisburg on Saturday af-ternoon.
“There were 75 people waiting in line when I got there and the only thing that stopped the signing was they ran out of books,” Fleming said.
In an effort to continue to advertise “Breaker Boys” in the region and encourage people to log onto the Internet and sign the petition, Fleming, a writer for ESPN The Magazine from Davidson, N.C., returned to Pottsville on Wednesday and will be signing books at a series of events ending Tuesday.
He said his second promotional tour in the area for “Breaker Boys” is turning out to be much more successful than the first.
“It’s hard to ignore the proof. It’s doing exactly what we want,” he said.
Fleming said the daughter of Maroons Coach Dick Rauch, Alison Rauch Dudley, broke the news to him about the petition reaching the 10,000 mark at a book-signing at the Historical Society of Schuylkill County, Pottsville, on Saturday morning.
“That was initially my goal when we started the petition, and immediately when it just took off, I knew that we would hit it. To me that number is astronomical in this day and age. To get that many people is unheard of,” Fleming said.
Fleming started the petition Oct. 16, just after his first promotional tour for “Breaker Boys,” released Oct. 9. As of 11 p.m. Saturday, the petition gained 10,013 signatures.
Pottsville Mayor John D.W. Reiley said when he checked the counter Friday afternoon and saw the total was around 9,960, he said, “I figured it would go over this weekend. I think it’s great. It’s one threshold we want to get by now, and we’re going for 25,000. We’re going to keep going,” Reiley said.
Fleming said he’s hoping the show of support continues to build in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Staduim, Glendale, Ariz., where Fleming will present the petition to the NFL owners Feb. 3.
He’s not sure how many signatures the petition will ultimately collect.
“You know, I really don’t know. I’d hate to put a number on it, because if we don’t hit it, it will seem like we came up short. But I think everything on top of this is just gravy,” Fleming said.
The number of signatures accumulated at www.petitiononline.com/Maroons is close the number of books that have sold, “north of 10,000,” according to the book’s editor, Michael Solomon, New York.
“I signed 150 books today and I’d say at least 75 people mentioned signing the petition or spreading the word,” Fleming said.
Fleming said Lasting Legacy of Pottsville sold between 60 and 70 copies at the historical society Saturday morning.
Since this second promotional tour is turning into a success, ESPN Books might plan a third, Fleming said.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Maroons memories shared
The following was reported in today's issue of the Pottsville Republican and Herald:
Continuing a tour of the region to promote his book on the Pottsville Maroons, David Fleming signed copies Friday morning for a generation of people who lived during the team's heyday.
They included Paul Dimmerling, 88, of Pottsville, who grew up on the 1800 block of Market Street, just a few doors down from Maroons' wingback and punter, Howard "Fungy" Lebengood.
"I knew him personally. I knew the whole family. Fungy was quite a guy, real big man. I saw Fungy play in Minersville ball park. Can't remember the years. But he was just a grand player and a wonderful fella," said Dimmerling, one of the people who came out to a breakfast/book-signing at Providence Place Retirement Community, 2200 First Ave., Pottsville.
So impressed by some of the people he met Friday, Fleming said, "I wish I would have been in touch with some of these guys a couple years earlier."
Fleming will continue his second promotional tour for "Breaker Boys: The NFL's Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship" today, with a book-signing at the Historical Society of Schuylkill County, 310 N. Centre St., Pottsville, from 9 to 11 a.m.; a signing at Borders in Harrisburg at 2 p.m.; a Pep Rally for the Pottsville Maroons at Schuylkill YMCA, 520 N. Centre St., Pottsville, sponsored by state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125; and a meet-and-greet at Maroons Sports Bar & Grill, 556 N. Centre St., Pottsville.
The book tells the story of the team which was stripped of the league championship after playing an exhibition game with a non-NFL team. Released Oct. 9, it's becoming more and more popular and has so far sold more than 10,000 copies, according to the book's editor, Michael Solomon, New York.
Since Wednesday, Lasting Legacy sold about half of the supply of 500 copies of "Breaker Boys" it purchased for Fleming's second promotional tour of the area, said city Administrator Thomas A. Palamar.
Palamar said five boxes of "Breaker Boys" books sold during Fleming's two-hour signing at Weis Markets, Pottsville Park Plaza, on Thursday.
Fleming said there was a decent crowd when he signed books for an hour and 20 minutes at Moravian Book Shop, Bethlehem, Thursday night. "It was probably the best non-Pottsville signing yet. It gave me the feeling it's starting to spread out," Fleming said.
"It shows me what potential there is out there for this to evolve into something bigger than just the book. It's hitting a chord with people," Palamar said.
And Lasting Legacy of Pottsville sold over 70 copies at Providence Place on Friday morning, according to Providence Place of Pottsville Administrator Cindy Petchulis.
Meanwhile, Fleming is collecting signatures on an online petition in an effort to restore the Maroons' place in history. And he's tentatively planning to deliver it to the NFL owners Feb. 3 at Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Chicago was the original home of the Cardinals, the team that received the 1925 National Football League championship that was stripped from the Maroons.
So far the petition at www.petitiononline.com/Maroons has accumulated 9,978 signatures as of 11 p.m. Friday.
Stanley Mick, 87, a Saint Clair native who's now a resident of Providence Place, said he's not sure how well Fleming's online petition will fare.
"I think it's good, but I don't know what the chances are. The owners now, they don't care too much about what's going on here. I'm supporting the cause, but I'm not altogether optimistic," Mick said.
A line of about 20 people gathered in the lobby of Providence Place to meet Fleming just after 9 a.m. Friday. Among them was Dimmerling.
"I believe his brother was mascot for the team," Fleming said.
Indeed, Dimmerling's brother, William G. Jr., a 1932 graduate of Pottsville High School, was the "mascot," Paul Dimmerling said.
William Dimmerling traveled around with the team, stood on the sidelines, "and if the football went astray, he'd go get the football," Paul Dimmerling said.
William Dimmerling died in March 2004 at age 91.
In the 1990s, Paul Dimmerling was part of a local effort to petition the NFL on behalf of the Maroons, and wears a "Maroons 1925" ring crafted a decade ago to honor that effort.
Paul Dimmerling hadn't read "Breaker Boys" yet, but is looking forward to it.
"I paged through it a little bit, but it certainly looks wonderful," he said.
Some Providence Place residents have had brushes with members of the famous team, including Eleanor McDermott, 98, of Pottsville.
After she graduated from Pottsville High School in 1925, she said she went to work for a Pottsville architect who was friends with the team's owner, Dr. J.G. Streigel, Pottsville, who invested in the Maroons.
She couldn't clearly remember the name of the man she worked for, but said she'll never forget how the Pottsville Maroons came by his office on the sixth floor of 101 N. Centre St.
"They came in for their checks during the day. I only remember one time they came in for them. I didn't know them, but they were nice guys," McDermott said.
Another resident, Mary Spehrley, 91, said she read "Breaker Boys" and had her copy personalized when Fleming attended his first official book signing in Pottsville at the Historical Society of Schuylkill County on Oct. 10.
"I don't really remember the Maroons team. I remember my husband talking about them. I read the book, read it that weekend right after (Fleming) was here. I read the whole thing through real quick. It was very good, and I hope they get this movie going," Spehrley said.
Sentinel Entertainment, Los Angeles, is co-producing the "Breaker Boys" film project with Fortress Features, Los Angeles, and Solaris Entertainment, Venice, Calif., but the writer's strike has prevented them from shopping the script around to film companies, Patrick Rizzotti, a partner of Fortress Features, said recently.
"If that movie is made," Spehrley said, "it will be a big, big plus."
Continuing a tour of the region to promote his book on the Pottsville Maroons, David Fleming signed copies Friday morning for a generation of people who lived during the team's heyday.
They included Paul Dimmerling, 88, of Pottsville, who grew up on the 1800 block of Market Street, just a few doors down from Maroons' wingback and punter, Howard "Fungy" Lebengood.
"I knew him personally. I knew the whole family. Fungy was quite a guy, real big man. I saw Fungy play in Minersville ball park. Can't remember the years. But he was just a grand player and a wonderful fella," said Dimmerling, one of the people who came out to a breakfast/book-signing at Providence Place Retirement Community, 2200 First Ave., Pottsville.
So impressed by some of the people he met Friday, Fleming said, "I wish I would have been in touch with some of these guys a couple years earlier."
Fleming will continue his second promotional tour for "Breaker Boys: The NFL's Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship" today, with a book-signing at the Historical Society of Schuylkill County, 310 N. Centre St., Pottsville, from 9 to 11 a.m.; a signing at Borders in Harrisburg at 2 p.m.; a Pep Rally for the Pottsville Maroons at Schuylkill YMCA, 520 N. Centre St., Pottsville, sponsored by state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125; and a meet-and-greet at Maroons Sports Bar & Grill, 556 N. Centre St., Pottsville.
The book tells the story of the team which was stripped of the league championship after playing an exhibition game with a non-NFL team. Released Oct. 9, it's becoming more and more popular and has so far sold more than 10,000 copies, according to the book's editor, Michael Solomon, New York.
Since Wednesday, Lasting Legacy sold about half of the supply of 500 copies of "Breaker Boys" it purchased for Fleming's second promotional tour of the area, said city Administrator Thomas A. Palamar.
Palamar said five boxes of "Breaker Boys" books sold during Fleming's two-hour signing at Weis Markets, Pottsville Park Plaza, on Thursday.
Fleming said there was a decent crowd when he signed books for an hour and 20 minutes at Moravian Book Shop, Bethlehem, Thursday night. "It was probably the best non-Pottsville signing yet. It gave me the feeling it's starting to spread out," Fleming said.
"It shows me what potential there is out there for this to evolve into something bigger than just the book. It's hitting a chord with people," Palamar said.
And Lasting Legacy of Pottsville sold over 70 copies at Providence Place on Friday morning, according to Providence Place of Pottsville Administrator Cindy Petchulis.
Meanwhile, Fleming is collecting signatures on an online petition in an effort to restore the Maroons' place in history. And he's tentatively planning to deliver it to the NFL owners Feb. 3 at Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Chicago was the original home of the Cardinals, the team that received the 1925 National Football League championship that was stripped from the Maroons.
So far the petition at www.petitiononline.com/Maroons has accumulated 9,978 signatures as of 11 p.m. Friday.
Stanley Mick, 87, a Saint Clair native who's now a resident of Providence Place, said he's not sure how well Fleming's online petition will fare.
"I think it's good, but I don't know what the chances are. The owners now, they don't care too much about what's going on here. I'm supporting the cause, but I'm not altogether optimistic," Mick said.
A line of about 20 people gathered in the lobby of Providence Place to meet Fleming just after 9 a.m. Friday. Among them was Dimmerling.
"I believe his brother was mascot for the team," Fleming said.
Indeed, Dimmerling's brother, William G. Jr., a 1932 graduate of Pottsville High School, was the "mascot," Paul Dimmerling said.
William Dimmerling traveled around with the team, stood on the sidelines, "and if the football went astray, he'd go get the football," Paul Dimmerling said.
William Dimmerling died in March 2004 at age 91.
In the 1990s, Paul Dimmerling was part of a local effort to petition the NFL on behalf of the Maroons, and wears a "Maroons 1925" ring crafted a decade ago to honor that effort.
Paul Dimmerling hadn't read "Breaker Boys" yet, but is looking forward to it.
"I paged through it a little bit, but it certainly looks wonderful," he said.
Some Providence Place residents have had brushes with members of the famous team, including Eleanor McDermott, 98, of Pottsville.
After she graduated from Pottsville High School in 1925, she said she went to work for a Pottsville architect who was friends with the team's owner, Dr. J.G. Streigel, Pottsville, who invested in the Maroons.
She couldn't clearly remember the name of the man she worked for, but said she'll never forget how the Pottsville Maroons came by his office on the sixth floor of 101 N. Centre St.
"They came in for their checks during the day. I only remember one time they came in for them. I didn't know them, but they were nice guys," McDermott said.
Another resident, Mary Spehrley, 91, said she read "Breaker Boys" and had her copy personalized when Fleming attended his first official book signing in Pottsville at the Historical Society of Schuylkill County on Oct. 10.
"I don't really remember the Maroons team. I remember my husband talking about them. I read the book, read it that weekend right after (Fleming) was here. I read the whole thing through real quick. It was very good, and I hope they get this movie going," Spehrley said.
Sentinel Entertainment, Los Angeles, is co-producing the "Breaker Boys" film project with Fortress Features, Los Angeles, and Solaris Entertainment, Venice, Calif., but the writer's strike has prevented them from shopping the script around to film companies, Patrick Rizzotti, a partner of Fortress Features, said recently.
"If that movie is made," Spehrley said, "it will be a big, big plus."
Friday, December 7, 2007
Pine Grove songwriter sings Maroons praises
The following was reported in today's issue of the Pottsville Republican and Herald:
Strumming a six-string acoustic guitar in front of a microphone Thursday afternoon, George P. Graham of Pine Grove recorded his rousing tribute to “The Great Pottsville Maroons.”
“I think it’s a good sing-a-long. It has an old-time flavor to it,” Graham said in between takes while working out the rough edges at Chestnut Lane Creations, just off Chestnut Lane in Pine Grove Township.
Graham is hoping to have the single available for purchase in March.
He wrote the ditty Tuesday morning, inspired by recent efforts to help the legendary Pottsville professional football team regain its 1925 championship title from the NFL, including David Fleming’s “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” published by ESPN Books in October.
Graham included the words “Breaker Boys” in the chorus.
David R. Evans, who owns the studio and started recording in 2002, said he’s impressed with how Graham can translate inspiration into a song.
“He just keeps on writing songs one after the other. I don’t think I’ve met anybody who can just write lyrics like he does,” Evans said.
Graham debuted the song Wednesday, the first day of Fleming’s second local promotional tour for the book. Graham attended the first book-signing on the new tour at The REPUBLICAN & Herald, and treated about 80 Maroons fans waiting in line by singing a few bars. He received a round of applause.
On Thursday afternoon, Graham arrived at Evans’ studio toting his banjo and acoustic guitar in two black cases and sporting his favorite tan ball cap, which features a U.S. Army patch.
Evans recorded the track using a digital mixer with a hard drive, as Graham sang into one microphone and sent vibrations from his the friction between his fingers and the strings into another.
“Dave might be able to add voices or other instruments if I needed. He’s a very good engineer,” Graham said.
After he celebrates down time with family for the holidays, Graham will put the CD package together.
“I’d like to see it do well and help the cause,” he said.
Born in Philadelphia in 1942, Graham graduated from Bishop Neumann High School in 1960, served in the Army National Guard from 1964 to 1970 and was honorably discharged as a specialist 4.
He worked as an assistant district permit manager for the state Department of Transportation in Harrisburg before retiring in 2000.
He and his wife, Marianne, have two children, George N., Maryland, and Sunny, Vermont, and two grandsons.
His hobbies include martial arts — he’s a 10th-degree black belt. He’s also been singing and recording his music since the 1960s.
He sells his music on homemade CDs, including a pop music compilation, “George Graham: Sings His Hits from the ’50s and ’60s,” and his 2006 gospel CD, “A Voice for Jesus.”
He also enjoys performing locally. His next show will be 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at a Christian Coffee House at Welcome United Methodist Church, Main Street, Landingville.
He said he’ll do religious, Christmas and secular songs, and if he got a request to strum his tribute to the Pottsville Maroons, he said, “I’ll play it.”
The online petition is up to 9,940 signatures.
Strumming a six-string acoustic guitar in front of a microphone Thursday afternoon, George P. Graham of Pine Grove recorded his rousing tribute to “The Great Pottsville Maroons.”
“I think it’s a good sing-a-long. It has an old-time flavor to it,” Graham said in between takes while working out the rough edges at Chestnut Lane Creations, just off Chestnut Lane in Pine Grove Township.
Graham is hoping to have the single available for purchase in March.
He wrote the ditty Tuesday morning, inspired by recent efforts to help the legendary Pottsville professional football team regain its 1925 championship title from the NFL, including David Fleming’s “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” published by ESPN Books in October.
Graham included the words “Breaker Boys” in the chorus.
David R. Evans, who owns the studio and started recording in 2002, said he’s impressed with how Graham can translate inspiration into a song.
“He just keeps on writing songs one after the other. I don’t think I’ve met anybody who can just write lyrics like he does,” Evans said.
Graham debuted the song Wednesday, the first day of Fleming’s second local promotional tour for the book. Graham attended the first book-signing on the new tour at The REPUBLICAN & Herald, and treated about 80 Maroons fans waiting in line by singing a few bars. He received a round of applause.
On Thursday afternoon, Graham arrived at Evans’ studio toting his banjo and acoustic guitar in two black cases and sporting his favorite tan ball cap, which features a U.S. Army patch.
Evans recorded the track using a digital mixer with a hard drive, as Graham sang into one microphone and sent vibrations from his the friction between his fingers and the strings into another.
“Dave might be able to add voices or other instruments if I needed. He’s a very good engineer,” Graham said.
After he celebrates down time with family for the holidays, Graham will put the CD package together.
“I’d like to see it do well and help the cause,” he said.
Born in Philadelphia in 1942, Graham graduated from Bishop Neumann High School in 1960, served in the Army National Guard from 1964 to 1970 and was honorably discharged as a specialist 4.
He worked as an assistant district permit manager for the state Department of Transportation in Harrisburg before retiring in 2000.
He and his wife, Marianne, have two children, George N., Maryland, and Sunny, Vermont, and two grandsons.
His hobbies include martial arts — he’s a 10th-degree black belt. He’s also been singing and recording his music since the 1960s.
He sells his music on homemade CDs, including a pop music compilation, “George Graham: Sings His Hits from the ’50s and ’60s,” and his 2006 gospel CD, “A Voice for Jesus.”
He also enjoys performing locally. His next show will be 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at a Christian Coffee House at Welcome United Methodist Church, Main Street, Landingville.
He said he’ll do religious, Christmas and secular songs, and if he got a request to strum his tribute to the Pottsville Maroons, he said, “I’ll play it.”
The online petition is up to 9,940 signatures.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Author signs hundreds of book copies
The following was reported in today's issue of the Pottsville Republican and Herald:
Greeted by lines of people holding copies of “Breaker Boys” and a Pine Grove musician who penned a song in honor of “The Great Pottsville Maroons,” David Fleming returned to Pottsville on Wednesday.
“It’s great! I understand the alternative. At most book-signings (for many authors), five people show up. So I’m raring to go!” Fleming said after signing about 500 copies of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” for the 157 people who attended a 3½-hour book-signing at The REPUBLICAN & Herald on Wednesday night.
Fleming, a writer for ESPN: The Magazine who lives in Davidson, N.C., was also excited Wednesday because he’d heard a copy of the “Breaker Boys” screenplay being marketed by Sentinel Entertainment, San Diego, Calif., was being reviewed by the NFL office in New York.
Brian McCarthy, NFL spokesman, confirmed this Wednesday, but would not comment further on the matter.
And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has a copy of “Breaker Boys” and looks forward to reading it, according to Greg Aiello, senior vice president of public relations for the NFL, New York.
Fleming will continue his second promotional tour for his book, now in its fourth printing, in the area today. At 9 a.m. he will speak to students at Blue Mountain Middle School, Orwigsburg, at an event sponsored by The REPUBLICAN & Herald. Then he will participate in book-signings at Weis Markets, Pottsville, from noon to 2 p.m. and Moravian Book Shop, Bethlehem, at 7 p.m.
While signing books and shaking hands, Fleming will be encouraging one and all to sign the online petition he started in October to encourage the NFL to return the 1925 title to the Maroons. As of 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, it accumulated X,XXX signatures.
On Monday, Fleming will be gearing up to go to Harrisburg to support state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, who will present a resolution to the House of Representatives requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
One of the highlights of Wednesday’s book-signing event at The REPUBLICAN & Herald’s corner office at 123 Mahantongo St. happened when Fleming stepped out for 15 minutes to do a telephone interview with a Philadelphia radio station. George P. Graham, 65, of Pine Grove, entertained the people in line by singing a “spirited rally song” he composed Tuesday.
“The NFL’s greatest team was the Pottsville Maroons, the Pottsville Maroons, the Pottsville Maroons. So return the title to the Pottsville Maroons, the real 1925 football champions...,” Graham sang.
The crowd gave Graham a round of applause. When Fleming heard a video had been shot of Graham’s performance, he said: “We have to get that up on YouTube.”
Graham is planning to record the song today at Chestnut Lane Creations, Pine Grove, and hopes to start selling CD copies by March.
The signing was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., but when Fleming arrived at 2:35 p.m. and saw 17 people in line, he picked up a pen and got things rolling.
Mary J. Schaeffer, Llewellyn, stepped up first, followed by Lucille Molochnick, Minersville, then Mary Jane Hindman, Pine Grove, who got a copy signed for her grandson, Chris Smith, who lives in Japan.
Hindman said her grandson had called her three weeks ago, told her about “Breaker Boys” and asked if she would get him a signed copy.
In Chris’ copy, Fleming wrote: “You are now the official Maroons fan club president of Japan. Best wishes.”
Others in line included Linda M. Walinsky, president of McCann School of Business & Technology, who was picking up a few more copies as Christmas gifts.
“I think it’s great, and I think it gives people who live here something positive to focus on,” Walinsky said.
William R. Davidson, a member of the Pottsville Area School Board, who had Fleming sign three copies, agreed.
“I found that the book is quite exciting. I think he brings it all together. And if indeed we ever, which hopefully we will, be awarded the championship, it will take something like the media to do it for it. And I think Dave Fleming is going to really be one of our best supporters to bring this back,” Davidson said.
Fleming also signed a limited number of copies for The REPUBLICAN & Herald to sell at its front counter at 111 Mahantongo St., according to Janet Joyce, director of marking and community services for the newspaper.
The online petition is up to 9,860 signatures.
Greeted by lines of people holding copies of “Breaker Boys” and a Pine Grove musician who penned a song in honor of “The Great Pottsville Maroons,” David Fleming returned to Pottsville on Wednesday.
“It’s great! I understand the alternative. At most book-signings (for many authors), five people show up. So I’m raring to go!” Fleming said after signing about 500 copies of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” for the 157 people who attended a 3½-hour book-signing at The REPUBLICAN & Herald on Wednesday night.
Fleming, a writer for ESPN: The Magazine who lives in Davidson, N.C., was also excited Wednesday because he’d heard a copy of the “Breaker Boys” screenplay being marketed by Sentinel Entertainment, San Diego, Calif., was being reviewed by the NFL office in New York.
Brian McCarthy, NFL spokesman, confirmed this Wednesday, but would not comment further on the matter.
And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has a copy of “Breaker Boys” and looks forward to reading it, according to Greg Aiello, senior vice president of public relations for the NFL, New York.
Fleming will continue his second promotional tour for his book, now in its fourth printing, in the area today. At 9 a.m. he will speak to students at Blue Mountain Middle School, Orwigsburg, at an event sponsored by The REPUBLICAN & Herald. Then he will participate in book-signings at Weis Markets, Pottsville, from noon to 2 p.m. and Moravian Book Shop, Bethlehem, at 7 p.m.
While signing books and shaking hands, Fleming will be encouraging one and all to sign the online petition he started in October to encourage the NFL to return the 1925 title to the Maroons. As of 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, it accumulated X,XXX signatures.
On Monday, Fleming will be gearing up to go to Harrisburg to support state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, who will present a resolution to the House of Representatives requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
One of the highlights of Wednesday’s book-signing event at The REPUBLICAN & Herald’s corner office at 123 Mahantongo St. happened when Fleming stepped out for 15 minutes to do a telephone interview with a Philadelphia radio station. George P. Graham, 65, of Pine Grove, entertained the people in line by singing a “spirited rally song” he composed Tuesday.
“The NFL’s greatest team was the Pottsville Maroons, the Pottsville Maroons, the Pottsville Maroons. So return the title to the Pottsville Maroons, the real 1925 football champions...,” Graham sang.
The crowd gave Graham a round of applause. When Fleming heard a video had been shot of Graham’s performance, he said: “We have to get that up on YouTube.”
Graham is planning to record the song today at Chestnut Lane Creations, Pine Grove, and hopes to start selling CD copies by March.
The signing was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., but when Fleming arrived at 2:35 p.m. and saw 17 people in line, he picked up a pen and got things rolling.
Mary J. Schaeffer, Llewellyn, stepped up first, followed by Lucille Molochnick, Minersville, then Mary Jane Hindman, Pine Grove, who got a copy signed for her grandson, Chris Smith, who lives in Japan.
Hindman said her grandson had called her three weeks ago, told her about “Breaker Boys” and asked if she would get him a signed copy.
In Chris’ copy, Fleming wrote: “You are now the official Maroons fan club president of Japan. Best wishes.”
Others in line included Linda M. Walinsky, president of McCann School of Business & Technology, who was picking up a few more copies as Christmas gifts.
“I think it’s great, and I think it gives people who live here something positive to focus on,” Walinsky said.
William R. Davidson, a member of the Pottsville Area School Board, who had Fleming sign three copies, agreed.
“I found that the book is quite exciting. I think he brings it all together. And if indeed we ever, which hopefully we will, be awarded the championship, it will take something like the media to do it for it. And I think Dave Fleming is going to really be one of our best supporters to bring this back,” Davidson said.
Fleming also signed a limited number of copies for The REPUBLICAN & Herald to sell at its front counter at 111 Mahantongo St., according to Janet Joyce, director of marking and community services for the newspaper.
The online petition is up to 9,860 signatures.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Author returns to honor Maroons
The following was reported in the Pottsville Republican and Herald today:
Today, ESPN Books and the City of Pottsville embark on their second promotional tour for the book honoring the legacy of the legendary Pottsville Maroons, aiming to attract readers throughout the region.
David Fleming, author of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” said he’s ready to autograph copies again and again and again.
His right hand was sore for weeks after signing more than 1,600 copies during the three-day book release event held in Pottsville in October.
With a laugh Tuesday, Fleming said, “the numbness in my palm is just starting to go away, which must mean it’s time to come back to Pottsville.”
This trip will be much more involved than the last. Over the next seven days, Fleming is scheduled to participate in at least 18 events, including book-signings sponsored by Lasting Legacy of Pottsville, The REPUBLICAN & Herald and local and regional book stores.
He’ll also make special appearances, encouraging everyone he comes across to sign an online petition to encourage the NFL to return the 1925 title to the Maroons. As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, it accumulated 9,781 signatures. In particular, Fleming will be in Harrisburg on Monday, when state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, present a resolution to the House of Representatives requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
Fleming will return to Harrisburg from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday for an interview to be taped for PCN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network.
“It’s going to be hectic. I don’t want to kill myself, but I do want to maximize my time and do absolutely as much as I can while I’m there,” Fleming said.
Fleming said his wife, Kim, and daughters, Ally, 6, and Kate, 3, won’t be joining him this time.
“We didn’t want to take Ally out of school again, but they’re not happy about it,” he said.
Fleming, who lives in Davidson, N.C., was scheduled to catch a flight from Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, N.C., at 9:30 a.m. and arrive at Philadelphia International Airport at 11:30 a.m.
He was expected to arrive in Pottsville around 2 p.m. and will once again be staying at the Partridge House Bed & Breakfast Inc., 315 S. Centre St., Pottsville.
Before he can unpack, Fleming will rush off to the first event, a book-signing sponsored by The REPUBLICAN & Herald at 123 Mahantongo St. from 3 to 6 p.m.
In early November, the newspaper ordered 360 copies of the book for the event. But inquires about the event encouraged the newspaper to order another 140, for a total of 500 copies, said Janet Joyce, director of marking and community services for the newspaper.
The book-signing will also be a great opportunity for people to get a newspaper subscription and possibly a free copy of the book, said David R. Sickle, director of circulation for The REPUBLICAN & Herald.
• If non-subscribers subscribe to the newspaper at the event — a one-year subscription is $158.60 — they will receive a signed copy of the book for free.
• If current subscribers sign up for EZpay, a payment program like Ebay’s PayPal which allows the newspaper to draw the funds for annual subscriptions directly from subscribers’ debit, credit or checking accounts, they will receive the book for free.
• The REPUBLICAN & Herald will give free tote bags to the first 50 people who show up at the signing.
• The REPUBLICAN & Herald will collect entry forms, published in the newspaper this week, for a drawing for a free copy of “Breaker Boys.” The drawing will be held Thursday, Joyce said.
Today, ESPN Books and the City of Pottsville embark on their second promotional tour for the book honoring the legacy of the legendary Pottsville Maroons, aiming to attract readers throughout the region.
David Fleming, author of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” said he’s ready to autograph copies again and again and again.
His right hand was sore for weeks after signing more than 1,600 copies during the three-day book release event held in Pottsville in October.
With a laugh Tuesday, Fleming said, “the numbness in my palm is just starting to go away, which must mean it’s time to come back to Pottsville.”
This trip will be much more involved than the last. Over the next seven days, Fleming is scheduled to participate in at least 18 events, including book-signings sponsored by Lasting Legacy of Pottsville, The REPUBLICAN & Herald and local and regional book stores.
He’ll also make special appearances, encouraging everyone he comes across to sign an online petition to encourage the NFL to return the 1925 title to the Maroons. As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, it accumulated 9,781 signatures. In particular, Fleming will be in Harrisburg on Monday, when state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, present a resolution to the House of Representatives requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
Fleming will return to Harrisburg from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday for an interview to be taped for PCN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network.
“It’s going to be hectic. I don’t want to kill myself, but I do want to maximize my time and do absolutely as much as I can while I’m there,” Fleming said.
Fleming said his wife, Kim, and daughters, Ally, 6, and Kate, 3, won’t be joining him this time.
“We didn’t want to take Ally out of school again, but they’re not happy about it,” he said.
Fleming, who lives in Davidson, N.C., was scheduled to catch a flight from Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, N.C., at 9:30 a.m. and arrive at Philadelphia International Airport at 11:30 a.m.
He was expected to arrive in Pottsville around 2 p.m. and will once again be staying at the Partridge House Bed & Breakfast Inc., 315 S. Centre St., Pottsville.
Before he can unpack, Fleming will rush off to the first event, a book-signing sponsored by The REPUBLICAN & Herald at 123 Mahantongo St. from 3 to 6 p.m.
In early November, the newspaper ordered 360 copies of the book for the event. But inquires about the event encouraged the newspaper to order another 140, for a total of 500 copies, said Janet Joyce, director of marking and community services for the newspaper.
The book-signing will also be a great opportunity for people to get a newspaper subscription and possibly a free copy of the book, said David R. Sickle, director of circulation for The REPUBLICAN & Herald.
• If non-subscribers subscribe to the newspaper at the event — a one-year subscription is $158.60 — they will receive a signed copy of the book for free.
• If current subscribers sign up for EZpay, a payment program like Ebay’s PayPal which allows the newspaper to draw the funds for annual subscriptions directly from subscribers’ debit, credit or checking accounts, they will receive the book for free.
• The REPUBLICAN & Herald will give free tote bags to the first 50 people who show up at the signing.
• The REPUBLICAN & Herald will collect entry forms, published in the newspaper this week, for a drawing for a free copy of “Breaker Boys.” The drawing will be held Thursday, Joyce said.
Another attempt made for Maroons
The following was reported in the Pottsville Republican and Herald today:
Working to help the Pottsville Maroons regain their 1925 championship, Lasting Legacy of Pottsville is planning to send copies of author David Fleming’s book about the team to NFL owners.
Fleming said Friday he recommended the names of 21 of the 32 NFL owners who should received this “first round” of packages, which will include a letter signed by Gov. Ed Rendell.
“It’s ultimately our hope that out of this group, a handful will start spreading the word to the rest of the league,” Fleming said.
The mailing will be among the many efforts of the next round to rally support around the Maroons’ cause from Wednesday through Dec. 10, when Fleming, author of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” will be returning to the area.
With the release of “Breaker Boys,” published by ESPN Books on Oct. 9, Fleming has reinvigorated many Maroons fans and their desire to see Schuylkill County’s pro-football legacy vindicated. Gathering signatures with an online petition since Oct. 16, Fleming is planning to take them directly to the NFL owners Feb. 3 at Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. As of 11:30 p.m. Friday, the petition had 9,691 signatures.
The City of Pottsville previously attempted to reclaim the 1925 championship was in 2003.
“We sent materials to all 32 team owners. We sent a copy of the bicentennial book, ‘Personalities of the Past.’ We sent each a special shirt with their name on it,” Ian Lipton, a member of Lasting Legacy, said Friday.
But, on Oct. 30, 2003, the NFL owners voted 30-2 not to reconsider the case.
Before sending packages out again, Lipton said Lasting Legacy turned to Fleming for advice.
When deciding which NFL owners Lasting Legacy should send packages to this time, Fleming, a senior writer at ESPN Magazine, said, “I think originally we were talking about 10 or a dozen and as I started to go through the list, I realized almost twice as many, just from the ones I interacted with, would be open to hearing the story.”
“Because of his experience with the NFL, he felt these were the 21 teams that were most likely to either be neutral or have positive leanings for this consideration. He could be wrong about some of them, but we have to start somewhere,” Lipton said.
The teams include the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, who have vocally supported the cause, Lipton said.
Rendell was out of his office Friday and could not be reached for comment.
“The cause of the Maroons has long been dear to the governor. He believes strongly that they were dealt with unfairly and has advocated for the league to do the right thing and bestow the championship won on the field on the team,” said the governor’s press secretary, Chuck Ardo.
The other 19 to receive packages by Dec. 11, according to Lipton, are: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.
“We’ve put together what I would say is a clearly-defined package to educate 21 owners out of the 32 teams we think would be supportive in reconsideration of a vote,” Lipton said.
The package will include:
• A letter signed by Rendell and Pottsville Mayor John D.W. Reiley;
• A copy of a six-page article about the Pottsville Maroons written by Fleming in 2003, “Lost In Time,” published in ESPN Magazine;
• A copy of “Breaker Boys’ signed by Fleming;
• A DVD copy of a ESPN video history of the Maroons.
“Hopefully, we’ll have everything ready to go Monday the 10th,” said Arlene Sibbett, Reiley’s secretary.
Fleming said with the holidays coming up, it’s a good time for the package to reach many NFL owners.
“The timing is perfect,” Fleming said. “I can picture them. A lot of the owners take their job as the guardian of the game very seriously and I can see them really getting into the story.”
In October, Fleming visited the area to promote his book and participated in several book signings.
Between Dec. 5 and 10, Fleming will return to participate in a number of book signings in the city and the region. He’s also planning a trip to Harrisburg on Dec. 10, to join state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, to present a resolution to the state House of Representatives requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
Working to help the Pottsville Maroons regain their 1925 championship, Lasting Legacy of Pottsville is planning to send copies of author David Fleming’s book about the team to NFL owners.
Fleming said Friday he recommended the names of 21 of the 32 NFL owners who should received this “first round” of packages, which will include a letter signed by Gov. Ed Rendell.
“It’s ultimately our hope that out of this group, a handful will start spreading the word to the rest of the league,” Fleming said.
The mailing will be among the many efforts of the next round to rally support around the Maroons’ cause from Wednesday through Dec. 10, when Fleming, author of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” will be returning to the area.
With the release of “Breaker Boys,” published by ESPN Books on Oct. 9, Fleming has reinvigorated many Maroons fans and their desire to see Schuylkill County’s pro-football legacy vindicated. Gathering signatures with an online petition since Oct. 16, Fleming is planning to take them directly to the NFL owners Feb. 3 at Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. As of 11:30 p.m. Friday, the petition had 9,691 signatures.
The City of Pottsville previously attempted to reclaim the 1925 championship was in 2003.
“We sent materials to all 32 team owners. We sent a copy of the bicentennial book, ‘Personalities of the Past.’ We sent each a special shirt with their name on it,” Ian Lipton, a member of Lasting Legacy, said Friday.
But, on Oct. 30, 2003, the NFL owners voted 30-2 not to reconsider the case.
Before sending packages out again, Lipton said Lasting Legacy turned to Fleming for advice.
When deciding which NFL owners Lasting Legacy should send packages to this time, Fleming, a senior writer at ESPN Magazine, said, “I think originally we were talking about 10 or a dozen and as I started to go through the list, I realized almost twice as many, just from the ones I interacted with, would be open to hearing the story.”
“Because of his experience with the NFL, he felt these were the 21 teams that were most likely to either be neutral or have positive leanings for this consideration. He could be wrong about some of them, but we have to start somewhere,” Lipton said.
The teams include the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, who have vocally supported the cause, Lipton said.
Rendell was out of his office Friday and could not be reached for comment.
“The cause of the Maroons has long been dear to the governor. He believes strongly that they were dealt with unfairly and has advocated for the league to do the right thing and bestow the championship won on the field on the team,” said the governor’s press secretary, Chuck Ardo.
The other 19 to receive packages by Dec. 11, according to Lipton, are: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.
“We’ve put together what I would say is a clearly-defined package to educate 21 owners out of the 32 teams we think would be supportive in reconsideration of a vote,” Lipton said.
The package will include:
• A letter signed by Rendell and Pottsville Mayor John D.W. Reiley;
• A copy of a six-page article about the Pottsville Maroons written by Fleming in 2003, “Lost In Time,” published in ESPN Magazine;
• A copy of “Breaker Boys’ signed by Fleming;
• A DVD copy of a ESPN video history of the Maroons.
“Hopefully, we’ll have everything ready to go Monday the 10th,” said Arlene Sibbett, Reiley’s secretary.
Fleming said with the holidays coming up, it’s a good time for the package to reach many NFL owners.
“The timing is perfect,” Fleming said. “I can picture them. A lot of the owners take their job as the guardian of the game very seriously and I can see them really getting into the story.”
In October, Fleming visited the area to promote his book and participated in several book signings.
Between Dec. 5 and 10, Fleming will return to participate in a number of book signings in the city and the region. He’s also planning a trip to Harrisburg on Dec. 10, to join state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, to present a resolution to the state House of Representatives requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Maroons debate in city on hold
The following was reported in the Pottsville Republican and Herald today:
ESPN Writer David Fleming was hoping to debate the Pottsville Maroons controversy next week with a representative of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Maroons’ adversary Joe Horrigan.
But Horrigan, the hall of fame’s vice president of communications/exhibits, won’t have time to come to Pottsville Dec. 5 through 10, when Fleming will return to further promote his book, “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” according to Ian Lipton, a member of Lasting Legacy of Pottsville.
“I think they should make time,” Fleming said Monday.
Lipton, however, is still determined to bring Horrigan and Fleming face to face, confident such a debate could further encourage the NFL owners to give back the championship taken from the Pottsville Maroons in 1925.
“(Horrigan’s) got the authority and the credentials. And he’s not on the fence. He’s our chief adversary and if he can be beaten soundly, we are in a position where we can use that. And I’m convinced that Fleming cannot only hold his own, but win points during the debate,” Lipton said.
Fleming said he would very much like the opportunity to participate in such an event.
“The reason the event excites me — and maybe it’s the reason why they can’t get anyone to make time for it — is that it would finally bring to light the fact that the NFL has been so wrong for so long,” Fleming said. “And I respect Joe Horrigan, but I also think that they owe it to the NFL fans to sort of stand up and be challenged on the misinformation they’ve been giving out for 50 years. And I think he should make time. It’s a half a day.”
Horrigan did not return calls for comment Monday.
Lipton said he discussed the matter with Horrigan over the phone Monday afternoon, and Horrigan said he wouldn’t be available to participate until after the NFL Pro Bowl.
There were two reasons he wouldn’t be available, according to Lipton. One was the nominations and voting on this year’s group of NFL hall of fame candidates. Second, Horrigan is working to conduct a $4.5 million renovation to the hall of fame in Canton, Ohio, Lipton said.
Lipton also said Horrigan told him to call back in February.
Since the debate won’t be happening next week, Lipton said the “big event” will be Fleming’s appearance before the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives on Dec. 10.
State Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, are planning to present a resolution that morning to the House, requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
“That’s a wonderful opportunity to get it outside of Pottsville and outside of Schuylkill County,” Lipton said.
Fleming will also be asking people to sign the online petition he started Oct. 16 demanding the return of the Pottsville Maroons’ 1925 championship at www.petitiononline.com/Maroons
To date, the petition has accumulated 9,576 signatures.
ESPN Writer David Fleming was hoping to debate the Pottsville Maroons controversy next week with a representative of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Maroons’ adversary Joe Horrigan.
But Horrigan, the hall of fame’s vice president of communications/exhibits, won’t have time to come to Pottsville Dec. 5 through 10, when Fleming will return to further promote his book, “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” according to Ian Lipton, a member of Lasting Legacy of Pottsville.
“I think they should make time,” Fleming said Monday.
Lipton, however, is still determined to bring Horrigan and Fleming face to face, confident such a debate could further encourage the NFL owners to give back the championship taken from the Pottsville Maroons in 1925.
“(Horrigan’s) got the authority and the credentials. And he’s not on the fence. He’s our chief adversary and if he can be beaten soundly, we are in a position where we can use that. And I’m convinced that Fleming cannot only hold his own, but win points during the debate,” Lipton said.
Fleming said he would very much like the opportunity to participate in such an event.
“The reason the event excites me — and maybe it’s the reason why they can’t get anyone to make time for it — is that it would finally bring to light the fact that the NFL has been so wrong for so long,” Fleming said. “And I respect Joe Horrigan, but I also think that they owe it to the NFL fans to sort of stand up and be challenged on the misinformation they’ve been giving out for 50 years. And I think he should make time. It’s a half a day.”
Horrigan did not return calls for comment Monday.
Lipton said he discussed the matter with Horrigan over the phone Monday afternoon, and Horrigan said he wouldn’t be available to participate until after the NFL Pro Bowl.
There were two reasons he wouldn’t be available, according to Lipton. One was the nominations and voting on this year’s group of NFL hall of fame candidates. Second, Horrigan is working to conduct a $4.5 million renovation to the hall of fame in Canton, Ohio, Lipton said.
Lipton also said Horrigan told him to call back in February.
Since the debate won’t be happening next week, Lipton said the “big event” will be Fleming’s appearance before the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives on Dec. 10.
State Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, are planning to present a resolution that morning to the House, requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
“That’s a wonderful opportunity to get it outside of Pottsville and outside of Schuylkill County,” Lipton said.
Fleming will also be asking people to sign the online petition he started Oct. 16 demanding the return of the Pottsville Maroons’ 1925 championship at www.petitiononline.com/Maroons
To date, the petition has accumulated 9,576 signatures.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Pottsville readies as Maroons Week returns for encore
The following was reported in the Pottsville Republican and Herald today:
The overwhelming response to Maroons Week in Pottsville in October inspired Lasting Legacy of Pottsville and ESPN Books to schedule another.
Pushing to help the former Pottsville National Football League team reclaim its 1925 championship title, David Fleming, author of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” will return to the area from Dec. 5 through 10.
Fleming will sign copies for fans locally in Pottsville and Tamaqua, and regionally in Berks, Dauphin, Lehigh and Luzerne counties. Other special events, including a visit to students at Blue Mountain Middle School, are being planned, according to the ESPN Books Web site and Eric S. Lipton, Pottsville, a representative of Lasting Legacy.
“I’m excited to be coming back and I’m hoping we see the book grow and find a regional audience. That’s the next step it needs to take,” said Fleming, who is spending Thanksgiving with family in Davidson, N.C.
Fleming’s book, released Oct. 9, reignited an interest in the Pottsville Maroons. Lipton said he couldn’t remember the last time local interest in the team’s legacy has been this intense.
Between September and October, Lasting Legacy of Pottsville sold 1,640 copies of “Breaker Boys.” Lipton said Lasting Legacy has ordered another 500 copies for the upcoming events, but can’t say how many people will turn out for the December book signings.
“We really missed the boat on our estimates last time. We can’t make any intelligent approximation. I hope we run out again,” Lipton said.
Talking to students
Fleming will celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the Maroons’ Dec. 6, 1925, victory over the Chicago Cardinals at Chicago for the National League Championship by speaking to students at Blue Mountain Middle School, Orwigsburg.
“It will bring it to life for the students, since it falls on that day,” Fleming said.
This event is made possible by Fleming and The REPUBLICAN & Herald, according to Janet Joyce, director of marking and community services for the newspaper.
The newspaper had asked Fleming to make an appearance at the 21st annual REPUBLICAN & Herald Family Reading Festival at the Schuylkill Mall on Nov. 3. Unable to attend, Fleming said he’d love to help in some other way.
“One of the suggestions I put out was could we raffle off a chance to win a meet-and-greet and he agreed to it,” Joyce said.
The newspaper published a coupon for students to fill out in its Nov. 2 edition. Students filled these out and dropped them off at the newspaper’s booth at the festival. A winner, Tori Correll of Blue Mountain Middle School, was picked Nov. 4, Joyce said.
At 9 a.m. Fleming will speak to about 800 students in the middle school’s sixth, seventh and eighth grades in the auditorium, said Jane F. Dries, one of the school’s reading and social studies teachers.
“From what I understand, he’s going to speak to the students for about 45 minutes, then he’ll do a book signing for any students or staff who have books,” Dries said.
This is a great opportunity for students to embrace local history, Dries said.
“I’m a believer if you want children to understand and appreciate history, you have to start with history that’s close to them,” Dries said.
Book tour
Fleming will participate in at least 10 book signings during this five-day book tour, according to Lipton and the ESPN Books Web site.
The first will be sponsored by The REPUBLICAN & Herald at 123 Mahantongo St. from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5.
This will a great opportunity for people to get a newspaper subscription, said David R. Sickle, director of circulation for The REPUBLICAN & Herald said.
“If a non-subscriber would like to start up a subscription right up on the spot, they’ll get the book for free,” Sickle said Wednesday.
The newspaper purchased 360 copies of the book for the event, Joyce said.
Another new location Fleming will sign copies at will be Weis Markets, 500 Pottsville Park Plaza, Pottsville, from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 6. The event is being sponsored by Lasting Legacy, Lipton said.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to get involved with the community,” said Tony L. Cucunato, the store’s manager.
Fleming will return to a few locations he visited in October. From 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 6, for instance, Fleming will sign books at Good-Will Christian Book Store, 310 N. Centre St., Pottsville, Lipton said.
When the author signed books there on Oct. 12, a scheduled two-hour event turned into a nearly five-hour event, the store sold 360 copies and more than 300 people came in to have books signed, said the store’s owner, Roy W. Musser.
Musser isn’t sure how many people will turn out Dec. 6.
“I don’t expect lines like the last time, but hopefully we’ll have a good number of people, it will bring a lot of new people into the store. We’re always trying to get new customers and maybe they’ll do some Christmas buying while they’re there,” Musser said.
More to come?
Lasting Legacy and ESPN Books are also trying to set up another special event for Dec. 5, a debate on the Pottsville Maroons controversy between Fleming and a representative of either the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, Ohio, or the Professional Football Researchers Association, Huntingdon, according to Lipton.
“We don’t have anything scheduled yet. I don’t know if that’s going to happen. There’s a scheduling conflict,” Lipton said.
“But I think it’s a great idea,” Fleming said.
Since “Breaker Boys” was released by ESPN Books on Oct. 9, new efforts to help the team regain their 1925 title were launched. Fleming started an online petition to encourage the NFL to return the 1925 title to the Maroons. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday, it accumulated 9,350 signatures. State Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, are planning to present a resolution to the state House of Representatives on Dec. 10 requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
Aaron Schimpf, Minersville, also started a Web site for the Pottsville Maroons at breakerboys1925.com three weeks ago and a screenplay based on Fleming’s book is still being held in limbo due to the Writers Guild of America strike.
The overwhelming response to Maroons Week in Pottsville in October inspired Lasting Legacy of Pottsville and ESPN Books to schedule another.
Pushing to help the former Pottsville National Football League team reclaim its 1925 championship title, David Fleming, author of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” will return to the area from Dec. 5 through 10.
Fleming will sign copies for fans locally in Pottsville and Tamaqua, and regionally in Berks, Dauphin, Lehigh and Luzerne counties. Other special events, including a visit to students at Blue Mountain Middle School, are being planned, according to the ESPN Books Web site and Eric S. Lipton, Pottsville, a representative of Lasting Legacy.
“I’m excited to be coming back and I’m hoping we see the book grow and find a regional audience. That’s the next step it needs to take,” said Fleming, who is spending Thanksgiving with family in Davidson, N.C.
Fleming’s book, released Oct. 9, reignited an interest in the Pottsville Maroons. Lipton said he couldn’t remember the last time local interest in the team’s legacy has been this intense.
Between September and October, Lasting Legacy of Pottsville sold 1,640 copies of “Breaker Boys.” Lipton said Lasting Legacy has ordered another 500 copies for the upcoming events, but can’t say how many people will turn out for the December book signings.
“We really missed the boat on our estimates last time. We can’t make any intelligent approximation. I hope we run out again,” Lipton said.
Talking to students
Fleming will celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the Maroons’ Dec. 6, 1925, victory over the Chicago Cardinals at Chicago for the National League Championship by speaking to students at Blue Mountain Middle School, Orwigsburg.
“It will bring it to life for the students, since it falls on that day,” Fleming said.
This event is made possible by Fleming and The REPUBLICAN & Herald, according to Janet Joyce, director of marking and community services for the newspaper.
The newspaper had asked Fleming to make an appearance at the 21st annual REPUBLICAN & Herald Family Reading Festival at the Schuylkill Mall on Nov. 3. Unable to attend, Fleming said he’d love to help in some other way.
“One of the suggestions I put out was could we raffle off a chance to win a meet-and-greet and he agreed to it,” Joyce said.
The newspaper published a coupon for students to fill out in its Nov. 2 edition. Students filled these out and dropped them off at the newspaper’s booth at the festival. A winner, Tori Correll of Blue Mountain Middle School, was picked Nov. 4, Joyce said.
At 9 a.m. Fleming will speak to about 800 students in the middle school’s sixth, seventh and eighth grades in the auditorium, said Jane F. Dries, one of the school’s reading and social studies teachers.
“From what I understand, he’s going to speak to the students for about 45 minutes, then he’ll do a book signing for any students or staff who have books,” Dries said.
This is a great opportunity for students to embrace local history, Dries said.
“I’m a believer if you want children to understand and appreciate history, you have to start with history that’s close to them,” Dries said.
Book tour
Fleming will participate in at least 10 book signings during this five-day book tour, according to Lipton and the ESPN Books Web site.
The first will be sponsored by The REPUBLICAN & Herald at 123 Mahantongo St. from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5.
This will a great opportunity for people to get a newspaper subscription, said David R. Sickle, director of circulation for The REPUBLICAN & Herald said.
“If a non-subscriber would like to start up a subscription right up on the spot, they’ll get the book for free,” Sickle said Wednesday.
The newspaper purchased 360 copies of the book for the event, Joyce said.
Another new location Fleming will sign copies at will be Weis Markets, 500 Pottsville Park Plaza, Pottsville, from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 6. The event is being sponsored by Lasting Legacy, Lipton said.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to get involved with the community,” said Tony L. Cucunato, the store’s manager.
Fleming will return to a few locations he visited in October. From 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 6, for instance, Fleming will sign books at Good-Will Christian Book Store, 310 N. Centre St., Pottsville, Lipton said.
When the author signed books there on Oct. 12, a scheduled two-hour event turned into a nearly five-hour event, the store sold 360 copies and more than 300 people came in to have books signed, said the store’s owner, Roy W. Musser.
Musser isn’t sure how many people will turn out Dec. 6.
“I don’t expect lines like the last time, but hopefully we’ll have a good number of people, it will bring a lot of new people into the store. We’re always trying to get new customers and maybe they’ll do some Christmas buying while they’re there,” Musser said.
More to come?
Lasting Legacy and ESPN Books are also trying to set up another special event for Dec. 5, a debate on the Pottsville Maroons controversy between Fleming and a representative of either the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, Ohio, or the Professional Football Researchers Association, Huntingdon, according to Lipton.
“We don’t have anything scheduled yet. I don’t know if that’s going to happen. There’s a scheduling conflict,” Lipton said.
“But I think it’s a great idea,” Fleming said.
Since “Breaker Boys” was released by ESPN Books on Oct. 9, new efforts to help the team regain their 1925 title were launched. Fleming started an online petition to encourage the NFL to return the 1925 title to the Maroons. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday, it accumulated 9,350 signatures. State Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, are planning to present a resolution to the state House of Representatives on Dec. 10 requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
Aaron Schimpf, Minersville, also started a Web site for the Pottsville Maroons at breakerboys1925.com three weeks ago and a screenplay based on Fleming’s book is still being held in limbo due to the Writers Guild of America strike.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Maroons campaign heads to Harrisburg
The following was reported in the Pottsville Republican and Herald today:
Inspired by a petition started by the author of a book about the 1925 Pottsville Maroons, two state representatives are writing a resolution requesting that the NFL owners return the championship to the team.
“This takes it to the next step,” said state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, “ If the resolution is successful, it’s an endorsement of the entire Commonwealth — 12 million Pennsylvanians saying to the NFL ‘you know, you really should re-examine this.’ ”
Interest in the Pottsville Maroons has been high in the region since ESPN Books published a book about the team, ““Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” by David Fleming on Oct. 9. Fleming visited Pottsville that week, signed hundreds of copies and started an online petition to help the Maroons get back the 1925 championship.
Now, Seip and State Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, are writing up the proposal requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team. And while Fleming is planning a return trip to Pottsville on Dec. 5, he said he intends to go to Harrisburg to hear Seip and Goodman present the resolution to the State House of Representatives for approval on Dec. 10.
“I’ll be there,” Fleming said Wednesday. “I’m running out of ways to describe my elation...but I think it’s great.”
State Rep. David G. Argall, D-124, Tamaqua, who said he signed Fleming’s petition online, said he’ll also support Goodman and Seip’s resolution.
“The resolution will be overwhelmingly approved by the House. I think it’s a great idea,” Argall said.
And Argall said he thinks this resolution will further encourage the NFL to give the Maroons the championship.
“Every little bit helps,” Argall said.
City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Seip and Goodman’s proposal is “exciting.”
“Any movement that we have to help encourage people to remain interested in the Maroons and to keep that in the forefront is good for us and I think it’s good for the community,” Palamar said.
Seip said he’s heard some criticism of this project from one of his constituents, who stated he should concentrate on reducing property taxes instead. Seip said the Maroons are helping the local economy.
“The week that David Fleming was in Pottsville, I believe that was a real economic boom for the City of Pottsville and a boom for probably the highest concentration of constituents that I have. And if we’re able to successfully get that title returned, I think that this will foster a lot more tourism and interest in the area,” Seip said.
He noted that tourism is the state’s second biggest industry. And in 2005, about 138 million visitors came to Pennsylvania, spending over $25 billion dollars.
“If this is something that enhances our tourism, then I’d have to say that it is connected to property tax relief,” Seip said.
Goodman could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Meanwhile, signatures are still be added to the petition started by Fleming at Petition Online Oct. 15, “The Pottsville Maroons 1925 NFL Championship Petition to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL owners, NFL media.”
The initial flood of signatures on the petition has slowed to a trickle, but Fleming has hopes more will come.
“We’re almost to 10,000. We’re coming back to Pottsville that first week of December so I think everything’s going to get revved back up here pretty soon,” he said.
On Dec. 6, 1925, the Pottsville Maroons defeated the Chicago Cardinals at Chicago for the National League Championship, 21-7. But the NFL stripped the Maroons of the championship because the Philadelphia-based Frankford Yellow Jackets claimed the Maroons invaded their territory by playing a game against the Notre Dame.
The City of Pottsville petitioned the NFL owners to return the championship to the Maroons in 2003, but that Oct. 30, the owners decided not to reopen the case in a vote of 30-2.
Fleming is tentatively planning to deliver his petition Feb. 3 to the NFL owners at Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Chicago was the original home of the Cardinals.
Inspired by a petition started by the author of a book about the 1925 Pottsville Maroons, two state representatives are writing a resolution requesting that the NFL owners return the championship to the team.
“This takes it to the next step,” said state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, “ If the resolution is successful, it’s an endorsement of the entire Commonwealth — 12 million Pennsylvanians saying to the NFL ‘you know, you really should re-examine this.’ ”
Interest in the Pottsville Maroons has been high in the region since ESPN Books published a book about the team, ““Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” by David Fleming on Oct. 9. Fleming visited Pottsville that week, signed hundreds of copies and started an online petition to help the Maroons get back the 1925 championship.
Now, Seip and State Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, are writing up the proposal requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team. And while Fleming is planning a return trip to Pottsville on Dec. 5, he said he intends to go to Harrisburg to hear Seip and Goodman present the resolution to the State House of Representatives for approval on Dec. 10.
“I’ll be there,” Fleming said Wednesday. “I’m running out of ways to describe my elation...but I think it’s great.”
State Rep. David G. Argall, D-124, Tamaqua, who said he signed Fleming’s petition online, said he’ll also support Goodman and Seip’s resolution.
“The resolution will be overwhelmingly approved by the House. I think it’s a great idea,” Argall said.
And Argall said he thinks this resolution will further encourage the NFL to give the Maroons the championship.
“Every little bit helps,” Argall said.
City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Seip and Goodman’s proposal is “exciting.”
“Any movement that we have to help encourage people to remain interested in the Maroons and to keep that in the forefront is good for us and I think it’s good for the community,” Palamar said.
Seip said he’s heard some criticism of this project from one of his constituents, who stated he should concentrate on reducing property taxes instead. Seip said the Maroons are helping the local economy.
“The week that David Fleming was in Pottsville, I believe that was a real economic boom for the City of Pottsville and a boom for probably the highest concentration of constituents that I have. And if we’re able to successfully get that title returned, I think that this will foster a lot more tourism and interest in the area,” Seip said.
He noted that tourism is the state’s second biggest industry. And in 2005, about 138 million visitors came to Pennsylvania, spending over $25 billion dollars.
“If this is something that enhances our tourism, then I’d have to say that it is connected to property tax relief,” Seip said.
Goodman could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Meanwhile, signatures are still be added to the petition started by Fleming at Petition Online Oct. 15, “The Pottsville Maroons 1925 NFL Championship Petition to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL owners, NFL media.”
The initial flood of signatures on the petition has slowed to a trickle, but Fleming has hopes more will come.
“We’re almost to 10,000. We’re coming back to Pottsville that first week of December so I think everything’s going to get revved back up here pretty soon,” he said.
On Dec. 6, 1925, the Pottsville Maroons defeated the Chicago Cardinals at Chicago for the National League Championship, 21-7. But the NFL stripped the Maroons of the championship because the Philadelphia-based Frankford Yellow Jackets claimed the Maroons invaded their territory by playing a game against the Notre Dame.
The City of Pottsville petitioned the NFL owners to return the championship to the Maroons in 2003, but that Oct. 30, the owners decided not to reopen the case in a vote of 30-2.
Fleming is tentatively planning to deliver his petition Feb. 3 to the NFL owners at Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Chicago was the original home of the Cardinals.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Maroons Ring on eBay
A Pottsville Maroons ring is being auctioned on eBay.
The History of the Pottsville Maroons 1925 Championship Ring
The late Russel F. Zacko, whose father Joseph C. Zacko was the team's official outfitter and the one who chose the maroon-colored jerseys that gave the team its name, was a life-long crusader for the cause to return the 1925 NFL Championship title to the Pottsville Maroons.
The History of the Pottsville Maroons 1925 Championship Ring
The late Russel F. Zacko, whose father Joseph C. Zacko was the team's official outfitter and the one who chose the maroon-colored jerseys that gave the team its name, was a life-long crusader for the cause to return the 1925 NFL Championship title to the Pottsville Maroons.
Russ was commissioned by the Pottsville Maroons Memorial Committee to design and have the ring manufactured for the Pottsville Maroons’ 50th anniversary banquet in 1975. According to a September 8, 2000 article in the Pottsville Republican, Russ stated that he and Frank Bucher, a former member of the 1925 Maroons’ squad, designed the rings. The rings were distributed to living members of the team or a living family member. Russ also had a few extra made for friends. The production of the rings was limited to 100 and, after production was completed, the mold was destroyed. The ring is stamped “Alpha” on the inside, indicating it is made of nickel chromium.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Unprecedented support shown to ‘Breaker Boys’
The following was reported in the Pottsville Republican and Herald today:
To the Editor:
I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to everyone at The REPUBLICAN & Herald for the support of my book, “Breaker Boys,’’ as well as the comprehensive and creative coverage of Maroons Week.
Your paper continues to lead the way on the Maroons while representing the very best of the newspaper industry: from the leadership and personal involvement of Editor Pete Banko, to the eye-catching layouts of your copy editors, to the great photos and on-line videos produced by Nick Meyer and his staff, to the cutting edge, multi-media packages on your Web page and, of course, the exhaustive, flawless reporting and deft literary touch of reporter (and fellow author) Stephen J. Pytak.
Pottsville’s support of this book is unprecedented in the publishing world and the incredible response has renewed both interest in the team and the drive to restore the Maroons legacy.
I’d just like to thank The REPUBLICAN & Herald for helping make it all possible. I’m already looking forward to my next trip back to Pottsville this fall and to working together to get the town and the Maroons everything they deserve.
David Fleming
Senior Writer
ESPN Magazine
To the Editor:
I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to everyone at The REPUBLICAN & Herald for the support of my book, “Breaker Boys,’’ as well as the comprehensive and creative coverage of Maroons Week.
Your paper continues to lead the way on the Maroons while representing the very best of the newspaper industry: from the leadership and personal involvement of Editor Pete Banko, to the eye-catching layouts of your copy editors, to the great photos and on-line videos produced by Nick Meyer and his staff, to the cutting edge, multi-media packages on your Web page and, of course, the exhaustive, flawless reporting and deft literary touch of reporter (and fellow author) Stephen J. Pytak.
Pottsville’s support of this book is unprecedented in the publishing world and the incredible response has renewed both interest in the team and the drive to restore the Maroons legacy.
I’d just like to thank The REPUBLICAN & Herald for helping make it all possible. I’m already looking forward to my next trip back to Pottsville this fall and to working together to get the town and the Maroons everything they deserve.
David Fleming
Senior Writer
ESPN Magazine
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Laurie still backs Maroons
The following was reported in the Pottsville Republican and Herald today:
PHILADELPHIA — Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said Tuesday they still support the Pottsville Maroons’ quest to regain the 1925 NFL championship, while league Commissioner Roger Goodell seemed disinterested in a vote, or even discussion, on the matter.
At the fall NFL team owners meeting at the Philadelphia Westin Hotel on Tuesday, a reporter and photographer from The REPUBLICAN & Herald surveyed several owners about the possibility of returning a national championship to Pottsville.
“I’m all for it. I think that we should make this a national campaign issue,” Lurie said. “I would love to see that. They deserve it.”
“Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” a book written by David Fleming released three weeks ago, has rekindled interest in the Maroons. About 7,500 people have signed an online petition “to restore the legacy of one of the most dominant, influential and important teams in NFL history” at http://www.petitiononline.com/Maroons/petition.html.
Fleming is a senior writer at ESPN Magazine.
When asked if he would sign the growing petition, Lurie responded: “Totally.”
Some other owners seemed only vaguely familiar with the story of the Pottsville Maroons or Fleming’s book.
In 2003, the league voted 30-2 against even discussing the issue. Rooney and Lurie were the only owners to vote in the Maroons’ favor.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Tuesday he did not recall voting with the majority in 2003.
“I did?” Kraft said. “I’m not sure that I’m educated.”
Goodell, NFL commissioner since August 2006, seemed surprised with even the suggestion of another league vote.
“This is the first I’ve thought about it in four years,” Goodell said at a press conference following the meeting. “This must mean that we’re back in Philadelphia.”
The 2003 vote came at an owners meeting in Philadelphia.
While still supporting the Maroons, Dan Rooney admitted that the issue wasn’t on the radar of most team owners or NFL officials.
“It’s a dead issue,” Rooney said. “I don’t know where we’d go.”
Contacted by telephone Tuesday night, Fleming said he wasn’t surprised with the lack of interest among owners.
“There is no way to make a room full of billionaires learn about a team that’s 82 years old unless their fans demand it,” Fleming said. “They don’t know the story. They voted 30-2 (in 2003) without talking about it. It’s a matter of education.”
Bill Bidwill, owner of the Arizona Cardinals, said that the Maroons and the lost championship “isn’t on the front burner.”
The Maroons won what was widely regarded as the 1925 championship when they defeated the Chicago Cardinals, 21-7. A few days later, the Maroons beat the legendary Notre Dame Four Horsemen squad in an exhibition game in Philadelphia.
A week later, the Frankford Yellow Jackets (the team that later became the Eagles) protested that the Maroons had played the Notre Dame game in their “territory” and the league NFL suspended the Maroons, making them ineligible for the title.
Bidwill’s Cardinals — the same franchise the Maroons defeated in 1925 — continue to lay claim to the 1925 title.
“It’s not a discussion,” Bidwill said. “They (the league) voted on it, and they voted the Cardinals the champions.”
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf gave a quick glance and continued walking after being asked about the Maroons. Other owners also did not respond when entering and exiting the meeting room.
Fleming said that he hopes the issue will be raised again at the spring owners meeting, and that the only way something will happen is if the owners “are embarrassed into doing something.”
Meanwhile, a movie based on the “Breaker Boys” book is also in the works. The script was finished earlier this month, co-producer Patrick Rizzotti, said Oct. 8. Rizzotti said it’s possible the project could go before the cameras as early as spring.
PHILADELPHIA — Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said Tuesday they still support the Pottsville Maroons’ quest to regain the 1925 NFL championship, while league Commissioner Roger Goodell seemed disinterested in a vote, or even discussion, on the matter.
At the fall NFL team owners meeting at the Philadelphia Westin Hotel on Tuesday, a reporter and photographer from The REPUBLICAN & Herald surveyed several owners about the possibility of returning a national championship to Pottsville.
“I’m all for it. I think that we should make this a national campaign issue,” Lurie said. “I would love to see that. They deserve it.”
“Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” a book written by David Fleming released three weeks ago, has rekindled interest in the Maroons. About 7,500 people have signed an online petition “to restore the legacy of one of the most dominant, influential and important teams in NFL history” at http://www.petitiononline.com/Maroons/petition.html.
Fleming is a senior writer at ESPN Magazine.
When asked if he would sign the growing petition, Lurie responded: “Totally.”
Some other owners seemed only vaguely familiar with the story of the Pottsville Maroons or Fleming’s book.
In 2003, the league voted 30-2 against even discussing the issue. Rooney and Lurie were the only owners to vote in the Maroons’ favor.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Tuesday he did not recall voting with the majority in 2003.
“I did?” Kraft said. “I’m not sure that I’m educated.”
Goodell, NFL commissioner since August 2006, seemed surprised with even the suggestion of another league vote.
“This is the first I’ve thought about it in four years,” Goodell said at a press conference following the meeting. “This must mean that we’re back in Philadelphia.”
The 2003 vote came at an owners meeting in Philadelphia.
While still supporting the Maroons, Dan Rooney admitted that the issue wasn’t on the radar of most team owners or NFL officials.
“It’s a dead issue,” Rooney said. “I don’t know where we’d go.”
Contacted by telephone Tuesday night, Fleming said he wasn’t surprised with the lack of interest among owners.
“There is no way to make a room full of billionaires learn about a team that’s 82 years old unless their fans demand it,” Fleming said. “They don’t know the story. They voted 30-2 (in 2003) without talking about it. It’s a matter of education.”
Bill Bidwill, owner of the Arizona Cardinals, said that the Maroons and the lost championship “isn’t on the front burner.”
The Maroons won what was widely regarded as the 1925 championship when they defeated the Chicago Cardinals, 21-7. A few days later, the Maroons beat the legendary Notre Dame Four Horsemen squad in an exhibition game in Philadelphia.
A week later, the Frankford Yellow Jackets (the team that later became the Eagles) protested that the Maroons had played the Notre Dame game in their “territory” and the league NFL suspended the Maroons, making them ineligible for the title.
Bidwill’s Cardinals — the same franchise the Maroons defeated in 1925 — continue to lay claim to the 1925 title.
“It’s not a discussion,” Bidwill said. “They (the league) voted on it, and they voted the Cardinals the champions.”
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf gave a quick glance and continued walking after being asked about the Maroons. Other owners also did not respond when entering and exiting the meeting room.
Fleming said that he hopes the issue will be raised again at the spring owners meeting, and that the only way something will happen is if the owners “are embarrassed into doing something.”
Meanwhile, a movie based on the “Breaker Boys” book is also in the works. The script was finished earlier this month, co-producer Patrick Rizzotti, said Oct. 8. Rizzotti said it’s possible the project could go before the cameras as early as spring.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Rooney still backs Maroons
The following was reported in the Pottsville Republican and Herald today:
At least one of the NFL owners still backs the Pottsville Maroons in the effort to restore the 1925 championship. Dan Rooney, owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, told Staff Writer Ben Wolfgang today at the fall NFL owners meeting in Philadelphia that he still backs the Maroons. Wolfgang and Photo Editor Nick Meyer are attending the meetings today and also talked with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, among others. We'll have coverage in tomorrow's edition of The REPUBLICAN & Herald and on REPUBLICANherald.com -- including video. This is getting good.
At least one of the NFL owners still backs the Pottsville Maroons in the effort to restore the 1925 championship. Dan Rooney, owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, told Staff Writer Ben Wolfgang today at the fall NFL owners meeting in Philadelphia that he still backs the Maroons. Wolfgang and Photo Editor Nick Meyer are attending the meetings today and also talked with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, among others. We'll have coverage in tomorrow's edition of The REPUBLICAN & Herald and on REPUBLICANherald.com -- including video. This is getting good.
The Petition
A petition asking the NFL to proclaim the Pottsville Maroons the true 1925 NFL champions was started on October 16, 2007 by David Fleming, the author of Breaker Boys: The NFL's Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship. By the end of the first week, the petition had more than 7,200 signatures.
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