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Disclaimer — I posted this story about 5 years ago. My grandpa is still kicking, but he’s not long for this world anymore, so this is always in honor of him. Also, he has since gifted me the Championship ring, which means more to me than anything I’ve ever owned. I wear it on a chain around my neck everyday.

My grandfather is the only male figure in my life, and he's getting older and not doing so well. I saw on comment on here last night that made me think of him and inspired me to tell the story I grew up hearing time and again.

It's the story of the 1925 Pottsville Maroons, the team his father won an NFL Championship with only to have it taken away and never returned. All the while legitimizing professional football in a time when college dominated the public's attention.

For those who don't know, Pottsville is a small mining town in essentially central PA. In 1925, the NFL was in its infancy. New teams joined every year, most of which couldn't be sustained longer than a few seasons. Only 4 teams made it out of the 20's for the long haul (Packers, Bears, Giants and Cardinals). The Maroons joined the NFL in 1925 after years in coal miners leagues around PA, and folded after 1929.

Pottsville dominated in their first year in the NFL, putting up a 10-1-1 record. When they played the Chicago Cardinals, it was billed as the "championship game" (no playoffs back then, a champion was determined by who had the best record by years end). Pottsville won convincingly 21-7.

Now after that game, Pottsville played a game against the Notre Dame All-Stars. At the time, college football was thought to be far superior to the professional game. Pottsville basically played on a high school field, so they moved the game to Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Frankford's owner complained that they were playing in his teams territory, and the NFL warned Pottsville not to play the game in Philly. It turns out Frankford's owner was just upset because he wanted his team to play Notre Dame, but since Pottsville was considered the best team, they got the honor.

The Maroons went through with the game, and beat the Four-Horseman 9-7. It didn't change things overnight, but that game gave the NFL footing. It proved the pros were just as good if not better than college.

After the game, the NFL suspended Pottsville for the remainder of the 1925 season. Since champions were rewarded to the team with the best record at the end of the year, and the Cardinals had scheduled a few more games after the Maroons were out, they were awarded the championship. Funny thing is, their owner at the time didn't actually accept the title. He knew it wasn't his. It wasn't until the 30's and new ownership took over the franchise that they started laying claim to the title. My grandfather has spent most of his adult life fighting to restore that championship to the small town of Pottsville with no success. They refuse to give it back. Now it's been nearly 90 years, and the Cardinals have managed to legitimately win one championship since, in 1947. Coincidence? I like to think my great-grandfather made sure Santonio Holmes made that catch in Super Bowl XLIII

My grandfather is the reason I love football. It's more than a game to me, it's my life. I've always loved history, and knowing my family had an impact on the game I love so much brings me extreme pride. I know my grandfather has always felt the same passion, so I just wanted to pass on a story that means a lot to him and me.

Here's my grandfather's ring, and the team picture. My great-grandfather was 'Fungy' Lebengood, and the only native of Pottsville on the team.

If you're interested, there's a great book called Breaker Boys that tells the entire tale. Also thanks to anyone that read this far, it ended up really long I apologize.

TL;DR: my great-granddaddy won the 1925 NFL championship and is haunting the Cardinals until they give it back