Historic Hood River
Cold Football
Notes
This seems like an appropriate image for the weekend of the Super Bowl. These intrepid Hood Riverites didn’t let a little snow get in the way of their game.
I believe they are playing at the field on Belmont where the armory is today, probably between 1900 and 1910. The only protective gear I see are a few leather helmets and a pair of makeshift shoulder pads. In case you think football wasn’t as rough back then, think again. This is the era when fatalities in high school and college football were commonplace.
As you can see, Will Sheets is identified. We saw him at work in the AS Blowers store. We also saw a portrait clearly labeled with his name, though I have trouble seeing this as the same man. As you know there are many mis-identifications in our collection. What do you think?
Will Sheets was the first fire chief in Hood River’s volunteer fire department in 1904, as reported in The Hood River Glacier.
L.E.
I supposr it could be the same person, but I can see why you have questions.
He married Blanche Bowers in 1906.
https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?showimage=710
Kyle
(Protective equipment) I see they all have pants with padding sewn into the upper thighs, too.
James
Looks more like a rugged Rugby group to me………Go Guys….
nels
How gruesome and brutal. Why did they even have such a game of otherwise intelligent men? Can’t even imagine the loss and suffering and grieving of those who remained. What a waste.