Pete Henry
Encyclopedia
Wilbur Francis "Pete" Henry (October 31, 1897 – February 7, 1952) was a professional American football
player and coach in the National Football League
. He later worked for more than 20 years as athletic director
and occasional football coach at Washington & Jefferson College
, his alma mater.
Henry attended college
at Washington & Jefferson
, where he was an All-American tackle. In 1919, the reigning national champion Pittsburgh Panthers argued that Henry was an ineligible college player and refused to play against him. A gentleman's agreement among all college teams generally allowed players, like Henry, whose 1918 seasons were cut short by mandatory training for World War I
to play. In fact, Pitt played several other teams with similarly situated players on several teams without complaint. The Panthers' stand caused an outcry among the local press and the Pitt alumni, but Henry agreed to sit out the game. In the end, Pitt won the game 7–6. In his later years, Henry was not one to keep souvenirs, but he did keep the program from that game.
Henry signed with the Canton Bulldogs
on September 17, 1920. During the 1922 season while playing primarily offensive tackle with Canton, Henry, playing alongside Link Lyman and Guy Chamberlin
, helped make Canton the first true powerhouse team of professional football, with a 10–0–2 record.
Despite his size and abilities at blocking, Henry was also considered one of the greatest kickers of his era. Statistics for kicks were imprecise at best during that time, however one accurate statistic was that of a 45-yard drop kick
field goal
kicked by Henry on December 10, 1922. He set a professional football record with that kick that stood for twelve years. Many claimed that both Jim Thorpe
and Paddy Driscoll
had beaten that record, both supposedly drop-kicking field goals at 50 yards. Driscoll was alleged to have kicked two from 50 yards in one game on September 28, 1924. However, these claims could not be supported by any verifiable records. Henry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
in 1963.
In 1931, Henry was hired as the athletic director (AD) for Washington & Jefferson College, a position he held until his death in 1952. As the college and football team struggled during World War II
, he served as coach in 1942 and 1945. As AD, he wanted every student to participate in some form of athletics and required every student to know how to swim. He personally raised substantial funds for the Gambolier Fund to pay for scholarships. He continued to work, even after losing a leg to diabetes.
Upon his death, Henry was eulogized in W&J's college newspaper, the Red & Black
, as "capturing the very spirit of Wash Jeff and, for many people was the 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 and coach in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He later worked for more than 20 years as athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
and occasional football coach at Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
, his alma mater.
Henry attended college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
at Washington & Jefferson
Washington & Jefferson Presidents football
The Washington & Jefferson Presidents football team represents Washington & Jefferson College in collegiate level football. The team competes in NCAA Division III and is affiliated with the Presidents' Athletic Conference...
, where he was an All-American tackle. In 1919, the reigning national champion Pittsburgh Panthers argued that Henry was an ineligible college player and refused to play against him. A gentleman's agreement among all college teams generally allowed players, like Henry, whose 1918 seasons were cut short by mandatory training for 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...
to play. In fact, Pitt played several other teams with similarly situated players on several teams without complaint. The Panthers' stand caused an outcry among the local press and the Pitt alumni, but Henry agreed to sit out the game. In the end, Pitt won the game 7–6. In his later years, Henry was not one to keep souvenirs, but he did keep the program from that game.
Henry signed with the Canton Bulldogs
Canton Bulldogs
The Canton Bulldogs were a professional American football team, based in Canton, Ohio. They played in the Ohio League from 1903 to 1906 and 1911 to 1919, and its successor, the National Football League, from 1920 to 1923 and again from 1925 to 1926. The Bulldogs would go on to win the 1917, 1918...
on September 17, 1920. During the 1922 season while playing primarily offensive tackle with Canton, Henry, playing alongside Link Lyman and Guy Chamberlin
Guy Chamberlin
Berlin Guy "Champ" Chamberlin was a professional American football player and coach in the National Football League . He played at Nebraska Wesleyan University and then at the University of Nebraska, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated from Nebraska in 1916...
, helped make Canton the first true powerhouse team of professional football, with a 10–0–2 record.
Despite his size and abilities at blocking, Henry was also considered one of the greatest kickers of his era. Statistics for kicks were imprecise at best during that time, however one accurate statistic was that of a 45-yard drop kick
Drop kick
A drop kick is a type of kick in various codes of football. It involves a player dropping the ball and then kicking it when it bounces off the ground. It contrasts to a punt, wherein the player kicks the ball without letting it hit the ground first....
field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
kicked by Henry on December 10, 1922. He set a professional football record with that kick that stood for twelve years. Many claimed that both Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe
Jacobus Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe * Gerasimo and Whiteley. pg. 28 * americaslibrary.gov, accessed April 23, 2007. was an American athlete of mixed ancestry...
and Paddy Driscoll
Paddy Driscoll
John Leo "Paddy" Driscoll was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team...
had beaten that record, both supposedly drop-kicking field goals at 50 yards. Driscoll was alleged to have kicked two from 50 yards in one game on September 28, 1924. However, these claims could not be supported by any verifiable records. Henry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in 1963.
In 1931, Henry was hired as the athletic director (AD) for Washington & Jefferson College, a position he held until his death in 1952. As the college and football team struggled during 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 served as coach in 1942 and 1945. As AD, he wanted every student to participate in some form of athletics and required every student to know how to swim. He personally raised substantial funds for the Gambolier Fund to pay for scholarships. He continued to work, even after losing a leg to diabetes.
Upon his death, Henry was eulogized in W&J's college newspaper, the Red & Black
Red & Black
Red & Black is the student newspaper for Washington & Jefferson College. The student staff handles all aspects of the production, including writing, editing, graphic design, layout, and advertising sales. The Red & Black features local and national news, student opinion, and college athletics...
, as "capturing the very spirit of Wash Jeff and, for many people was the College."
See also
- Henry Memorial CenterHenry Memorial CenterThe Henry Memorial Center is a multi-purpose collegiate sports complex on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College. It houses two main athletic facilities, a gymnasium and a natatorium. The Henry Memorial Center also has an auxiliary basketball gym court, two handball courts, a wrestling...
- List of college football head coaches with non-consecutive tenure
External links
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
- Pete Henry with the Pottsville Maroons
- Longest Drop Kick, Pete Henry