If the crowds pouring into Liberty HS Stadium an hour and a half before game-time gave any indication of the level of success big-time sporting events would receive in the Lehigh Valley, the results were going to be huge.

Professional football made its debut in Bethlehem on Sept. 19, 1945 before a capacity house of 20,000 gridiron enthusiasts.

As the gates opened, spectators eager to see the Philadelphia Eagles clash against the Chicago Bears filled the stadium so quickly and completely, that within minutes the naked eye could not locate a vacant seat in almost every direction.

Though the game was but an exhibition, the two teams hit hard, played hard, and fought hard as the ever elusive Steve Van Buren thrilled the crowd with three scores, leading the Eagles to a 38-21 victory over the Windy City eleven.

Robert F. Sell, the sponsor and promoter of the game, had provided the viewing public to undoubtedly the most spectacular and colorful sporting event ever witnessed within the confines of the city.

Amazingly, this was just the opening kickoff to an ambitious and well-conceived plan of "Mister Football," Bob Sell, to bring top-flight professional sports to Bethlehem on a regular basis.

"I think the plans I have in mind will really put this town on the map in the sports world," Sell explained, "and if the community will give me their support, I'll try to give them the sports they want."

Born in Bethlehem in 1911, Sell's interest in athletics began during his high school days, where he played football under Coach Austin Tate at Liberty HS. He continued his football playing career at Bucknell, graduating in the memorable year of 1929.

Thereafter, Sell became a successful contractor in Bethlehem, owning and operating R.F. Sell Excavating, Inc. from 1936 to 1969. The company which built streets, highways, and roads was located on an expansive complex, occupying three city blocks on Easton Avenue.

Applying the same formula that brought him from a one truck operation to one of the area's largest in the construction field, Sell began climbing the ladder of sports promotion.

He had been preparing for his entrance into professional sports as far back as 1937, the year he made his bow into sports promotion, sponsoring both a ladies' bowling team and two men's teams.

From there Sell gained experience sponsoring teams such as Sell's Excavators, a well-known basketball team in Allentown, and later became associated with the Bethlehem Orioles and Bangor All-Stars.

In 1945, the moment was right for Bob Sell to spring into action.

With the end of the war, an abundance of talented athletes would soon come pouring out of colleges and the Army. A number of minor football leagues resumed play, promising to give stiff competition to the National Football League's monopoly over the game.

Sell was awarded a franchise in the American Football League, and for four seasons his Bethlehem Bulldogs were a major attraction in the city. Sell saw his hard work come to fruition from 1946 until the first game in 1950 when the league fizzled out. But during that span, Sell was determined to do things right.

An innovative owner ahead of his time, Bob Sell put together a trio of experienced coaches, all demonstrating an abundant knowledge and love for the game. Head coach Leo Prendergast and advisory coach J. Birney Crum were known for their athletic empires at Bethlehem and Allentown High, respectively. Up and coming assistant coach, Charlie Gauer, had played for the Steagles during the war years.

The team had a working relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles, and played their home games on Wednesdays at Liberty HS stadium.

The Bulldogs practiced behind Sell's contracting company, where the first training facility in all of pro football was built. The complex contained the Bulldog's "Kennel," which was a field house equipped with offices, a lecture room, equipment room, and a locker room. Outside were two practice fields, one with lights for nighttime practices.

Within two seasons the product of Sell's efforts brought home the championship of the American Football League in handy fashion, when the Bulldogs took a 23-7 romp over the Patterson Panthers in the 1947 title game.

Following the disbandment of the league, the Bulldog's practice facility was purchased by the city for recreation, and to this day it is known as Sell Field.

Before passing away in 1970, R.F. Sell was a co-sponsor of the Harlem Globe Trotters and even made a bid on the Philadelphia Eagles in 1968.

"I'm not one of these millionaire sports promoters who go into something like this for a hobby," Sell once said. "But I don't expect to make a pile of money out of it, either. This community has been darn good to me – everything I've got, it's given me. If I can help to give Bethlehem the kind of sports the community likes and wants, maybe I'll have done something to help pay back for everything the community has done for me."

Please share your memories of R.F. Sell and the Bethlehem Bulldogs by writing or emailing me at bethlehemhistory@gmail.com