William “Pa” Corbin dominates the pioneer era of college football as a fierce center and captain of the legendary 1888 Yale Bulldogs.
Football Bio
July 20, 1864 – Hartford, Connecticut – William “Pa” Corbin was a center from 1886 through 1888 with Yale University teams, and he played so well that he earned his spot in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
The footballfoundation.org says that Corbin’s very appearance demanded respect, as he was tall, had prominent facial features, and received nothing but loyalty and support from his teammates as he led Yale during football’s pioneer era. The captain should be the real leader, he said, appraising his position among his peers.
He should be able to say “come on” instead of “go on,” and he should be the strategist, always checking the signals and often changing them. Quarterbacks may come and go, but the captain should always be largely responsible for the tactics and the success of the plays. Corbin was a fireplug and a catalyst of the great Yale teams he played on.
In the 1888 season, his senior year, Paw was a captain of the squad that went undefeated and outscored (7:00) their opponents 698-0. Yale’s record was 31-0-1 during Paw Corbin’s career. Truly remarkable.
Don’t know if that’ll ever be repeated. 698 points to 0 in a season and a player that had a 31-0-1 record in his career.
William “Pa” Corbin secures his place in football history by leading Yale to unprecedented dominance and establishing the true standard for team captaincy. His powerful presence on the gridiron and incredible winning record cement his immortal legacy within the College Football Hall of Fame.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1969.
- 1888 Team Captain: Captained the undefeated 1888 Yale Bulldogs football team.
- Historic Undefeated Season: Led Yale to a perfect 13-0 record in 1888, outscoring opponents by a staggering margin of 698-0.
- Remarkable Career Record: Achieved an astonishing 31-0-1 record during his Yale playing career.
- Retroactive All-American: Named First Team All-America in both 1887 and 1888.
