The Silents
Deaf people who found jobs in Akron created an active and visible community. The "Silent Colony" supported clubs, church groups, amateur sports, and company sponsored teams. The Goodyear Silents, a semiprofessional football team, was a particular source of pride to deaf residents of Akron. The winning Silents demonstrated that deaf workers were as competent as anyone else, on the football field as well as the factory floor.