The town where high school football was born

In Massillon, Ohio, the love of football is a birthright

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Lauren Hansen's avatar
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A capacity crowd reacts as the Tigers score a touchdown against Canton McKinley at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in 2012.
A capacity crowd reacts as the Tigers score a touchdown against Canton McKinley at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in 2012.
(Image credit: The Massillon Tigers played America's first high school foot)

A newborn receives a mini football from the Tiger Football Booster Club. For decades, members of the Booster Club have visited maternity wards to place mini footballs in the bassinets of baby boys born to parents from Massillon.
(Image credit: (Chelsie Corso)Photographers David Foster and Gary Harwood wanted to explore this fandom and the community's commitment to their young athletes. Along with a handful of their photojournalism)

Malik Dudley's grandmother, Virginia Richardson, prays for him before a game.
(Image credit: (David Foster))

Coty Wolfe applies paint to his face during a tailgating party outside Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
(Image credit: (Gary Harwood))

Team colors and Obie, the Tiger mascot, define the jacket and tie of Rollie Layfield, the 1993 Tiger Football Booster Club president.
(Image credit: (Coty Giannelli))

A family exits Paul Brown Tiger Stadium after a 2012 victory.
(Image credit: (David Foster))

The dashboard of a fan's RV.
(Image credit: (Gary Harwood))

Vinny Keller plays with the helmet and jersey of Shawn Wright. Vinny's father, Matt, was Shawn's Sideliner — adults from the community who offer the players support and guidance. Shawn, who served in Afghanistan, remains close to the K
(Image credit: (Caitlin Bourque))

Jean Wilson and Ann Stanforth in 2011.
(Image credit: (Jessica White))

Beau Huffman presents the Rivalry Trophy to fans who gathered for a spontaneous celebration in the center of Massillon after the team returned from a victory over the Canton McKinley Bulldogs.
(Image credit: (Jenna Watson))

The Tigers enter.
(Image credit: (Caitlin Bourque))

Alex Dailey exits the Massillon locker room during halftime.
(Image credit: (David Foster)**For more about Tiger Legacy: Stories of Massillon Football, check out Daylight Books.**)

Lauren Hansen
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.