1906 College Football All-America Team
Encyclopedia
The 1906 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Team
s for the 1906 college football season
. The organizations that chose the teams included Walter Camp
for Collier's Weekly
, Casper Whitney for Outing Magazine, the New York World, the New York Sun, The New York Times, the New York Mail, and Charles Chadwick
.
was a year of change. Following controversies in 1905 over the increase of violence and professionalism in college football, a number of rule changes were implemented in 1906. The most lasting change introduced in 1906 was the forward pass
. Several of the players selected as All-Americans in 1906 gained attention for their use of the new tactic. These include Eddie Dillon
, the first Princeton quarterback to make use of the forward pass, and Yale's Paul Veeder
and Bob Forbes
who combined for one of first important pass plays, a play described in one history of the game as follows: "The only other significant pass that season was thrown by Yale, which gained a first down that led to victory over Harvard, when Paul Veeder threw thirty yards to Bob Forbes."
The Eastern powers dominated the game of college football in 1906, and players from the Ivy League dominated the All-American selections. Both the Princeton Tigers
and the Yale Bulldogs
finished with undefeated seasons and played each other to a 0-0 tie on November 17, 1906. Out of 15 players recognized in the NCAA Record Book as consensus All-Americans for the 1906 season, 13 played for Ivy League teams, and 7 played for Princeton or Yale. Only two players from "western" schools were first-team selections -- quarterback Walter Eckersall
from the University of Chicago
and center William Thomas Dunn from Penn State
.
The only unanimous first-team All-American in 1906 was Yale end Bob Forbes
. Other players who were named to the first team by at least five of the eight selectors reflected below were end Caspar Wister
of Princeton (6 first-team designations), tackle Lucius Horatio Biglow of Yale (7 selections), guard Francis Burr
of Harvard (7 selections), guard Elmer Thompson
of Cornell (5 selections), center Clarence Hockenberger of Yale (5 selections), and halfback Hugh Knox
of Yale (5 selections).
The Washington Post in December 1906 wrote of the difficulty involved in selecting eleven players for an All-American team:
In announcing his All-American team, Caspar Whitney
wrote that he had weighed character as a factor in his selections:
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
s for the 1906 college football season
1906 college football season
The 1906 college football season was the first in which the forward pass was permitted. Although there was no national championship, there were two teams that had won all nine of their games as the 1906 season drew to a close, the Princeton Tigers and the Yale Bulldogs, and on November 17, 1906,...
. The organizations that chose the teams included Walter Camp
Walter Camp
Walter Chauncey Camp was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football". With John Heisman, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner, Fielding H. Yost, and George Halas, Camp was one of the most accomplished persons in the early history of American football...
for Collier's Weekly
Collier's Weekly
Collier's Weekly was an American magazine founded by Peter Fenelon Collier and published from 1888 to 1957. With the passage of decades, the title was shortened to Collier's....
, Casper Whitney for Outing Magazine, the New York World, the New York Sun, The New York Times, the New York Mail, and Charles Chadwick
Charles Chadwick (athlete)
Charles Chadwick was an American track and field athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He was born in Brooklyn and died in Boston, Massachusetts....
.
Overview
The 1906 college football season1906 college football season
The 1906 college football season was the first in which the forward pass was permitted. Although there was no national championship, there were two teams that had won all nine of their games as the 1906 season drew to a close, the Princeton Tigers and the Yale Bulldogs, and on November 17, 1906,...
was a year of change. Following controversies in 1905 over the increase of violence and professionalism in college football, a number of rule changes were implemented in 1906. The most lasting change introduced in 1906 was the forward pass
Forward pass
In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
. Several of the players selected as All-Americans in 1906 gained attention for their use of the new tactic. These include Eddie Dillon
Edward Dillon (American football)
Edward A. "Eddie" Dillon was an American football player and judge. He was the quarterback of the Princeton Tigers football team for four years from 1905 to 1908 and was selected as a first-team All-American in 1906 and 1907...
, the first Princeton quarterback to make use of the forward pass, and Yale's Paul Veeder
Paul Veeder
Paul L. Veeder was an All-American football player for Yale University. Veeder played halfback, fullback, quarterback and punter for the Yale Bulldogs from 1904–1906 and was selected as an All-American in 1906.-Biography:...
and Bob Forbes
Robert Forbes
Robert W. "Bob" Forbes was an American football player and coach. He was a first-team All-American end for Yale University in 1906 and was the recipient of one of the most significant passes in the first season in which the forward pass was legalized...
who combined for one of first important pass plays, a play described in one history of the game as follows: "The only other significant pass that season was thrown by Yale, which gained a first down that led to victory over Harvard, when Paul Veeder threw thirty yards to Bob Forbes."
The Eastern powers dominated the game of college football in 1906, and players from the Ivy League dominated the All-American selections. Both the Princeton Tigers
Princeton Tigers football
The Princeton Tigers football program represents Princeton University college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision...
and the Yale Bulldogs
Yale Bulldogs football
The Yale Bulldogs football program represents Yale University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision . Yale's football program is one of the oldest in the world, having begun competing in the sport in 1872...
finished with undefeated seasons and played each other to a 0-0 tie on November 17, 1906. Out of 15 players recognized in the NCAA Record Book as consensus All-Americans for the 1906 season, 13 played for Ivy League teams, and 7 played for Princeton or Yale. Only two players from "western" schools were first-team selections -- quarterback Walter Eckersall
Walter Eckersall
Walter "Eckie" Eckersall was an American football player, official, and sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.-Early life:...
from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
and center William Thomas Dunn from Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
.
The only unanimous first-team All-American in 1906 was Yale end Bob Forbes
Robert Forbes
Robert W. "Bob" Forbes was an American football player and coach. He was a first-team All-American end for Yale University in 1906 and was the recipient of one of the most significant passes in the first season in which the forward pass was legalized...
. Other players who were named to the first team by at least five of the eight selectors reflected below were end Caspar Wister
Caspar Wister
Caspar "Cap" Wister was an American football player. He played at the end position for Princeton University. He was a consensus first-team All-American in 1906. In a game against Villanova in 1906, Wister was on the receiving end of the first legal forward pass in Princeton history.-See also:*...
of Princeton (6 first-team designations), tackle Lucius Horatio Biglow of Yale (7 selections), guard Francis Burr
Francis Burr
Francis Hardon Burr was an American football player. He was a first-team All-American end in 1906 and captain of the 1908 Harvard Crimson football team. After he died of typhoid fever in 1910, the Francis H. Burr Award was established in his honor.-Biography:Burr was raised in Brookline,...
of Harvard (7 selections), guard Elmer Thompson
Elmer Thompson
Elmer Thompson was an American football player. He played for Cornell University from 1905 to 1907 and was selected as a first-team All-American in both 1906 and 1907.-Biography:...
of Cornell (5 selections), center Clarence Hockenberger of Yale (5 selections), and halfback Hugh Knox
Hugh Knox
Hugh Smith Knox was an American football player. He played at the halfback position at Yale University and was selected as a first-team All-American in 1906....
of Yale (5 selections).
The Washington Post in December 1906 wrote of the difficulty involved in selecting eleven players for an All-American team:
"A big problem confronts the person who this year undertakes to select eleven men for a football team which he wishes to call the best in the country. There are more good men than ever before, among the minor elevens, because, with a premium, placed on speed rather than on weight, the lighter men have had a better opportunity to distinguish themselves. It would be possible to pick at least three teams which would make things mighty interesting for each other. The East has completely eclipsed the West this season, and that somewhat simplifies matters. The Western teams failed to grasp the possibilities of the new rules and players of that section who were brilliant last year did not get an opportunity, to shine this year in the new game. Walter Eckersall, of Chicago, appears to be the only Westerner who has a right to be in the All-American team this fall."
In announcing his All-American team, Caspar Whitney
Caspar Whitney
Caspar William Whitney was an American author, editor, explorer, and war correspondent. He originated the concept of the All-American team in college football in 1889 when he worked for Harper's Magazine....
wrote that he had weighed character as a factor in his selections:
"This eleven is chosen, after a season's observation, with a view to collecting the most resourceful, strongest all-round team under the new rules. No man whose amateur status is a matter of question or whose play has been unsportsmanly is eligible to this national team, which, in keeping with its honorary nature, I endeavor to confine to sportsmen."
Key
- WC = Walter Camp for Collier's WeeklyCollier's WeeklyCollier's Weekly was an American magazine founded by Peter Fenelon Collier and published from 1888 to 1957. With the passage of decades, the title was shortened to Collier's....
- CW = Casper Whitney for Outing magazine
- NYW = New York WorldNew York WorldThe New York World was a newspaper published in New York City from 1860 until 1931. The paper played a major role in the history of American newspapers...
by Robert W. EdgrenRobert W. EdgrenRobert Wadsworth Edgren was a nationally syndicated American political and sports cartoonist, reporter, editor and Olympic athlete.-Background:... - NYS = New York Sun
- CC = Charles ChadwickCharles Chadwick (athlete)Charles Chadwick was an American track and field athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He was born in Brooklyn and died in Boston, Massachusetts....
- NYT = The New York Times
- NYM = New York Mail
- COMP = A composite All-American team distilled from the All-American selected by nine of "the most prominent of the eastern sporting writers and critics"
- Bold - Consensus All-American
- 1 - First Team Selection
- 2 - Second Team Selection
- 3 - Third Team Selection
Ends
- Robert ForbesRobert ForbesRobert W. "Bob" Forbes was an American football player and coach. He was a first-team All-American end for Yale University in 1906 and was the recipient of one of the most significant passes in the first season in which the forward pass was legalized...
, Yale (WC-1; CW-1; NYW-1; NYS-1; CC-1; NYT-1; NYM-1; COMP) - Caspar WisterCaspar WisterCaspar "Cap" Wister was an American football player. He played at the end position for Princeton University. He was a consensus first-team All-American in 1906. In a game against Villanova in 1906, Wister was on the receiving end of the first legal forward pass in Princeton history.-See also:*...
, Princeton (WC-1; CW-1; NYW-1; NYS-1; CC-1; COMP) - Clarence AlcottClarence AlcottClarence F. Alcott was an American football player, coach and investment banker. He was selected as an All-American end in both 1906 and 1907.Alcott attended Yale University where he played at the end position from 1905 to 1907...
, Yale (CW-2) - Izzy Levene, Penn (WC-3; CW-2; NYS-2; CC-2; NYT-2)
- Albert ExendineAlbert ExendineAlbert Andrew "Al" Exendine was an American football player, coach, and lawyer. He played college football at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School where he was an All-American end...
, Carlisle (College Football Hall of Fame) (WC-3; NYS-2; CC-2; NYT-2) - Bill DagueBill DagueWilliam Henry "Bill" Dague, Jr. was an American football player and coach. He played college football for Wabash College and the United States Naval Academy. He was the first consensus All-American football player from the Naval Academy...
, Navy (WC-2; NYT-1) - Hunter ScarlettHunter ScarlettHunter Watt Scarlett was a notable ophthalmologist, and is best known for his college football career for the Penn Quakers from 1904 to 1908. During World War I, he worked in both French and American military hospitals...
, Penn (College Football Hall of Fame) (NYM-1) - Bobby MarshallBobby MarshallRobert Wells "Bobby" Marshall was an American sports player. He was best known for playing football, however he also competed in baseball, track, boxing and ice hockey....
, Minnesota (College Football Hall of Fame) (WC-2)
Tackles
- Lucius Horatio Biglow, Yale (WC-1; CW-1; NYS-1; CC-1; NYT-1; NYM-1; COMP)
- James CooneyJames Cooney (American football)James Lawrence Cooney was an All-American football player. He played tackle for Princeton University football team and was selected as an All-American in 1904. He also was a star catcher for Princeton's baseball team from 1903-1906...
, Princeton (WC-1; NYW-1; NYS-2; CC-2; NYM-1; COMP) - Charles OsborneCharles Osborne (American football)Charles G. Osborne was an American football player and coach. He played at the tackle position for Harvard University from 1904 to 1906. In 1906, Osborne was selected as a first-team All-American...
, Harvard (WC-2; CW-1; CC-1; NYT-1) - Henry Weeks, Army (WC-3; CW-2; NYS-2; CC-2; NYT-2)
- Percy NorthcroftPercy NorthcroftPercy Wilfred Northcroft was an American football player and Naval officer. He played tackle for the Navy Midshipmen football team from 1905 to 1908 and was selected as an All-American in 1906 and 1908. He later served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.-Biography:Northcroft was a native of...
, Navy (WC-3; CW-2) - Daniel Pullen, Army (NYW-1)
- Dexter Draper, Penn (WC-2; NYS-1; NYT-2)
Guards
- Francis BurrFrancis BurrFrancis Hardon Burr was an American football player. He was a first-team All-American end in 1906 and captain of the 1908 Harvard Crimson football team. After he died of typhoid fever in 1910, the Francis H. Burr Award was established in his honor.-Biography:Burr was raised in Brookline,...
, Harvard (WC-1; CW-1; NYW-1; NYS-1; CC-1; NYT-1; COMP) - Elmer ThompsonElmer ThompsonElmer Thompson was an American football player. He played for Cornell University from 1905 to 1907 and was selected as a first-team All-American in both 1906 and 1907.-Biography:...
, Cornell (WC-1; CW-2; NYW-1; NYS-1; NYM-1; COMP; NYT-2) - August ZieglerAugust ZieglerAugust Ziegler was an American football player. He played at the guard position for the University of Pennsylvania from 1903–1904 and 1906-1907. He was selected as a consensus first-team All-American in both 1906 and 1907...
, Penn (WC-2; CW-1; NYS-2; CC-2; NYM-1; NYT-2) - George R. Meyer, Navy (CW-2)
- Arthur BridesArthur Brides-External links:...
, Yale (CC-1) - Harry Kersberg, Harvard (WC-3; NYS-2; CC-2; NYT-1)
- Dillon, Princeton (WC-2)
- Christy, Army (WC-3)
Centers
- William Thomas Dunn, Penn State (WC-1)
- William NewmanWilliam Newman (American football)William "Bill" Newman was an American football player and coach. He was a first-team All-American center for Cornell University in 1906. He later coached football at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School as an assistant to Glenn "Pop" Warner and at Georgetown University as the school's head...
, Cornell (CW-1; NYS-2) - Clarence HockenbergerClarence HockenbergerClarence William Hockenberger was an American football player. He played at the center position for Yale University in 1905 and 1906 and was selected as a first-team All-American in 1906. Hockenberger played football at Andover before enrolling at Yale. He was a native of Union Hill, New...
, Yale (WC-2; NYW-1; NYS-1; CC-2; NYT-1; NYM-1; COMP) - Bartol Parker, Harvard (CC-1; NYT-2)
- Hunt, Carlisle Indians (WC-3)
Quarterbacks
- Walter EckersallWalter EckersallWalter "Eckie" Eckersall was an American football player, official, and sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.-Early life:...
, Chicago (WC-1; CW-1 [fb]; NYM-1; COMP) - Edward DillonEdward Dillon (American football)Edward A. "Eddie" Dillon was an American football player and judge. He was the quarterback of the Princeton Tigers football team for four years from 1905 to 1908 and was selected as a first-team All-American in 1906 and 1907...
, Princeton (WC-3; CW-1; CC-1; NYT-1) - Tad JonesT. A. Dwight Jones-External links:...
, Yale (WC-2; CW-2; NYW-1; NYS-2; CC-2) - Homer H. NortonHomer H. NortonHomer Hill Norton was an American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Centenary College of Louisiana from 1919 to 1921 and 1926 to 1933 and at Texas A&M University from 1934 to 1947, compiling a career college football record of...
, Navy (College Football Hall of Fame) (NYS-1; NYT-2)
Halfbacks
- William F. KnoxWilliam F. KnoxWilliam F. "Billy" Knox was an American football player and coach and lawyer. He played college football for Yale University and was selected as a first-team All-American halfback in 1906. He was the head coach of the 1907 Yale football team which finished the season with a record of 9–0–1...
, Yale (WC-1; CW-1; NYW-1; NYS-2; CC-2; NYM-1; COMP; NYT-2) - John W. MayhewJohn W. Mayhew-External links:* at College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com...
, Brown (WC-1; CW-2; NYS-1; CC-1; NYT-1) - Bill HollenbackBill Hollenback-References:* *, which tracks the Football history of the Union Club of Phoenixville-External links:...
, Penn (College Football Hall of Fame) (WC-2; CW-1; NYS-1; NYM-1 [fb]) - John H. Hubbard, Amherst (NYS-2; NYW-1)
- Archibald H. Douglas, Navy (CC-2)
- Bob FolwellBob FolwellRobert Cook "Bob" Folwell, Jr. was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Lafayette College , Washington & Jefferson College , the University of Pennsylvania , and the United States Naval Academy , compiling a career college football record of...
, Penn (NYT-1) - Manier, Vanderbilt (WC-3)
- Edward Green, Penn (NYT-2)
Fullbacks
- Paul VeederPaul VeederPaul L. Veeder was an All-American football player for Yale University. Veeder played halfback, fullback, quarterback and punter for the Yale Bulldogs from 1904–1906 and was selected as an All-American in 1906.-Biography:...
, Yale (WC-1; CC-1 [hb]; NYM-1 [hb]; COMP [hb]) - John Wendell, Harvard (WC-2 [hb]; CW-2; NYS-1; NYT-1)
- George Walders, Cornell (CW-2)
- James B. McCormickJim McCormick (American football)Jim McCormick was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954. He was also head coach at Princeton in 1909....
, Princeton (College Football Hall of Fame) (WC-2; NYW-1; CC-2; COMP; NYT-2) - Samuel F. B. MorseSamuel Finley Brown MorseSamuel Finley Brown Morse was an environmental conservationist and the developer of Pebble Beach. He was known as the Duke of Del Monte and ran his company from the 1919 until his death in 1969...
, Yale (WC-3 [hb]; CC-1) - Paul R. "Polly" Sieber, GettysburgGettysburg CollegeGettysburg College is a private four-year liberal arts college founded in 1832, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States, adjacent to the famous battlefield. Its athletic teams are nicknamed the Bullets. Gettysburg College has about 2,700 students, with roughly equal numbers of men and women...
(NYS-2) - John GarrelsJohn GarrelsJohn Garrels was an American athlete who excelled in the 110 metres hurdles, discus throw, shot put, and as a fullback and end in American football....
, Michigan (WC-3)