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.