Huddled Masses #4

Football history generally focuses on the stars, the winners, and the championship teams from prominent programs. However, most who played football over the years did so in obscurity. Yet, some left a record of their football days in the form of Real Photo Postcards (RPPCs). Despite most images showing those who played before teams huddled regularly, we refer to them as The Huddled Masses.

Previous Huddled Masses: 1905 | #2 | #3

Those playing back in the day were often ill-equipped, had mismatching uniforms, or had coaches with little more experience than the team members. They lacked the equipment, crowds, and media exposure of today, but they wanted to play, and sometimes have their picture taken.

1906 SHS team from New York

According to the message on the back, one member of the 1907 Barron (WI) HS team died within months of this photo being taken. Which one and the cause of death is unknown.

The 1908 Beresford (SD) High team used multiple home-designed logos.

c. 1910 unknown team with a dog mascot and five players with nose guards. The player standing second from right has a bat wing-style nose guard.

c. 1910 unknown team. The player standing to the far right has a great interlocking logo, while two teammates took the field in cardigans.

c. 1912 unknown team photographed on a cold day

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