Andy Wyant
Encyclopedia
Andy R. E. Wyant was a college football
player, best known for playing eight vasity seasons of college football
, for an unprecedented total of 73 consecutive games, from 1887–1894. It should also be noted, that during this era of football
, that teams dressed in poorly made equipment and usually played heavy schedules. For example, during Wyant's final season in 1894 alone, he played in 23 games.
Wyant began his playing career for Bucknell University
in 1887, while still a student in high school
. He would go on to play five more seasons with the team. During his career, Wyant was nicknamed "Polyphemus
," by his teammates, after the cyclops in Greek mythology
. In 1892, he left Bucknell to attend the University of Chicago Divinity School
. While in Chicago, he was played under the legendary coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg
. Wyant later became just the second football captain at Chicago, succeeding Stagg.
In 1895 Wyant graduated from the Divinity School and served as a Baptist minister. He would eventually earn five degrees, including a Doctorate of Medicine. He would go on to work as a teacher
, minister, author
, lecturer
and financier
. During World War I
and World War II
, he worked as a physician
and served in the Red Cross. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame
in 1962.
Wyant was the brother of Adam Martin Wyant
, who became the first professional football player elected to the United States Congress
.
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...
player, best known for playing eight vasity seasons of 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...
, for an unprecedented total of 73 consecutive games, from 1887–1894. It should also be noted, that during this era of football
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...
, that teams dressed in poorly made equipment and usually played heavy schedules. For example, during Wyant's final season in 1894 alone, he played in 23 games.
Wyant began his playing career for Bucknell University
Bucknell Bison football
The Bucknell Bison football team represents Bucknell University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. Bucknell is a member of the Patriot League...
in 1887, while still a student in high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. He would go on to play five more seasons with the team. During his career, Wyant was nicknamed "Polyphemus
Polyphemus
Polyphemus is the gigantic one-eyed son of Poseidon and Thoosa in Greek mythology, one of the Cyclopes. His name means "much spoken of" or "famous". Polyphemus plays a pivotal role in Homer's Odyssey.-In Homer's Odyssey:...
," by his teammates, after the cyclops in Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
. In 1892, he left Bucknell to attend the University of Chicago Divinity School
University of Chicago Divinity School
The University of Chicago Divinity School is a graduate institution at the University of Chicago dedicated to the training of academics and clergy across religious boundaries...
. While in Chicago, he was played under the legendary coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg
Amos Alonzo Stagg
Amos Alonzo Stagg was an American athlete and pioneering college coach in multiple sports, primarily American football...
. Wyant later became just the second football captain at Chicago, succeeding Stagg.
In 1895 Wyant graduated from the Divinity School and served as a Baptist minister. He would eventually earn five degrees, including a Doctorate of Medicine. He would go on to work as a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
, minister, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
and financier
Financier
Financier is a term for a person who handles typically large sums of money, usually involving money lending, financing projects, large-scale investing, or large-scale money management. The term is French, and derives from finance or payment...
. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he worked as a physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and served in the Red Cross. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 1962.
Wyant was the brother of Adam Martin Wyant
Adam Martin Wyant
Adam Martin Wyant was an American politician who served as Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. He served six terms, a total of 12 years, in the House. However Wyant is also best remembered for being the first professional football player to be elected to the...
, who became the first professional football player elected to the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
.