Sherburn Wightman
Encyclopedia
Sherburn Wightman was a professional American football
player-coach
in the "Ohio League
", which was the direct predecessor to the modern National Football League
. He is best remembered for coach the Massillon Tigers
to a Ohio League title in 1906, over the Canton Bulldogs
. which led to accusations of a betting scandal
. In 1907, he coach a version of the Massillon Tigers, called the "All-Massillons" to another Ohio League title. Prior to his professional career, Wightman played at the college level
for the Chicago Maroons
, under Amos Alonzo Stagg
, and Swarthmore College
.
was promoted to the title of team manager.
Wightman's first order of business was to replace four of the Tigers players who were a part of the club's 1905 Ohio League championship. Quarterback
Jack Hayden, tackle Jack Lang
, guard
Herman Kerchoff
, and end Clark Schrontz
were all convince to play for the Bulldogs in 1906 by Canton coach Blondy Wallace
. Wightman replaced Kerchoff with, an ex-teammate from his playing days at Chicago and Swarthmore, Tiny Maxwell
. Meanwhile Ted Nesser
and E.P. King
were signed to soldify the offensive line. However the biggest signing for Wightman was the signing of Peggy Parratt
as the team's new quarterback.
At the end of the season, Canton and Massillin decided to play a two game home-and-home series to determine the 1906 Ohio League champions. Homer Davidson
, who was considered the best kicker
of the era was also signed by Wightman for the game, just in case Massillon needed a field goal
or extra point
. Under the rules of the series, the winners of game 2 would be the league champs. The first game went to Canton by a score of 10-5. However, Massillon won the rematch 13-6 and was named the Ohio League's 1906 champions.
. As proof that Wightman was at the root of the fix attempt, East furnished the Akron Beacon-Journal a copy of a contract in which Wightman agreed to have the November 16 game thrown for $4,000. It was signed by East, John T. Windsor, one of the owners of the Akron Giants baseball team, and Wightman. After reading East's charges, Wightman gave an interview to The Plain Dealer in which he stated: "Anything and everything I did in conjunction with East and Windsor was done in accordance with instruction from Manager Stewart and the backers of the Massillon team. When East first came to me with his scheme I reported his proposition to my employers and they told me to go ahead with it and see to what lengths East would go. Consequently, I strung them along until I had the signatures of East and Windsor down on paper. When that was done East was released, and it was seen that we had gold- bricked them. Consequently the great plunging of the first game on the part of the bettors did not take place. East's statement does not worry me in the least, for I am innocent of any attempt to pull off any dishonesty." E.J Stewart backed-up Wightman's statement. Meanwhile Dr. Harry March
stated in his 1934 a book called Pro Football: Its Ups and Downs
, which documented the scandal, that Wallace persuaded a Canton player to deliberately throw the game. Wallace later filed a libel lawsuit against the Stewart and his newspaper, the Massillon Independent for $25,000. The case was settle out of court.
The scandal still remains a mystery to this day and was said to have ruined professional football in Ohio until the mid 1910s. However some historians argue that the expense of placing all-star teams on the field each week, also put a hamper on the sport. The Canton Morning News put a $20,000 price tag on the Massillon Tigers 1906 team, while many speculate that the Bulldogs probably cost even more.
in the line-up, 13-4, and celebrated its fifth consecutive state championship. Because of that game's importance, Massillon brought in two ringers, Peggy Parratt and Bob Shiring
.
The next season Wightman and several ex-Massillom players traveled to Canal Dover
and played for the Dover Giants. While the Giants had never been a major factor in the "Ohio League", the transfusion of the ex-Tigers players instantly made them a powerhouse. The Giants claimed the 1908 state championship at the end of the season, however the claim received little support outside of Dover since they played a weak schedule.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player-coach
Player-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
in the "Ohio League
Ohio League
The Ohio League was an informal and loose association of American football clubs active between 1903 and 1919 that competed for the Ohio Independent Championship . As the name implied, its teams were based in Ohio...
", which was the direct predecessor to the modern National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He is best remembered for coach the Massillon Tigers
Massillon Tigers
The Massillon Tigers were an early professional football team from Massillon, Ohio. Playing in the "Ohio League", the team was a rival to the pre-National Football League version of the Canton Bulldogs. The Tigers won Ohio League championships in 1903, 1904, 1905, and 1906, then merged to become...
to a Ohio League title in 1906, over the Canton Bulldogs
Canton Bulldogs
The Canton Bulldogs were a professional American football team, based in Canton, Ohio. They played in the Ohio League from 1903 to 1906 and 1911 to 1919, and its successor, the National Football League, from 1920 to 1923 and again from 1925 to 1926. The Bulldogs would go on to win the 1917, 1918...
. which led to accusations of a betting scandal
Canton Bulldogs-Massillon Tigers Betting Scandal
The Canton Bulldogs–Massillon Tigers betting scandal was the first major scandal in professional football in the United States. It refers to a series of allegations made by a Massillon newspaper charging the Canton Bulldogs coach, Blondy Wallace, and Massillon Tigers end, Walter East, of conspiring...
. In 1907, he coach a version of the Massillon Tigers, called the "All-Massillons" to another Ohio League title. Prior to his professional career, Wightman played at the college level
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Chicago Maroons
Chicago Maroons football
The Chicago Maroons are the college football team representing the University of Chicago. The Maroons play in NCAA Division III as a member of the University Athletic Association. From 1892 to 1939, the Maroons were a major college football power...
, under Amos Alonzo Stagg
Amos Alonzo Stagg
Amos Alonzo Stagg was an American athlete and pioneering college coach in multiple sports, primarily American football...
, and Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college in the United States with an enrollment of about 1,500 students. The college is located in the borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia....
.
Massillon Tigers
Wightman was named the coach of the Massillon Tigers in 1906 after E. J. StewartE. J. Stewart
Edward James "Doc" Stewart was an American football, basketball, and baseball player, coach, and college athletics administrator...
was promoted to the title of team manager.
Wightman's first order of business was to replace four of the Tigers players who were a part of the club's 1905 Ohio League championship. Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Jack Hayden, tackle Jack Lang
Jack Lang (American football)
John "Jack" Lang was a professional American football player. In 1902 he won a championship in the first National Football League with the Pittsburgh Stars. A year later he was a member of the Franklin Athletic Club football team that was considered the "best in the world"...
, guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
Herman Kerchoff
Herman Kerchoff
Herman Kerchoffe was professional American football player for the Pittsburgh Stars of the first National Football League in 1902, the Massillon Tigers in 1904 and the Canton Athletic Club...
, and end Clark Schrontz
Clark Schrontz
Clark A. Schrontz was a professional American football player. In 1902 he won a championship in the first National Football League with the Pittsburgh Stars. A year later he was a member of the Franklin Athletic Club football team that was considered the "best in the world"...
were all convince to play for the Bulldogs in 1906 by Canton coach Blondy Wallace
Blondy Wallace
Charles Edgar "Blondy" Wallace was an early professional football player. He was a 240-pound, former Walter Camp second-team All-American tackle from the University of Pennsylvania. He also played two years at Peddie Institute, in New Jersey, winning state championships in 1896 and 1897...
. Wightman replaced Kerchoff with, an ex-teammate from his playing days at Chicago and Swarthmore, Tiny Maxwell
Tiny Maxwell
Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell was a professional football player and referee. He was also a sports editor with the Philadelphia Public Ledger.-Early life:...
. Meanwhile Ted Nesser
Ted Nesser
Theodore Nesser Jr. was a professional football player-coach in the "Ohio League" and the early National Football League. During his career he played mainly for the Columbus Panhandles, however he did also play for a little for the Massillon Tigers, Akron Indians, Canton Bulldogs and the Shelby...
and E.P. King
E.P. King
E.P. King was a professional American football player with the Massillon Tigers. He was signed by the Tigers in 1906 to play in the Ohio League championship against the Canton Bulldogs in a two-game series. Massillon would go on to lose the first game of the series, 10–5, but won the second game ...
were signed to soldify the offensive line. However the biggest signing for Wightman was the signing of Peggy Parratt
Peggy Parratt
George Watson "Peggy" Parratt was a professional football player who played in the "Ohio League" prior to it becoming a part of the National Football League...
as the team's new quarterback.
At the end of the season, Canton and Massillin decided to play a two game home-and-home series to determine the 1906 Ohio League champions. Homer Davidson
Homer Davidson
Homer Hurd Davidson was a professional Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Naps . Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he played only 6 games for the Naps during the 1908 season. Davidson was better known as a professional football player...
, who was considered the best kicker
Kicker
- Business :* Any person not able to make a decision independently / aka 'Booter'. Antonym of 'kiddie' or 'cheese' colloquial term within British sales subculture.- Athletics :* Placekicker, a position in American and Canadian football...
of the era was also signed by Wightman for the game, just in case Massillon needed a field goal
Field goal
A field goal is a general term used in some sports wherein a goal may be scored either during general play or via some sort of free shot...
or extra point
Extra Point
Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET...
. Under the rules of the series, the winners of game 2 would be the league champs. The first game went to Canton by a score of 10-5. However, Massillon won the rematch 13-6 and was named the Ohio League's 1906 champions.
Scandal
After the series was over, both teams and their fans heard rumours that the second game of the series was fixed. One story suggested that Canton players had bet large amounts of money on themselves to win, while approaching the Massillon players and asking them to throw the game in exchange for a share of Canton's winnings. However Wightman was accused of being behind the scandal by Massillon end, Walter EastWalter East
Walter East was the Akron Zips men's basketball head coach in 1909. In twelve games, he guided the team to a 5-7 record.-Scandal:He is best known for fixing a championship football series in 1906 between the Canton Bulldogs and the Massillon Tigers of the "Ohio League"...
. As proof that Wightman was at the root of the fix attempt, East furnished the Akron Beacon-Journal a copy of a contract in which Wightman agreed to have the November 16 game thrown for $4,000. It was signed by East, John T. Windsor, one of the owners of the Akron Giants baseball team, and Wightman. After reading East's charges, Wightman gave an interview to The Plain Dealer in which he stated: "Anything and everything I did in conjunction with East and Windsor was done in accordance with instruction from Manager Stewart and the backers of the Massillon team. When East first came to me with his scheme I reported his proposition to my employers and they told me to go ahead with it and see to what lengths East would go. Consequently, I strung them along until I had the signatures of East and Windsor down on paper. When that was done East was released, and it was seen that we had gold- bricked them. Consequently the great plunging of the first game on the part of the bettors did not take place. East's statement does not worry me in the least, for I am innocent of any attempt to pull off any dishonesty." E.J Stewart backed-up Wightman's statement. Meanwhile Dr. Harry March
Harry March
Harry Addison March was an early football historian and promoter, as well as a medical doctor. He also helped organize the National Football League and well as the second American Football League. March is also credited with convincing Tim Mara to purchase an NFL franchise for New York City, which...
stated in his 1934 a book called Pro Football: Its Ups and Downs
Pro Football: Its Ups and Downs
Pro Football: Its Ups and Downs, published in 1934, is a novel by Dr. Harry March that was the first ever attempt to write a history of professional American football. March had served in several executive offices with the New York Giants of the National Football League in the late 1920s and was a...
, which documented the scandal, that Wallace persuaded a Canton player to deliberately throw the game. Wallace later filed a libel lawsuit against the Stewart and his newspaper, the Massillon Independent for $25,000. The case was settle out of court.
The scandal still remains a mystery to this day and was said to have ruined professional football in Ohio until the mid 1910s. However some historians argue that the expense of placing all-star teams on the field each week, also put a hamper on the sport. The Canton Morning News put a $20,000 price tag on the Massillon Tigers 1906 team, while many speculate that the Bulldogs probably cost even more.
"All-Massillons"
The Tigers reorganized into the "All-Massillons" in 1907, after which professional football in Massillon effectively stopped. The team was made up of many of the former Tigers players and was coached and managed by Wightman. The team defeated the Columbus Panhandles, with the Nesser BrothersNesser Brothers
The Nesser Brothers were a group of football playing brothers who helped make up the most famous football family in the United States from 1907 until the mid-1920s...
in the line-up, 13-4, and celebrated its fifth consecutive state championship. Because of that game's importance, Massillon brought in two ringers, Peggy Parratt and Bob Shiring
Bob Shiring
Robert Shiring was a professional football player from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is best known for playing for the Massillon Tigers from 1903 until 1907. However he also played for the Pittsburgh Stars of the first National Football League in 1902...
.
The next season Wightman and several ex-Massillom players traveled to Canal Dover
Dover, Ohio
Dover is a city in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,210 at the 2000 census.-History and features:Dover was originally part of a grant to Col. James Morrison of Kentucky, who had received it from the federal government for Revolutionary War services...
and played for the Dover Giants. While the Giants had never been a major factor in the "Ohio League", the transfusion of the ex-Tigers players instantly made them a powerhouse. The Giants claimed the 1908 state championship at the end of the season, however the claim received little support outside of Dover since they played a weak schedule.