The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-24
'TODAY'S
 SPORT
 PARADE
BY HENRY McLEMORE

United Press Staff Correspondent)
 Detroit, Oct. 24 - (UP0 = When I-had tea with Willard Fillmore in 1856 and discussed the platform of the know-nothing party, never dreamed I would live to see the day when two football players would chase the presidential candidates of the two major political parties out of the public mind.
 Probably neither MT. Roosevelt nor MT. Willkie would admit it, but until Michigan and Pennsylvania get through with their game here Saturday afternoon the only two names attracting any serious atten- tion are Tommy Harmon and Frank Reagan. You can shout the name of either Roosevelt or Willkie on the busiest corner here in town today today without halting a pedestrian, even for second. But just mention Michigan's great back, Harmon, or Pennsylvania four-star Heller, Reagan, and you'll find yourself sur rounded by more articulate arguerS than traffic cop can clear away III an hour.
 The excitement over the coming clash between these two great backs, both of whom are being compared to Grange and Thorpe and Harley and Meyers, is not confined to Michigan by any means. Newspaper writers from all over the country are checking in with new type writers and old adjectives. Every radio announcer without a frog in his throat is already on the spot. There isn't ticket to be had, and football fans are running back punts and sweeping the ends in every hotel corridor and room in town.
 Hero Or Goat?
 Looking at the game soberly, which few in Detroit are doing, can't help feeling sorry for Har- mon and Reagan. After all they're just boys and what spot they're in. As a lad of q or 9 how would you have felt in the same position they're in today; they are going to face, day after tomorrow, upwards of 10000 persons, each of whom will be there looking for miracles. Listening to the radio, and expect ing even greater miracles, will be uncounted millions. And on Sunday another vast multitude will pick up the papares to see who was the hero and who was the goat, Harmon or Reagan.
 Under such circumstances it will be nothing short of miracle if the two boys hold on to the ball at all. In game like this one pebble can make you bum, one misstep and your reputation is sullied. Under this set-up how would you like to try to catch 8 hard, quick pass, or handle drifting punt in wind, or be responsible for the strategy that meant winning or losing?
 can tell you what would happen to me under those circumstances. My heart would fracture three very important ribs before the kickoff, my stomach would do a swing version of I'll never smile again, and my nerv- ouS system would become a medical phenomenon.
 "AASAA cAAC oPOoAASAAI 4l4to yOu dS hard as it has Reagan and Harmon, no alibi does you any good. Your teammates may have an off day but no one will notice that and excuse you. You may have an of day your self, or be suffering from a crip- bling ailment, but that won't be taken into consideration by the public or the critics.
 In short, when you're a Harmon or Reagan. and the showdown comes you're either a ball of fire or the fizzled f1gment of somebody's imag- ination.
 The more I think of the spot they're in, Tommy and Frank, the more I'm glad stayed at my con- certina while the other boys worked out on the parallel bars.