Reuben Allen Barker (July 23, 1889 – August 6, 1958) was an American football player and track athlete for the Ole Miss Rebels of the University of Mississippi and Virginia Cavaliers of the University of Virginia.[1] He was then a practicing physician.

Rube Barker
Barker in Ole Miss yearbook.
Virginia Cavaliers
PositionTackle
ClassGraduate
MajorMedicine
Personal information
Born:(1889-07-23)July 23, 1889
East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S.
Died:August 6, 1958(1958-08-06) (aged 69)
Weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career history
CollegeOle Miss (1911–1913)
Virginia (1914; 1916–1917)
Career highlights and awards

Ole Miss

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Football

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He was selected an All-Southern tackle in 1911 and 1912,[2] "Rube" was the captain of the 1913 team.

University of Virginia

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Football

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"Rube"

He was selected All-Southern again by Dick Jemison in 1914. He graduated with an M. D. from the University of Virginia in 1917. Barker was often split between his medical studies and football.[3] Barker was therefore often in and out of the lineup.[4] One account of the excitement upon one of his reentries reads "With Allan Thurman and "Rube" Barker, two of the best linemen who ever wore the Orange and Blue colors, back in the line-up, Virginia's chances of emerging victorious over the University of Georgia today are exceedingly bright.[5]

Medical practice

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Barker was a practicing physician in Oakland, Illinois.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Football At University". Richmond Times-Dispatch. August 20, 1916. p. 3. Retrieved March 5, 2015 – via Library of Virginia.  
  2. ^ Spalding's Football Guide. 1913. pp. 25, 65.
  3. ^ W. C. Dowd, Jr. (October 27, 1916). "Pans, Punts, and Passes". The Charlotte News. p. 11. Retrieved March 5, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ e. g. "Thurman and Barker Return to Virginia". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Vol. 66. October 18, 1916.
  5. ^ "Thurman Enters Georgia Battle". The Charlotte News. October 21, 1916. p. 6. Retrieved March 5, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ Lawrence Wells (1980). Ole Miss Football. p. 14. ISBN 9780916242084.
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