William Heffelfinger

About

Confirmed as the first individual to play professional football after records showed that he was paid $500 for his game performance by the Allegheny Athletic Association.

Before Fame

He was a guard at Yale University where he was a three-time All-American in consecutive years beginning in 1889.

Trivia

He would later become a coach for California, Lehigh, and Minnesota.

Family Life

He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and died in Blessing, Texas.

Associated With

Art Rooney was instrumental in discovering that he was the first professional football player.