Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-30
Practical Foot Ball Reform.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
The Star hits the nail square on the head
In its foot ball reform editorial by stating
that radical departure and not a modti-
cation of the rules is the only remedy Yet
many may feel that The Star is too drastic
in suggesting that the rush line must be
prohibited because such a course would
SO revolutonize the game that it might not
De longer recognizable as an American sport
without some chance for team work and
harmless interference.
a few simple changes of rules would
eliminate the evil-masS play-by providing
that the full and halfbacks must be ten
yards behind the rush line when ball is snap
pea, that two other men may be on the
Vineyard line back of the rush line when
ball is snapped, that no other men shall be
behind line when ball is snapped except
quarter, who shall not run with ball until
passed to another player than himself, that
The ball may be snapped directly back 10
half and fullbacks, that the% ball may be
PASSED forward any time before player is
tackled that every kick shall be a free
Kick, and that the ball shall be called
DOWN Immediately upon a player being
tackled.
Such simple changes would necessitate
greyhound instead of bulldog ability to star
on the gridiron, and the playing would be
SO devoid of mass plays and attendant
accidents, etc. that ii would fire the public
tn real enthusiasm because brilliant runs
would be the rule and not the exception a s
now, when mass play tires the player and
public.
The Star might we'll extend its reform
movement by enlsting the united press IN
an effort to collect the views of the foot
ball college graduates of mature years and
thereby harmonic the situation into prac-
tical reform that would be attractive and
efficient with all interests.
Practical ways to force the foot ball
players to adopt rules that will actually
eliminate the evils of the game is all that
the press seems to desire on behalf of the
public. and the means can be effectively OBJ
tanned by the press gathering through its
columns and public meetings the ideas OF
the men who have played the old game and
grown wise after graduation.
Walter Camp suggests increase the five
yard to ten gain for three downs. but that
would not stop mass plays and might make
| them more troublesome. Great differences
| of opinion exist and the press can settle
| the question by soliciting publicity of ideas.
President Roosevelt did much TO curb the
| ambitions of the professional paid foot ball
artist and officials in their abuse of the
present rules, but The Star is absolutely
right in its editorial that the rules must
| be radically changed.
| Professionals are disqualified by interest
Ito testify upon this question. and the press
| can so focus public opinion that old grad
! yates will get busy and really reform the
| rules and game before the public opinion
| says quit altogether.
| Now Is the time to begin. before the his
| torie rules committee proclaims too late
| this season.
| The writer is an old sinner, with many
1 years experience in the old game char
acterized by more brute force than brains.
but he hopes The Star may not find
| IL necessary to insist upon the yellow dog
remedy of cutting off the tail just behfEj
| the ears, by eliminating the rush line,
which seems sine qua non to American
foot ball. FRED B. WHITNEY.