Tex Richards
Encyclopedia
Robert "Tex" William Richards, Jr. (August 9, 1889 – November 7, 1918) was a football player on the University of Pittsburgh
Panthers team
from 1907 to 1910. He was the captain and fullback
of the only undefeated and unscored-upon team in the history of the University of Pittsburgh. That team, coached by Joseph H. Thompson
was considered by many to be that season's national champion
.
descent, was a traveling bookseller in the Pacific Rim
in the 1880s, when he met a Melbourne
school teacher, Hannah Sarah Harrex. They were married in 1888.
Robert Jr. born was in Melbourne, Australia. He had three younger siblings: David John, Harry Charles and Ethlyn Ruth; Harry and Ethlyn died as children in Australia. Robert Sr., Hannah, Robert and David immigrated to U.S. in 1901 and settled in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Robert was a good student and a 1905 graduate of Wilkinsburg High School
. His mother Hannah was Head of Household for Andrew Mellon, future US Secretary of the Treasury, and his family. For a time, Robert and David also worked for the Mellon family as bodyguards.
Robert graduated from the University of Pittsburgh
with a degree in Mechanical Engineering
. He was president of his class and a member of Alpha Alpha Fraternity. He was a four-year letterman in Track and Field and football. Robert's brother David also played on the 1909 and 1910 teams. Robert returned to Pitt to help with subsequent teams after 1910. He was an active alumnus, participating in dinners and events.
in Butler, Pennsylvania
, as a mechanical engineer. For a time he served in the National Guard
. He died from the Spanish flu pandemic in Butler in 1918.
University of Pittsburgh Football Seasons 1908-1910
1908
11 Wins/1 Loss
Points for Pitt 140/Points for Opponents 36
Total Touchdowns: 16
"Tex" Touchdowns: 6
1909
6 Wins/2 Losses/1 Tie
Points for Pitt 94/Points for Opponents 11
Total Touchdowns: 15
"Tex" Touchdowns: 7
1910
9 Wins/0 Losses
Points for Pitt 282/Points for Opponents 0
Total Touchdowns: 42
"Tex" Touchdowns: 13 reported by press; 11 reported by The Owl University of Pittsburgh Yearbook
1908-1910
26 Wins/3 Losses/1 Tie
Points for Pitt 516/Points for Opponents 47
Total Touchdowns: 73
"Tex" Touchdowns: 26 reported by press; 24 reported by The Owl University of Pittsburgh Yearbook
"Tex" Touchdown Percentage: 35.6% based on press coverage; 32.8% based on The Owl University of Pittsburgh Yearbook
The Owl, University of Pittsburgh yearbook, 1912.
"Robert W. Richards Pneumonia Victim", Eagle, November 8, 1918.
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
Panthers team
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
from 1907 to 1910. He was the captain and fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
of the only undefeated and unscored-upon team in the history of the University of Pittsburgh. That team, coached by Joseph H. Thompson
Joseph H. Thompson
Joseph "Colonel Joe" Henry Thompson was a highly decorated World War I veteran, recipient of the Medal of Honor, lawyer, Pennsylvania state legislator, head football coach of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, and College Football Hall of Fame inductee....
was considered by many to be that season's national champion
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
.
Early years
Richards was the son of Robert William Richards Sr. and Hannah Sarah Richards. Robert Sr., an American of WelshWelsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
descent, was a traveling bookseller in the Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim
The Pacific Rim refers to places around the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The term "Pacific Basin" includes the Pacific Rim and islands in the Pacific Ocean...
in the 1880s, when he met a Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
school teacher, Hannah Sarah Harrex. They were married in 1888.
Robert Jr. born was in Melbourne, Australia. He had three younger siblings: David John, Harry Charles and Ethlyn Ruth; Harry and Ethlyn died as children in Australia. Robert Sr., Hannah, Robert and David immigrated to U.S. in 1901 and settled in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Robert was a good student and a 1905 graduate of Wilkinsburg High School
Wilkinsburg High School
Wilkinsburg High School is a public school in the Wilkinsburg borough of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA...
. His mother Hannah was Head of Household for Andrew Mellon, future US Secretary of the Treasury, and his family. For a time, Robert and David also worked for the Mellon family as bodyguards.
College years
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
with a degree in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
. He was president of his class and a member of Alpha Alpha Fraternity. He was a four-year letterman in Track and Field and football. Robert's brother David also played on the 1909 and 1910 teams. Robert returned to Pitt to help with subsequent teams after 1910. He was an active alumnus, participating in dinners and events.
Personal life
In 1915 Robert married Jennie Elton Wyatt. In 1916 they had their first and only child, Darlie Virginia. Robert worked at the Standard Steel Car CompanyStandard Steel Car Company
The Standard Steel Car Company was a manufacturer of railroad rolling stock in the United States that existed between 1902 and 1934....
in Butler, Pennsylvania
Butler, Pennsylvania
The city of Butler is the county seat of Butler County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, situated north of Pittsburgh. The population was 15,121 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, as a mechanical engineer. For a time he served in the National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
. He died from the Spanish flu pandemic in Butler in 1918.
College Football Statistics
1908
11 Wins/1 Loss
Points for Pitt 140/Points for Opponents 36
Total Touchdowns: 16
"Tex" Touchdowns: 6
1909
6 Wins/2 Losses/1 Tie
Points for Pitt 94/Points for Opponents 11
Total Touchdowns: 15
"Tex" Touchdowns: 7
1910
9 Wins/0 Losses
Points for Pitt 282/Points for Opponents 0
Total Touchdowns: 42
"Tex" Touchdowns: 13 reported by press; 11 reported by The Owl University of Pittsburgh Yearbook
1908-1910
26 Wins/3 Losses/1 Tie
Points for Pitt 516/Points for Opponents 47
Total Touchdowns: 73
"Tex" Touchdowns: 26 reported by press; 24 reported by The Owl University of Pittsburgh Yearbook
"Tex" Touchdown Percentage: 35.6% based on press coverage; 32.8% based on The Owl University of Pittsburgh Yearbook
Sources
Guy, Richard R., "Football Season Closes with Pitt Victory", The Gazette Times, November 25, 1910.The Owl, University of Pittsburgh yearbook, 1912.
"Robert W. Richards Pneumonia Victim", Eagle, November 8, 1918.