New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-08
SEES NO GOOD IN
NUMBERING MEN
StepTOwardPrOfessiOn'al-
ism in Football, Thinks
Moses.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

Sir: The suggestion that football
players be numbered seems 10 have met
with no little favor from the news
papers. In fact, the papers seem rather
10 have gone out Of their way 70 give
publicity to this idea.
That this numbering Of players IS
matter for the decision OF the Individual
colleges seems never 10 have occurred
to the editors and sporting writers. lhey
assume that the end and purpose OF
football is an appeal 70 public support
and that the generar public should De
first considered in the conduct oil the
games
Were it true that football is primar-
ily a money maker, this point OF view
would be sound and quite Jusuned'
Were it true that the game had fallen
generally into the same class as pro-
fessional baseball, horse racing. siN-day
bicycle riding or semi-profes slonaI
track athletics, the contention or the
newspapers would be perfectly proper.
II football is 20 be considered IN that
grade Of sport every player should Ger
tainly wear his label on his back.
As it is, however, and so long as loot
ball remains the cardinal Illustration
of sport of team play as opposed 10
individual play, any such numbering OF
PLAYERS would be sad step IN the al
rection of profession. ailsm. II Is the
team, not the man, 20 whom belongs
the honor Of victory or of hsrd-tought
defeat
A Brickley would ae impossible were
il not for the Hardwicks and Mahans:
Ekersall, DAILY. Poe, Sam White, Harold
Weekes and all tho rest of the grid
iron heroes could never have been
heard of had they not had the sturdy
support Of the other ten men OF their
respective teams. Let US give the nom
or where it is due-to the eleven men,
not the one.
That football is the most popular
American game is matter for debate,
but if popularity is measured by num-
bers attracted to a single game the rec
ord of 10000 people at one match AZ
tests the favor in which I'll held: me
perfection of team play Is very large
factor in this remarkable popularity.
With the adoption OF q system OF
numbering will inevitably come ten
dency toward achieving individual as
tinction, which must be pre- udlclal 70
the now prevailing spirit OF team play.
football player Is no less human
than any one else; ne loves to see his
ai,ture DISPLAYED across the columns
Of the newspaper; ne loves 20 hear his
name chartered by crowds OF people.
With a number on his back 20 as
tineuish him from his fellows ne
temptation is too great TO be resisted.
And with this sporadic glory may
come tendency 20 rate his own pow
ers over highly, a feeling tnat he 3
DISTINGUISHED above his team mates.
And such spirit as this is contrary 20
the very soul OF the. sport ana "ouiG
work serious mischief.
That this EXPERIMENTATION might lead
10 a desire for recompense for SER
vices rendered to team or college
is by no means impossible. " th!s
sinister possibility there can be no
doubt 70 the man who has followed the
records of a few men now playing or
who have recently played on the
teams Of two or three particular col
leges.
Il is imperative that semi-profess ion-
alism be stamped out Of our college
sport. The proposed innovation Of num-
bering will not help in cleaning up an
evil that, while not now widespread,
might eventually intrench itself gem
orally.
Football is wonderfully popular. 1t
is wonderfully beneficial 20 the men
PLAYING. II is scarcely wise 10 Jeopar-
die. by such an innovation as the
papers demand, the splendid spirit Of
a great game. Yours very truly,
KINGSLEY MOSES.
Member Of the Central Board of Foot
ball Officials.