Bill's Bowl Blog

Who’s starting on defense?

This is the lineup found inside the program for the 1899 Army-Navy game played for the first time at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus.

It was also the first game played following the five-years hiatus imposed by Presidential cabinet order. The order came after an argument erupted between a Rear Admiral and Brigadier General  after the Naval Academy won the fourth-ever Army-Navy football game in 1893 that nearly led to the two officers drawing down on each other in a duel.  President Cleveland called an emergency Cabinet meeting over the incident where the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of War forbid the two teams from playing each other. That is until 1899.

Back to the lineup set forth inside the program. Apparently the common mantra that offense wins games, but defense wins championships hadn’t been established by 1899 because no one is listed on defense. Granted, most players played both offense and defense in football’s early years.

Another interesting subtraction from the lineup is the position of wide receiver. Even in 1899 both teams must have realized that their programs would benefit most from a run-heavy offense instead of airing it out.

Lastly, it appears the common term of field goal and extra point had not been created. Instead, “goal from field” and “goal from touchdown” was used in 1899.

The program is compliments of BeatNavy.com, which has a wealth of historical documents Mark Johnson collects and posts on the site.