Today in History: September 3, 1895 – John Brallier become the first Paid Professional in American Football

In 1895, John Brallier made history by becoming the first openly paid professional American football player. At the time, football was still in its early stages in the United States and was largely considered an amateur sport played by college students and local athletic clubs. David Berry, the manager of the Latrobe Athletic Association in Pennsylvania, needed a quarterback for an upcoming game against the Jeanette Athletic Association. He offered Brallier, a talented 19-year-old quarterback, $10 and expenses to play.

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Brallier accepted, officially marking the beginning of open professionalism in American football. This was significant because, although some players had previously been compensated secretly, Brallier was the first to publicly acknowledge being paid for his participation.

Brallier’s debut as a professional player was successful, as Latrobe defeated Jeanette 12–0, further legitimizing the idea of paying players for their skill and contribution to the game. His role in this match is often celebrated as a turning point in football’s transformation from an amateur pastime to a structured professional sport. The Latrobe Athletic Association went on to become one of the earliest professional football teams, and Brallier himself later enjoyed a modest career in the sport while pursuing a career in dentistry. His decision to accept payment is remembered as a pioneering moment that helped pave the way for what would eventually grow into the multi-billion-dollar National Football League (NFL).

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