New book details the life of “the Henry Ford of the NFL”: Columbus, Ohio’s Joe F. Carr

New book details the life of “the Henry Ford of the NFL”: Columbus, Ohio’s Joe F. Carr. A Columbus, Ohio-native himself, Chris Willis of NFL Films sheds light on the man who turned the NFL into the world’s most popular spectator sport.

(December 7, 2010) Though he was among the initial seventeen inductees into Canton, Ohio’s Pro Football Hall of Fame; the work of Joe F. Carr has been overlooked and seemingly misplaced in the annals of the National Football League. Chris Willis, Head of the Research Library at NFL Films, has compiled the rich history of Carr’s life and work in the new book titled, The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr published by The Scarecrow Press Inc. (http://www.scarecrowpress.com/)

Described as “the Henry Ford of the NFL” by Willis the book details what has become the hidden history of Joe F. Carr. Willis was given complete access to Carr’s family and associates and brings the life of Carr, born the son of Irish immigrants, back to the forefront. The author recounts Carr as the man who had a vision for a little known sport and rose to become the diligent, straight-shooting president of the National Football League. Much of the structure for today’s NFL was developed by Carr, including standard player's contracts, rules for college recruitment, professional football regulations, players' statistics, creation of two NFL divisions, the NFL draft, and the championship game.

During his 18 years as President of the NFL, Carr saw the league expand from struggling franchises scattered in and around the Ohio to major business and sports conglomerates in nearly every major U.S. city. Willis shows us how it was Carr who recruited the folks who purchased franchises that would become the NFL’s Steelers, Eagles, Giants, Lions, Cardinals and Redskins. Many of these families are not only enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but those same families continue to own these franchises to this day.

Not only did Carr change the name of the then American Professional Football Association to what we know today as the National Football League, he established what would be among the first NFL offices in downtown Columbus, Ohio located on the 11th floor of 16 East Broad Street. Willis informs us that it was Carr’s idea to model the NFL after the largest, most popular sport in the U.S. at the time: Major League Baseball; he even accurately predicted in 1933 that football would eventually overtake baseball as America’s most popular sport. At the same time it was who Carr predicted that the success of the game would create the need to build indoor stadiums.

Willis brings back the life of the man who dedicated his life to the movement that would make professional football what it is today from 1921 till his untimely death in 1939 at the age of 59. Willis gives insight on the man inside and outside of football from members of the Carr family, many whom still reside in Ohio’s Capitol City.

Did you know…Carr also served for a time as President of the American Basketball League and the Columbus Senators baseball team?...Carr was among the first seventeen members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame which included such names as Sammy Baugh, Red Grange, Jim Thorpe, Curly Lambeau, George Halas, Ernie Nevers, and Bronko Nagurski…the first NFL Most Valuable Player award was named for Carr before the award before the award was ceased and when it was brought back Carr’s name disappeared.

In all, Chris Willis reconnects you with the hidden details behind the creation of the NFL and the impact a Columbus, Ohio man had on a sport we know and love with, The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr.

About The Author:
Chris Willis
Head of the Research Library
NFL Films
Email: chris.willis@nfl.com

Willis has held his position with NFL Films since 1996. This is his third book. His other works include Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935 (Scarecrow, 2005) and The Columbus Panhandles: A Complete History of Pro Football's Toughest Team, 1900-1922 (Scarecrow, 2007).

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So, Oprah Called Me On Saturday...

Well...not Oprah Winfrey herself, but a representative from her show did.

This past weekend was the first Saturday in a long, long time where I had nothing to do and spent the day vegging out on the sofa and watching college football. After a couple of games, I took the time to check my email via cell phone to see if I had any replies from the plethora of resumes I have been sending out.

I had the usual list of spam and forwards, but one caught my attention. It was from someone with an email from harpo.com. Curious to see what fun things this organization was going to try and get me to buy, I read through it. A woman stated that she works "...at the Oprah Show.. " and was "...trying to get a hold.." of me. As a result, she left her phone number and complete contact information with the Oprah program.

I laughed and rolled my eyes with the thought that, "I better get my ass in gear, Oprah...the Queen of all media...needs my services!" Despite my urge to hop in the nearest phone booth, throw on my cape and fly to Chicago, I put my phone away and continued my deep, trance-like gazing of the wonderful world of NCAA Football.

About 20 minutes later, after it crossed my mind about a hundred times, I opened up that email and read it again.

Sure, it definitely sounded like a scam, or spam, with Oprah needing my assistance one way or another (because that happens ALL the time). Though, at the bottom of the message was this long legal disclaimer that made it sound legit.

It was wordy and included this paragraph, "Unsolicited ideas and/or creative materials sent to Harpo will not be kept confidential and may be shared with and used by the staff of Harpo and any of its affiliated companies or entities, as well as with any third parties as Harpo may elect. Harpo is neither obligated to use your ideas and/or materials nor to pay you for them."

The banner on the email with "Oprah. The Farewell Season" slapped on it perked my curiosity even more.

Since I was home alone and wasn't doing anything constructive, I called the number and received a voicemail greeting that indicated I did reach the name of the woman who had sent me the email and that she was working for the Oprah Winfrey program.

I left a message, but I am now in further amazement that I believe I did just call one of Oprah's employees. Not expecting a return call, I go back to football on the boob tube.

Ten minutes later, my phone rings from the very same number I had called. Ready to poke holes into this scam, I smile broadly and answer.


"Hi, Craig? This is Colleen from the Oprah Winfrey show," as the sound of people congregating, phones ringing and such roll in the background.

"Um.....yeeesssss?", I reply with skepticism abound.

Colleen goes on to say, "I'm sorry to bother you, but we are in search of someone and we aren't sure if that person is you or not?"

"No shit" is what what I really wanted to say, but realizing I was actually talking with an Oprah Winfrey show employee I kept myself entertained. "Okay, I'll do my best to help. Who is it that you need?"

"We are looking for the Craig Simpson who took some photographs of Barbra Streisand? Wouldn't happen to be you, would it?", she says.



This is the work of the Craig Simpson I was mistaken for...

Silent for second, then holding back laughter I tell Colleen that as much I want to say "Yes, I AM!", I was going to have to tell her that she did not reach the correct Craig Simpson. Through my answer she could hear the smile on my face and vice versa.

We both had a good chuckle and I thanked her for making my Saturday football frenzy that much more interesting. She agreed that she, too, would find it odd to receive a call from the Oprah program out of the blue.

While I had her on the phone I took advantage of the situation.

"Colleen?", I asked with a curious laughter,"your program wouldn't be in need of an unemployed communications professional, would it?" I have barely ever watched the show and would not call myself a fan, but if they want to hire me, I'll be damned if I say no.

Colleen said with a big smile and enthusiasm that as far as she knows, they do not need anyone with my background. After thanking her for the fun phone call, she thanked me for my time and moved on.

Just to be sure and to follow up for the hell of it, I sent her an email reply as well thanking for her time and hoping they find the Craig Simpson they are looking for as well as the indication that I am in search of employment at this time. That is in case they happen to come across a vacant spot or two in the near future.

I figured I wouldn't get the chance a second time, so I took advantage. Nothing may come of it, but it makes for an awesome story.

As for the other Craig Simpsons out there..if you took some photos of Barbra Streisand sometime in the recent, or not so recent, past, Oprah needs you to contact her show.

FYI, just to prove I'm not making things up...I kept the email I received. I'm not sure that is stone cold proof, but it is something.

Clintonville Area Commission: Infighting, Turn Lanes & Headaches

As a Clintonville resident, I really have to get this off my chest. This fiasco that has become the much debated turn lane/widening of East North Broadway and High Street has gone totally backwards.

To let you in, several residents along East North Broadway claim Columbus is being unfair in the proposal to take very small sections of land to widen the intersection to insert a left turn lane from North Broadway onto High Street. These folks, some who were on the Clintonville Area Commission, say that this will destroy the fabric of their neighborhood and will put area children in danger. You may have noticed the ribbons along North Broadway that are apparently a display of unity among these people. My favorite is the sign with a message, apparently from the tree it is connected to, that says “Save me, I’m over 100 years old”.

These folks proposed a roundabout at the intersection instead of the turn lane which is an effort to ease the amount of traffic that inundates the area during AM and PM rush hour. I can see the problems with traffic there as the absence of a turn lane has some motorists jetting through side streets and alleys to circumvent the major roadway. This is where it creates havoc, along the residential streets that really do not need the extra flow of cars and trucks.

Funny, this is where it gets backwards. The vast majority of the complaints about the proposals to alleviate the traffic is coming those along East North Broadway who do not want any part of their yards, or trees, or sidewalks tweaked, but do want a change at the intersection. They make is sound as if officials want to completely overhaul the intersection along with the entire stretch of the roadway, which is nowhere near the truth.

The fact is that a change at the intersection is needed, but officials will have to renegotiate portions of the surrounding land to create that change. The thing is that the renegotiation is small and insignificant to all but a handful of Clintonville residents.

I am not saying the folks along East North Broadway have no say, but their reaction to everything outside of their own proposal is as if Columbus wants to wipe their neighborhood off the block.

Last year the Clintonville Area Commission, after much debate, voted in favor of the turn lane. Then the CAC elections took place and committees were formed. Funny how the Planning and Development committee, which is the one that typically conducts the major work and research on items like road construction is now made up of a majority of folks who live on the same block where the turn lane is to be added…East North Broadway.

You can read below for more on this debate...

http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2010/10/16/the_booster/news/bo%20cac%20p%20a_20101011_0608pm_2.txt%20Angry%20exchanges%20lead%20to%20call%20for%20'civility'

And then there are articles on the CAC members, and those who just live in the area, who continue their infighting and calling one another out…(I suggest you read the comments on the stories the links take you to in order to get the real fun)….

http://www.topix.net/forum/source/this-week-news/TG7LLTO9HA0O0DL5S

The the new commission announced special "informational" session for the city to present their plans, but instead decided to re-discuss the already recommended left turn lane addition at the intersection. Apparently the new voting members decided you keep changing your mind until you get what you want…

http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/clintonville/stories/2010/10/13/special-session-set-on-complete-street-plan-turn-lane.html?sid=104

The issue with the East North Broadway folks’ roundabout proposal is that the officials have already stated a roundabout at North High and Broadway would be too expensive and that the left turn lane is already set for construction. The same turn lane proposal the commission voted to recommend in 2009.

Then, last week, the new commission decided they needed to re-vote on the recommended proposal at this information session, to the surprise of those who believed this to be just what it was slated to be, an information session. This time, along with the new members, the majority of the commission voted to take back their recommendation and officially eject the city’s left turn lane proposal.

http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2010/11/03/the_booster/news/bospecialc_20101101_0415pm_6.txt
Again, I live in Clintonville and agree an upgrade has to be done at this intersection. It is a major piece to our section of the Columbus Metro area. I do see where some folks along East North Broadway could and would have an issues with some things, but they seem to sometimes miss the fact that you can’t have your cake and eat it too when it comes to issues with roadway reorganization.

The infighting with the CAC cracks me up, that includes the folks along East North Broadway as well as those who do not live on that one particular block or two. The commission is about Clintonville as a whole and not about the one issue that relates to your particular yard. You were voted in to assist in making Clintonville better for all of us, not just you.

I’m hoping the real news organizations in this city wake up and cover both sides of what is really giving Clintonville a black eye.

In case you are interested there is a CAC meeting tonight at 7pm at the Whetstone Branch the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Here is the agenda:
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/13383426/1592717629/name/2010-11+CAC+Agenda[1].pdf

If you can't read the agenda, you might be able to find it here:

www.clintonvilleareacommission.org

Okay, I’m off my soap box. Let me have it.

Celebrate Columbus' Food Culture

An open letter to Columbus' food and beverage professionals....

I apologize for lumping all of you together, but since it kind of connects everyone I figured this would be the best way. Columbus, and the Columbus area, has become a food/beverage/restaurant hotbed and, yes, that is something you are not unfamiliar with. And with the growth of superb food and drink establishments you have unknowingly engineered a drive for foodies in Columbus to become more active in attempting to create your success in their own homes for friends, relatives and those alike.

You can literally see the interest by browsing local discussion boards (http://www.columbusunderground.com/) and the number of local connoisseurs who have started their own food and beverage blogs (http://www.restaurantwidow.com/ , http://columbusbeerguys.wordpress.com/ , http://www.columbusfoodie.com/ , etc.) which have become rather popular.

With that said, I believe you could develop some sort of competition in which the locals (the foodies, neighborhood kitchen gurus and basement brew doctors) would submit dishes and beverages of their own doing. Those chosen, or selected, would be highlighted at your establishments (on special, limited time menus or offerings) for the rest of Columbus to enjoy. The winners would get their names and city/suburb/village/place of residence splattered next to their concoctions on the menus. This would celebrate and recognize that Columbus' food & beverage scene is more than just the work of the professionals these days. The professionals have created an underground need for good food, good drink and a culture of satisfying the palate.

To continue the Columbus connection I was thinking that whatever is charged as an entry fee, or however money is raised, the funds would then benefit a Columbus area charity, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank or the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks or Nationwide Children's Hospital or something of that nature. A portion of the purchase price at said establishments would also benefit the charity or charities.

For the sake of giving it an identity it could be called something like, “Food Me! Columbus” or “Drink Me! Columbus” (or something MUCH LESS LAME). Now if there is something like this going on...please tell me to leave you alone and to go away, but to my current knowledge there is not a program of this sort going on in Columbus.

Now would this, in turn, be turned into a festival or event held in the Columbus area, I don't know. Though, I do believe it would be quite the draw if it were to come to that. Of course, that would also evolve into developing partnerships and sponsorships and what have you. A lot of work, but I believe this would be a major benefit for Columbus.

I am just an area resident who has a passion for food & beverage, cooking and the restaurant industry. If you have any thoughts on the matter, please feel free to discuss. I encourage you to do so. Otherwise have a great day and keep up the excellent work.