After the University of Detroit was unable to field a football team due to financial reasons a group of football players led by Bill Marshall formed their own team to compete against other are amateur teams. Adopting the team colors red and white the Heralds continue to operate even after the University of Detroit football team resumed play.

In 1911, the Heralds left campus and operated as a semi-pro team. The Heralds soon began to charge for admission as they began recruiting players outside of Detroit to play.

Despite not being from Ohio, the Heralds competed in the Ohio League with other charter NFL franchises.