Historical society program explores Latrobe's claim to pro football first, bid for Hall of Fame

Fall’s arrival brings a resurfacing of traditional football rivalries.

That makes it an appropriate time for the Latrobe Area Historical Society to revisit some key football rivalries that have played out off the field — including competing claims to “firsts” in the sport’s early years.

The society again will present its program “Latrobe, Home of Professional Football … Or are we???” Friday and Saturday at its headquarters and museum at 416 Weldon St.

The audiovisual program offers plenty of material of interest to area sports fans.

But, the society notes, “You do not need to be a football fan to see this presentation. This is definitely a show about Latrobe and our early history and the decisions that were made. It will answer a lot of questions and maybe ask some others.”

As the title suggests, the program sifts through the historical record to examine Latrobe’s claim as the location where professional football got its start.

That claim was, it seemed, set in stone in 1960 — when a plaque proclaiming such was mounted on a stone base at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. In support of the claim, the plaque recounts how, on Sept. 3, 1895, quarterback John K. Brallier was paid $10 and expenses to lead the Latrobe YMCA team to a 6-0 victory over Jeannette.

In 1960, Latrobe’s seminal place in pro football history also had the support of the NFL. Art Rooney Sr., then president of the Pittsburgh Steelers, attended the plaque’s dedication.

That claim since has become qualified, with the surfacing of an earlier candidate as the first pro player — William “Pudge” Heffelfinger, who was paid $500 by Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Athletic Association for a game Nov. 12, 1892.

Still, Latrobe continues to hold on to another asserted football milestone — the first team with an entirely paid roster, or, at least, the first such team to play a full season, in 1897.

“Part of the problem is trying to separate fact from legend,” historical society President Mary Lou Townsend has said. “We have the first professional football team, if not the first individual player.”

The historical society program also touches on another rivalry that has perhaps had a greater impact on Latrobe — the town’s unsuccessful bid, based on the Brallier episode, to be the site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That competition ultimately was won by Canton, Ohio, the site of a 1920 meeting that created what became the National Football League.

Admission for the presentation is free, but donations will be accepted. Masks are required.

Doors open at 9 a.m. each day, with the program beginning at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

On-street parking is available. On Saturday, additional parking spaces will be open in the lot of Kelly, Sparber, White and Associates at Weldon and Alexandria streets.