It's up to pro football historians to determine whether an Upstate New York man's NFL legacy is hall of fame worthy.  

Leo Lyons' great-grandson made the case for his inclusion among the game's founders this past weekend. 

John Steffenhagen shared his story earlier this month. He then presented it at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Steffenhagen learned from a journal and paperwork recovered in family heirlooms that his great grandfather, Leo Lyons, had some of the most valuable pro football artifacts anywhere.

Lyons founded the Rochester Jeffersons, one of the original franchises in the NFL 100 years ago. Keepsakes and memorabilia he kept help tell the story of the league's seminal seasons. 

NFL historians, collectors and even the Smithsonian Institution, are calling for the collection. The sum of it is valued in the millions. 

Steffenhagen has had his collection insured and hired a law firm to manage it. He stores it out of state. 

What he wants most is for his for his great-grandfather to finally be recognized by the NFL for his contributions in the pro game's earliest days.