Fairport native Leo Lyons dreamt of having a football team in a pro football league before the NFL even existed. At age 16, he became a player, manager and coach. By 18, Leo was the owner of the Rochester Jeffersons, an amateur football team. From the sandlots where they started in 1898, Leo molded the Jeffersons into a strong football team, winning the city championship, then the New York State football championship in 1916. Four years later, Leo Lyons joined George Halas, Jim Thorpe and seven other team owners to create the National Football League in which his Rochester Jeffersons became one of 10 original teams to form the NFL. He was a revolutionary, with plans about the creation of football cards, the shape of the football, league divisions, the NFL logo and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Presented by John Steffenhagen and Jeffrey Miller. The newly released book, Leo Lyons, the Rochester Jeffersons and the Birth of the NFL, is the culmination of many years of extensive research. Presenter John Steffenhagen, the great grandson of Leo Lyons, inherited numerous pieces of Rochester Jefferson memorabilia. Jeffrey Miller is an award-winning author of many books about football.

Co-sponsored by the Perinton Historical Society and Fairport Public Library.

This event is free and is open to the public. Registration Required.