Harry Ryan (American football)

Harry Wilson "Cap" Ryan (October 28, 1868 – July 29, 1953) was an early professional football player for the Latrobe Athletic Association from 1895 until 1906. He was also selected to be the first captain in that team's history.

Harry "Cap" Ryan
Date of birth(1868-10-28)October 28, 1868
Place of birthGreensburg, Pennsylvania
Date of deathJuly 29, 1953(1953-07-29) (aged 84)
Place of deathLatrobe, Pennsylvania
Career information
Position(s)Tackle/Guard
US collegeWest Virginia
Career history
As player
1895–1901Latrobe Athletic Association
1896Punxsutawney
1898Western Pennsylvania All-Stars
1902Philadelphia Phillies
1903–1906Latrobe Athletic Association
Career highlights and awards
  • All Western Pennsylvania Team (1897)
  • Played in the first pro football all-star game (1898)

Career

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Ryan played alongside John Brallier, who is considered the first openly professional football player. In 1897 he was named to the "All Western Pennsylvania Team" by The Pittsburg Times.

In 1898, he was selected by Latrobe manager David Berry to play for the Western Pennsylvania All-Stars in the very first football all-star game, against the Duquesne Country and Athletic Club. Ryan also served as advisor to Berry until 1902 when he went to Philadelphia to start the first National Football League. Ryan would play in the league for the Philadelphia Phillies that year.

References

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  • Riffenburgh, Beau & Bob Carroll (1989). "The Birth of Pro Football" (PDF). Coffin Corner. 11 (Annual). Professional Football Researchers Association: 1–30. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 27, 2010.
  • Van Atta, Robert (1980). "Latrobe, PA: Cradle of Pro Football" (PDF). Coffin Corner. 2 (Annual). Professional Football Researchers Association: 1–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2009.
  • Van Atta, Robert (1981). "The Early Years of Pro Football in Southwestern Pennsylvania" (PDF). Coffin Corner. 3 (Annual). Professional Football Researchers Association: 1–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2009.
  • The Man Who Started Pro Football