Grant Dibert
Encyclopedia
Grant Dibert was an early professional football
player with the Pittsburgh Athletic Club
however, which was customary at the time, he also played a few side games with the Allegheny Athletic Association
. He played the position of halfback
. His primary team was the Pittsburgh A. C., whom he played for, from its founding, in 1891 until 1893.
In 1893, the Pittsburgh Athletic Club signed one of its players, to the first known pro football contract, which covered all of the Pittsburgh A. C. games for the year. While the signature on that piece of paper is barely recognizable, many sports historians believe that player was probably Dibert. Still remaining on the paper are the remnants of two letters from the signature, a high loop that could be the top of a "b" and, after a short space, the crossed top of a "t".
Dibert opened the 1893 season in the Pittsburgh backfield, but lost his position after the fourth game of the season. Although he was mentioned later in the season as an available sub, he did not play for the team again. It is unknown if Dibert was paid for only the games he played in or if he was given money, just to prevent him from playing for Allegheny A. A.
Prior to his professional career, Dibert played college football
at Swarthmore College
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player with the Pittsburgh Athletic Club
Pittsburgh Athletic Club (football)
The Pittsburgh Athletic Club football team, established in 1891, was based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1892 the intense competition between two Pittsburgh-area clubs, the Allegheny Athletic Association and the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, led to William Heffelfinger becoming the first known...
however, which was customary at the time, he also played a few side games with the Allegheny Athletic Association
Allegheny Athletic Association
The Allegheny Athletic Association was an athletic club that fielded the first ever professional American football player and later the first fully professional football team. The organization was founded in 1890 as a regional athletic club in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which is today the North...
. He played the position of halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
. His primary team was the Pittsburgh A. C., whom he played for, from its founding, in 1891 until 1893.
In 1893, the Pittsburgh Athletic Club signed one of its players, to the first known pro football contract, which covered all of the Pittsburgh A. C. games for the year. While the signature on that piece of paper is barely recognizable, many sports historians believe that player was probably Dibert. Still remaining on the paper are the remnants of two letters from the signature, a high loop that could be the top of a "b" and, after a short space, the crossed top of a "t".
Dibert opened the 1893 season in the Pittsburgh backfield, but lost his position after the fourth game of the season. Although he was mentioned later in the season as an available sub, he did not play for the team again. It is unknown if Dibert was paid for only the games he played in or if he was given money, just to prevent him from playing for Allegheny A. A.
Prior to his professional career, Dibert played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college in the United States with an enrollment of about 1,500 students. The college is located in the borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia....
.