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The Official Site of the
The journey of a sandlot football team playing in Rochester, N.Y in1898, to being an original member of the National Football League in 1920
Please feel free to contact me below and I will get back to you as soon as possible, thank you!
John D. Steffenhagen is the great grandson of NFL co-founder Leo Lyons. John inherited a vast collection of historical objects, documents, notes and photos belonging to Mr. Lyons, which led him on a trek of discovery and research. He has spent the last 25 years researching his great grandfather and his team, the Rochester Jeffersons, a charter member of the NFL. John has been featured on documentaries including “Before the League” and “Triangle Park”, interviewed on SiriusXM NFL Radio, One Bills Live on MSG Network, Pro Football Weekly, USPS.com and USA Today. Steffenhagen has also had historical football displays at the nationally recognized Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y. and the Ontario County Historical Society. John lives in Rochester, N.Y. with his wife and they always enjoy visits from their 4 children and 4 grandchildren.
My sister and I at Leo's home in Pittsford, NY, circa 1974. The picture of Leo and Joe Guyon was the only picture he ever displayed in his living room. Yellow arrow pointing to it on top of TV behind us.
Darryl Talley with Joe McShea's 1923 NFL Rochester Jeffersons contract, for $25 a game
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