Two-page typed letter, dated October 21, 1936, signed by Joe Carr in his capacity as NFL president. Joe Carr was one of the most important figures in the history of professional football, serving as president of the NFL from 1921 to 1939, the year of his death. Despite his long career in professional sports (he was also president of the American Basketball League and the Columbus Red Birds), Carr's signature is one of the scarcest of all Pro Football Hall of Fame members. This is just the third Carr signature example we have ever offered and we have seen few others at auction in the past twenty-five years. 

In his letter, on official "The National Football League" letterhead, Carr writes to Chicago Bears owner/coach George Halas regarding the officials scheduled to work the upcoming game between the Bears and Detroit Lions. As noted in the letter, both Halas and George "Potsy" Clark (coach of the Lions) requested that the referee appointed to the game, Mr. Rebele, be replaced. Carr goes into great detail explaining the difficulties in honoring their request and offers the solution of instead of replacing the referee, having him simply switch positions with another member of the officiating crew. In part: "However, in keeping with the desire of this office to attempt to please everybody at all times, relative to the selection of officials, I could make a re-assignment of the positions in which the various men work. For instance, both Messrs Robb and Karoh have had considerable experience as referee, and upon approval of both of you I will be very glad to change the position of either of these men with Mr. Rebele." Signed "Joe F. Carr" in blue fountain pen, with Carr's signature grading 9/10. Each page of the letter (8.5x11") displays one horizontal and two vertical folds, as well as staining/burning in the upper left corner. A few small holes, caused by staples and paper clips, also appear in the upper left. Full LOA from JSA.