Columbus' Nesser brothers pioneered NFL. Why are they not in the HOF?

The Nesser brothers helped establish the early NFL but remain outside the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 5:39am

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The Nesser brothers, a family of seven from Columbus, Ohio, were pioneering players in the early days of professional football, competing for the Columbus Panhandles in the Ohio League and later the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which became the NFL in 1921. Despite their significant contributions to the sport's development, the Nessers have never been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, leaving their descendants puzzled and disappointed.

Why it matters

The Nesser brothers were among the biggest stars of early professional football, helping to attract crowds and expose the sport to new markets through their travels with the Panhandles. Their exclusion from the Hall of Fame is seen by their family as a glaring oversight, given the Nessers' central role in the NFL's formative years.

The details

The Nesser brothers were known for their large size and toughness, with the seven siblings averaging over 210 pounds in an era when linemen typically weighed 30 pounds less. They played during their 50-minute lunch breaks while working as boilermakers and blacksmiths for the railroad. Despite their fame outside of Columbus, the Nessers struggled to gain recognition in their hometown, where Ohio State football dominated the sports landscape. Theories for their Hall of Fame exclusion include a lack of college experience and the Panhandles operating in the shadow of the more prominent Buckeyes.

  • In 1904, 'Ohio State Journal' sports writer Joe Carr became the Panhandles' business manager.
  • In 1920, the Columbus Panhandles became part of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which in 1921 became the NFL.
  • In 1962, Al Nesser was an honorary New York Giants captain at the first Hall of Fame game.

The players

Joe Carr

The 'Ohio State Journal' sports writer who became the Panhandles' business manager in 1904 and later became NFL president, establishing the league's headquarters in Columbus.

Chic Harley

An Ohio State halfback who was more popular in the Columbus sports landscape than the Nesser brothers and their Panhandles team.

Al Nesser

The only one of the Nesser brothers to play in the NFL, starting at guard and end for the 1927 New York Giants that won the NFL championship.

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What they’re saying

“Our family has always wanted it. We just want some recognition for them. They helped keep pro football alive and, through their travel, exposed other parts of the country to it.”

— Michelle Memmer Artim, Great-granddaughter of Al Nesser (dispatch.com)

“The only person I knew who had a nose like my dad's was Knute Rockne. Dad used to say, 'We both have our nose all over our face.'”

— Mary Katherine (Babe) Sherman, Daughter of Ted Nesser (dispatch.com)

What’s next

Artim and her extended family are out to change the Nessers' Hall of Fame exclusion, but face a 'monumental climb' as the Pro Football Hall of Fame chief communications officer says the brothers' resume does not compare to other candidates. The family may have a better chance of the Nessers being selected for the Ralph Hay Pioneer Award, which recognizes pro football trailblazers.

The takeaway

The Nesser brothers were central figures in the early days of professional football, helping to establish the sport and expose it to new markets, yet they remain overlooked by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Their exclusion highlights the challenges faced by pioneers of the game in gaining recognition, even as their contributions laid the foundation for the modern NFL.