Fred Nesser
Encyclopedia
Frederick W. Nesser was a professional American football
player in the "Ohio League
" and the early National Football League
for the Columbus Panhandles. He was also a member of the Nesser Brothers
, a group consisting of seven brothers who made-up the most famous football family in the United States
from 1907 until the mid-1920s. He was the tallest and biggest of the football-playing brothers at six feet five inches and 250 pounds. He played mostly tackle or end, but sometimes he lined up in the backfield
, to provide blocking.
Fred also was a professional boxer
and a legitimate contender for the heavyweight title, held by Jess Willard
. However in 1915, a broken wrist ended his boxing career.
Around 1987 Fred's daughter, Vera, tried to get the city of Columbus
to name a street for the Nesser Brothers. Her request was turned down.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player in the "Ohio League
Ohio League
The Ohio League was an informal and loose association of American football clubs active between 1903 and 1919 that competed for the Ohio Independent Championship . As the name implied, its teams were based in Ohio...
" and the early National Football League
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...
for the Columbus Panhandles. He was also a member of the Nesser Brothers
Nesser Brothers
The Nesser Brothers were a group of football playing brothers who helped make up the most famous football family in the United States from 1907 until the mid-1920s...
, a group consisting of seven brothers who made-up the most famous football family in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1907 until the mid-1920s. He was the tallest and biggest of the football-playing brothers at six feet five inches and 250 pounds. He played mostly tackle or end, but sometimes he lined up in the backfield
Backfield
The backfield is the area of an American football field behind the line of scrimmage. The backfield or offensive backfield can also refer to members of offense who begin plays behind the line, typically including any backs on the field, such as the quarterback, running back, and/or fullback.-Play...
, to provide blocking.
Fred also was a professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and a legitimate contender for the heavyweight title, held by Jess Willard
Jess Willard
Jess Willard was a world heavyweight boxing champion. He won the heavyweight title from Jack Johnson in April 1915 and lost it to Jack Dempsey in July 1919....
. However in 1915, a broken wrist ended his boxing career.
Around 1987 Fred's daughter, Vera, tried to get the city of Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
to name a street for the Nesser Brothers. Her request was turned down.