The Washington times., 1912-11-18
GeorgetoWn's Brilliant Half
l. back Has Few Equals in
Il, Country Today.
HAS REQUIREMENTS
DEMANDED FOR PLACE
Would Shine With Same Bright
ness on Any Big
!. ~ Eleven.
By LOUIS A. DOUGHER.

BY truly exceptional brilliancy in
every department OF football, Harry
Costello has stamped himself the best
gridiron athlete at Georgetown this
season. His selection as member Of
the All-South Atlantic eleven Is assured,
but isn't 1t about time some of those
highbrows who choose their ALI ll-AmeriCa
eleVens came down and took a look at
him? Could some OF these experts"
have seen his accurate forward passing,
MS remarkable running through the
virginia eleven for touchdown, and
his timely field goal, giving the Hill
toppers their vicinity. 1t Is doubtful II
they could have passed over his achieve
ments with a mere mention.
There is considerable old ia shioned
bunk about these all-America elevens
that 60 down the ages Of football.
fale's famous football tutor, Walter
Camp, enjoyed a monopoly in the busi-
ness of selecting phantom elevens at
the close of campaigns for Il number OF
years. He saw to it. too, that members
OF the so-Callod Big FoUr"-IIarvard
Yale, Penn. 0nd Princeton - furnished
the stars annually.
1t Is only since 1898 that Camp has
considered the playing of players out
side OF this quartet worthy OF his seleC-
ton for his all-AmeriCa eleven. In '9S
Ihicago's wonderful kicking fullbaclS,
iirshoerGer was chosen by the Yale
eeNpert; Two years later Columbia s
New Mexican sheriff, Morley, was So
i.cted for the barkteld. ana since then
mere and there outficldCrs have broken
INTO the charmed circle OF all-Amerlca
heroes.
South Unconsidered.
Willie Heston. Michigans famous
halfoack. made Camps all-Amerlca
eleven in 1903. being the second Western
er to be chosen. This resulted from
charges Of blindness. and in the last five
or SIN years camp has cndeavored to
cover the West as well as the East I'm
his choice OF greatest players But the
Sou Tn remains outside of the wondrous
circle yet. No player. no matter how
great ms ability, has been thought good
enough Tor the all-America team when
gridirRs.
IL is quite within the realms of possi-
bilty that II teams from the South
played more interscctional contests
their claims to fame would he better.
Iheir stars would then be seen facing
the best men Of the North and West
vanderbilt boasts of men fully the equal
Of Yale stars of other days. Virginia
Georgetown and Sewanee, too. have had
their own personal heroes, but few of
them have received even bare mention
by the archon of the gridiron at New
Haven.
Certainly the South Atlantic section
has never seen such "a wonderful little
performer as Harry Costcl 10. His work
has been practically nawless since he
first appeared In the varsity squad at
the Hilltop. He would have attracted
attention on any gridron in the coun-
try, and II Is difficult to see how any
combination OF circumstances could
keep him on the varsity eleven in the
country.
Has the Requirements.
Costello has the requirements OF an
all-Amerlca player. II brains. speed and
football instinct count for ANYTHING
Given any kind OF Interference, lie could
gain ground for any eleven. No more
finished broken field runner exists in
the country today. This calls for foot
ball instinct OF high caliber. the
knowledge of when to sidestep, the
proper moment for that slight decrease
OF speed that bewlders the oncoming
tackler, the instinct for feeling" his
way through eleven opponents, each
seeking to stop his onward flight All
these requirements of football stardom
are Costello's.
In addition. he is one of tho most ac-
curate drop-kiCkCrs now plaving tho
game. In his three years at GEORGE
town he has kicked more field goals
against Virginia than his eleven has
made touchdowns. In 1910 his three field
goals were the only points made 'N
tostllo revels in tight places in tho
pinches. His nerves are not hung ON
wires. Put him in II hole and his natu
raj ability comes to the fore with a
rush. Knowing the success Of n uclJ
goal means victory, he does not go nm
Into the air lie may fail at other
trials. but in the supreme moment no ia
certain to succeed.
This Is supposed to be the style of
football player for the all-Amrri,a
eleven. These requirements are SUP
posed to be the requirements Of tho al
America eleven. 1t Is useless to meas
ure GeorEctpwn with Princeton or Yale
big game Is a big game, and many old
stars. having seen Costello in action
have wished with all their hearts they
could have him on the squad at bigger
institutions today, where his services
would bring to him more fame. ana the
color of his jersey would be an assur-
ance OF his not being overlooked when
the final honors were given out.