The Birth of the Forward Pass: How Bradbury Robinson Saved Football
Imagine a world without football, our beloved sport that has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States. It almost happened in the early 1900s when gruesome violence on the gridiron led to calls for the prohibition of football. But one man, Bradbury Robinson, stepped up to save the game by introducing the forward pass.
Robinson, a star athlete and medical student at St. Louis University, made history on September 5, 1906, when he threw the first forward pass and the first touchdown pass in football history. This revolutionary move not only changed the game but also saved it from being banned due to its deadly nature.
President Theodore Roosevelt, a football-loving reformist, played a crucial role in transforming the sport. He called for reforms to make football safer after a shocking number of player deaths on the field. The introduction of the forward pass was one of the key innovations that helped make the game less brutal and more exciting.
Under the guidance of coach Eddie Cochems, Robinson and his team at St. Louis University mastered the forward pass and went on to have a perfect 11-0 season, outscoring their opponents 407-11. Robinson’s 48-yard completion against Kansas University was a testament to the power of the forward pass and the impact it had on the game.
Despite his pioneering role in football history, Robinson’s legacy was almost overshadowed by later events, such as Notre Dame’s famous victory over Army in 1913. However, it was St. Louis University that truly deserves credit for introducing the forward pass and shaping the future of football.
The forward pass not only made the game safer but also more exciting, paving the way for the modern game of football that we know and love today. Robinson’s contribution to the sport may have been forgotten over time, but his impact on football history is undeniable.
