On this site on September 17, 1920, the American Professional Football Association was organized as the forerunner of the National Football League. Representatives of 11 teams met in Ralph Hay's automobile showroom at 205 Second Street S.W. and named the legendary Jim Thorpe as the league's first president. The meeting was called by and presided over by Hay, who was then general manager of the Canton Bulldogs. The teams represented were the Canton Bulldogs, Decatur Staleys, Chicago Cardinals, Akron Pros, Cleveland Indians, Dayton Triangles, Massillon Tigers, Hammond Pros, Muncie Flyers, Rock Island Independents, and the Rochester, N.Y. Jeffersons.