Shelby Blues

The Shelby Blues were an American football team based in Shelby, Ohio. The team played in the Ohio League from 1900 to 1919. In 1920, when the Ohio League became the APFA (now known as the National Football League), the Blues did not join but continued to play against APFA teams, only to later suspend operations. The Blues returned to play as an independent between 1926 and 1928.

Shelby Blues

Founded	1900
Folded	1928
Based in	Shelby, Ohio, United States
League	Ohio League (1902–1919) Independent (1926–1928)
Team history	Shelby Blues (1905–1928)
Team colors	Blue, White
Head coaches	Peggy Parratt (1910–1911)
Ohio League Championship wins	2 (1910, 1911)

The team was named for their blue uniforms that were worn in their first year. In 1905, the Blues replaced the Shelby Athletic Club as the top football team in town. A year later the team was the runner-up for the Ohio League title, behind only the Akron Indians. The Blues won Ohio League championships in 1910 and 1911, with Peggy Parratt, an early pioneer and master of the forward pass, at quarterback. In 1904, the Blues are credited with signing the first black player in American professional football, halfback Charles Follis.^[1]

1902 Shelby Blues team photo

Notable players and alumni

• Peggy Parratt (BB/QB) - Early pioneer of the forward pass.
• Milton C. Portmann (OL/DL) Decorated US Army Officer of WWI and professional football player.
• Charles Follis (HB) - First black professional player in American football.
• Branch Rickey - Baseball pioneer, was instrumental in breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier.
• John Miller (HB) - First year captain, would later managed and coached the team.
• Homer Davidson (BB/K) - Considered to be the best kicker of the era.
• Frank C. Schiffer (Manager) - Signed the first black professional player in American football (Charles Follis).
• Guy Schulz (C) - Brother of Germany Schulz.