Football History

Hube Wagner was an American football player and surgeon who enjoyed a brief but impactful career as an athlete:

Football Career (1910-1913):

-Starred as a versatile player for the University of Pittsburgh, excelling at end, halfback, and even quarterback.

-Led the undefeated 1910 Pitt team to a national championship.

-Known for his aggressive tackling, decisive running, and exceptional passing skills.

-Earned All-American honors in 1913.

-Considered one of the greatest athletes in the University of Pittsburgh's history.

Gridiron Legacy:

-Although his playing career was short, his impact on Pitt football was significant. He helped establish the program as a national power and remains one of its most celebrated alumni.

-His versatility and athleticism paved the way for future generations of multi-positional players.

-After ending his football career, Wagner became a prominent surgeon in Pittsburgh, showcasing his dedication and intelligence beyond the gridiron.

-In 1915, he was on the roster of the Canton Bulldogs.

While Hube Wagner's playing career only spanned a few years, his talent, achievements, and connection to the University of Pittsburgh solidified his place among the program's legends. His versatility and athleticism remain an inspiration for future generations of athletes.

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Mark Herrmann's football career was a tale of two chapters, each etched with contrasting storylines. From the golden halls of Purdue to the muddled trenches of the NFL, his journey is a study in both unbridled college football brilliance and professional struggles.

At Purdue, Herrmann was a titan. He shattered passing records, becoming the NCAA's first quarterback to throw for 9,000 yards. His pinpoint accuracy and athleticism earned him All-America honors and propelled the Boilermakers to national prominence.

But Herrmann's story wasn't just about numbers. It was about resilience. He suffered through heartbreaking near-misses, weathered coaching changes, and battled injuries that could have derailed his career. Yet, he rose with every challenge, his unwavering love for Purdue fueling his comeback.

His 1980 Bluebonnet Bowl performance cemented his legend. Leading a comeback against USC, nicknamed "The Cardiac Kids," Herrmann threw for a then-record 303 yards, defying expectations and etching his name in Purdue's pantheon of heroes.

He was the golden boy, the face of college football's new era, poised for NFL stardom. But the transition to the professional ranks proved harsh. Drafted in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos, Herrmann found himself buried on a depth chart, his college magic failing to translate. He bounced between four teams in eleven seasons, never fully settling into a starting role.

Born November 30, 1931, in Los Angeles, California, was Pro Football hall of Fame Coach Bill Walsh. Coach Walsh served as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and the Stanford Cardinal, during which time he popularized the West Coast offense. Bill built what many consider a football dynasty with the Niners as durin ghis NFL career he went 102–63–1 with the 49ers, winning 10 of his 14 postseason games along with six division titles, three NFC Championship titles, and three Super Bowls. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1984. In 1993, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Born June 4, 1891, in Lexington, Georgia, was the fine halfback from the University of Georgia from the seasons of 1910 to 1913, Bob McWhorter.  The National Football Foundation shares some great info on McWhorter it was an interesting journey for Bob to attend the University of Georgia. In 1910 McWhorter was attending the Gordon Military School, and was the star athlete on more than just the gridiron gang. The Military school played baseball against the Bulldogs and put a pretty good beat down on them by the score of 11-0. Georgia’s powers that be saw the great organization from the Gordon coach  W. Alex Cunningham and quickly coerced him to become Georgia's football and baseball coach. One of the first things Cunnigham did in his new role was to recruit as many of the athletes from the academy as he could because after all he had laid their athletic foundations. McWhorter was of course one of the Gordon players that attended Georgia after his coaches calling. However, being only a junior at Gordon, McWhorter had to take a special exam to qualify for college. He passed the exam with very high scores, and at Georgia he was Phi Beta Kappa. He played halfback for Georgia 1910- 1913 and scored 61 touchdowns. He was all-Southern four times and made the Parke Davis All-America selection in 1913. Bob McWhorter’s collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1954.

Born October 31, 1897, in Mansfield, Ohio - Wilbur better known as Pete Henry, was a 3 year All-American tackle from Washington and Jefferson College. He was perhaps the largest lineman of his era as he stood 5-foot-11-inches tall and weighed in at a solid 245 pounds. Pete signed to play with the Canton Bulldogs coincidently on the same day that the NFL’s precursor the American Professional Football Association formed in Ralph Hay’s Hupmobile Showroom in Canton. The good natured Henry off the field was replaced by a focused beast on the gridiron. Pete’s most notable season had to be in 1923 with the Bulldogs according to the National Football Foundation's website. Henry booted a 94 yard punt, blocked a punt, scored a touchdown and kicked nine field goals via drop kick , oh and by the way the Canton Bulldogs won their second consecutive NFL Championship that year due in part to his great play. In the NFL for a total of 8 seasons not only with Canton but was a member of the Pottsville Maroons and the New York Giants too. Pete Henry was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Pete in 1963’s class of inductees.

Born March 12, 1880, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was legendary pro football player, and College Football Hall of Fame back, Bobby Marshall. Marshall played end for the football team of the University of Minnesota from 1904 to 1906. He was the first African American to play football in the Western Conference, later to be known as the Big Ten. Bobby graduated in 1907 and played with Minneapolis pro teams, the Deans and the Marines. From 1920 through 1924, he played in the National Football League with the Rock Island Independents, the Minneapolis Marines, and the Duluth Kelleys.

Reuben John Ursella, known to all as "Rube," wasn't your typical football player. He wasn't a hulking lineman or a flashy running back. Instead, Ursella was a cerebral quarterback, a coach before his time, and the architect of an offensive scheme that revolutionized the early NFL. Though less celebrated than some gridiron giants, his legacy is one of innovation, leadership, and an unwavering dedication to the game.

Born in 1890 in Minneapolis, Ursella began his football career at the University of Minnesota. He honed his understanding of the "Minnesota Shift," a complex offensive strategy developed by coach Henry L. Williams there. The shift involved a series of pre-snap movements by the linemen, creating unexpected gaps and angles for the ball carrier. The Minnesota Shift was a potent weapon in the hands of a skilled quarterback like Ursella, leaving defenses bewildered and fans enthralled.

After stints in various professional leagues, Ursella returned to his hometown in 1921 as the head coach of the Minneapolis Marines. This marked the beginning of his most significant contribution to football history. He installed the Minnesota Shift as the Marines' core offense, tailoring it to fit the talents of his players. With Ursella at the helm, the Marines became an offensive juggernaut, averaging over 20 points per game in a league where such scores were rare.

But Ursella's impact extended beyond his team. He readily shared his knowledge of the Minnesota Shift with other coaches and players, spreading the offensive philosophy across the fledgling NFL. Soon, teams like the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears were incorporating elements of the shift into their playbook, forever changing the landscape of professional football.

Ursella's career continued for another decade as both player and coach. He captained the Rock Island Independents to a league championship in 1926, showcasing his leadership beyond the offensive playbook. His playing days ended in 1929, but his coaching influence lingered for years.

Though Rube Ursella's name may not be etched like other NFL legends, his contributions to the game remain undeniable; he was a pioneer of offensive strategy, a coach who prioritized intelligence and teamwork, and a leader who left an indelible mark on the early years of professional football. The next time you see a quarterback shift the offensive line before a snap, remember Rube Ursella, the mastermind who brought the Minnesota Shift to the gridiron, forever changing how the game is played.

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Born June 8, 1917, in Fort Collins, Colorado, was Byron “Whizzer” White the great University of Colorado halfback from 1935 to 1937. It is amazing that he was able to play to such a high level as he came from a high school in Wellington, Colorado that had only 13 players on the gridiron team. According to the National Football Foundation Whizzer's best collegiate game may have been in 1936 when the Buffs played Utah. The talented back ran wild over the Utes defense as he scored on runs of 90, 41, 40, and 38 yards in a 31-7 victory!    The nightmare of White for Utah continued in the 1937 game as he scored on two more long runs, this time covering yardage of 85 and 37 and then kicked two extra points and a field goal to ice the cake in a 17-7 Colorado win. In 1937 he led the nation in scoring, rushing, total offense, and all-purpose running. He averaged 246 yards a game in all-purpose running, a record until 1988. His longest play in college was a 102 yard kick return against Denver in 1936.  Byron wasn’t just a superior athlete as he graduated as he was also a Phi Beta Kappa and a Rhodes Scholar. The NFF voters chose Byron Whizzer White to be inducted into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1954. Whizzer played pro football with Pittsburgh in 1938, studied at Oxford University in England in 1939, played professionally with Detroit in 1940- 1941. In two of his seasons, he led the National Football League in rushing. Byron Raymond "Whizzer" White was an American lawyer later in life, who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1962 to 1993. 

Kenneth Adams MacAfee II wasn't your typical NFL superstar. His story isn't one of touchdowns and endorsements, but a rare tale of talent sacrificed for passion, woven into the fabric of both Notre Dame and the San Francisco 49ers.

MacAfee was a legend at Notre Dame. A three-time All-American, he dominated defenses with a blend of power and grace, nicknamed "The Golden Hammer" for his punishing blocks and acrobatic receptions. He anchored the 1977 national championship team and seemed destined for NFL stardom.

Yet, when the San Francisco 49ers drafted him seventh overall in 1978, a twist of fate awaited. While he struggled to adapt to the pro game, a different dream simmered beneath the surface – dentistry. This wasn't a whim; it was a lifelong passion, nurtured alongside his football prowess.

His NFL career remained respectable, but the whispers of the dental lab grew louder. In 1983, after two seasons with the 49ers, MacAfee made a decision that shook the football world. He traded the roar of the stadium for the hum of drills, walking away from his NFL career to pursue dentistry full-time.

The choice sparked debate. Some saw it as a missed opportunity, others a testament to integrity. MacAfee, however, remained unfazed. He thrived in his new realm, building a successful dental practice and even serving as president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Born December 19, 1926, in Santa Anna, Texas, was Bobby Layne the legendary University of Texas quarterback. The National Football Foundation says Bobby was not what one would call a great runner nor a classic passer but what he did out of the T-formation was remarkable. In 1945 Layne missed part of the season serving in the Merchant marine but returned near season’s end to help the Longhorns reach the Cotton Bowl and  he completed 11 of 12 passes and was part of all six Texas touchdowns as his team blew out Missouri, 40-27. By the time Layne had finished his college career he was an All America and had set 11 school records on the gridiron. Bobby Layne found his way along inside the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968. Layne then went to the National Football League and continued a record- setting career with Detroit and Pittsburgh. As a Lion he threw a clutch last second pass to help Detroit win the 1953 NFL Championship game. During his 15 year NFL career Bobby had two seasons where he was voted as First-Team All-NFL, four other seasons as a Second Team All-NFL and claimed the 1956 NFL scoring title. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Bobby Layne in 1967.