Today's Tidbit... Abusing Football Officials

With the start of the football season, we will soon hear of frightful behavior by players, coaches, and fans who assault game officials due to the calls or lack of calls made in games. Such behavior is unacceptable whenever it occurs, but it would be a mistake to believe this type of behavior is new. The world has always had jerks, and a part of its jerk population has found its way onto football fields. So, here are a few stories of our grandparents, great-grandparents, or their ancestors acting irresponsibly.

1896 Little Rock Athletics Fans

A game in Little Rock between the Little Rock Athletics and the Memphis Athletic was followed by a riot. The game's referee, Battle Malone of Memphis, displeased the Little Rock fans, so they attacked him and several Memphis players as they exited the stadium, throwing rocks at them as they continued up the street.

1909 Carlisle Player

As covered in a previous Tidbit, a Carlisle player, Waseuka, got into a tussle with a Penn player and subsequently struck Big Bill Edwards, the game's umpire, who was trying to break up the fight. Waseuka's dismissal enraged Pop Warner, the Carlisle coach, and his behavior also led to his dismissal.