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Stamps to honor football legends
[ Originally posted 07.18.03 ]
By The
Associated Press
WASHINGTON —
Football season is fast approaching and gridiron heroes of the past will be
honored on new postage stamps next month. The 37-cent stamps recall the
exploits of Walter Camp, Ernie Nevers, Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski and
will be issued Aug. 8 at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend,
Ind. They go on sale nationally Aug. 11. All four men are members of the
College Hall of Fame. Nevers, Grange and Nagurski are also Pro Football Hall
of Famer.
Walter Camp is known as the father of American football. He helped shape the
rules of the game, first playing as a student at Yale from 1876 to 1882 and
later serving as coach at the school. Camp is credited with such innovations
as the system of downs, the play from scrimmage, the restriction of eleven
players per side and the position of quarterback.
Harold ``Red'' Grange became famous as a halfback for the University of
Illinois where he was a three-time All American in the 1920s. He played pro
ball for the Chicago Bears.
Ernest Alonzo Nevers starred at Stanford, playing in the 1925 Rose Bowl Game
while recovering from two broken ankles. Wearing special braces he carried
the ball 34 times and made four tackles. Nevers played professional football
for the Duluth Eskimos and the Chicago Cardinals.
Bronislau Nagurski earned his nickname, ``Bronko,'' as a child. He played
tackle and fullback for the University of Minnesota from 1927 to 1929.
Nagurski played multiple positions for the Chicago Bears from 1930 to 1937
and again in 1943. In 1933 he helped lead the Bears to victory in the NFL's
first official championship game.
Copyright 2003
The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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