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Maroons legacy continues Bridget Freiler Executive Editor-In-Chief The kick is up, and it’s no good. The Pottsville Maroons, the city’s only professional sports team, was once again turned down by the National Football League in its quest to have its 1925 championship title returned. The NFL team owners voted October 30 against reopening the files from 1925 and reexamining the case, which could have resulted in them giving the title back to the Maroons. “I think their [the NFL’s] decision is unjust. The technicality that made us lose the title is so small, if it is even a technicality at all. I think that the team that now holds the title is being selfish,” senior Bryan Marchefsky said. The final vote was 30-2, with the only two votes of support coming from both of Pennsylvania’s professional team owners, Dan Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jeffrey Lurie of the Philadelphia Eagles. The title was taken away from the Maroons because, when they played a game against college players from the University of Notre Dame, they violated the territorial rights of another team, the Frankford Yellow Jackets. The game was an exhibition game, similar to an all-star game, but it was not authorized by the league and it was played against a nonprofessional team. As of 1925, the title has belonged to the Chicago Cardinals, even though Chicago lost to Pottsville in the game that was considered to be the championship. There have been two previous attempts to have the title restored in the years since it was taken away. One attempt came in 1963 and the other in 1967. The most recent attempt was important to its organizers because they planned to get the title back in time for Pottsville’s bicentennial celebration in the year 2006. “Football is a popular sport around here and the Maroons were a big part of our city’s history. It’s really appropriate that people are petitioning right before the bicentennial celebration in 2006,” junior Matt Govern said. Although the city was unsuccessful having the title reinstated, some felt that the attempt itself had a positive impact on Pottsville. “I think that trying to get the title back has made some of us feel proud of our city, even if we didn’t win,” sophomore Mike Furr said. Governor Edward Rendell began the push for the title in May when he sent a proposal to the spring meeting of the NFL in Philadelphia. He suggested that the city of Pottsville pay a $10,000 fine to compensate the territory violation in return for a piece of the title. Rendell remained an influential participant in the quest for the title throughout its duration. Despite the decision made by the NFL, the organization did not completely ignore the efforts of the city to take back the title. Pottsville was awarded, by the NFL, the Daniel Reeve’s Pioneer Award, recognizing the city as one of the NFL’s Pioneer communities. The award will be presented to the city in August of next year in Canton, Ohio, home of the NFL Hall of Fame. Some students were disappointed by the NFL’s refusal to reopen the files. Many were concerned for the men who played on the team. “I think it’s ridiculous that the owners voted against returning the Maroons’ title. I don’t understand why they are all so against it. The Maroons won the title outright,” senior Jason Fehr said. Others sympathized with those who worked so hard to regain the title. “It’s heartbreaking to think about all the people who fought to get the title back and were just coldly rejected after the fact,” senior Katie Durkin said. However, there are others in the school who agree with the decision made by the NFL. “First of all, not a whole lot of people are aware there even was a [team called the] Maroons in the NFL. It was a thing of the past,” sophomore Kelli Charlesworth said. Many students, though, didn’t think the NFL was right to make the choice it did. “It’s good that we challenged, but we should have won,” senior Brian Stiltner said. Top of page Learn more About Tide Lines Tide Lines welcomes Letters to the Editor. These can be submitted via e-mail by writing to tidelines@pottsville.k12.pa.us Missed an issue? Find it in our Tide Lines Online Archive. |
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