Ralph Hay
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| Date of birth | January 12, 1891 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Canton, Ohio, United States |
| Date of death | July 29, 1944 (aged 53) |
| Place of death | Canton, Ohio, United States |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Owner |
| College | None |
| Career history | |
| As owner | |
| 1918–1923 | Canton Bulldogs |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Ralph E. Hay (January 12, 1891 – July 29, 1944) was the owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918 until 1923. However he is mostly recognized for organizing the first meeting of teams that would later form the American Professional Football Association, later called the National Football League.
After high school in Canton, Hay, at age 18, went to work as an automobile salesman for a local dealership. After several years selling cars, Hay went into the car business for himself. He set up the Ralph E. Hay Motor Company, and sold Jordan Hupmobiles and Pierce-Arrows. Hay became one of the most successful automobile dealers in the state of Ohio.
In 1918, at the age of 27, Hay acquired the Canton Bulldogs from Jack Cusack, when Cusack decided to return to Oklahoma and compete in the oil industry. Hay had planned to use the team to help promote his car business and pursue his love of football. At the time the Bulldogs were the top team in the unofficial "Ohio League", winning championships in 1916 and 1917. The team did not compete much in 1918 due manning issues related to the United States involvement in World War I. However in 1919, the Bulldogs again won the championship.
Despite winning a championship, the Bulldogs did not draw well. Not enough fans came to games to pay for the high-priced salaries owed to the players. Hay lost money. To combat the increasing salaries, as well as the issue of players jumping from team to team, Hay sought to form a league. The league idea came from Canton's star halfback, Jim Thorpe, who in turn heard the idea from Rochester Jeffersons owner Leo Lyons during a 1917 match between the Bulldogs and the Jeffs.
In August 1920, Hay met in Canton with the managers of the Akron Pros, Cleveland Tigers, and Dayton Triangles to form the American Professional Football Conference. The Akron delegation consisted of Frank Nied and Art Ranney. While Jimmy O'Donnell and Stan Cofall represented Cleveland, and Carl Storck Dayton. At the meeting Hay was elected secretary of the league. He then wrote to every important pro team in the Midwest, including George Halas manager of the Decatur Staleys, inviting them to meet in Canton on Friday, September 17, 1920 at 8:00 pm.
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