Monument of George Preston Marshall

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Monument of George Preston Marshall

George Preston Marshall was operating a laundry business in Washington, D.C., when, in 1932, he made the fateful decision to become part owner of the new Boston Braves franchise in the National Football League. [1] Marshall is known more for many of the frills which now mark the modern football game. During the early days of the NFL, college football was more popular. Marshall decided to incorporate elements of the college atmosphere into the professional league. Innovations which he introduced include gala halftime shows, a marching band, and a fight song. [2]

History

Marshall was born in Grafton, West Virginia on October 11, 1896 to Thomas Hildebrand ("Hill") Marshall and Blanche Preston Marshall. In 1932, while he was the owner of a chain of laundries in Washington, D.C., founded by his father, he and three other partners were awarded an NFL franchise for Boston. This team became known as the Boston Braves, as they played on the same field as baseball's Boston Braves. Marshall's partners left the team after one season, leaving him in control. In 1933 he moved the team from Braves Field to Fenway Park, changing the team nickname to the Redskins. In 1937 he moved the team to Washington. He was romantically tied to silent screen actress Louise Brooks throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and she gave him the nickname "Wet Wash" due to his owning of the laundry chain. He was married to film actress-author Corinne Griffith from 1936 to 1958.[3]

Controversy

But Marshall resisted efforts and pressure to integrate his roster, becoming the last NFL owner to do so in 1962. Marshall once said he would sign African American players when the Harlem Globetrotters signed white players. The Redskins were the southernmost franchise, and Marshall had their marching band play "Dixie" on the field for 23 years. The NAACP protested against Marshall at a meeting of league owners in 1957 and once picketed outside his home. Because of this controversy, The Washington Redskins are removing George Preston Marshall's name from their Ring of Fame at FedEx Field less than a week after his statue was removed from their former home. The Redskins also will remove him from their history wall outside the locker room at their practice facility. Marshall was the last NFL owner to integrate his franchise. [4].

References

  1. https://www.profootballhof.com/players/george-preston-marshall/
  2. George Preston Marshall. American Football Wiki. Retrieved January 24 2021.
  3. George Preston Marshall. American Football Wiki. Retrieved January 24 2021.
  4. Keim, John Redskins removing name of former owner George Preston Marshall from Ring of Fame. ESPN. 24 January 2020. Retrieved January 24 2021.