In 1916, the Jeffersons were the New York State Champions. The trophy above was for the 1916 Championship. Leo Lyons wanted to play someone outside New York so he contacted Jim Thorpe and the Canton Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were the strongest team in the nation. The Jeffersons and Bulldogs played in Canton in 1917.Jim Thorpe and Leo would meet here and remain friends forever.The two men wanted to stay in contact because they both wanted to form a new professional football league.Soon after, Jim Thorpe would contact Leo to come to Canton and help form the NFL.
