Frank Nied
Encyclopedia
Francis Theodore Nied was a founder of the American Professional Football Association (later renamed the National Football League
in 1922), as well as the owner of the Akron Pros
and, as the team became known as in 1926
, the Akron Indians.
. After experiencing finanicial losses from 1912–1919, The Akron Indians was sold to Neid and Art Ranney
, an Akron businessman and former football player at the University of Akron
. The 1919 Indians finished the season 5-5-0 and lost money despite the presence of one of the country's best breakaway runners, Fritz Pollard
. The new owners soon dropped the Indian moniker and adopted the new name the "Akron Pros," hoping to inspire better results, or at least better attendance.
to Akron on the basis of an undefeated record and only 7 points allowed in 9 games. the decision was protested by the Decatur Staleys and the Buffalo All-Americans, who had tied Akron during the season. Neid and Ranney picked up the trophy and, according to league records, gave congratulatory speeches.
of the Hammond Pros
as well as Akron's Neid and Ranney refused to allow the discussion to take place. They could not understand why a player could not be considered a player without his color being brought into account.
Pollard also stated that Neid and Ranney befriended him and feared for his safety as an African-American. Neid would allow Pollard to dress for home games at his cigar store and drive him to and from the game. Neid also made Pollard the first African-American coach in the NFL. Pollard states that Neid told every Akron player "that if they didn't want to listen to me, they could leave right then."
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
in 1922), as well as the owner of the Akron Pros
Akron Pros
The Akron Pros were a professional football team located played in Akron, Ohio from 1908–1926. The team originated in 1908 as a semi-pro team named the Akron Indians, however name was changed to the Pros in 1920 as the team set out to become a charter member of the American Professional...
and, as the team became known as in 1926
1926 NFL season
The 1926 NFL season was the 7th regular season of the National Football League. The league grew to 22 teams, a figure that would not be equaled in professional football until 1961, adding the Brooklyn Lions, the Hartford Blues, the Los Angeles Buccaneers, and the Louisville Colonels, with Racine...
, the Akron Indians.
Purchasing the Indians
In 1920, Neid was a cigar store owner in AkronAkron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
. After experiencing finanicial losses from 1912–1919, The Akron Indians was sold to Neid and Art Ranney
Art Ranney
Arthur F. Ranney was a co-founder of the American Professional Football Association , as an owner of the Akron Pros, one of the league's chater teams...
, an Akron businessman and former football player at the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
. The 1919 Indians finished the season 5-5-0 and lost money despite the presence of one of the country's best breakaway runners, Fritz Pollard
Fritz Pollard
Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard was the first African American head coach in the National Football League . Pollard along with Bobby Marshall were the first two African American players in the NFL in 1920...
. The new owners soon dropped the Indian moniker and adopted the new name the "Akron Pros," hoping to inspire better results, or at least better attendance.
Founding of the NFL
Ranney and Neid attended the August 20, 1920 and September 17, 1920 meeting that set up the NFL. The minutes for the September 17, 1920 meeting were kept on the stationary of the Akron Pros football team by Art Ranney. Ranney was then elected secretary-treasurer of the league.1920 Championship
The Pros won the very first APFA championship. On April 1921 the league voted to award the title and the Brunswick-Balke Collender CupBrunswick-Balke Collender Cup
Brunswick-Balke Collender Cup was a silver trophy donated to the American Professional Football Association by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, Tire Division....
to Akron on the basis of an undefeated record and only 7 points allowed in 9 games. the decision was protested by the Decatur Staleys and the Buffalo All-Americans, who had tied Akron during the season. Neid and Ranney picked up the trophy and, according to league records, gave congratulatory speeches.
Coaching career
After a third-place finish in 1921, the Pros began to decline. In 1926, their name was changed back to the Indians, but that didn't help. Neid coached the team for 6 games that ended in a dismal 1-3-2 record. Due to financial issues, Neid suspended team operations in 1927 and surrendered the franchise the following year.Race and the NFL
In the 1940s, Fritz Pollard allegeded that several of the owners attempted to raise the issue of a color barrier in pro football. According to Pollard, Doc YoungDoc Young
Alvah Andrew "Doc" Young was a founder of the National Football League. He was also the owner of NFL's Hammond Pros from 1920 until 1926. He was also a respected medical doctor and sports trainer.-Early career:...
of the Hammond Pros
Hammond Pros
The Hammond Pros from Hammond, Indiana played in the National Football League from 1920 to 1926 as a traveling team.-History:The Pros were established by Paul Parduhn and Dr. Alva Young who was a boxing promoter, owner of a racing stable and a doctor and trainer for a semi-pro football team...
as well as Akron's Neid and Ranney refused to allow the discussion to take place. They could not understand why a player could not be considered a player without his color being brought into account.
Pollard also stated that Neid and Ranney befriended him and feared for his safety as an African-American. Neid would allow Pollard to dress for home games at his cigar store and drive him to and from the game. Neid also made Pollard the first African-American coach in the NFL. Pollard states that Neid told every Akron player "that if they didn't want to listen to me, they could leave right then."