“The Grim Reaper Smiles on the Goal Posts” (click on image for full view) At the end of the deadly 1905 football season (18 players died; the 1903 season killed 25), the above cartoon reflected the public’s view of football. Football, a game with its roots […]
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What’s In A Name? In the early days of football, crossing the goal line with the ball wasn’t enough. The ball had to be touched to the ground for the score to count. A touchdown remained a literal touch down until 1889, when the rule was […]
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In the last game of the ’07 season, the Carlisle Indians (9-1) took on the Big Ten champs, the heavily favored U. of Chicago. Worse, the Indians had lost their star quarterback, Frank Mt. Pleasant, to a broken thumb. Over 27,000 Chicago fans (above) were eager […]
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Not only “masters,” the Carlisle Indians are moneymakers. When it comes to box-office draw, they’re #1 in the nation, taking in $45,ooo at the gate in 1907. (President Roosevelt’s salary is $50K.) Why such a draw? “Footballists” in America want to see how a crew of […]
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Eleven times, the Carlisle Indians have traveled to Boston to take on the Harvard Crimson. Eleven times, they’ve gone home defeated. Before the game, here’s what Coach Pop Warner told the Indians: Boys, today you face the sons and grandsons of the men who conquered your […]
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