LOOKING BACK
By Chris Willis, NFL Films
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| Nov. 22, 1925, Red Grange signs with Chicago Bears, from right to left, C.C. Pyle, Grange, George Halas and Dutch Sternaman |
As I did research for my
book on Red Grange, I found one large nugget of new material that I was
surprised to find. For the past nine decades, the consensus thought was that
Grange had one manager on his barnstorming tour with the Chicago Bears
(1925-1926)- after he left the University of Illinois to play pro football.
That manager was the rather out-going and flamboyant C. C. Pyle, nicknamed
“Cash and Carry.”
But that was not true.
Grange had 3 managers on that tour- and they all shared in the profits.
Here’s the story:
Red’s journey from
college All-American to signing a contract to play professional football for
the Bears actually starts his freshmen year at Illinois and his friendship with
a college classmate- Marion Coolley.
Marion “Doc” Coolley
Marion Fowler Coolley was
born on August 10, 1898, in Newtown, Illinois to Mary and Dr. Elmer B. Coolley-
who was the most successful physician in nearby Danville.
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Marion "Doc" Coolley, circa 1927
(Courtesy, Marilyn Coolley-Carley) |
Marion
would follow in his father’s footsteps with getting a proper education. He
would attend Danville High School earning the simple nickname of “Doc.” He
would participate in multiple activities such as the Spring Play, Junior Red
Cross, class track and baseball, was a four-year member of the Athletic
Association (team manager), as well as being Class President as a Sophomore and
Senior. Before his senior year, Marion tried to join the service for World War
I, but because of his health (had a bad heart and lungs) he was turned down
several times, eventually, in June of 1917, he was selected to serve in the
Ambulance Corp. (Rainbow Division). He served one month before being
dishonorably discharged. He was described as “character very good…service honest and faithful…No AWOL.”
He returned for his
senior year at Danville High graduating in 1918. In the school’s yearbook, The Medley, it wrote: “’Doc’s’ a good old boy. Notorious Doctor of
Politics. A little too much so perhaps. Well, we’ll forgive him. There’s much
that’s likeable in him.”
The
following fall Marion enrolled into classes at the University of Illinois.
Standing a shade above six-feet tall, slender build, the brown hair, brown-eyed
Coolley would major in General Business. While on campus he pledged and lived
at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. Marion was very outspoken and
energetic as a student, he always liked to wear nice clothes, usually a suit
and tie, often wearing bow ties. He became involved in several clubs and
committees including the Commerce Club; Mixer Committee; Junior Cap and Prom
Committees; and Stadium Homecoming Committee.
“He had a great interest in sports, but didn’t have
the health to play. He was not healthy not even in college,” said Marilyn
Coolley-Carley, daughter of “Doc” Coolley. Being seen around campus was also a
top priority for “Doc” Coolley. Wanting to be a part of the social scene he
made sure to know the school and the town of Champaign-Urbana very well.
Coolley must’ve really liked the campus life, because he was in no hurry to
graduate taking classes at his own pace. His health didn’t help the journey
either, by the time Red had arrived on campus Coolley had already had four
years of classes. So, he had time to get to know Red and show him around town in
his car- something that Red didn’t have. The two quickly became good friends.
One of their favorite things to do was go to the movies, especially at the
Virginia Theatre on campus.
C.C. Pyle
The sandy, gray-haired Charles C. Pyle grew up to be 6-feet-2
inches tall, 175 pounds, broad shoulders and a sharp smile. He always dressed
impeccably, usually sporting a black suit and black derby. He always had his
trademark short mustache trimmed weekly, but it wasn’t his appearance that made
him convincing. The man could talk. “He
is a Scotch-Irishman with twinkling gray eyes, who immediately takes you in, in
the warmth of his greeting and his general good fellowship,” said one
newspaper. Pyle looked like a man of money and influence, and he was, after years
of trying. His initials, C.C., sportswriters joked meant “Cash and Carry,” and Pyle embraced the nickname.
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| C. C. Pyle, 1926 |
As
the Roaring Twenties begun things were looking up for Pyle. At this time he met
Almon Stoolman, a Champaign contractor, who decided to partner with Pyle in
building a lavish movie theatre in the central college town where the
University of Illinois was located. Pyle divorced again (his 3rd
wife) and moved into the Beardsley Hotel to start his newest project. In 1921 the newly minted Virginia Theatre, named
after Stoolman’s daughter, opened in grand style featuring a live stage show of
the hit mystery The Bat. The next
night the Virginia showed its first feature film The Boat starring Buster Keaton. At this point Pyle was flourishing.
Managing the Virginia in Champaign he expanded his enterprise in the next few
years to include a second theatre in Champaign (The Park) and one in Kokomo,
Indiana (Victory Theatre). Pyle was making a living, but deep down he wanted a
shot at the big time. He was about to see it come walking right through his
doors at the Virginia.
Somewhat
of a mystery is when and how Red Grange actually met C.C. Pyle for the first
time. For most of his life Red told the story he first met Pyle right before his
senior season in the fall of 1925 at the Virginia Theatre, but research proves
this not to be true. They met almost a year before that historic meeting. Pyle
always wanted a shot at the bigtime, especially in the entertainment field, but
he needed a star to make him rich and famous. After the 1924 Michigan-Illinois
game (in which Grange scored 4 TDs in the first twelve minutes to become the
most famous football player in the country) Red had hid from the public at a
movie house, most likely the Virginia Theatre on West Park Avenue, which was
just over a mile walk from the frat house on East John Street, north of campus.
Since Red enjoyed going to the movies, along with his good buddies, teammate Earl
Britton, and Doc Coolley, this is probably why Red for years mentioned that he
met Pyle here before his senior year was to begin. Coolley knew everybody in
town and might’ve introduced the two to each other.
Pyle
knew a star when he saw one and Red was now a superstar. The Virginia Theatre
even showed the newsreel of Red’s super-human 1924 performance against Michigan
a week after the game. Once Red had become the biggest name in sports after that
game Pyle took notice of him. Red Grange was going to be his meal ticket to get
rich. Red was immediately taken by Pyle, he liked him from the start,
especially impressed by his appearance. Speaking to sportswriter-author Myron
Cope, Red once said:
“Pyle
was about forty-five when I met him. He was a shade over six feet tall and
weighed about 195 pounds. He had gray hair and neatly trimmed mustache. An
immaculate dresser, his clothes were made to order by the most exclusive
tailors. He always carried a cane, wore spats, a derby and a diamond stickpin
in his tie. He was suave, brilliant and perhaps the greatest supersalesman of
his day. Pyle came up with more ideas in one day than most men come up with in
a lifetime.”
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| Red Grange shakes hands with C. C. Pyle |
Once
his junior year (1924) on the gridiron was finished Red kept very busy. On
November 30th Red was spotted at an NFL game. This was probably the
first time he had attended a pro football game (or NFL game) in his life. At
this time Red began thinking about his future- or maybe after meeting Pyle he
was getting several opportunities to do something to capitalize on his growing
fame. His public profile was growing. He was starting to become a celebrity and
not just a 21-year old student-athlete, so he wanted to see what the pro game
was about.
On
this day the Milwaukee Badgers were playing the hometown Chicago Bears at Cubs
Park. He sat in the stands with roughly 1,000 other fans, shivering on a cold
and windy Sunday afternoon. The Bears were loaded with former Illinois players
who had played for Bob Zuppke. The co-owners of the team George Halas and Dutch
Sternaman were also the starting right end and left halfback respectively.
Other Illini alumnus playing for the Bears included Oscar Knop (fullback), Vern
Mullen (end), Dutch’s younger brother Joey Sternaman (quarterback) and Red’s
good friend and former teammate Jim McMillen who was starting at right guard.
Red’s appearance at the game was reported in the Chicago Herald-Examiner:
“In
a game full of forward passes the Chicago Bears thumped the Milwaukee Badgers,
31 to 14, at the Cubs’ Park yesterday afternoon. It was the most spectacular
clash of the season on the North Side, open football being turned on until the
air seemed teeming with footballs.
While
this was going on, making the half-frozen spectators almost forgot the cold,
Red Grange, Illinois captain, sat in the stands and took it all in. It was
something new for Red, seeing a gridiron battle without any work to do.”
No other mention of who
was with Red on this day. Maybe C.C. Pyle, Doc Coolley, or his brother Garland.
Who knows. But one thing was for sure, Red was thinking about playing
professional football.
Byron Moore
In
the early part of 1925 Grange’s relationship with Pyle was growing. He trusted
him. Red, “Doc” Coolley and Pyle soon would come to an agreement to join in a
partnership. Pyle knew he wanted to look after Red’s future, but he needed
additional help with the potential earnings that would come down the road.
Since he wasn’t a great businessman or financial wizard he needed somebody to
look after that end of the agreement. Pyle turned to another movie theatre
manager for help. He went to see Byron F. Moore.
“My
grandfather was of fairly good stature,” said Scott Moffatt, grandson of Byron
Moore. “He had a mustache, black hair combed straight back, stood about five
feet-ten, in that range, not over weight, of medium build.” The out-going,
intelligent Moore had spent his early adult life operating theatres in
Richmond, Indiana, South Bend, Indiana and Champaign where he started a
friendship with Pyle. He would spend a lifetime in the movie business
eventually working for the Warner Brothers company running theatres in St.
Louis and Pittsburgh. “My mother always bragged about that,” said Moffatt. “These
movies stars traveled in those days, came to Pittsburgh and visit my
grandfather and his Warner theatres, stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Clark
Gable, would come into town to sign autographs and my father would take care of
the Vaudeville or live acts.”
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| Byron Moore, circa 1935 |
Moore
was just a theatre manager operating the Orpheum Theatre in South Bend at the
time Pyle brought up the opportunity to help with Red Grange. How could he say
no. “He was a pretty out-going guy and my mother was excited about the Red
Grange connection,” said Scott Moffatt. “She believed that it was a lucrative
arrangement for my grandfather. He wasn’t rich, but I think he thought the idea
was a very good money-making thing for him at the time. That connection with
Red Grange economically was a pretty good move for him.”
The Contract
Now
on board looking after Red’s affairs would be a trio of men - Pyle, Coolley and
Moore. At this time the group reached out to H. L. Jones, a Champaign lawyer
whose office was located just two blocks from the Virginia Theatre at 112 W.
Church in the Trevett-Mattis Banking building, to help them hammer out an
agreement. The forty-six years old Jones had plenty of law experience with
contracts since becoming a private attorney twenty years earlier. He would draw
up a contract for the four men. The contract was 6-pages in length and dated
March 27, 1925. It was typed up on H. L. Jones stationary paper. Within the
contract the “first party” was the trio of Pyle, Moore and Coolley and the “second
party” was Red Grange. The contract had 13 individual items that were agreed
upon:
H. L. JONES; Champaign, Illinois
“Articles
of Agreement, made and entered into this 27th day of March A.D.
1925, by and between Chas. C. Pyle and Byron F. Moore, of Champaign, Illinois,
and Marion F. Coolley, of Danville, IL, parties of the first, and Harold E.
(Red) Grange of Wheaton, IL., party of the second. Witnesseth that for and in
consideration of the respective promises and agreements hereinafter set forth,
the respective parties here to agree as follows:
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| March 1925 Contract, Page 1 |
1.
Party of the
second part (Red) hereby agrees to give the parties of the
first part (Pyle-Moore-Cooley) exclusive
rights to manage and contract for the public exploitation, personal/public
appearances and appearances in motion pictures,
theatrical performances, professional football exhibitions/or otherwise…(also)
for the use of his name in advertising ventures, including the advertisement of
his appearances in motion pictures, theatrical performances, professional
football exhibitions/or otherwise…(and) the exclusive rights and privileges in
motion pictures, theatrical performances, professional football exhibitions/or otherwise of contracting for the publications of newspaper or magazine articles
or stories published under the name of the party (Red)…(and) further agrees
that he will make no appearances and will not permit the use of his name in any
manner other than as in this clause provided without the unanimous consent of
the parties of the first part during the period of this agreement which shall
commence upon the date hereof and continue for, during and until March 27,
1928.
2.
Said party of the
second part hereby to agree to appear and fill all engagements arranged and
contracted for by the first parties of the first part…there for, inevitable
accident, illness or other involuntary incapacity expected, provided however,
said second party (Red) not be obliged to make any appearances or
conduct any performances as hereinbefore above provided prior to the close of
the 1925 University of Illinois football games or prior to the 1925 football
season closing on Saturday prior to Thanksgiving day in the year 1925, and
further agrees to do nothing whatever prior to that time which would render
himself subject to classification as a professional athlete or football player.
3.
Said second party (Red) further hereby agrees to exert his best endeavors
during the 1925 season to retain the popularity of his name and make the use of
same more effective for the purpose of this agreement.
4.
Said second party (Red) agrees to be governed by the rules &
regulations prevailing in the several localities where he may appear under this
contract/ respect to the time of rehearsals and giving appearances.
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| March 1925 Contract, Pages 2-3 |
5.
Said second party (Red) hereby agrees that the first parties (Pyle-Moore-Coolley) have exclusive rights to contract for
display of his name, pictures and personal appearances in public or otherwise
for profit in such advertising ventures, motion pictures, theatrical
productions, football exhibitions, etc., during the entire period covered by
this contract…(close of 1925)
6.
And that in event
of the failure, default or refusal upon the part of the part of the second part
(Red)
to perform the terms and conditions of
his agreement, that the parties of the first part (Pyle-Moore-Coolley) shall have the right to sue for damages
for the breach of this contract.
7.
Said second party (Red) further hereby agrees to that he will
promptly deliver over to the parties of the first (Pyle-Moore-Coolley) part all letters or other communication
which maybe received by him containing offers for his services or for the use
of his name in any manner hereinthefore specified are to co-operate with the
parties of the first part in carrying out this agreement for the mutual
advantage and benefit of both parties hereto.
8.
It is further
hereby mutually agreed that the actual expenses of promotion and obtaining and
making any necessary expenses of manager and second party (Red) in filling engagements contracts under this
agreement, the said expenses to be itemized and an account thereof kept by the
parties of the first (Pyle-Moore-Coolley)
part for the benefit of both parties hereto, shall be paid out of the gross
receipts.
9.
And the parties of
the first part (Pyle-Moore-Coolley) hereby agree to accompany said second
party (Red) and personally represent
him at each place he might be required to appear under the terms of this
agreement.
10. Said parties of the first part (Pyle-Moore-Coolley) further hereby agree that they will do
nothing under this contract on or before Saturday prior to Thanksgiving day
1925, which would render the said party of the second part (Red) subject to classification as a professional
athlete or football player.
11. Said parties of the first (Pyle-Moore-Coolley)
part further hereby agree to use their
best efforts to promote and exploit said party of the second part (Red) through the use of his name, pictures,
newspaper or magazine articles under his name and to do the other things here
in before provided to be done by them…
12. The parties of the first part further hereby agree
that the said Charles C. Pyle shall, and he hereby authorized by all of the
parties here to personally negotiate and execute any and all contracts which
may be obtained, negotiated and concluded by or for the parties of the first
part (Moore-Coolley) pursuant to the terms of this agreement…
13. It is further hereby mutually contracted and agreed
that the net proceeds or net profits derived from these engagements,
performances, ventures or undertakings, conducted pursuant to this agreement
shall, upon receipt therefore be divided among the several parties hereto as
follows; forty percent (40%) there of shall be paid to the party of the second
part (Red); twenty-five percent (25%) thereof to the said Charles C. Pyle;
seventeen and half percent (17.5%) thereof to the said Marion F. Coolley and
seventeen and half percent (17.5%) to the said Byron F. Moore, settlement upon
that basis to be made by such of the parties of the first part (Pyle-Moore-Cooley) as shall be present at the respective
appearances or engagements of the party of the second part (Red) as his representative at the time in
connection therewith.
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| March 1925 Contract, Pages 4-5 |
WITNESS
the hands and seals of the respective parties hereto this 27th day
of March A.D. 1925.
Chas. C. Pyle (signed in purple
ink)
Byron F. Moore (signed in black
ink)
Marion F. Coolley (signed in black
ink)
Harold E. “Red”
Grange (signed
in blue ink)
(all signed and sealed)
This
was an historic contract. Never before had a college football player signed
with an “agent” to help represent him. In 1925 there was no NCAA rule against
signing with a person to represent you. This was more of a “power of attorney”
contract for the future, not a contract to play pro football. Red was clearly
aware of what he was doing so much that he put in the contract, items 2 and 10,
a clause that nothing was to be done until after he completed his senior season
at Illinois. He did not want to sign any contracts with pro teams, Hollywood
studios, or take any money. The split of the net profits would come later with
the split this way:
Red Grange: 40 percent
C. C. Pyle: 25 percent
Byron F. Moore: 17.5 percent
Marion F. Coolley: 17.5 percent.
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| March 1925 Contract, Page 6, with all 4 signatures signed in ink |
This
would eventually change.
The
6-page contract signed in March of 1925 made it official. Three men- Pyle,
Coolley, Moore- would handle all of Red’s business opportunities once he played
his last collegiate game. Pyle would be the front man, handling all
negotiations, whether it be with pro football teams, Hollywood executives,
business men who wanted to use Red’s names for advertisements, and just about
anything that could make them all richer.
In
the end this contract shows proof of who represented Red Grange. Over time it
appeared that only C. C. Pyle was Red’s manager. This was not true. Red would
be represented by three men. Three men who would watch over his business
affairs and split the net profits with Red. The contract was signed for three
years, ending on March 27, 1928 (clause 1). The contract signed in March of
1925 would be kept by the Marion F. Coolley family for nearly 100 years.
Grange Signs with the Bears
The execution of this historical contract would have
to wait 8 months. Finally, on November 21, 1925, Red played his last college
game for Illinois in Columbus, Ohio against Ohio State. Shortly after the game
he announced he was dropping out of school and turning pro, signing with his
hometown team, the Chicago Bears. Later that night he took a train to Chicago
to make it official.
Arriving at the Morrison Hotel the next morning,
Grange was about to make sports history. Greeted by C.C. Pyle and the Bears
co-owners, George Halas and Dutch Sternaman, Red felt comfortable about his
decision to play pro football. After a few pleasantries Pyle got the circus
started. The eager promoter brought in the press and photographers. The moment
everybody was waiting for had arrived. In the suite the four men sat down at a
round glass table. The contracts and several pens were lying there ready to
make history. Red, sitting in the middle, had Pyle to his left and Halas to his
right, with Sternaman sitting next to Halas. The foursome posed as Red held pen
in hand ready to sign his first pro contract. Through a haze of smoke,
following a broadside of flashlight powder from photographer’s cameras, Red
signed his name. The only thing missing was Coolley and Moore.
At the same time that Red
was signing his contract with the Bears he also re-did his deal with Pyle,
Coolley and Moore. He made one big change to the original contact that was
drawn up in March (1925). The four men agreed to change the percentage of net
profits. On the original contract Red crossed out the March 27th
date and wrote November 23rd. Then under item number 13, the
original split of the net profits was crossed out and written was the new
split. Red would get 50 percent of the net receipts. The new numbers were:
Harold (Red) Grange, 50 percent; Charles C. Pyle, 25 percent (no change); Byron
F. Moore, 12 and half percent (down from 17 and half); Marion F. Coolley, 12
and half percent (down from 17 and half). So, the group decided to give Red
half the net profits with Coolley and Moore getting only 12 and half percent
each. It was only fair, Red was the one who was playing football.
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| Red Grange with C. C. Pyle at L.A. Coliseum Jan. 1926, during tour |
The barnstorming tour was
a commercial and financial success for the Bears (players and owners,
Halas-Sternaman), Grange and his three managers- Pyle, Coolley, and Moore. But
the relationship wasn’t built to last. This is where Pyle gets what he really
wanted. Red by himself.
After the first part of
the tour, Byron Moore left to return to his job at the movie theatre. He could
handle the funds from Illinois. While “Doc” Coolley followed the tour down
South for games in Florida (3 games) and one in Louisana. At this time Pyle had
realized that he had no more use for Coolley, he could handle all the business
deals from here on out. Pyle didn’t want to share any more money with Coolley
or Byron Moore. He was working too hard to share the wealth.
After the tour game in
New Orleans, Red said good-bye to his good friend, and to show his appreciation
the redhead had George Halas, Dutch Sternaman and the Chicago Bears team
present a football to “Doc” that was signed by the entire team- as well as the
scores of the four games played in the South on the other side of the ball.
Marion “Doc” Coolley appreciated the gesture that he kept the football his
entire life. The signed ball is still in the family, nearly 100 years later.
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| 1925-1926 barnstorming football given to "Doc" Coolley |
The Divorce
After the tour ended, several
reports came out about a Grange-Pyle break-up. What must reports felled to reveal
was that it was with the other two managers. Marion “Doc” Coolley and Byron
Moore knew they were on the outs, but they still had a signed contract- a
signed contract for two more years. Pyle had already started to negotiate a
settlement with the two men. On March 17, 1926 Pyle shot off a Western Union Telegram to “Doc” Coolley
in Danville expressing his feelings. “No
definite payment was agreed upon. I am treating you fairly. Doing everything
possible for me to do. Wire answer, Regards, Chas.”
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March 26, 1926 Telegram from C.C. Pyle to Marion "Doc" Coolley
(courtesy of Marilyn Coolley-Carley) |
The break-up was near. Pyle wanted
all the money for himself and he was about to get it. Red seemed to be more
comfortable with Pyle running the show, so he had no objection to having
Cash-and-Carry push Coolley and Moore aside. A year after agreeing to be Red’s
manager the trio of Pyle-Coolley-Moore were officially about to split up. A
three-page contract was typed up. It was pretty much a divorce, but Coolley and
Moore would not go away empty handed.
AGREEMENT
This agreement made this fifteenth day of
March, 1926, by and between CHARLES C. PYLE, MARION F. COOLLEY and BYRON F.
MOORE. WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the parties here to are the same
parties who heretofore entered into a contract with HAROLD E. “RED” GRANGE,
wherein and hereby they acquired certain percentage rights as manager of the
said H.E.R.G. in and to the proceeds arising out of the exhibition, performance
and activities of the said GRANGE.
WHEREAS, the said Pyle is desirous of
purchasing the interest of the said Coolley and Moore, and the said Coolley and
Moore are desirous of selling the same to said Pyle.
NOW,
THEREFORE, for and in consideration of One Dollar ($1) and the other good and
valuable consideration each to the other paid, the receipt whereof by each
acknowledged; the parties agree as follows:
The said Marion F. Coolley and Byron F.
Moore do hereby sell, transfer and assign all of their respective rights and
interests in and to their contract with the said Harold E. “Red” Grange to
Charles C. Pyle.
Charles C. Pyle does hereby agree to pay to
the said Marion F. Coolley and Byron F. Moore each the sum of Twelve Thousand
Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500), payable to each Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000)
upon the execution hereof and the balance (a note for) Seven Thousand Five
Hundred ($7,500) due on or before July first, 1926, in full payment for such
assignment…The said Pyle, claims responsibility for all claims, demands and
liabilities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have
placed their hands and seals hereon, the day of and year first above written.
Charles C. Pyle (signed, black ink)
Marion F. Coolley (signed, black ink)
Byron F. Moore (signed, black ink)
I hereby accept and approved the terms of
the above and foregoing contract and do release Marion F. Coolley and Byron F.
Moore of and from all further duties and obligations under the certain contract
between them and myself as therein above referred to:
Harold E. Grange (signed, black ink)
 |
March 1926 Contract, making C.C. Pyle the sole manager of Red Grange
(contract courtesy of Marilyn Coolley-Carley) |
The original contract had two items
crossed out in black ink. First, in the opening line the date of March 15th
was crossed out for March 26th. The second item crossed out was the
due date for the second payment by Pyle. He had agreed to pay Coolley-Moore
$12,500 each for the right to be Red’s only manager. On the day of the contract
he paid both men five thousand dollars each. But instead of on or before July
first, written in black ink, was May 1st. So, Pyle would be under the gun. He
would only have five weeks to pay off the remaining money. Pyle would
eventually make the payments. As of March 26, 1926, C. C. Pyle was Red’s only
manager.
As for the two men who were also
Red’s managers during the famous barnstorming tour, they went their separate
ways. Byron Moore would get back into the theatre business, eventually working
for Warner Brothers theatres in St. Louis and Pittsburgh. After a lengthy career
he passed away in 1972 at the age of 73. Marion “Doc” Coolley would go on to
law school, graduating from Cornell University (Class of 1927), then working
for years as a loan officer for Northwestern Mutual Life. Coolley married Helen
Yaeger and had one child, a daughter. Marylin
Coolley-Carley remembered growing up hearing about Red Grange:
“My father had a good sense of humor that’s for sure,
and he had a lot of friends. He had all of these people over, and the most
exciting thing when I was about thirteen we had the first TV on the block, and
all the boys came over because he wanted to watch any of the sports that were
on. And the boys were at my house all the time, because they wanted to talk to
him about Red Grange. My teenage friends were there all the time.”
Over the years Red would keep in touch
with “Doc” Coolley, visiting him in Danville, and mailing him a signed copy of
his autobiography. Coolley never could shake his health problems. Because of
his heart issues he passed away on April 10, 1955 at the age of 56.
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| Red Grange with friend and tour manager Marion "Doc" Coolley, 1925 |
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| In front of the White House during the barnstorming tour, from right to left, Byron Moore, Grange, Ill. Senator William McKinley; Rep. Wm. Holladay and "Doc" Coolley (wearing Grange's famous coat) |
Conclusion
For decades the story of
Red having only one manager while signing to play pro football and going on his
famous 1925-1926 barnstorming tour has been told. But after nearly 100 years we
have proof of a new narrative. Let us not forgot Marion “Doc” Coolley and Byron
Moore.
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Byron Moore, outside of White House on tour, Dec. 1925
|
