Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-12-04
FOOTBALL.
1908 Hard Season
For Football Men.

New York Dec 3-The football cas-
ualty book this year shows alarming
figures as a result Of the autumn play,
despite the more open game in vogue.
Eighteen deaths and 304 injuries is the
sacrifice to the pigskin god, the number
of fatalities and injuries being in ex-
cess Of any previous statistics since
the inauguration of the new foo;balF
in the autumn of 1906.
However, Of tine large total of 304 ac-
cidents to players, but 80 were OF
really serious nature. Inasmuch as the
common. everyday occurrences of
gridron campaign, strained tendons,
twisted knees, wrists, shoulders and
ankles, "Charley horses and even
bruises are in the three-figure total, it
can readily be seen how the list shows
such an apparently alarming condition
of affairs.
The is deaths that the king of fall
sports has exacted as tribute is fact
that cannot he smoothed over. as it is
the highest total that has ever resulted
from the game since 1901. with the ex-
ception of 1907. the season preceding
the change in the rules. when "a play
ers met their death OH the lime-lined
field.
Football is essentially college sport,
as undergraduates are the only ones
who are able to devote the time to
training and practice that are such
essential assets to safe participance in
the game.
As has been the case in previous
years. under-trained players, or, as a
matter Of fact, players who have had
no preparation whatever. have been the
unfortunates who have swelled the in
jury and mortality statistics to such a
high mark.
Players on the prominent college
elevens are not permitted to take the
field unless they are in eXceIlcn, con
dition, with rare exceptions, and it is
q noticeable fact that of the Is deaths
during the past season only four play
ers were members of college elevens
and those four elevens We're far from
being high-class organizations.
More than one-half of those in the
injury column We're college players
which is accounted for by the fierce
ness Of the daily practice.
From the viewpoint of casualties II
has been az unusual year, in that ar
exceptionally large number of captains
were injured and their teams deprived
of their services Captain Burr of Har-
ward lruised his shoulder so severely
that he was unable to participate ir
the Indian. Dartmouth or Yale contests
Captain Burch was more fortunate.
than the leader Of the Johnnies, in that
he was able to play in the final game
Eddie Dillon, the Tiger leader, did lit
tie or no playing until next to the last
game on the schedule and his poo
physical condition was such a grea
handicap to his work that the Oper
field dashes for which he was noted in
past years did not materialize to any
extern this season.
Captain Hollenback of Pennsylvania
although starring for the Quaker COM
bination, was on the verge of over
training all fall and received more than
his share of bruises. causing Trainer
Mike Murphy to watch the great full
back like a hawk throughout the en-
tire season.
Captain Kennedy of Dartmouth was
injured early in the fall and did not
get into the lineup until the Princeton
game. Captain McCleary of Pennsylva-
MIA State suffered from broken collar
bone and was unable to play in many
of the matches scheduled for his team
Other severely injured captains We're
Potter Of Union and Abel of Ursina