The Washington times., 1937-09-14
BY HARRY COSTELLO

Les Olson, 25O-pound guard Of
George Preston Marshall's Wash
ington Redskins, always has
nursed, and always will nurse, a
desire to score a touchdown or a
field goal or a goal after touch
down.
To date Les has failed to score
a point for any team with which
he has played. But he has hopes.
Les did have one great chance
to break into the scoring list, but
instead of breaking into the Scor-
ing list he broke-but that's get
ting ahead of my story.
It was while Olson was star
at Mercer that he had his great
chance.
One day the Mercer Bears were
going great guns, due principally
to Ollson's great play in the line
and the fiery running C MERGERS
only quarterback, who made sew
eral long runs for touchdoWnS on
MERGERS famous "running-guard
end run" with Olson out in front
bowling over would-be tacklers.
OLSON PLEADS
Toward the close of the third
period, Olson approached his
quarterback and said:
Listen, Jimmy, I've never
scored a point in all my life as
a football player. This is my
last year in college, and I want,
with all my heart, to score.
don't care whether it's touch
down, or a field goal. or point
after-touchdown. But I sure do
want to score a point. I'll tell
you what We'll do: let's get us
couple more touchdowns and
then, when this game is on ice,
you call me back and give me
the ball, or let me kick field
goal"
The quarterback was Sympathet-
ic to Ollson's idea, and late in the
final quarter, with Mercer out in
front, As to o, the opportunity
came.
The game was the last one be-
fore the Mercer Bears hit into
their big games.
The quarterback, as stated, was
MERGERS only field general and an
extraordinary valuable member of
the team. He stood in so well with
the Mercer coaches that he could
get away with such stunt as
bringing Olson back to carry the
ball across for touchdown or to
kick a field goal, and he knew it.
CHANCE ARRIVES
AS / said, the chance came. The
Mercer attack stalled on the
enemy's 10-yard stripe. The ball
was resting directly in front of
the goal-posts. Mercer was out in
front, as to 0. It was fourth down,
goal to go. The quarterback
main cog in the Mercer machine,
for the reason that he could not
be replaced-called his mates into
the huddle. The field general said
to his team:
Nov, gang, this is Les last
year. He's never scored a point,
either in high school or in college,
cause he's a guard. It's fourth
down, 10 to go for a touchdown,
and I'm goin' to give Les a chance
to score. What do you want to do,
Les, run with the Oh apple, or
kick a field goal?"
OllSon's response came quickly:
I'll kick field goal by place.
ment. Jimmy, you hold the ball
for me-"
The Mercer team rushed out
Of the huddle and lined Up, with
the valuable quarterback all set
to hold the ball, for a field goal
by placement. and Les Olson all
set to kick and score three points
for dear old Mercer and dearer
Les Olson.
For Olson. this was a great
moment. He got himself ready.
Jimmy called the signals. The
center snapped the ball. The
star field general caught the ball
and placed it, in proper position,
for a field goal. Olson rushed
forward, and kicked.
BUT. Les did not kick the
ball! Instead. he kicked the star
quarterback's left wrist, and broke
it!
Says Les:
Damn! That was dreadful.
1t lost me my chance to score
some points, but some day, sure
as hell and high water, I'll
get another chance, but I'll run
with the ball. Never again will
try a goal from placement"