The Erie Vets were an
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
football team that played during the 1950 season, the last of the American Association.
That year, they went 5–3 in the six-team league, finishing second behind only the
Richmond Rebels
The Richmond Rebels were one of eight teams in the United States Baseball League, and were based in Richmond, Virginia. The league collapsed within two months of its creation from May 1 to June 24, 1912. The Rebels were managed by Alfred Newma ...
. They then played in the league championship, losing 35–7 to the Rebels.
Prior to their tenure in the American Association, the Vets were an independent team who played in the decades-old
western Pennsylvania circuit.
Louis J. Tullio (later the mayor of Erie and the original namesake of
Erie's main indoor sports arena) was the team's coach; the team was owned by local car salesman Red Herron. The Veterans played at
Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium
Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium is a football and soccer stadium located in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. It was built in 1924 with the 1920 Academy High School building (the current Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy) overlooking it ...
, the team's namesake.
In 1949 and 1950 the team played the
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in , the Steel ...
in Erie, losing both games.
References
{{reflist
American football teams established in 1950
Defunct American football teams in Pennsylvania
Sports in Erie, Pennsylvania
American football teams disestablished in 1950
1950 establishments in Pennsylvania
1950 disestablishments in Pennsylvania