The Washington times., 1931-09-14


That is the view of Phil K
partment store owner, and OF
mortals.
"The wide interest shown by
the general public in football as
a game, makes this sport seem
ont Of proportion to other col
Iege spOrts," he insists. Il be.
lieye that in time football will
replace baseball as a national
sport"
Mr.. King, a medium height,
heavy set, affable man, in rugged
health, his hair flecked with silver,
was one Of the greatest quarter
backs in grid history.
Walter Camp picked him ALI
American quarterback in 1890,
1891, 1892 and 1893. In 1892 he
captained the football team, and
in 1893 he held the same position
on the baseball team.
Following his graduation he be-
came Princeton's first head coacn,
and from 1895 to 1902 and again
in 1905 he coached Wisconsin.
The Badgers won the Big Ten
championship in 1896-97 under
his guidance. They lost only one
game in 1899, to Chicago, and
swept through all opposition ur1-
defeated in 1901. Chicago, Michi-
gan, Minnesota and Wisconsin
were the grid leaders in the MIC
die West in those days.
Often Wisconsin had to travel
500 miles for games. King
recalls that when he started
to coach the Westerners in
1896, they played to crowds
of 1000 and 5000. When he
left them in 1902, 10000 people
often filled the stands.
He coached Princeton off and
on from 1903 to 1917, taking a
personal part in putting the
young Tigers through their PAGES.
81 was the worlds champion
cOmmuter in those days." he
reminiSces with smile, "A
fiye-hOur train ride from Wash
ington each day, and back
again in the evening. But
loved it,"
The game has progressed far
since his days, and he would pre-
fer TO play now, but the game
in those days required just as
much endurance, skill and cour-
age.
Perhaps, q little more cOur-
age" he suggested, because 1t
was much rOugher, and bruises
and injuries more frequent"
He has one complaint against
the rules committee. He believes
that they are making the game
entirely too safe, particularly for
the offensive team.
Playing rules for the game have
changed considerably. and all for
the best, though there are en-
tirely too many Of 'em.
In his days the game was freer,
and the play more continuous
Play could be resumed immed.
lately on the ball being called
down.
Forward passing had not yet
come into vogue. Long passes
were seldom tried. All such pass
ing had to be backward. Only
one such pass stands out from
his playing days, long pass
which resulted in a 4O-yard run
against Yale.
The center always passed the
ball to the quarterback, who
i'm turn handed it to the man
who was to carry it. LineSmen
could drop back and carry the
ball.
The fact that only five yards
had to be gained for a down
made for massed plays such as
the famous Princeton revolving
tandem, Kings own invention.
Interference for the ball-carriel
was just beginning to come to the
fore. Up to that time, the ball
carrier headed the charge with
his teammates showing him on.
Pat O'Dea, one of his pupils
at Wisconsin, he unequivocably
terms, the greatest kicker ever on
football field. He once kicked
a 62-yard field goal against North
western. O'Dea averaged &C
yards on his punts, and once
punted from his own 5-yard line
over the opposing goal with a
favoring wind.
Moving the goal posts back
has q tendency to discourage
tries for field goals" he said.
MANY . hard-fOught battle was
won by this route, and, always,
it provided o thrill"
Recalling scoring feats, HI
scored II touchdowns against Wiz
ginia in 1890 and IL against Co
lumbia in 1891.
NelU Grid Loop Starts
Sunday, October II
The Apaches, Mohawks, st