Triple threat in the East Triple-threat man

on november 24, 1906, yale s paul veeder completed 20 30-yard pass in 6-0 win on harvard. outstanding runner , yale s kicking specialist during career, veeder may have assumed mantle of triple threat saturday before crowd of 32,000 @ new haven.

the development of true triple-threat man among eastern powers awaited adoption of forward pass had been pioneered @ st. louis. knute rockne, popularized forward pass @ notre dame in mid-1910s, observed, “one have thought effective play have been instantly copied , become vogue. east, however, had not learned or cared midwest , western football. indeed, east scarcely realized football existed beyond alleghanies…”.

coach nelson writes concept took hold in 1912 when carlisle coach pop warner sprang single wing or carlisle formation on football world, , triple-threat born.

the term triple threat used sportwriters in 1920s , thereafter. 1920 new york times article reports such player

is built, tall, , possessed apparently of natural football ability. first-class punter, excellent drop kicker, adept thrower of forward passes , hard, fast runner. ideal triple-threat man backfield.




^ john powers (1983-11-18). 100th game: fads, wars, centuries change, , harvard-yale still constant . boston globe.  ( 1906 - first forward pass in major game - 20 yards yale s paul veeder clarence alcott - sets stage touchdown in 6-0 decision on unbeaten crimson. )
^ al morganti (1983-11-18). century of game: yale-harvard matter of pride . philadelphia inquirer.  ( first significant use of forward pass in major game, 20-yard gain on paul veeder-to-clarence alcoft pass in game of 1906 )
^ kicking contest @ yale . washington post. 1905-04-19. 
^ st. louis university article on centennial of forward pass
^ nelson, david m. (1994). anatomy of game: football, rules, , men made game. university of delaware press. isbn 0-87413-455-2. , p. 156
^ progress columbia. students see football gain in first season under o neill. new york times, november 23, 1920, p. 22