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The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football

Ken Follett

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By John Taliaferro

In the fall of 1905, American football was in crisis. The game had become so violent that President Theodore Roosevelt threatened to ban it unless it was made safer. But how could a game that was so popular be changed without losing its essential appeal? The answer, as it turned out, lay in the unlikely figure of Teddy Roosevelt himself.

Roosevelt was a lifelong sports fan, and he loved football. But he was also appalled by the violence that had become commonplace in the game. In 1905, there were 18 deaths and 159 serious injuries in college football alone. Roosevelt believed that something had to be done to make the game safer.

The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football

by John J. Miller

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	944 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	229 pages

Roosevelt invited representatives from the major colleges to the White House to discuss the problem. He told them that he would not ban football, but he demanded that they make changes to the game to make it safer. The colleges agreed to Roosevelt's demands, and they formed a committee to develop new rules for the game.

The committee's new rules were designed to reduce violence in football. They included a ban on tackling below the waist, a limit on the number of downs a team could have to gain 10 yards, and a requirement that teams wear protective gear.

The new rules were met with resistance from some quarters. Some coaches and players argued that the rules would make the game too soft. But Roosevelt stood firm, and he eventually persuaded the colleges to adopt the new rules.

The new rules had a dramatic impact on the game of football. The number of deaths and injuries declined sharply, and the game became more open and exciting.

Roosevelt's intervention saved football. He recognized that the game was in danger of being destroyed by its own violence, and he took action to make it safer. His efforts ensured that football would continue to be a popular sport for generations to come.

The Legacy of Teddy Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt's legacy as a conservationist, a trustbuster, and a foreign policy hawk is well-known. But his role in saving football is less well-known. However, it is just as important as his other achievements.

Roosevelt's intervention in football saved the game from itself. It ensured that football would continue to be a popular sport for generations to come. It also set a precedent for government intervention in sports. Today, government agencies regulate everything from the safety of sports equipment to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Roosevelt's legacy is one of leadership, vision, and courage. He was a man who was not afraid to take on tough challenges. He was also a man who believed in the power of sports to build character and promote teamwork.

The Big Scrum is the story of how Teddy Roosevelt saved football. It is a story that is both inspiring and instructive. It is a story that shows us what one man can do to make a difference.

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The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football