I was just being silly!
I'm dyin' to know the answer....
Well, as you are no good to me dead, I will spill it: They were the crown Jewels of fledgling leagues. Thorpe the NFL, Walker the USFL, Joe AFL and Stan WAS to be the Jewel of the Mexican League. His name was used to lure investors. They offered him ridicules money, and he was tempted. In spite of the fact he didn't make DiMag. or Williams like money, he passed on the offer.
Jim Thorpe was the biggest thing the sports world had ever seen up to that time. Preceding Dempsey, Ruth and Tilden. When his football team (the NY Giants I think) came to town the whole town turned out.
I think the AFL makes it without Broadway Joe but it was nice to have him.
I don't know very much about the USFL and Hershel....I never watched a game.