By Darin Hayes The clash between Princeton and the University of Chicago, coached by the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg, on October 28, 1922, was far more than just a regular-season game; it was a watershed moment in both college football history and the emerging era of mass media.
Football Enters the Airwaves
Played at Stagg Field in Chicago, the match was the first college football game to be broadcast nationally on radio. The broadcast was transmitted from Chicago’s KYW station to WEAF in New York City, and then relayed across the country, allowing thousands to follow the action for the first time. The game’s drama ensured that this technological milestone was matched by the on-field excitement.
The Game and the Great Comeback
The heavily favored Chicago Maroons dominated early, with star fullback John Thomas scoring three touchdowns. The Maroons held a comfortable 18-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
However, Princeton mounted an improbable rally. A critical turnover swung the momentum when a Chicago fumble was recovered by Princeton end Howdy Gray, who ran it 40 yards for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 18-14. Later, Princeton drove for another score, culminating with a one-yard plunge for a touchdown by back Harry Crum, putting the Tigers ahead 21-18.
The Goal-Line Stand
The defining moment came in the final minutes. Chicago furiously drove down the field, reaching the Princeton one-yard line. On fourth down, the Tigers’ defense—featuring players like Charlie Caldwell, Harland “Pink” Baker, and Oliver Alford—held firm, stopping Chicago’s John Thomas short of the goal line.
The improbable victory led famed sports columnist Grantland Rice to dub the 1922 Princeton squad the “Team of Destiny.” They lived up to the moniker, finishing the season a perfect 8-0 (7-0, per some records from that era), securing a consensus National Championship and etching the “Princeton Goal Line Stand” into college football lore.