Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-08
EXPERTS SPOT STAR
ATHLETES BYLEGS
Frank Hinkey Had Props of Steel; Carpenters Legs
Provide His Balance and Speed; Vardon's Legs
Factors in Master Golf
BY GRANTLAND RICE

VIRGIL. as We recall it, sang Of
arms and the man. But in most
branches Of competitive sport the paean
should be lifted to legs and the man.
'In selecting football MATERIAL" re-
marked Gil Dobic, II look ut mans
legs first. They are the big factors of
the game. Few men with weak legs will
ever get anywhere in football
Naturally the same goes for baseball
and tennis. The stamina and durability
and driving power of Ty Cobb's legs
have been the foundation of his sue
cess.
Th0rne and Hinkey
D ECENTLY in round of golf at
~ Belleair with Brink Thorne, one Of
1a'e's greatest backs, we started dis
cussing the football career of Frank
Hinkey.
II played with Hinkey for two
years" the Yale star remarked. "and
l don't believe the game has even seen
greater player. Playing defensive
half, with Hinkey at end. was one of the
softest assignments of the season: In
the first place his intuition was almost
beyond belief. When the play came our
way it was an absolute certainty that
llinkey would either sift through and
get the runner, or would tear the en-
tire interference to pieces, leaving the
runner unguarded. And more often than
not he would do both. wreck the inter-
ference and then get his man. They
couldn't run over him or slip by him.
Two or three men might be sent to
take him out, but they could never do it.
He could sliplthrough places that seemed
as closed up as brick wall. No man
ever loved the game more or gave more
of his soul to it. AS Walter Camp
spirit. something apart from all others"
Hinkey's Legs
"HOW is 1t that man of Hinkey's
IL weight, around $50 pounds,
could reach such height!' we asked.
Frank had strong, wiry body"
strength lay in his legs. His legs had
the power and drive Of man weighing
isC or more. They gave the impetus
to those terrific lunging tackles and
with all their power. they were under
perfect control at lodging, sidestcpping
or changing pace. The man In football
who enters game on pair of strong
legs has big start. Hinkey had no
trouble with his ankles or knees, aa 80
many hard players have, because he
had legs Of steel. Heffel6ngei also had
one of the most remarkable pairs Of legs
ever known in sport. They could carry
him through any type Of opposition.
just as u charge of powder will send a
shell through an iron thickness. Hin
key and Heifetingcr were remarkably
otftted in this respect"
In Other Lines
MO SMALL part of Carpenters rise
~ to the near heights has been due to
his legs.
The Frenchmnn. weighing 10, has
the legs of 300 FOUNDER. They are
big and elastic, giving him both balance
ond speed.
Dempsey also has great pair of legs
that arc no small part OF his fighting
outfit.
The most notable exception in this
respect was Bob Fitzsimrnons. Fitz
had the body of 2O0-pound man and
the legs of a light middleweight.
Yet they must have carried their
share of power to help back up the lev
cragc of his shoulders and wrists.
In Golf
"LJARRY VARDON,' we suggested
IL to an old-time pro, "has a great
pcir Of hands,
Yes, but did you ever notice his
lrgsi' tho pro asked.
'They are wonderful ! don't believe
/ have ever seen more powerful brace
of props. They have been factors In his
marvellous balance and his almost per-