The Washington times., 1909-12-18
BOWER EXPLAINS
FOOTBALL VIEWS
Head of Naval Academy
Thinks Game Should Not
Be Abandoned.
SUGGESTS REFORM
IN PRESENT RULES
Lieutenant Berrien, Middies' Head
Coach, Expresses Opinion
On Changes.

ANNAPOLIS, Nd, Dec. 1S-Despite
the two accidents at the Government
anstitutiOns-one resulting IN the death
OF Cadet Byrne, Of West Point, and the
other in the serious injury OF Midship
man Earl Wilson-the naval officials
do not entertain the slightest thought
of abandoning football.
Football IS upheld as a manly Anneri-
can sport, but everyone feels that some
thing must be done IN the framing Of
the rules to aid in protecting a player
from injury. Capt John NJ. BOwyer.
superintendent of the Naval Academy,
is an ardent supporter of the game. and
he has expressed the opinion that it
should be retained on account of the
training it gives in self-reliance, self
control, self-subservience to team work.
physical development, alertness, and
loyalty to common cause.
Suggests Changes.
In giving his view on the game, Cap
tain Bowyer suggests four changes
which he believes would lessen the
danger Of serious accident, the first of
which is the abolition of lacking below
abe waist.
In this cdnnection. he says, the pres
en- low lacking causes many head and
neck injuries. but If there was a rule
enforced providing for higher tackling,
there would probably be more long runs
and more scoring. at the same time
lessening the danger OF accident
IL will be recalled that It was a low
flying tackle that fractured the neck Of
Midshipman Wilson, causing the par
alYsis
Captain Bowyer would also abolish
the on-side kick. He points out that
In this play the ball strike the ground,
and often results in several players
diving headlong for it, thus giving rise
20 injuries OF a serious nature.
Protect Receiver.
He also thinks that a player receiving
a forward pass should be protected. A
player. he says, watching for the ball to
descend is at the mercy Of his opponents
and many injuries come from being
stuck by shoulders or body Of that op-
ponent. while in such a defenseless at
titude. AS a remedy for this he would
prohibit an opponent interfering with a
player receiving the forward pass In any
way except by pushing him with out
stretched arms.
Captain BOwyer also thinks IT advis-
able to prohibit the act OF players drag
EluE one OF Ltlelf teammates Willie
fng the ball. He says that this mannsI
OF play too often results in two OF three
men striking a single opponent whose
first instinct is to dive under and trip
the oncominE pass, at great risk or in
jury 20 himself.
Berrien Talks
Lieut.. Frank d. Berrien. head coach OF
the Navy eleven, also is an advocate OF
some reform I'm the game that would les
sen the liability to injuries. Lieutenant
Berrien witnessed the game of Cana
dian Rugby football in New York
While not particularly impressed Will
this style OF playing the game. Lieuten-
ant Berrien thinks that there is one
thing deserving Of serious consideration
by the rules committee, and that is the
prevention OF interference with a player
receiving the ball after a kick
Under the Canadian rule. a player 4,
not allowed 10 approach within a rang,
OF three yards Of a player Of the op-
posing team while receiving the bal
from a punt, and he holds this TO be &
good one. Lieutenant Berren's sugges
lion along this Hne Is somewhat similar
70 that advanced by Captain Bowyer fl
reference to the Interference with Z
player receiving a forward pass.