The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr

by Chris Willis

  Three potential investors from three different teams made presentations. Mr. McCardle and Mr. Henderson came all the way from Los Angeles to make a case for the Los Angeles club, but they were shot down by Bert Bell and Art Rooney, who claimed it was "inadvisable to take L.A. in as a member at this time, due to great distance of travel." Charles Murray, a sports promoter from Buffalo, said he was willing to put down the money for a franchise, and Homer Marshman, an attorney, came from Cleveland to represent his clients about getting the Cleveland Rams, a team in the independent American Football League, into the NFL. Carr said he would take both of their applications under advisement.20

  As the owners prepared to draft, the blackboard had several big names on it, but only one really stood out. In the second round the Brooklyn Dodgers selected Duke quarterback Clarence "Ace" Parker, who would eventually be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the New York Giants selected several men-Ed Widseth, Ward Cuff, and Jim Poole-who would help them continue to win. But it would be the Redskins who would hit the jackpot.

  Although it was the eve of the NFL Championship Game and just a week after winning the NFL's Eastern Division, the Redskins first round pick (sixth player overall) would change the fortune of Marshall's franchise. Quarterback Sammy Baugh had just finished an All-American career at Texas Christian University and was the consensus best passer in the nation. Baugh signed a contract with Marshall, and he became an instant sensation in the NFL. The NFL draft was now in place and had its first draft day "steal."

  oe F. Carr was once again pleased with another successful NFL campaign. Writing for the Associated Press he expressed his feelings toward what the league had just accomplished.

  Professional football attendance during the past year increased by more than 20-percent over the mark set the previous year, which we consider highly encouraging and even better than the increase noted in other sports.

  The improvement in individual performances and the increased effectiveness of our rules, tending to encourage the offense, probably played a big part in this increase in popular favor of the National Football League.

  There was not a single individual performance which did not exceed the previous year's record, and practically every team in the circuit gained more ground than in 1935. Two new records were established, by Arnie Herber and Don Hutson, both of Green Bay. Herber set a new forward passing mark of 77 completed passes for 1,239 yards. Hutson in catching 34 passes, also set a new high mark in that specialty.

  It was a year in which many new players came into the league and made good, especially in the case of Tuffy Leemans of the New York Giants, who led the league in his first season by gaining 830 yards.

  The Green Bay Packers won the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy and the league championship.... It is the first time Green Bay has won the Ed Thorp trophy in the four years it has been in competition.... We look forward to one of our best seasons in 1937 for most of the clubs in the circuit are laying plans for further improvements in their personnel, and the caliber of play should be improved. It is this factor on which we base our hopes for developing new patrons.'

  Carr was very optimistic on how the NFL was progressing in the eyes of the public. The league's increase in attendance (745,508 in 1935 to 814,815 in 1936) continued to show the NFL president that the game was in good hands.' Also, with the draft in place to filter future college stars into the league, the NFL was about as stable as it ever could be. The game was now ready to take off to another level. Little did Carr know that in nine months he almost wouldn't be around to see his league take the next step.

  Two months after the Packers won the 1936 NFL title, Carr scheduled the next owners meeting for February 12-13 at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago. On the first day the NFL's executive committee met to discuss a few items. First up was the selection of the NFL's tenth franchise. After much homework Carr recommended the Cleveland Rams as the league's newest team. Carr's infatuation with the city of Cleveland as an NFL destination revealed itself again. He knew the city would embrace the NFL as long as the new owners-led by attorney Homer Marshman-were dedicated to fielding a competitive team. The owners placed the Rams in the Western Division.

  The owners then approved "that clubs play a schedule of 11 games in 1937; guarantee of visiting teams [from] $4,000 to $5,000; awarded the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy to the Green Bay Packers; and approved Spalding J-5 ball for '37." After a dinner break the 1937 NFL schedule was approved. The second day saw the owners pass "that the PresidentSecretary salary increase [from $5,000] to $8,000 per year. The VicePresident/Treasurer from $1,000 to $1,500 per year." Carr and Carl Storck's hard work as NFL executives was once again rewarded with pay raises. To end the meeting the owners officially approved the move of the Boston franchise to Washington, as George Preston Marshall's team would now be called the Washington Redskins.3

  After two years of just nine teams the NFL was now back to a ten-team circuit. Although the Cleveland Rams would get off to a horrible start on the field-going just 1-10 in 1937-the NFL would remain a ten-team loop (expect for 1943 when World War II reduced the NFL to eight teams) for the next thirteen years, until 1950 when the league expanded to thirteen teams. The league was stable, and Carr returned home to Columbus knowing that he had made the right decision in placing a franchise in Cleveland. It was a perfect sports city and the area was known for its passion for football. This time it was going to work. As he walked through the door at 1863 Bryden Road, Carr didn't know that he would be spending more time at home than on the road in 1937.

  In Washington the newly minted Redskins were getting a complete makeover from the husband-and-wife team of George Preston Marshall and Corinne Griffith. As Marshall set up shop in the nation's capital, he wanted to make the Redskins the biggest event in the city on fall Sundays. "He took his tip from show business and at that time Corinne was around and she was helpful in that. She was very savvy, very smart." says Jordan Wright, granddaughter of George Preston Marshall. "First, he instituted these halftime shows, which were big spectaculars. It was like all a of sudden the place would turn into a circus with all kinds of entertainers and of course the marching band. Corinne then wrote the fight song, 'Hail to the Redskins. "'I

  In order to get fans out to Griffith Stadium in Washington, Marshall hired a full 110-piece marching band to play music and to play the team's new fight song. The band and the fight song became an instant hit with fans and made Redskins games the place to be on Sundays in D.C. "Football is a game of pageantry. It derives as a spectacle from the gladiator shows of the Romans in the pages of history," said George Preston Marshall. "He encouraged men and women to attend games. It was the thing to do. Celebrities would be in his box and they'd be all over. Women would be in their furs and men in their hats. It was pretty exciting," says Wright. "It would be a big show as well as the game."5

  "If you get women and the kids steamed up over a football game, you have papa hooked," Marshall would say about attracting the whole family.' Washington was about to take the NFL by storm and by the end of the 1937 season Marshall would be basking in the glory of his move south. As for Carr, 1937 wouldn't be so cheerful. On June 4 his estranged sister Mary Carr died at her home in Toledo of a heart attack. She was sixty-two years old. She left behind three grown children-sons Robert and Joseph and a daughter, Dorothy-who over the past couple of years had begun to write to Carr in Columbus.

  From 1935 to 1938, Robert and Dorothy Pratt wrote to their uncle at least four times discussing their situation in Toledo. On September 16, 1935, Dorothy wrote to Carr asking him for a favor:

  My dear Uncle Joe,

  I won't take up much of your time with a long letter but as usual I have a favor to ask. As the football season approaches, we are looking forward to seeing some of the games in Detroit and are wondering if you would be kind enough to send us a pass as you did for Joe [her brother] last year. You don't know how I dislike to have it appear that the Pratt family is always asking favors from you when we can do
nothing to repay you, and I suppose if I had as much pride as my Mother, I wouldn't do this. If it is impossible for you to do this, please don't hesitate to say so. Although we would appreciate it very much, I don't want you to be put to any inconvenience.

  We are all feeling just fine. Mother looks very well and I just wish that once in a while she could meet her family. I know she misses them a lot and would give a great deal to talk to them once in a while. Bob has started back to school, and I guess we will all be glad when he has finished his last year. I am glad tho, that he can finish, because it will mean that at least one member of our family has made the grade.

  Jerry [her husband, Gerald Walsh] and I are both well and just as happy as ever. We both send our regards and hope that you will not think us too "nervy" to ask the above favor.

  Affectionately,

  Dorothy'

  Carr responded on September 18:

  My dear Dorothy:

  I have your letter under date of September 16, and at the outset let inc tell you how glad I was to hear from you, and especially to learn that your Mother and all at Toledo are well.

  I, too, regret that we do not see one another more often, but you may be sure you are constantly in our thoughts, and the happiness of all of you is first in our desires.

  In reference to the pass would advise, I overlooked the fact that Joe had returned to Florida, and today mailed him a pass for himself and one. When it comes please return it, and I will have another made out as you requested in your letter. If you do this at once, I will take care of it immediately.

  Trusting you are well and happy, and asking you to extend the love of all the Carrs in Columbus to all in Toledo, I am as ever,

  Your loving uncle,

  Joe F. Carr8

  The exchange of letters showed that Carr still cared for his relatives despite the detached relationship he had with his sister. Sending the courtesy pass to attend NFL games was just a small gesture worth doing. On December 23, 1935, Carr wrote, maybe for the last time ever, a letter to his sister in Toledo.

  My dear Sister:

  Am in receipt of your splendid letter under date of December 19, and as usual was mighty glad to hear from you, and found much pleasure in reading one of your composed and well written epistles.

  Have not been in Toledo since I saw you last, nor have I been through there at a time when I could see you. Several times I traveled from Detroit, but always on the sleeper, so I trust this will account for me not stopping off. It is needless for me to tell you you are uppermost in my mind at all times. Was in Chicago last week and had a very nice visit with John [brother], although I could see him for just a short time. Everybody there seems to be well and happy, and things are coming along as good as can be expected. Everybody in Columbus is busy and well, and after all that is the most important thing. ... Well, Mayme, I suppose you are busy getting ready for Christmas like everybody else. I am inclosing herewith a little remittance which I trust will be acceptable. I hope you and yours will have all the good things I want you to have, and whenever you get a chance come down and see us.

  With love from all in Columbus to all in Toledo, I am as ever,

  Your loving brother,

  Joe F. Carr9

  Carr's relationship with his siblings was always one of distance and eventually put a mental strain on him. Although Carr didn't spend a lot of time with his sister, he truly cared for her and wanted her to be happy. When she died Carr was visibly shaken, and this may have led to his own health issues three months later. At this time the Carr siblings numbered four-John Karr of Chicago and Michael, Joe, and Edward of Columbus.

  On July 9 President Carr released the NFL schedule to the teams and press. The season was to begin on September 5 with the Eagles playing at Pittsburgh. The starting date would be the earliest in NFL history. As the season approached, Carr made his annual trip to the Windy City to attend the Chicago Tribune Charity All-Star Game (August 31). On the field during the pregame warm-ups, Carr talked over WGN radio about the upcoming season. A crowd of 84,560 fans showed up to watch the College All-Stars upset the Green Bay Packers, 6-0, behind a forty-seven-yard touchdown pass from Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian University) to end Gaynell Tinsley (Louisiana State University). This was just the start of a remarkable year for "Slinging Sammy."10

  On September 10 Carr traveled to Cleveland to watch the Rams play their first NFL game against the Detroit Lions. On a warm Friday night, the city pulled out all the stops for the franchise's debut. Before the contest the city held a parade that went down Euclid Avenue and ended at Municipal Stadium. Inside, the flag was raised by Company C of the 11th United States Infantry, which was stationed at Great Lakes. To kick off the game, Mayor Harold Burton threw out the first pass-a la baseball's ceremonial first pitch. The Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote, "Mayor Burton drew back his arm, and let the football fly. He isn't much with a baseball-but he tosses a mean spiral.""

  Carr was impressed to see 24,800 spectators in the stands as the Rams took the field to a loud ovation. It would be the only real cheer of the night for the hometown fans. The Lions scored three touchdowns in the first half to take a 21-0 lead. At halftime President Carr was asked to speak to the crowd from the field. The press box at spacious Cleveland Stadium was several levels up, and it took Carr a good ten to fifteen minutes to get down to the field. During his walk Carr felt tired and light-headed and had a sharp pain in his chest. Being the strong-willed Irishman he was, Carr made it to the field and delivered his speech. After watching the Lions finish off the Rams, 28-0, Carr felt a little better on the train ride home. A little over a week later his life would change.

  After returning from Cleveland, Carr went back to work and had a phone conversation with his friend Bill McKinnon-a sports columnist with the Columbus Dispatch. While chatting to McKinnon about the Rams NFL debut a few days earlier, he was asked about his health. Carr said he was "fine, thanks to the good Lord." But Carr wasn't fine. He was tired, worn, and had trouble with severe chest pains. Soon his health took a turn for the worse and sent the fifty-seven-year-old sports executive to the hospital. Carr had suffered a mild heart attack, and on September 20, 1937, he checked himself in at Grant Hospital. The news of Carr's condition made the front page of the Dispatch.

  Joe Carr Ill at Grant Hospital

  Joseph F. Carr, of 1863 Bryden Road, one of the most outstanding figures in professional athletics in the United States is in Grant Hospital suffering from a heart ailment, attendants said Tuesday. Mr. Carr entered the hospital Monday.12

  Carr's family physican, Dr. Edward E. Campbell (who replaced his good friend Dr. Bob Drury, who passed away in 1933), discovered the heart condition that affected the president. "Well, he was diagnosed having a smaller size heart and the doctor predicated a prognosis that he would not live too long," says Michael Carr, grandson of Joe F. Carr. Carr's condition stabilized, and on September 22 the hospital reported him in "fair condition" and that he was resting in his own room.13

  Carr's heart condition was very serious, and the whole Carr family was nervous that he wouldn't make it. "There is a history of heart problems in that side of the family," says James Carr, grandson of Joe F. Carr. "Coupled with that he was a smoker; we know that's bad now. Back then there just wasn't an awareness of the health risks. Plus he was a hard worker and it was probably dealing with all these heavy hitters in the NFL, it was pretty stressful. All those things contributed to that.""

  "[The family] were terrified. When he had the heart attack my grandmother said 'Oh Joe, you won't live long.' That's all she could do. She prayed, " says Michael Carr. "They were at the hospital night and day and they knew there was nothing they could do. It's just bide their time. They certainly rallied around him and hoped for the best." Carr survived the heat attack, but he was in no shape to work or do any everyday chores. He was tired and very weak, and was told to get some much-needed rest. The family would set up shop at Grant Hospital."

  A week later (September 29) the hosp
ital reported his condition "as much improved last night," but he was still pretty much useless, spending all his time resting in bed. As Carr was spending his days regaining his strength, the NFL season continued on with some large attendance numbers. Out of the fifty-five regular season games in 1937, twenty attracted a crowd of at least 20,000 fans. On October 31 at the Polo Grounds in New York, the Bears-Giants contest had 50,449 fans show up. In its eighteen-year history, the NFL saw its greatest year at the gate in 1937. The numbers were very impressive.16

  1. New York Giants (seven home games) = 250,025 (35,717 fans per game)

  2. Chicago Bears (five home games) = 113,760 (22,752)

  3. Washington Redskins (six home games) = 113,022 (18,837)

  4. Detroit Lions (six home games) = 112,984 (18,830)

  5. Brooklyn Dodgers (five home games) = 87,873 (17,574)

  6. Pittsburgh Pirates (seven home games) = 91,629 (13,089)

  7. Green Bay Packers (six home games**) = 77,332 (12,888)

  8. Cleveland Rams (five home games) = 55,800 (11,160)

  9. Chicago Cardinals (three home games) = 25,812 (8,604)

  10. Philadelphia Eagles (five home games) = 23,698 (4,739)

  Packers played two home games in Milwaukee

  After the first two months of the season, the Western Division was led by the undefeated Chicago Bears (5-0), while the Eastern was led by the Giants (4-1) and Redskins (4-2). The race to get to the NFL Championship Game was now heating up. On October 30 Dr. Campbell announced that Carr "will leave Grant Hospital next week after a month's treatment for a heart ailment and that Carr is in fine shape." A week and a half later on November 11, Josie, with the help of Mary and Joe Jr., took her husband home to continue his recovery. The family would rally around him with all their hearts .17

  "When my grandfather had the serious heart condition, my father [Joe Carr Jr.] would accompany him wherever and whenever. To ensure that he was taken care of," says Gregory Carr, grandson of Joe F. Carr. "Things like, making sure he was taking his pills, his diet. That he was getting enough sleep. When my grandfather started traveling again my father went with him. He was like a sophomore in college and it was difficult. A stressful thing for him. But he made the accommodations necessary to go to law school and travel with my grandfather at the same time." While Buddy helped his father get around, Josie and Mary took care of his needs at home. For most of the next eight months Carr would spend his time at home.18