page_title: Ted Whitten
hierarchical_section_title: Ted Whitten
caption_attribution_description: English: E.J Whitten Statue which stands outside of the Whitten Oval.
context_page_description: Edward James Whitten OAM better known as Ted Whitten or E. J. Whitten, was an Australian rules footballer who represented Footscray in the Victorian Football League, and Victoria in interstate football. Recognised as one of the game's all-time greatest players, he was one of twelve inaugural "Legends" inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was voted captain and centre half-back in the AFL's Team of the Century.
  Nicknamed "Mr. Football", Whitten was a folk hero in Melbourne's working class western suburbs, admired not only for his footballing abilities, but his showmanship and larrikin streak. He played in Footscray's first VFL/AFL premiership in 1954, and ended his senior career in 1970 having played 321 games, a VFL/AFL record that remained unbroken for four years. Apart from club-level football, Whitten was a significant exponent and promoter of State of Origin, representing his state in 29 matches. After retiring as a player, Whitten turned to coaching, and continued to contribute to the game as a popular commentator and media personality.
  Western Oval, the Footscray Football Club's home ground, was renamed Whitten Oval in his honour.
context_section_description: Edward James Whitten OAM (27 July 1933 – 17 August 1995) better known as Ted Whitten or E. J. Whitten, was an Australian rules footballer who represented Footscray in the Victorian Football League (VFL), and Victoria in interstate football. Recognised as one of the game's all-time greatest players, he was one of twelve inaugural "Legends" inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was voted captain and centre half-back in the AFL's Team of the Century.
  Nicknamed "Mr. Football", Whitten was a folk hero in Melbourne's working class western suburbs, admired not only for his footballing abilities, but his showmanship and larrikin streak. He played in Footscray's first VFL/AFL premiership in 1954, and ended his senior career in 1970 having played 321 games, a VFL/AFL record that remained unbroken for four years. Apart from club-level football, Whitten was a significant exponent and promoter of State of Origin, representing his state in 29 matches. After retiring as a player, Whitten turned to coaching, and continued to contribute to the game as a popular commentator and media personality.
  Western Oval, the Footscray Football Club's home ground, was renamed Whitten Oval in his honour. His enthusiasm for State of Origin football is marked by the E. J. Whitten Legends Game, a charity match held annually since 1995.
caption: Statue of Whitten outside Whitten Oval
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