The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-01-12

Lassman, on Road
ToRecovery, May
Take Heavy Title
Giant New York University
Tackle Kicked in Head: in
Bed Seven Weeks

New York, Jan. 12.-(P)-A giant
figure stirred under the white sheets
Of the hospital cot.l A shaggy head
with wax-white features and red
trimmed eyes lifted from the pillow
and stared toward the doorway Of the
tiny room.
Hello" said AL Lassman. Hello"
The mammoth shoulders heaved
out Of the bed clothes while eyes still
strained to focus q picture on the
tired brain. Then the foggy mind
cleared, below of welcome rang out
into the hospital corridors and the
giant all but lifted himself right out
Of the cot.
This was Al Lassman, football cap
tain Of New York university's violent
violets. on the road back to health at
last after one Of the closest engage
ments any athlete ever played with
death. This was the six-foot- four
tackle, with his 220 pounds Of surg
ing, tearing Drawn. a tackle his coach,
Chick Meehan, said was 'the great
est ever to pull on shoes"
In Hospital Seven Weeks
It was seven weeks ago almost to a
day. that Lassnan played his last
game Of intercollegiate football. In
. battle that stole the pigskin show
for that one day at least, his violets
smashed Carnegie Tech, unbeaten up
to that day. After playing probably
the finest football Of his career for
three quarters. Eastman was kicked
In the head In the fourth period. For
weeks he lay unconscious, critically
hurt.
Now he IS coming around again.
slowly but with the almost positive
assurance OF medical men that he
will be completely recovered within q
few months.
Lassman wants that. for he has de-
signs on the heavyweight champion
ship left vacant by Gene Tunney.
Two years ago, as sophomore, he
won the intercollegiate title.
But for this day at least, the huge
patient is rather pitiful. The blow
on his skull caused blood clot on
the brain affecting his entire left
side. While Lassman Is not paralyzed,
part Of his body Is numb and hard to
control. He cannot remember q
single game or happening Of the foot
bali season and even more distant
events are difficult to recall.
I'm No Cream Puff
I'm no cream-puff," he grinned in
twisted fashion, I'm rugged. They
tell me ! had close call. Il hadn't
had tough skull I'd have gone out.
can walk some now. though"
a nurse came In then with the an
nouncement that It was time for ex-
erctse. Dressed I'm pajamas and q
bath-robe. Lassnlan hauled himself to
his feet and tottered aleefully out into
the hospital corridor.
It was . grand occasion, sWaying
from side to side. his left leg hitch
Ing > bit and left arm crooked to his
body. the tall broad youngster swung
slowly down the corridor, stopping e
each room to below greetings ana
thanks for soma tid-blt sent TO him
BY another patient. They shouted
back and the hetlau,, 50 strange Ia
such . place, brought nurses. order-
Hes and interues a-rInning to gloat
with the happy youth over his, prog
ress.
"Doing road-work.''' .ae told them
. be swung proudly along, right
hand touching ths wall 70 keep bal
luce.
Not satistied with that the battered
warrior leaned his great bulk against
IT, van and lifted his hands to !
| fiehttng pc.
"a few more months and ri Be do
iug this again., 10 sid. = wanted
q fight this winter. Gee, I can hook
= httle with my lett. ! lone this.
tootboll's ~ right but boxing = tho
! ereatest game a ~.
Cd aaok ri bed fof yolI. YOU'RE tad
ambitious," satd The. little nurse and
ttas1man weuts shoeptshly.