The Detroit tribune., 1963-01-05

They played their hearts out
that year but only won two out
of seven games. Only two games.
| guess you could say il was be.
cause they were inexperienced;
Negroes had just begun to play
football in the Detroit Junior
Football League. And-you know
this is true--the Negroes hardly
even know what football was all
about. Since our boys would have
had to have SO many things TO
play the game-helmets. padding,
you know--it had always been
easy for them TO get up a game
of stick ball Gf they could ever
find balD or kick the can. The
alleys are full OF cans. Occasion
ally, one of the little guys pro
mote a glove or two and they
play a little sandlot ball. But
football? Never
No. they only won two games
that year. Contributing factors
might have been not enough uni
forms TO 90 around, not enough
boys to make up a full compile
ment of players-many times
having TO play both offensive
and defensive ball throughout
the entire game. But contribut
ing factors have a nasty way oi
sounding like excuses. Suffice il
TO say that they were simply
tired, inexperienced mites strug
Cling against the impossible odds
that appear to be the inherent
birthright of every little Negro
They had a rough time that year
and they won only two games.
The other boys had a field day
that year Who were the other
boys? The Bulldogs from Skim
er Field. The Panthers from
Chandler Park, the O'Shea All
stars from O'Shca Field, the Can
non Tars from Cannon Field, the
Wish Egan Eagles from Wisl
Egan Field, and the Mic Mac,
playing out of Stein Field The,
had many seasons experience
brand new uniforms, helmets
cleats, clubhouse that was jus
out of sight, public address!
system, chccrleaders, the works
The white boys also had a 10
OF spirit; the spirit that come
f~"-' knowing you have someone
behind you--win or lose The.
had, of course. been playing fo
quite some time and football
was just as common TO them a
hide-and-seek (without all tina
ghastly expense for equipment
was TO the little brown boys.
Yessirec, these teams had
great time that year pummeline
stomping, knocking about III
little upstarts from across tn
tracks who dared attempt to pla
a game that was far out of thei
class.
This year, however, peopi
learned just what dedication
hard work. and spirit can do L
fire up a team-white or brown
Ii was the same group of llttl'
boys, more or less. Their uni
forms were just bit better thi
year, but still they had no club
house to keep them warm dun
ing the half or to entertain visit
ing teams before and after th'
the games. There was publl'
address system this year, rented
but at least spectators knew wh'
made the game saving tackles ans
fantastic shoestring catches Ther'
were few cheerleaders TO rous'
tagging spirits when they wer'
behind (Which, incidentally. wa
something rare this year. Whel
they were on tie field, they com
manded it,
Yes, the West Side Cubs hat
il little better this year 81
what did they do with these vas
improvements?
THEY WON EVERY GAME OF
THE REGULAR SEASON.
All three teams of the Wes
Side Cubs, the Senior Varsity, th'
Varsity. and the Junior Varsity
played in the Championship game
of Detroit Junior Football League
All three teams copped the Wes