Walter Camp the Father of American Football

WALTER CAMP THE FATHER 0F AMERICAN FOOTBALL - A BIOGRAPHY by HARFORDJPOWEL, JR. Originally published in 1926. INTRODUCTION BY EDWARD K. HALL Chairman, American Intercollegiate Football Rules Committee: THE writer of this book tells me that he has written it primarily for the schoolboys of America. He has done well to keep them uppermost in his mind,, for they had no truer and no more understanding friend than Walter Camp. As a boy himself, he was just naturally all boy, a typical American boy full of spirit and dash, keen for play and competition, and reveling in whole some sport and contest. As a man, he never lost the boys point of view. His interest in boys was unbounded, and his understanding of them was as sympathetic as it was complete. The schoolboys of America have for years regarded Walter Camp as their great friend. They will continue to do so for years to come, and they have a right to. For he has not only given them the greatest of all their sports, American Rugby Football, but has taught them how to play it, and how to keep fit. He has pointed out how these battles of the gridiron help to develop the qualities so essential to success in later life. Above all, he has taught them by both spoken and written word., by precept and example, the finest ideals of American sportsmanship. The American boy who has not read Danny Fists by Walter Camp has missed as much as the English boy who has failed to read Tom Brown s School-Days The Sportsmanship Brotherhood defines the true sportsman as one who Plays the game for his side Keeps to the rules Keeps a stout heart in defeat Keeps faith with his comrades Keeps himself fit Keeps his temper Keeps modest in victory Keeps a sound soul a clean mind, and a healthy body. I have never known a man who exemplified the sportsmans code better than Camp. In almost a lifelong association with him I never heard him speak unkindly either of or to another person and I cannot imagine Walter Camp doing a mean act. More than once I have seen him face the bitterest disappointment with a smile on his face that was a joy to see and with a fortitude that was literally inspiring. Time and again I have watched him and marvelled as he held his temper under conditions that would have tested the temper of a saint. His fairness toward those whose views he opposed and his consideration for the feelings of others were never failing. He was the hard-fighting., clean-hitting, straight shooting type of a sportsman that commands the respect and admiration of his opponents and the affection of his comrades. The American schoolboy will welcome this book as his own. He will be a better sportsman for having read it and he will be a better citizen. He will become better acquainted with his great and good friend Walter Camp who for generations to come will be remembered as one of the finest of Americas sportsmen. Contents include: INTRODUCTION vii I THE ROUND BLACK RUBBER FOOT BALL . . . . . . 3 II THE WISH TO EXCEL . . 15 III THE CALL OF THE FIELD . . 32 IV How FOOTBALL GREW ... 50 V ATHLETIC TRIUMPH 79 VI THE DECLINE AND FALL . . . 107 VII THE LAST TOURNAMENT . . . 129 VIII THE DAILY DOZEN .... 160 IX THE WALTER CAMP MEMORIAL . 183 APPENDIX A ALL-AMERICA FOOT BALL TEAMS OF WALTER CAMP . 209 APPENDIX B THE DAILY DOZEN 233