Edwin “Goat” Hale: The Mississippi Legend Who Literally Broke Barriers

Before the era of high-tech helmets and billion-dollar stadiums, college football was a game of raw grit and legendary toughness. Perhaps no player personifies that era better than Edwin “Goat” Hale, the Mississippi College quarterback who once hit a building so hard he loosened the architecture—and then went on to record one of the most prolific scoring seasons in the history of the sport.

Football Bio

January 29, 1896 – Jackson, Mississippi – Edwin Hale, the quarterback of Mississippi College, was born. Nicknamed “Goat” by friends, the National Football Foundation recounts an entertaining story behind it: while playing for Central High School in Jackson, Hale once battered through the line to score a touchdown and continued running past the end zone until his head hit a wooden building, loosening several planks. In 1921, Hale scored 23 touchdowns and drop-kicked 23 extra points. The National Football Foundation inducted him into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Conclusion

Edwin “Goat” Hale remains a towering figure in the annals of Southern football history. His 1921 season alone stands as a testament to his versatility as both a powerhouse runner and a precise kicker. While his nickname was born from a humorous collision with a wooden building, his legacy was built on a foundation of undeniable talent and a scoring prowess that eventually earned him the highest honor in collegiate athletics. He was, and remains, a true original of the gridiron.

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• College Football Hall of Fame Inductee: Class of 1963.
• Single-Season Scoring Record (1921): Scored 23 touchdowns and successfully converted 23 drop-kicked extra points.
• 161 Total Points: His 1921 performance accounted for 161 of his team’s points, leading Mississippi College to an 8-2 record.
• Multi-Sport Star: Recognized as a premier athlete at both Central High School (Jackson, MS) and Mississippi College.
• Versatility Pioneer: Noted for his rare ability to dominate as a primary ball carrier and a specialized kicker simultaneously.