Editing Akron Pros (section)

===Burkhardts===

In 1916 a local brewer, Burkhardt Brewing Company, took over the remains of the Indians and renamed the club the '''Akron Burkhardts'''. The team was reorganized by [[Howe Welch]] and his brothers Chang and [[Suey Welch|Suey]]. After three seasons, Welch was a player, coach, and manager for Akron, playing against many of professional football's early stars. The 1916 Burkhardts had a winning record despite falling to the Bulldogs and splitting a two-game series with the [[Columbus Panhandles]]. In 1918 the team was once again renamed the Indians, however, this is disputed due to many records of the time still referring to the club as the Burkhardts until 1920. The 1919 team, finished their season 5–5–0. However, the Indians lost money despite the presence of one of the country's best breakaway runners, [[Fritz Pollard]], the league's first black player. From 1917 through at least 1921, the Indians name was sold off to [[Suey Welch]], who fielded it as an independent club.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.summitcountyhof.com/Inductees/1964.htm |title=1964 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees |publisher=Summit County Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=March 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007195807/http://www.summitcountyhof.com/Inductees/1964.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2011 }}</ref>