Before the League (2015)

"Before the League" examines how small towns like Canton and Massillon, Ohio were the blueprint for fielding early pro football teams as well as fostering healthy rivalries. As precursors to the current day NFL, teams like the Akron Pros, Dayton Triangles, Portsmouth Spartans, Ironton Tanks, Shelby Blues (Ohio), Oorang Indians (Ohio), Rochester Jeffersons (NY), Buffalo All-Americans, Milwaukee Badgers and Columbus Panhandles laid the groundwork for the successes of today's big city NFL teams.