“Next to impossible to fool on trick maneuvers… keen, quick, and accurate in diagnosing plays.” — Grantland Rice, 1934 (The Michiganensian) about Francis Wistert.
Grantland Rice on tel/mic] / World Telegram & Sun photo by Paul Thompson circa 1920 courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
February 20 Football Fix: The Wistert Dynasty
February 20, 1912 – Chicago, Illinois — Today marks the birthday of the man who started it all: Francis “Whitey” Wistert. While most families consider a single college athlete a success, the Wisterts redefined the term “legacy” at the University of Michigan. Francis was the first of three brothers—all tackles, all wearing No. 11, and all Consensus All-Americans—to etch their names into the College Football Hall of Fame.
College Career
Whitey Wistert arrived at Michigan in 1930 having never played a down of organized football. Under Coach Harry Kipke, he transformed from a raw prospect into the “anchor of the defense.” Between 1931 and 1933, he was the defensive catalyst for a Wolverines squad that claimed three Big Ten titles and back-to-back National Championships (1932–1933). His tenure was marked by a nearly perfect 23-1-2 record, where he became renowned for his “play-diagnosing” genius.
By Darin 
