North Shore in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First Professional Football Game

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 20, 2012

1. First Professional Football Game Marker

Inscription. On November 12, 1892, at Recreation Park, a few blocks northwest of here, the Allegheny Athletic Association defeated the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, 4-0. The winning touchdown was scored by William "Pudge" Heffelfinger, who received $500 for playing. He was the first football player known to have been paid outright, and pro football traces its origin from this game.

Erected 2005 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1900.

Location. 40° 26.733′ N, 80° 0.817′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in North Shore. It can be reached from the intersection of North Shore Drive and Art Rooney Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15212, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern

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Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Three Rivers Stadium (within shouting distance of this marker); County of Allegheny Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Immaculate Reception (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Southwestern Pennsylvania World War II Memorial (about 500 feet away); First MLB All-Minority Lineup (about 500 feet away); Three Rivers Stadium Baseball Information Panel (about 500 feet away); The Pittsburgh Point (about 600 feet away); Vietnam Veterans Monument (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

More about this marker. This marker is located outside Heinz Field.

Also see . . .
1. First Professional Football Game - Behind the Marker. Explore PA History website entry (Submitted on January 27, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. William "Pudge" Heffelfinger.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 20, 2012

2. First Professional Football Game Marker

Located by Heinz Field

Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on March 16, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Pudge Heffelfinger image. Click for more information.

From Wikipedia.com

3. Pudge Heffelfinger

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,409 times since then and 144 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on January 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.