Old Leather: An Oral History Of Early Pro Football In Ohio, 1920-1935

In this collection of original and archival interviews, former players, owners, fans, family members and league officials provide a rare glimpse into the origins of professional football. Chris Willis, head of the Research Library at NFL Films, conveys what the era of professional football was like in the age of leather helmets, no television, dirt fields, small salaries and playing for the love of the game was its own reward.

Chris Willis is head of the Research Library, NFL Films, a position he has held since 1996. He is the author of Columbus Panhandles: A Complete History of Pro Football’s Toughest Team, 1900-1922 (2007) and The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr (2010), both published by Scarecrow Press. Joe Horrigan is the Vice-President of Communications/Exhibits at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.