Football History

Born February 20, 1912, in Chicago, Illinois, was the awesome Michigan Wolverines Tackle Francis Whitey Wistert. According to the National Football Foundation Whitey had absolutely no prior gridiron experience when he arrived on campus at Michigan in the early 1930s. The Wolverines were 7-0-1 in the 1933 season, aided in part by Whitey’s quick diagnosing of the opposition’s plays. Francis Wistert received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967. Amazingly great football ran in his family’s bloodline as his brothers Albert, who played 1940-1941, and Alvin, who played 1947-1949, are also Hall of Fame enshrinees who played at Michigan.

Whitey Wistert, a name synonymous with Michigan football, carved a legendary path on the gridiron. His prowess as a two-way player for the Wolverines and his subsequent professional career solidified his place in football history.  

-College Career

Wistert's college career at the University of Michigan was spectacular. Playing under the legendary coach Fritz Crisler, he became a standout offensive and defensive end. His versatility was a tremendous asset, contributing significantly to the Wolverines' success. He was a key part of the undefeated 1947 team that was named national champion. Wistert earned All-American honors three times, a testament to his exceptional talent and impact on the game.

Famed football journalist Grantland Rice once stated: "Wistert was unanimously selected as the best tackle in the Middle-West this year. He was the key to Michigan's defensive line play. He was a sure tackler and it was next to impossible to fool him on trick maneuvers. He was keen, quick, and accurate in diagnosing plays."

-Road to the Pro Game

The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Wistert in the 1944 NFL Draft. However, his professional career was delayed due to his service in the United States Navy during World War II. He eventually joined the Eagles after his military service.

His professional career leaned towards the game of baseball, and he played for the Cincinnati Reds of the MLB. Wistert played five years of professional baseball before entering a career as a New York attorney.

-Football Legacy

While shorter than his collegiate tenure, Wistert's professional career with the Eagles was still notable. He was a part of the Eagles team that won back-to-back NFL championships in 1948 and 1949. His two-way skills, honed at Michigan, continued to be an asset in the pros. After playing, he remained connected to the sport, serving as a color commentator for Michigan football games for many years.

-Accolades, Awards and Career Stats

-3x All-American (University of Michigan)  

-2x NFL Champion (Philadelphia Eagles)  

-Member of the College Football Hall of Fame  

Whitey Wistert's legacy is defined by his dominance at the University of Michigan and his contributions to the Philadelphia Eagles' championship teams. He was a true embodiment of the two-way player, excelling on both offense and defense. His accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional levels cemented his place as one of football's most respected figures.

Born February 17, 1905, was Andy Oberlander, the fine Dartmouth halfback and tackle. Most of his close friends called the dashing youngster “Swede” because of his blonde hair.

Andy Oberlander's football legacy is rooted in his remarkable college career at Dartmouth College.

-College Career

From 1923 to 1925, he starred as a halfback, leading the team to an undefeated season in 1925 and a share of the national championship. Known for his speed, agility, and powerful running style, Oberlander was a key component of Dartmouth's potent offense. He was a versatile player, excelling as both a runner and a passer, and his leadership on the field was instrumental to the team's success. His performance against Yale in 1925, where he scored three touchdowns, is mainly remembered as a defining moment of his collegiate career.

Dartmouth's 32-9 dismantling of Harvard was their most decisive win against the Crimson to that point. Against Cornell, Oberlander put on a show, amassing 477 yards of total offense, including six touchdown passes – a Dartmouth record that remains unbroken. Accounts from the game credit him with contributing to roughly 500 yards of the team's total offensive output. Despite the lopsided 62-13 score, Cornell coach Gil Dobie famously quipped, "We won the game 13-0, passing is not football," downplaying the significance of Oberlander's aerial dominance.

Oberlander's path to professional football was somewhat unconventional for the era. While he did play professional football, it was a relatively brief stint with the short-lived Brooklyn Lions of the first American Football League in 1926. Professional football in the 1920s was still developing, and many players, even those with Oberlander's talent, did not pursue long professional careers.

Oberlander's lasting impact on football resides primarily in his collegiate achievements. His time at Dartmouth cemented his place as one of the greatest players in the early era of college football. He was a consensus All-American in 1925 and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. While his professional career was short, his college exploits were legendary, establishing him as a pivotal figure in Dartmouth's football history and a symbol of the sport's burgeoning popularity in the 1920s.

-Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

-Consensus All-American (1925)

-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee

-Led Dartmouth to an undefeated season