A historical marker has been dedicated to the first-ever National Football League headquarters in Columbus.
Columbus-born sports apparel brand, HOMAGE, unveiled a plaque Sept. 20 at 16 E. Broad St., which is the site of the first-ever NFL building. The plaque recognizes Columbus’ role in shaping the league that has since become America’s most popular sport.
HOMAGE, which first opened in the Short North in 2010, said this plaque serves as part of its mission to preserve stories and moments that matter.
Mayor Andrew Ginther and representatives from the Pro Football Hall of Fame and NFL films, such as Joe Horrigan; the family of Joe F. Carr, the league’s second president; and Kathleen Rubadue, the first female employee, offered remarks on Columbus’ pioneering history in professional football and celebrated the new emblem.
“It reminds us that Columbus is not just the home of the Buckeyes but the birthplace of the NFL,” Ginther said. “This is where history was made, where leadership shaped the game forever and where football became more than just a pastime and became part of America’s identity.”
Rubadue’s great-grandson, Ethan Rutter, spoke on behalf of Rubadue and her accomplishments as a 19-year-old secretary who took on responsibilities beyond her role.
“We’ve always been a big football family, and that all goes back to my great grandmother, Rutter said.” I don’t think many people know her name, but now the city of Columbus will.”
Carr’s great-grandchildren, Jenny Carr Dersom and Andy Carr, also shared their gratitude in honoring the legacy of their great-grandfather.
“Many people don’t know his name, but they know the game,” Carr Dersom said. “So, on behalf of our family, thank you for remembering and honoring our great-grandfather Joe Carr.”
The history of NFL in Columbus
Built in 1901, 16 E. Broad St. was the tallest building in Columbus for five years.
It was here that from 1921 to 1941, the NFL’s main office operated in Columbus under Carr who is credited with helping professional football gain stability and legitimacy in its early years. Working alongside him was Rubadue, a Columbus native, who often dedicated over time to helping support Carr’s goals.
Today, Columbus is without a professional football team, but it was the Columbus panhandle division of the Pennsylvania railroad, which would practice football during lunch breaks in the 1920s and 1930s, that laid the foundation for the global league many recognize today, according to NFL Films head archivist Chris Willis.
The Columbus Panhandles played in first NFL game against the Dayton Triangles in 1920, Willis said.
“In this office they were dreamers,” Willis said. “They made decisions that still exist today in NFL and always imagined the NFL to be bigger than what it actually was in their time.”
Trending features reporter Amani Bayo contributed to reporting and can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus brand HOMAGE honors city’s NFL roots with historical marker
Reporting by Amani Bayo, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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