The Providence Steam Roller were founded in 1916 by sports-editor Charles Coppen and part-time sports-writer Pearce Johnson of the Providence Journal, the team was owned by Charles Coppen, James Dooley and Peter Laudati, while Pearce Johnson serves as the team's General Manager. The team became a regional power and soon became one of the best known independent teams in the country.

The team's name came when an owner overheard a member of an opposing team remark we are getting crushed by a steamroller. The team's payroll was less than those in the Midwest who were among the first teams to join the NFL, so they had trouble signing college players.

They did manage to get a few current college players using alias to not disrupt their amateur status. In 1924, the Steam Roller played seven games against NFL teams, posting a 4-2-1 record as they claimed the mythical title champions of the Northeast.

The Steam Roller's success would lead to them asking to join the National Football League.