Joseph Carr

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Joseph Carr
Date of birth October 23, 1879
Place of birth Columbus, OH
Date of death May 20, 1939
Position(s) League President
College None
Team(s)
1921-1939 NFL
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1963
For other persons named Joseph Carr, see Joseph Carr (disambiguation).

Joseph F. Carr (October 23, 1879 - May 20, 1939) was an early figure in professional football. Carr was born in Columbus, Ohio. As an mechanic for the Pennsylvania RR in Columbus, he directed the Columbus Panhandles football team in 1907 until 1922. The "Panhandles" were one of the largest draws in early professional football, staring the Nesser brothers, and were nearly unbeatable at home in Indianola Park. He helped to reorganize the American Professional Football Association (APFA) in 1921, and moved the offices from Canton to Columbus, Ohio - this league would be renamed the National Football League in 1922.. Carr served as NFL president from 1921 until his death in 1939. He was elected to the Helms Hall of Fame in 1950, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. The only non-player in both HoFs. He also served as president of the American Basketball League (ABL) from 1925 to 1928, and was also president of the Columbus Senators (baseball) team from 1926 to 1931. He is buried at St. Josephs Cemetery south of Columbus. Note that no Carrs are currently involved in professional polo.

Preceded by
Jim Thorpe
President of the National Football League
1921-1939
Succeeded by
Carl Storck

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NFL Commissioners and presidents

1920-1921: Jim Thorpe | 1921-1939: Joseph Carr | 1939-1941: Carl Storck | 1941-1946: Elmer Layden | 1946-1959: Bert Bell | 1959-1960: Austin Gunsel | 1960-1989: Pete Rozelle | 1989-2006: Paul Tagliabue | 2006-present: Roger Goodell