COLLEGE HOF | ‣
Paul Bunker Hall of Fame Army Tackle
Born May 7, 1881, in Alpena, Michigan, was the big tackle from the Army teams of 1899 to 1902, Paul Bunker. The National Football Foundation lends the thought that when you are receiving high praise from an opponent you know you truly have a great player. Navy's star back of the 1900 era, Ralph Strassburger, who also played defense. Approached Bunker several years after when the two met up on the gridiron, this time it was in the Philippines. "Bunker," Strassburger said, "I hate you. Let's have a drink."
As you can see back in 1902 Bunker had ended his playing career with that season's Army-Navy game, running wild against the Middies and leading the Cadets to a 22-8 victory. He had scored two touchdowns on offense and had spent much of the afternoon punishing Navy's star back which was Strassburger. Walter Camp described Bunker as a battering ram who outclassed all other backs and was a first class defensive tackle. Bunker is one of just a handful of athletes to win All-America mention at two different positions. He won All-America honors as a tackle in 1901 and in 1902 at both halfback and tackle. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Paul Bunker into their legendary museum in 1969. Bunker continued to be a hero off the field as he died for his country in 1943 as a Prisoner of War.
Being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame is a mark of unparalleled prestige and accomplishment. It signifies that a player has not only excelled on the field but has also left a lasting legacy that transcends generations. This honor is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and impact in collegiate football, shaping the sport’s history and inspiring future players. Remembering these inductees is not just a tribute to their remarkable careers but also a celebration of their enduring influence on the game. Their stories and achievements serve as a beacon of excellence and a testament to the profound role they’ve played in elevating college football to new heights.
As you can see back in 1902 Bunker had ended his playing career with that season's Army-Navy game, running wild against the Middies and leading the Cadets to a 22-8 victory. He had scored two touchdowns on offense and had spent much of the afternoon punishing Navy's star back which was Strassburger. Walter Camp described Bunker as a battering ram who outclassed all other backs and was a first class defensive tackle. Bunker is one of just a handful of athletes to win All-America mention at two different positions. He won All-America honors as a tackle in 1901 and in 1902 at both halfback and tackle. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Paul Bunker into their legendary museum in 1969. Bunker continued to be a hero off the field as he died for his country in 1943 as a Prisoner of War.
Being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame is a mark of unparalleled prestige and accomplishment. It signifies that a player has not only excelled on the field but has also left a lasting legacy that transcends generations. This honor is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and impact in collegiate football, shaping the sport’s history and inspiring future players. Remembering these inductees is not just a tribute to their remarkable careers but also a celebration of their enduring influence on the game. Their stories and achievements serve as a beacon of excellence and a testament to the profound role they’ve played in elevating college football to new heights.
Today in Hockey History - May 26
Fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins have had plenty to cheer about on this date. Plus, a new Stanley Cup tradition began on May 26. — thehockeywriters.com
The Hockey Writers website shares a few of the gems of the day for May 26 such as:
1986 - Mario Lemieux won the Lester Pearson Award.
1992 - Mario Lemieux lights the lamp with just 13 seconds remaining for the Penguins to secure a 5-4 win over Chicago, and end their 11 game playoff win streak.
These stories and more await.
COLLEGE HOF | ‣
Wayne Harris Former Star Center of the Razorbacks
FAYETTEVILLE -- If Carroll Wayne Harris could have tolerated the big city, he might have become an NFL great. — www.nwaonline.com
Born May 4, 1938, Hampton, Arkansas, was Wayne Harris who played center for Arkansas from 1958 to 1960. The NFF states that Wayne was an excellent blocker on offense and a fierce tackler on defense keeping his on the field most of the game as a two-way player. A First Team All-America selection, Harris set an Arkansas single-season record for tackles with 174 in 1960.
A two-time First Team All-Conference selection, he was named Southwest Conference Player of the Year in 1960. Harris was nicknamed "Thumper" for his hard hits, and the Arkansas coaches now honor the best defensive player with the Thumper Award. A true scholar-athlete, Harris was named First Team Academic All-America in 1959 and twice earned First Team Academic All-Conference honors.
Wayne Harris was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004 after the National Football Foundation tabulated their votes. He was further honored in 1976 when the Canadian Football Hall of Fame inducted him for his play with the Calgary Stampeders.
Michigan Sports Legend Bennie Oosterbaan
We present this Football History Minute YouTube Short on the story of the college legend of Bennie Oosterbaan to preserve his legacy and part in American Foo... — www.youtube.com
Bennie Oosterbaan's name is synonymous with excellence at the University of Michigan. Not only was he a legendary player, but he also went on to coach the Wolverines to glory. To understand Oosterbaan's impact, we must explore both facets of his football career.
On the field, Oosterbaan was a force to be reckoned with. Ultimately, he led the Big Ten in scoring in 1925, showcasing his offensive prowess. He earned three All-American selections and established himself as a critical contributor to Michigan's success, playing alongside another legend, quarterback Benny Friedman. Oosterbaan's athleticism was wider than football. He was a three-time letterman in basketball, leading the Big Ten in scoring in 1928, and a talented baseball player, leading the conference in batting average the same year. This versatility solidified his reputation as one of the most gifted athletes in college sports history.
After graduation, Oosterbaan chose to stay at Michigan, not as a player, but as a coach. He began his journey as an assistant, learning the ropes under the legendary Fritz Crisler. Oosterbaan's dedication and strategic mind were evident. In 1948, he was tasked with succeeding Crisler, who had just led Michigan to an undefeated season and a national championship.
Oosterbaan's debut as head coach was nothing short of spectacular. He led the 1948 team, known as the "Goofus Galore" squad, to another undefeated season and a national championship. He became the only coach in NCAA history to achieve this feat in his first year. He built a successful coaching career, winning three Big Ten titles and finishing in the top 20 in the polls most years.
However, Oosterbaan was known for more than wins and losses. He emphasized discipline, sportsmanship, and character development in his players. His quiet leadership style, emphasizing "poise" over yelling and screaming, earned him the respect and loyalty of his teams. He believed in his players and empowered them to excel on and off the field.
Bennie Oosterbaan's legacy extends far beyond wins and championships. He is a symbol of dedication, athletic prowess, and exceptional leadership. He was a role model for generations of players and coaches, proving that success can be achieved through hard work, humility, and a genuine love for the game. His name will forever be etched in the annals of Michigan football history as a true legend.
Fred Gehrke
Born April 24, 1918, was a legendary football player and executive Fred Gehrke. Fred was on the Cleveland Rams team that won the NFL Championship in 1945. Fred Gehrke went to college and suited up for the Utah Utes and also went on and played in the NFL for the Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Cardinals from 1940 through 1950.
Fred started a trend that we can appreciate today.To boost team morale, Gehrke designed and painted the Los Angeles Rams logo in 1948, which was the first painted on the helmets of an NFL team.
-Frequently Asked Question
-Who was the first to paint a logo on a helmet? The answer in the pro game is Fred Gehrke of the Rams in 1948, check out more about it in the story: First Helmet Logo.
Fred started a trend that we can appreciate today.To boost team morale, Gehrke designed and painted the Los Angeles Rams logo in 1948, which was the first painted on the helmets of an NFL team.
-Frequently Asked Question
-Who was the first to paint a logo on a helmet? The answer in the pro game is Fred Gehrke of the Rams in 1948, check out more about it in the story: First Helmet Logo.
Akron Zips Football Records by Year College Football at Sports-Reference.com
The records and stats of the Akron Zips football program are housed and presented quite well on the College Football Reference site.
Sports-Reference is your one-stop shop for college football history and stats. Dive into team and player records, explore past seasons, track rankings, and relive iconic games. Find Heisman winners, conference champs, and all-time leaders. From scores and schedules to rosters and recruiting, delve into the numbers that tell the story of college football's past, present, and future. So, whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual enthusiast, Sports-Reference serves as your ultimate college football knowledge base.
Check out previous seasons, biggest games, origins, logo design, and players for Akron and their accomplishments in the MAC Conference and beyond.
Sports-Reference is your one-stop shop for college football history and stats. Dive into team and player records, explore past seasons, track rankings, and relive iconic games. Find Heisman winners, conference champs, and all-time leaders. From scores and schedules to rosters and recruiting, delve into the numbers that tell the story of college football's past, present, and future. So, whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual enthusiast, Sports-Reference serves as your ultimate college football knowledge base.
Check out previous seasons, biggest games, origins, logo design, and players for Akron and their accomplishments in the MAC Conference and beyond.
The YMCA and the Growth of Football
The YMCA had an underappreciated role in football’s development. The organization developed out of the same Muscular Christianity stream that promoted the need to exercise the mind and body, with some, like Teddy Roosevelt, considering it vital to ensuring the right sort of people dominate the world. — www.footballarchaeology.com
Have you ever wondered how American football evolved from its rugby roots into the juggernaut sport it is today? The answer might surprise you, and it involves a surprising organization – the YMCA.
Today, we're thrilled to welcome Timothy P. Brown, the mastermind behind the fascinating website footballarchaeology.com. Mr. Brown has dedicated his research to uncovering the forgotten stories and hidden origins of the game we love.
In this special post, we'll delve into the often-overlooked role the YMCA played in shaping American football. Through a conversation with Mr. Brown, we'll explore how this organization fostered the development of the sport, nurtured its early pioneers, and ultimately helped lay the groundwork for the gridiron giants we witness today.
So, buckle up and get ready to embark on a journey through the fascinating history of American football, where we'll unearth the surprising influence of the YMCA!
Here is the full transcript of the conversation with Timothy Brown on the YMCA's influence on football
Darin Hayes
Welcome again to the pig pen, your portal to positive football history. And welcome to Tuesday football, archeology .com day. Timothy P. Brown, the host of that website, is here to visit again, as he does every Tuesday. Tim, welcome back to the pig pen.
Timothy Brown
Hey, thank you, Darin. I'm looking forward to talking about a song. Well, it's not; it's about a subject related to a song that we can't talk about and that we can't sing or play because of copyright restrictions.
Darin Hayes
But, audience, we can share with you that Tim is dressed like an Indian chief, and I am dressed like a construction worker as we are talking about the subject, but we're just kidding. But of course, we are talking about the great organization of the YMCA. We have probably heard of that before or attended or taken some swimming classes like I did; I have one not too far from me. And we have some great ties in football history with the YMCA history that Tim had in a recent tidbit. So Tim, why don't you take it away and share this great story with us?
Timothy Brown
Yeah, so, you know, this is one of these. One of the things that fascinates me about football is that it is a different type of organization that supported and helped football grow, especially in the early years. And so we tend to think of football as this thing that's run through schools, and then obviously, it became professionalized. And so the NFL and AFL and AFC and, you know, various semi-pro teams, whatever they're, you know, but there were, you know, back in the day, there were organizations like the American Legion after World War One, there were all kinds of industrial leagues, some of which are where the basis of the NFL, right. So, different kinds of organizations have influenced football's growth and one that is vastly underestimated, I think, by many is the YMCA. And so it came about in a couple of different ways. One is that, back in, you know, one of the arguments for playing football and justification for football was the Muscular Christianity Movement that came out of England. And so it's just kind of this, this belief in the mind and the body and the spirit and that, you know, football was a way to meld, you know, that all three of them came together in football and provided good training for young men who needed to be hardy, you know, da da da. And so, that philosophy matched very well with the YMCA, which also had, I believe, come out of England, but in any event, the YMCA had a school that is now Springfield College in Massachusetts, that was was a school to train people to go out into the world and be YMCA directors. So I mean, it was kind of like a seminary, or you can think about it however you want. But you know, this is when there weren't physical education majors anywhere, and if you wanted to become somebody who would go out and teach, you know, physical fitness. You know, you also bought into some of the, you know, the religious side of it, then the YMCA training school was the place to be. And so, you know, right after he graduated from, from Yale in 1890, Amos Alonzo Stagg shows up, but, you know, he becomes the football coach and, well, basketball wasn't invented yet, but he was a football coach and baseball coach at YMCA training school. Now, in those days, he also played for them. So he was, you know, a player-coach. And, you know, they played typically a bit of a, you know, and, you know, they kept playing, you know, for years, they're still playing today in Springfield, but, you know, they would like a lot of schools in the Northeast States to step up and play, you know, Harvard and Yale here and there. Most of them played, you know, a smaller college schedule, but they played; they were very competitive and had a lot of good players. And one of the guys on Stagg's teams, the two years that he coached there before he went to UChicago, one of the guys was John Naismith, who ended up inventing basketball while at Springfield. And another guy who's a little bit later was William Morgan, who invented volleyball. So, these schools were pretty influential and certainly created those two sports. And, and then, you know, playing football. And so, but, you know, their impact came from World War One. And the YMCA and its role is kind of underappreciated, you know, in training camp, any American training camp around the world, and then even those, like rest camps and stuff, you know, once and once they're in Belgium and France, and in England, had a YMCA hut. And so these were typically fairly simple structures. But, you know, they, they had stationery for the guys to write home, they had, you know, a library, just they taught classes, especially, you know, there was a lot of, you know, they weren't GIs yet, but they were, you know, the doughboys, a lot of them couldn't speak English, so they teach English classes. But another big emphasis was that they supplied, you know, what would be the equivalent now of $80 million worth of athletic equipment to soldiers. Now that was basketballs and tennis rackets, etc. But football was a big one. And so, if there were athletic events at a military camp in World War One, it was likely very much, you know, YMCA involvement in it. And so, you know, these are especially like the interregimental games rather than the all-star teams for a camp. So, you know, that was an opportunity, you know, this is a time when I think it was less than 5% of Americans went to college. And so they, you know, they might have played for some rinky-dink little high school team in the little farm town that they grew up in. This became an opportunity for them to experience, you know, well-coached, you know, and more sophisticated football. And so it was, you know, it really kind of democratized football, you know, the World War One camps. Because, I mean, the vast majority of guys of that age range, you know, served in some form or capacity or their brother did or, you know, so it, you know, really spurred interest in football. And, you know, there's many, you know, folks that had made the case that, you know, that military football in World War One was a key to spurring the development of the NFL, you know, because it just demonstrated that people would come and attend games played by these former collegians, these college all-stars that, you know, nobody had said that they would do that before, you know, the NFL before that, you know, the pro leagues before that were mostly like kind of steel town folks and guys who, yeah, some of them went to college, and some of them didn't. Still, it was, you know, more of a semi-pro field than what came in the 20s, you know, and then obviously really took off in the 50s and 60s. So anyways, it's just, you know, the YMCA is one of those organizations you don't think of as being influential in the development of football, but it was. And there was, you know, physical instruction for the Navy anyway. Was this guy named Walter Camp? So, I mean, they were connected, right?
Darin Hayes
Yeah, another interesting story comes out of that with Nay Smith and a connection to football innovation. And I wrote an article about three years ago about who was the first to wear a helmet was the question and nay, smith's name is thrown in there because he, he, I wouldn't say that he wore a helmet. He had a; it was described as his, uh, he was getting cauliflower ear from getting knocked around playing the line, you know, in 1891 game against Amherst is what I sort of narrowed down to going through some of the descriptions of it. I think that's a game on October 17th, 1891. His girlfriend at the time helped sew some flannel together and tie it around his ears so he wouldn't get boxed and be irritated with his ears. It was one of the first head coverings in football that was publicized. Uh, they were not like a rag tied around your head or something, you know, but something for protection on your head. So, it's just odd that, here, the inventor of basketball who gets credited, played at this small college and has had so many great sports sprout out of it and so many great sports stories that connect to football. I think that's just amazing. Yeah.
Timothy Brown
Yeah, he, well, he, I've used that image of Naismith with that headgear, I think, in one of my books, but you know, definitely in some of the writing. And I know I got that I got, you know, Naismith was Canadian. So I got that image from their equivalent of the National Archives; whatever, I can't think of the name right now. But yeah, it's a great image. He's playing center; he's snapping the ball with his hands. And, he's got that, the thing wrapped around his head. Yeah, I, you never know, you never know where stories will come from. And, and the, you know, what I enjoy is, you know, the links of one thing to another. Yeah, so that's fun.
Darin Hayes
And I think it's interesting, too, if you can; you made me think about it in this context. So here you have Amos Alonzo Stagg, who, I assume, graduated from Yale. I think he graduated from there. Yeah. So he graduates from Yale and gets his master's in a phys ed degree at YMCA school. Just today, we look at him like, Hey, what the hell was that? You know, you went to Yale, you know, and are going to get a phys ed degree, you know, but
Timothy Brown
Well, you know, he was. I think he was a divinity student at Yale, but I'm not positive.
Darin Hayes
Yeah, I think you're right.
Timothy Brown
But he was definitely, I mean, his whole upbringing, a very religious man. And, and so, yeah, it made sense. Right. And, and some of his, you know, the guy who became president at U Chicago, knew him at Yale because he'd been, you know, faculty there. And just, you know, so he knew the character of Stagg. And, you know, he's an excellent athlete, one of the best baseball pitchers of his time. And so, that's part of why he said, hey, I want you to come out here.
Darin Hayes
I'm just putting in today's context. If my kid graduates from Ivy League after paying that and says, hey, I'm going to go to community college to get a phys ed degree too, because that's what I want to do. You're like, what do you mean you'll do that? You know, let me choke you first. But yeah, great stuff. That is a very interesting story. And it has so many webs and tentacles coming off, and it's just awesome. And I'm sure, you know, that connects to a bunch of your other tidbits. And you have these tidbits to come out every day, about 7 pm. They're very enjoyable. And, you know, talk about some great parts of football history that aren't mainstream but are very interesting. Indeed, maybe if you could share how folks could get their hands on those every day, too, that would be some enjoyment for them.
Timothy Brown
Yeah, so, you know, my site is footballarchaeology.com. You just go out there and subscribe, and once you're subscribed, you'll get an email with that day's story every day. And then, you know, kind of read them at your leisure. Alternatively, I'm under the same name, Football Archaeology; I'm on Twitter threads and on the sub-stack application. So, however, it works for you, if you want to read it, that's how you get to me.
Darin Hayes
Well, that's very good, Tim. We appreciate you preserving that football history each and every day, coming on each week, and sharing with us. And, uh, we want to talk to you again next week, and we appreciate you.
Timothy Brown
Thank you. That's very good. I look forward to it.
The Great Rose Bowl Hoax A College Football Prank for the Ages
In the annals of college football history, few pranks have captured the public's imagination quite like the Great Rose Bowl Hoax of 1961. This audacious caper, orchestrated by a group of mischievous Caltech students, forever altered the face of the Rose Bowl and cemented its place as a legendary moment in sports history.
A Masterfully Planned Deception:
The brainchild of a group of Caltech undergraduates known as the "Fiendish Fourteen," the hoax was a meticulous operation executed with military precision. The students, led by the charismatic Dick Feynman, created hundreds of index cards bearing Caltech's name and strategically inserted them into the card stunts prepared by the University of Washington cheerleaders. Their goal? To infiltrate the Rose Bowl halftime show and replace the University of Washington's script with their own, declaring Caltech the victor against a fictitious opponent, MIT.
The Hoax Unfolds:
As planned, during the halftime show, the unsuspecting Washington cheerleaders began displaying Caltech's name instead of their own. Initially met with confusion, the crowd soon erupted in laughter and astonishment as the prank unfolded. The national television broadcast captured the bewildered faces of the Washington cheerleaders and the jubilant faces of the Caltech students, forever etching the moment in sports history.
Impact and Legacy:
The Great Rose Bowl Hoax was hailed as a stroke of genius, showcasing the ingenuity and humor of the Caltech students. It became a national sensation, sparking discussions about sportsmanship, tradition, and the power of a well-executed prank. Though some deemed it disrespectful, the hoax ultimately enhanced the allure of the Rose Bowl, adding a layer of intrigue and humor to its legacy.
More than just a prank:
While primarily remembered for its comedic value, the Great Rose Bowl Hoax also highlighted the intellectual prowess and resourcefulness of Caltech students. It served as a testament to their ability to think outside the box and execute complex plans with meticulous detail.
There is more n the story at the link below.
A Masterfully Planned Deception:
The brainchild of a group of Caltech undergraduates known as the "Fiendish Fourteen," the hoax was a meticulous operation executed with military precision. The students, led by the charismatic Dick Feynman, created hundreds of index cards bearing Caltech's name and strategically inserted them into the card stunts prepared by the University of Washington cheerleaders. Their goal? To infiltrate the Rose Bowl halftime show and replace the University of Washington's script with their own, declaring Caltech the victor against a fictitious opponent, MIT.
The Hoax Unfolds:
As planned, during the halftime show, the unsuspecting Washington cheerleaders began displaying Caltech's name instead of their own. Initially met with confusion, the crowd soon erupted in laughter and astonishment as the prank unfolded. The national television broadcast captured the bewildered faces of the Washington cheerleaders and the jubilant faces of the Caltech students, forever etching the moment in sports history.
Impact and Legacy:
The Great Rose Bowl Hoax was hailed as a stroke of genius, showcasing the ingenuity and humor of the Caltech students. It became a national sensation, sparking discussions about sportsmanship, tradition, and the power of a well-executed prank. Though some deemed it disrespectful, the hoax ultimately enhanced the allure of the Rose Bowl, adding a layer of intrigue and humor to its legacy.
More than just a prank:
While primarily remembered for its comedic value, the Great Rose Bowl Hoax also highlighted the intellectual prowess and resourcefulness of Caltech students. It served as a testament to their ability to think outside the box and execute complex plans with meticulous detail.
There is more n the story at the link below.
Mind Blowing NFL Draft Trivia Question
The 1982 draft wasn’t all hype! It is amazing when we look back at the selections from long-ago Drafts and use the results of careers to judge in hindsight.... — www.youtube.com
he 1982 draft wasn't all hype! It is amazing when we look back at the selections from long-ago Drafts and use the results of careers to judge in hindsight. Uncover the Hall of Famers drafted alongside the busts. Can you name the order they were selected?
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Much appreciation to the talented Mike and Gene Monroe for the background tunes and Canva and Wikimedia Commons, Newspapers.com, and Pro Football Reference for some great images and information.
The Football Archaeology of Dirty Play And A Ring Of Truth
Back in the day, there was an element of chivalry in football. Despite many stories of dirty play, there were other tales of teams tackling opposing players high due to the awareness that an opposing player had a leg injury. For example, an earlier Tidbit — www.footballarchaeology.com
Football Archaeology goes in depth to some early examples of good sportsmanship by early football players, in avoiding dirty tactics of punishing injured players.
Timothy Brown shares a particular instance where fair play was out the window.
-Transcribed Conversation on Football Dirty Play with Timothy Brown
Hello, my football friends; this is Darin Hayes of PigskinDispatch.com. Welcome again to The Pig Pen, your portal to positive football history. And welcome to another Tuesday. FootballArcheology.com's Timothy P. Brown is joining us once again. Tim, welcome back to The Pig Pen.
Hey, Darin. Thanks for having me once again.
I'm looking forward to chatting about old football stuff. Yeah, and we're going to ask you to keep it clean tonight. But I don't think we can possibly do that with the subject matter tonight because you recently wrote a tidbit titled Dirty Play and a Ring of Truth.
Maybe you could explain what that all means. Yeah, so, you know, it seems like I've had a number of tidbits recently where it starts in one direction and takes a turn, sometimes for the worse. Right.
And so this is one where I started by just telling a story of some examples in the old days, excuse me, of players and teams acting in a chivalrous manner. So, you know, I told a story about a 1953 Clemson quarterback, a guy named Don King, you know, told his team not to hit the Wake Forest quarterback in the knees because he'd sustained an injury. And so they complied.
And, you know, then he ends up winning a sports sportsmanship award. A similar thing happened back in 1925. Davis and Elkins go to Army.
They're playing Army. He's already got one of their quarterbacks hurt. The first-string quarterback gets dazed, probably concussed in the game.
He leaves the game. The second guy comes in. He sustained some kind of bodily injury, and he's out.
So they have to bring back this guy who was dazed and confused. Right. So the West Point trainer just approached the Davis and Elkins captain and said, hey, can you kind of take it easy on this guy? So Davis and Elkins complied.
And they basically took it easy on this quarterback for the rest of the game because they, you know, need the Army to have the guy there. But he shouldn't have been there. And just to ensure that we don't think that chivalrous things still happen in the games today.
The other night, I just, you know, happened to see a, you know, little clip from a high school game. And, you know, wide receivers going downfield get injured. And then, you know, his bad leg and, you know, one of his teammates kind of gets under his arm and helps him hop along.
A D-back from the opposing team jumps under the other arm and helps him off the field. So it's just a good kid trying to help his opponent, you know, so that's all good. Now, there are other times in football when people haven't acted that way.
And so, you know, back in 1926, Princeton and Harvard had a game, and there's just a lot of kind of stuff leading up to it. Princeton had won the last two years, so Harvard wasn't pleased with that because they thought they were better than Princeton. And Princeton was mad because it used to be, especially before the turn of the century, that Princeton and Yale finished the season with a game with one another.
But then it turned into a Harvard-Yale game that we all know ends the season in the Ivy League. But Princeton wanted it to rotate, you know, among the three teams. And Harvard was like, no, you know, we're not going to do that.
So, you know, Princeton was feeling like underappreciated and all that kind of stuff. So, you know, there's this kind of antagonistic relationship. And then so they're getting ready to play.
They're playing in Cambridge. On the morning of the game, the Harvard Lampoon, the student newspaper magazine, publishes a story about the Princeton coach dying. Now, he hadn't really died, but they still published a story about him dying, which the Princeton people didn't particularly appreciate.
So just lots of, you know, kind of ill will going in the game. And so I think the Princeton players did their best to take it out on the Harvard players. Six of the Harvard players had to leave the game with injuries.
And then Princeton wins 12-0. And, you know, it's just kind of this general ill feeling. But then, like at the end of December, early January, a former Harvard player publishes a story in some kind of social magazine or whatever it was.
But he publishes a story basically saying the Princeton players played dirty. You know, they did this and that. One piece that he used as evidence was that one of the Harvard's backs had a bloody nose and black eye.
And that area of his face or nose had a P imprinted on it. And it was because, you know, those signet rings where it's like a, you know, it's a ring that has like a letter on the ring. You know, they were claiming that a Princeton player wearing the letter P ring had punched this guy in the face and left this imprint in his face.
So, you know, apparently, you know, no one else backed this guy up. You know, none of the other people verified it. And all of Princeton's people were up in arms about it.
And they were basically saying, hey, nobody around Princeton wears a P signet ring. But there was one guy, their star player at the time, named Prendergast. And he was like, hey, my last name begins with P. So, guess where that came from? You know, and I don't think that was true.
But, you know, he was just going to keep things stirred up. So Prendergast would be better than Princeton. If anybody actually slugged this guy in the face with the P ring, it was Prendergast.
So anyway, that's kind of the gist of the story. But Harvard, yeah, Harvard and Princeton did not play football against one another for another eight years. So they definitely were not, they weren't, they weren't on, you know, nice, pleasant speaking terms at that darn Prendergast.
He's ruined football for that game for a couple of years. That's wow. That is an amazing part of football there.
Go ahead. And the funny the funny thing, too, is that I. Recently had another tidbit talking about the the executioner's helmets, you know, where they had the mask, so just a normal leather helmet. But then they'd have this mask across the front.
One of the images in that story is of Prendergast going to Princeton in the 1924 season because he had broken a nose and needed surgery in high school. And so then, you know, there were times when his nose got busted up again in college. And so he'd wear that executioner's mask.
So he knew. You know all about broken noses and that sort of thing. Wow.
That is a great story. I thought at first you were going to tell us that, you know, Mrs. Brown put a bee on your head when you didn't take out the garbage or something. But no, in my family, it would be the back of the frying pan or something.
You know, yeah, my wife's shorter than me. So her arms aren't that long. And so, you know, and plus, I'm, you know, you know, float like a butterfly.
So I could I could avoid her. Well, I see. I just think I just saw something flying across the room.
No, I'm just kidding. So, wow, that is a great story. There's, you know, really some opportunity for folks playing football, especially down in the piles.
You know, everybody that's played, we all know there's bad things that happen down there if somebody really wants to do something. And it's really hard for an official to see something that's happening down there. You have guys popping up all the time saying, hey, you know, he punched me in a place he shouldn't punch and, you know, pinch me, bite me or whatever, you know, you have all kinds of crazy things.
So it's nice to hear the the chivalrous episodes like you talked about, even in modern times, or players just. I mean, it's a brotherhood. And these guys are all trying to enjoy playing the same game.
And there should be some camaraderie to it. And it's great when that happens. But every once in a while, you get these bad apples and these scoundrels that decide to take things in a different course.
And they're interesting stories, but not fun if you're the recipient. That's for sure. Yeah.
And well, part of it, too, is, you know, you just, I think we have the impression of the Ivy League is being, you know, these nice. Nice fellows. And that definitely has not always been the case.
And they have some beautiful signature rings, too. Yes. Yes.
All right, Tim. Well, that is a great thing. That's not something you hear anywhere else.
But from you, some of these great little innovative stories that you've come across that are unique to the game of football but tell a certain history of the game and, you know, really round out our appreciation for what players have done and maybe not appreciate something that others have done. But it's all part of the game of football. And you talk about it each and every day.
You have a great little newsletter. Many different sources send it to folks every day. Maybe you could tell us about that and how people can join in.
Yeah. All you have to do is go to footballarchaeology.com. And, you know, if you are pretty much all over the place, you read an article, and you have an opportunity to subscribe. And if you subscribe, you can get an email in your inbox every night at seven o'clock or, you know, Eastern or so.
And, you know, then read it at your leisure, delete it, whatever you want to do. If you don't want the newsletter, you can follow me on Twitter, threads, or the Substack app. And those are also just, you know, search for football archaeology.
You'll find me. That's my name on each of those three apps. OK, and his name is Timothy P. Brown, not the name on the Substack apps, but he has footballarchaeology.com. Tim, we thank you for joining us.
And we will talk to you again next Tuesday.
Always appreciate the opportunity to talk football. Thanks there.
Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.
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