ALL-AMERICA



College football is over. I have yet to trace the origin of All-

America(n)--maybe I'll visit the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio one of

these days. Spalding football guides began in 1903, but collegiate football

guides began in 1883. The All America teams probably started in the 1890s.

This is from the Asbury Park Daily Press, Gossip of the Gridiron by E.

G. Westlake, 24 November 1899, pg. 3, col 5:



Who shall say that in the state of Wisconsin, where the loyalty of the

people for the 'varsity at Madison is almost as great as that of Gen. Lawton

to "Old Glory," Rodgers would not have been placed on everybody's "All-

America" eleven?



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