Today's Tidbit... 1914 Case @ Mt. Union

Today's a travel day for the Football Archaeology family and many others, so we will keep it short and sweet. But rest assured, there will be a full Tidbit tomorrow.

(Miller Studio, Cleveland)

Among my favorite football images in the Library of Congress collection is this shot from the 1914 Case at Mt. Union game. (Click to enlarge) It's a beautiful panoramic image showing:

• The crowd on the near side stands several people deep, while the opposite side and end zone are filled with cars and people. The newspaper tells us 3,000 attended the game.

• It is unclear which team is teeing the ball, but it's a good bet it was Mt. Union since they won 49-0 and kicked off more often than Case.

• The receiving team has only one player within thirty yards of the kicker and is not concerned about an onside kick.

• Despite the 49-0 score, neither team substituted that day, so the twenty-two players on the field for the opening kick were still out there at the final gun.

• The second player from the near sideline has a panel sewn on the back of his jersey with a number, which was a relatively new thing at the time.

Also, here’s a postcard of the Mt. Union football team that was mailed in 1909.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

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