Clarence Herschberger

Bio

Famed Chicago coach Amos Alonzo Stagg credits Clarence Herschberger as being the first to use the Statue of Liberty play, but it was Herschberger's kicking expertise which made him one of the first players outside of the Ivy League to make Walter Camp's All-America team. It was 1898, and Herschberger had shown a brilliant display of kicking in Chicago's 18-11 loss to powerful Penn. Camp witnessed the game and labelled Clarence for his All-America unit. Eastern fans wanted to know why Camp broke tradition and went out of the East to select a Midwesterner, to which the pollster replied: "Against Penn this year, Herschberger exhibited the best all-around kicking of the season; punting, place-kicking and drop-kicking with accuracy and facility." Herschberger demonstrated in actual games with first-class teams, notably in the match with Pennsylvania, and under trying conditions, that it is not safe to give him a kick anywhere from 45 to 55 yards of the opponent's goal. Although Camp was measurably impressed with Herschberger's foot work, Clarence was also an excellent ball-carrier. He had power and speed and an uncanny ability to break enemy tackles. During his four seasons with Chicago, the Maroons won 45 games and lost only 8.

Career Highlights

• 1898 Consensus All-America