Phillip Gregory Nesser (December 10, 1880 - May 9, 1959) was a

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

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professional American football player in the Ohio League and the early National Football League (NFL) for the

Columbus Panhandles The Columbus Panhandles were a professional American football team based in Columbus, Ohio. The club was founded in 1901 by workers at the Panhandle shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad. They were a part of the Ohio League from 1904 before foldi ...

. He was also a member of the Nesser Brothers, a group consisting of seven brothers who made up the most famous football family in the United States from 1907 until the mid-1920s. He is distinguished as being the first

to play in the NFL. Phil was primarily a

tackle Tackle may refer to: * In football: ** Tackle (football move), a play in various forms of football ** Tackle (gridiron football position), a position in American football and Canadian football ** Dump tackle, a forceful move in rugby of picking ...

, although he often carried the ball on several plays. Outside of football, Phil was considered a math genius although he never attended school past the fourth grade. According to his daughter, Phil later taught at Central High School in

Columbus Columbus is a Latinized version of the Italian surname "''Colombo''". It most commonly refers to: * Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), the Italian explorer * Columbus, Ohio, capital of the U.S. state of Ohio Columbus may also refer to: Places ...

until the school's administrators found out he did not have a degree and forced him to resign. In addition to football, he was a champion hammer thrower.

References

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A Colorful Game: Names are in the Book
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nesser, Phil 1880 births Players of American football from Columbus, Ohio German players of American football American football offensive linemen Columbus Panhandles players Columbus Panhandles (Ohio League) players 1959 deaths Nesser family (American football) German emigrants to the United States