Football did not outlaw clipping until 1920, and the rule might not have been passed were it not for a live demonstration.

Rutgers coach George Foster Sanford played an instrumental role when he called for making clipping illegal during a rules interpretation meeting. Others, including former Princeton player and assistant coach Frank Glick, argued that clipping was simply a natural part of football and should be retained.

Sanford, who was 52 years old at the time, challenged everyone at the event to allow him to demonstrate clipping on them as he would surely break their leg.

Glick took the bait. The two met in an open area of the hall, and as Glick took a few strides, Sanford threw himself and rolled across the back of Glick’s lower legs. Glick won the battle because his legs did not break, but he lost the war since the floor vote went in Sanford’s favor, and clipping became illegal in college football.

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