The Duluth Eskimos:
The “greatest football team ever
put together” and the team that
“saved the NFL”*

Written by Duluth News Tribune columnist Chuck Frederick, Leatherheads of the North tells the fascinating story of Nevers and the Eskimos and their notorious exploits on and off the field, from the early years sponsored by Kelley-Duluth Hardware through their storied 1926-1927 barnstorming season and beyond.

*Legendary Chicago Bears Coach George Halas and NFL President Joe Carr, respectively.

Praise for Leatherheads of the North

“Never before has the Eskimos' story been told with such drama and detail. A great read.”
— Legendary Minnesota Vikings Coach Bud Grant.

The Stuff Legends Are Made Of...

• Both the Kelley-Duluth team and the Eskimos featured Duluth’s Wally Gilbert,
the Duluth Denfeld High graduate and famed Brooklyn Dodgers’ third baseman,
who once drop-kicked a 61-yard field goal for Kelley-Duluth.

• The Kelley team and the Eskimos both boasted the Rooney brothers—Joe,
Bill, and Cobb—of Hibbing, Minnesota. In 1924 and 1927 all three brothers played for
Duluth—the only times three brothers played on one NFL team the same season.

• The 1925 Kelley-Duluth team featured Bobby Marshall, the second black man to ever
play in the NFL. Marshall played college ball at the University of Minnesota and, when he
played for Duluth, strapped washboards under his uniform to protect his ribs.

• The 1924 Duluth-Kelley team beat Green Bay the only time the
Packers played in Duluth (the Eskimos never beat the Pack).

• The Eskimos sent three players to the Professional Football Hall of Fame:
Ernie Nevers, Walt Kiesling, & Johnny “Blood” McNally.

• The Eskimos were reportedly the first NFL team to hold
preseason training camp—in Two Harbors, Minnesota.

• The Eskimos were the first NFL team to sport a logo on their uniforms.
.
• The 1926-27 Eskimos team traveled 17,000 miles playing 14 regular-season games
and 15 non-league games in 4 months—but played at home only once!
.
• During the Eskimos’ 29-game “road trip,” Nevers played all but 29 of a
possible 1,740 minutes the Eskimos were on the field.

• The 1926-27 Eskimos played with a roster of only 16 players
and often took the field with just 13 players.

• The 1926-27 Eskimos took two showers after games—the
first with their uniforms on (no time for laundry!).

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This unique and colorful look at historic northeast Minnesota tells the Arrowhead’s
story through 200 vintage lithographic postcards and normally retails for $14.95.
Order today and get both Leatherheads of the North and Greetings from the Arrowhead
together for just $19.95 plus shipping and handling—you save $10!

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