Evening star., 1939-12-04
Thinks His Team
Best This Year
When in Trim
Even Giants Concede
RusseII's Goal Kick
In 81 Tilt Clicked
BY BILL DISMER, Jr.


-Four months ago George Preston
Marshall prophesied that "the team
that beats the Redskins will win the
championship"
Now that his prediction has been
borne out 200 per cent by. the fact
that their only two conquerors, the
New York Giants and Green Bay
Packers, are 1895 Eastern and
Western champions of the National
Football League, the Indians chief
tain went on record today with q
statement that should assure Wash
ington of the playof game in 1910,
when it will be the East's turn to
play host to the championship
classic ,
"You can quote me right now"
began the far-from- depressed Red
skin owner, that year from today
the Washington Redskins will be the
new Eastern champion that
am as confident of that as that my
name is George Marshall that
there won't be team in our division
capable of giving us run for our
money . and that, at full strength,
I still think the Redskins were the
best team in the league this year.
1--WE face no job of rebuilding.
I'm perfectly satisfied to stand pat
with the exception of one or two
instances where we might strengthen
ourselves But with years expert
ence, this predominantly youthful
RedSkin team will be unbeatable"
Marshall Fears for Official.
Mr.. Marshall, who never lacks for
words, had only one sentence to
speak after yesterdays game at New
York to the new No. villain on the
list Of Washington football fans,
Referee William Halloran who called
Bo Russell's apparently title winning
field goal in the last 43 seconds OF
play mo good,". thus wiping out the
3 points which would have given
the Redskins a 1919 victory and left
the Giants holding a 81 edge.
II only hope, for your sake. that
the pictures prove you're right"
Marshall told Halloran. Halloran
admitted it was one of those things
that could be called either ball OF,
a strike and that he chose to call
it q ball. ;
But picture or no picture, the
large majority of the games 62,404.
patrons never will be convinced that
Bo's kick was anything but good,
nor will the % players on the field,
That, we think, is the most com.
pelling justification of all for be-
lieving Halloran's decision to be hor.
ribly wrong.
All one had to do to pre- Judge
whether the kick was good was to
note the reaction of the two teams
as the ball sailed through the air.
The Giants, believing themselves
beaten, clutched their heads in
despair after banging their helmets
to the ground. The Redskins leaped
high with ecstatic joy. And in the
press box, New York sports writer's
who had been good-naturedly rib
bing the Redskins, were signifi-
cantly silent.
Giant Captain Thought Game Lost.
But the most convincing argu-
ments of all are seen in the words
of the Giants in the game at the
time Ed Widseth, who two plays
previously had punched Redskin
End Johnny Spirida. grabbed Spi-
rida's hand after the kick-before
Halloran's tion-and said,
Congratulations, Johnny. You guys
played a swell game and deserved
to win" Capt. Mel Helm, seeing
some of the Redskins hesitating said,
What are you fellows waiting for?
1t was good-now go back and kick
off,"
Ed Justice, Redskin who never
argues over the close ones but who
nearly got blackjacked by gen.
darme when he wildly tore after
Halloran, insists he was standing
right in front of the goal and saw
(See DISMER, Page A-l5)