The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-16
BENEFITS OF FOOTBALL.
An Opinion by One of the Prominent Pl,
In

An Opinion by One of the Prominent Play
ers in the Country.
w. W. Heffelhnger. in Boston Globe.
Football has always been to me the most
fascinating of sports. 1t has been said
. tina. like the game because have more
and so will find pleasure in it
where some players have more chance
than of getting pounded out o. chaps.
This is foolish idea, that the big, strong
unless he has the requisite science and
knowledge of the game, he is more liable
to suffer personal damage. as his opponents
lay for the heavy man with the lRudable
aim of spelling his playing ability.
This is one of the great lessone that the
game OF football teaches-that brains are
too much for muscle every time and every
where in this world. This is one Of the
reasons that has given the sport such won
derful popularity. When the game con-
and free tights, with brute force and beef
tho winning elements. few people outside
of college men who were directly interested
cared TO witness the contests.
It's only since the play ng has dsveloped
into a strategic warfare that the immense
crowds have followed the games with
absorbed interest. AS played to-day, foot
ball Is system of scientific moves as on
great chess board. deliberately calculated
beforehand, and executed by a carefully
drilled team, every man of which has his
part to play.
The public eye, even though unframed,
can appreciate n clever piece of ipterter-
ence when the whole eleven men wheel
into line 10 protect the runner, or n cleauly
made hole In the line. or n neatly executed
trick play. In the championship game It is
rare nowadays that brilliant run is made
without TINS scientific work of the eleven
men es n unit.
This was especially true last year. when
Meetings. run In the first two minutes ut
Springfield, md BlIsss great run at the
Princeton game. electrified the thousands
present They saw how beautifully the
whole idea was worked out by the team.
This point Is shown In the lesser enthusi-
asm with which gains through the center
by wedges. etc., are greeted. There may be
as much discipline and drill In the massing
of the men together. but it does not give
this impression of skill and science.
The elimination of smuggling and rough
ness of course, have made the game more
popular.
Last fall not n man was injured In big
game. Another reason why football is
such a popular favorite is because the peo-
pie know that it il OF the square, ana can
not have the slightest faint of crooked
work. In these days of professional ath-
letIcs tins means a great zeal. Professional
football players are unknown as yet aud
ono can only hope that they always Will be.
Men 20 TO see Tale and Harvard play.
lsnowIng that the two teams are animated
solely by high motives. the feeling of hon.
est rivalry and the defense of the college
homer Ii is purely unseltish and disinteE-
ested work.
The players get nothing for their months
of weary toll aud sacrifice beyond tho
glory of winning on the bitter sorrow OF
defeat College baseball has as strong n
claim on this score. but football enjoys
greater popularity because lt isa fast.
lively game. There are no waits as in base
ball, aud every man takes part in every
pIay. or should do so. There ia someth IN n
gong ON all the time. some excitement and
change which prevents any dragging.
Men still like To see personal com bar. It's
in their natures. although the days Of
hand to- hama lighting are over Football
supplies this element of personal rivalry
The athletes OF the canvas jacket lock
horns on the question of muscular ability,
and the training Ia use it effectively. In
no other game Is there this direct struggie
OF man 10 man.