Wilbur Henry

Bio

Wilbur Henry was 5-10 in height. His weight varied from 230 to 250 pounds, and he had two nicknames - "Fats" and "Pete." He played tackle for Washington and Jefferson College five years 1915-19; the 1918 season didn't count because he was in an Army training group on the campus and the team played only four games. He was a first-team All-America in 1917, 1918 and 1919 and gained All-America mention in 1916. One of his W&J teammates was Ed Garbisch, who is also a Hall of Fame player. (Garbisch later played at Army). Henry had a quick start and excelled at blocking punts. He played with Canton, Pottsville and the New York Giants in the NFL 1920-28. The pros used him as a tackle but also had him punt and dropkick. In the 1923 season with Canton he made a 94-yard punt, scored one touchdown on a blocked punt and kicked nine field goals. Henry was elected as a charter member of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. He returned to W&J as line coach in 1929, was head coach one year (1942), and athletic director 1942-52. A building on the W&J campus is named for Wilbur Henry.

Career Highlights

• 1919 Consensus All-America
• 1918 Consensus All-America
• 1917 First Team All-America
• 1916 Third Team All-America 1917 First Team All-America