The Lost Century of American Football

For the first time, hundreds of rare historical articles are teamed with hundreds of vintage illustrations to portray the birth and growth of America's most popular sport. "The man who receives the ball from the snap-back shall be called quarter-back." Pg. 83The story is told through fascinating contemporary accounts from over 100 source publications, allowing modern readers to share the 19th century football fan's experience of the game as it was reported by the media at the time. "It used to be a simple matter to seek out the localities in which football is played; nowadays it would be far easier to say where it is not played." Pg. 473Multiple perspectives bring the era to life as we follow football chronologically from its primitive roots as a mob game in the early 1800s, through the Civil War years and the rise of college rivalries, to the game's technical flourishing in 1900. "This half-way manner of settling a championship is only productive of further dissension and gives plenty of ground to the press and the public for ridiculing the association." Pg. 157We see how football was originally played, how it looked from the sidelines, how it felt to the players, how it impacted American culture, and how it evolved into the sport we enjoy today. "It may be that professional matches would be better attended because the contests would be between rival cities." Pg. 443Many of the stories feel as if they were reported yesterday, not over a century ago. "He not only played, but played well, desperately well at times, although he actually knew nothing of his actions and was placed in a physician's care immediately after the game. It was some 12 hours before he recovered ordinary powers of thought, and then he knew nothing whatever of the game or its results after he was hurt." Pg. 387We witness the invention of rules we now take for granted, feel the intense team passion and colorful pageantry surrounding the game, and learn the origins of fundamental features of the sport, from the line of scrimmage and the number of players to the scoring system and the development of diagrammed plays. "Football can be played by electric light and under such a huge roof as that of the Madison Square Garden." Pg. 310Readers will be surprised by the extent of media coverage devoted not only to the game itself, but also to off-the-field issues of broader social significance that continue to stir debate to this day. "It is the lack of money which seems to our struggling colleges to be the root of all evil. They stand agape when they learn from the public press that the income from the Thanksgiving game of foot-ball is greater than the total annual expenditure of their trustees for the support of twenty-five professors and the education of 300 boys." Pg. 555Themes include the role of college athletics in the educational system, eligibility standards for high school recruits, financial disputes, ticket scalpers, public intoxication, unruly fans, gambling, sportsmanship, brutality, and the modern concept of masculinity. "It is not uncommon today for a father to make matters worse by unconsciously over-encouraging his son, thereby fortifying him in his delusion that the sport is the most important part of college life." Pg. 397This comprehensive illustrated anthology is an absorbing historical discovery that will enrich every modern fan's understanding and appreciation of the gridiron game. "In every man's pocket there is a generous wad of greenbacks to bet on the great football game tomorrow." Pg. 415Entertaining and educational, this volume is an essential resource for football fans, players, students, scholars, art lovers and history buffs. "A mass meeting of the students will be held on Monday night at which steps will be taken towards effective organization for cheering at the big game." Pg. 416Fully indexed for easy reference.Also in hardcover.LostCentury.com