The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-15

The general belief that a backfield player makes the best captain for foot ball team was not followed by the ma jority of universities and colleges in se- lecting their leader on the gridron for the 1916 season. Although practically all the captains were selected last fall at the close of the 1915 season. census of the captains chosen in ali parts of the country reveals some interesting facts
 A glance at the list of captains for the 1916 season shows that in A out of 76 cases either a linesman or an end was selected to lead the team through the campaign. In former years the majority has been overwhelmingly in favor of 6 backfield man for captain. The present year will go down in history as the first to rebel against the custom of electing backfield man the leader of the team while in action.
 The position of tackle, considered the most important on the team by many close followers of the game, is the most popular of the entire team ranking first Of the 76 captains of important colleges and universities in all parts of the coun- try, 15 of this number were tackles
 Sticking to tradition, however, l4 col- leges named halfbacks as their leaders consequently ending close second. only one behind the tackle selection. The half back positions led the backfield posi- lions in this line, however, by a com paratively safe margin.
 Next in order, following the tackle and halfback, comes the end. another impor- tant position on the machine. Twelve ends are leaders of the elevens of the same numbers of colleges, narrowly an- nexing third place over the quartorback which obtained Il votes or selections.
 Quarterback, supposed to be the posi- tion on the team for leadership, lost strength by the score, dropping from first place in 1915 to fourth this year. This fact, however, is not attributed to the decline of the ability of players at this position but rather to the increased abil- ity of players stationed at other point on the eleven.
 PRACTICE NOT UNIVERSAL
 In these days and times politics, too must be taken into consideration. many leaders being selected because of their influence, whether direct or not, over the officials at the college he at tends. There are several instances of this kind in the south. The practice is not universal, however, and seldom does a coach or member of the faculty suggest a leader, who, if suggested by them, is always awarded the honor.
 Following the quarterback comes the center. the pivotal position of the team. Nine leaders play the center positions.
 Guard with eight and fullback with seven, follow in the order made, com pleting the positions occupied by cap tains.
 SOUTHERN COLLEGES DIFFER
 Southern colleges, however, greatly dif- fered from the choice of leaders. Of 13 southern colleges, ends were honored the greatest number of times, four of the captains from the group playing the outer position on the line Tackle. however. ran q strong race, and Is a close second with three. Quarterback showed better strength in the south in comparison with the north or other sections, practically holding it's own in former years. Two of the number are quarters.
 Center, guard, halfback and fullback are awarded with the honor but once.