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Fred Nesser

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fred Nesser
Date of birthSeptember 10, 1897
Place of birthColumbus, Ohio, U.S.
Date of deathJuly 2, 1967(1967-07-02) (aged 69)
Place of deathColumbus, Ohio, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)End, Fullback, Tackle
Height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight250 lb (110 kg)
US collegeNone
Career history
As player
1909–1921Columbus Panhandles
Career stats

Frederick W. Nesser (September 10, 1897 – July 2, 1967) was a professional American football player in the "Ohio League" and the early National Football League (NFL) for the Columbus Panhandles. He was also a member of the Nesser Brothers, a group consisting of seven brothers who made-up the most famous football family in the United States from 1907 until the mid-1920s. He was the tallest and biggest of the football-playing brothers at six feet five inches and 250 pounds. He played mostly tackle or end, but sometimes he lined up in the backfield, to provide blocking.

Fred also was a professional boxer and a legitimate contender for the heavyweight title, held by Jess Willard. However, in 1915, a broken wrist ended his boxing career.

Around 1987 Fred's daughter, Vera, tried to get the city of Columbus to name a street for the Nesser Brothers. Her request was turned down.

References

[edit]
  • Peterson, Robert W. (January 1, 1997). Pigskin: The Early Years of Pro Football. Oxford University Press. p. 262. ISBN 0-19-511913-4.
  • PFRA Research. "Thorpe Arrives:1915" (PDF). Coffin Corner. Professional Football Researchers Association: 1–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2012.
  • Forgotten NFL Family: the Nesser Brothers of Columbus, Ohio[usurped]