US Congressman and Professional Football Player from Pennsylvania. His formal education included completion of studies at Reid Institute at Reidsburg, Clarion County, after which he was graduated in 1890 from Mt. Pleasant Classical and Scientific Institute. He then played collegiate football for Bucknell and the University of Chicago from 1890 through 1893 and as a paid professional for Greensburg, Pennsylvania Athletic Association from 1895 through 1897. On that highly successful Greensburg team which attracted widespread publicity with its games with the Pittsburgh clubs and Latrobe, he played quarterback. In 1902, he studied law, was admitted to the Westmoreland County Bar and commenced the practice of law in Greensburg. He was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-seventh and to five succeeding Congresses, March 4, 1921 to March 3, 1933. As an unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he continued his law practice and other business enterprises until his death. He was the first professional football player to become a United States Congressman.
US Congressman and Professional Football Player from Pennsylvania. His formal education included completion of studies at Reid Institute at Reidsburg, Clarion County, after which he was graduated in 1890 from Mt. Pleasant Classical and Scientific Institute. He then played collegiate football for Bucknell and the University of Chicago from 1890 through 1893 and as a paid professional for Greensburg, Pennsylvania Athletic Association from 1895 through 1897. On that highly successful Greensburg team which attracted widespread publicity with its games with the Pittsburgh clubs and Latrobe, he played quarterback. In 1902, he studied law, was admitted to the Westmoreland County Bar and commenced the practice of law in Greensburg. He was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-seventh and to five succeeding Congresses, March 4, 1921 to March 3, 1933. As an unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he continued his law practice and other business enterprises until his death. He was the first professional football player to become a United States Congressman.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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