Welcome To FC Associates

THE GIPPER BALL

Introduction

As Curator of a major sports museum in our nation's capital, I have been fortunate to unearth rare artifacts, "national treasures" if you will, that not only have character of their own but also tell fascinating stories. These stories have become part of the fabric of our country, part of us as a people. Our hope is that through this column as you learn about some of our "national treasures" you will think of them not as dry objects in a dusty museum but as vital parts in our culture. You may never have an opportunity to see these treasures in person but we hope you enjoy this column because the items you will learn about belong to all of us; so revel in their glory, take possession of their triumph, and cherish each national treasure as a trophy in our collective memory.

"Win One for the Gipper" Signed Game Football

For our inaugural column, since we are in the middle of college football frenzy, what better way to start our journey than to highlight what many have been called the "Holy Grail" of college football. The excitement generated from a classic college football game brings us many precious moments but how many games are so magical as to yield a piece of hallowed memorabilia that has had impact in the world of sports, the world of Hollywood and presidential politics?

We are pleased to present to you the actual "game ball" from the "Win One for the Gipper" battle that took place in November of 1928 between Army and Notre Dame. That's right, this rarity is the "game ball" from that historic clash and it is actually autographed by the entire 1928 Notre Dame football squad and their great coach Knute Rockne. The ball itself was signed shortly after the inspiring battle that took place on a cold gray afternoon in Yankee Stadium over seven decades ago. Thanks to the stirring words of Knute Rockne, Hollywood, and Ronald Reagan who played one George Gipp, that college game is perhaps the most famous college football game in our country's history. Let us explain.

George Gipp, called by many as the greatest all-around player in college football history, would have become a legend even if he had overcome the throat infection that led to his untimely death at the young age of 25. Gipp could do it all. He ran as fast as lightning, he was a pinpoint passer, he punted for his team and even ran back kicks. How good was the Gipper? Well, the numbers don't lie. Over his four year career on the gridiron, George Gipp scored 21 touchdowns and he led his team to an amazing 27 wins against only 2 losses. He also played defensive end and, according to Rockne, not a single forward pass was completed against his protective zone during his entire college football stint.

It is interesting how history, as they say, tends to repeat itself because Gipp always seemed to torment a particular foe, the great Army teams from West Point. In 1917, during his first full football season, George ripped the big Army offensive line with his running late in the game and led his team to a 7 to 2 victory. That was a year when the Irish were plainly outmanned and Army went on to win seven lopsided victories in a row over the finest teams in the East.

Two years later in 1919, Notre Dame was trailing Army 9 to 0 at halftime. Gipp at quarterback quickly ran for a touchdown literally at the last second before the halftime whistle blew when the Army defensive line momentarily relaxed as time expired. The Irish went on to win 12 to 9. The next year, which would turn out to be Gipp's last, he almost single-handedly defeated Army 27 to 17 as he threw for two touchdowns, ran for one and kicked three extra points. Incredibly, he gained a total of 332 yards against a rugged cadet team!

Perhaps his coach Knute Rockne summed up Gipp's talents best when he said, "I felt the thrill that comes to every coach when he knows it is his fate and responsibility to handle unusual greatness . . . the perfect performer who comes rarely more than once in a generation." Coming from the man who had the most wins in the history of college football, that is high praise indeed!

Sadly, though, shortly after being named the outstanding college football player in America in 1920 by the great football writer Grantland Rice, Gipp contracted strept throat while helping the Irish defeat Illinois at Northwestern late in his senior season. It seems that Gipp insisted on playing even through the strept was turning into pneumonia and his fever raged above 102 degrees. Even with illness overcoming him, Gipp's instincts on the field continued to amaze fans and foes alike. His passing, once again, saved his team from defeat -- in fact, the last pass of his career -- of his life on the football field -- was a dramatic 55-yard completion that shattered all existing Notre Dame distance records.

Within three short weeks the strept turned into a fatal throat infection. Things turned bad very quickly. As Gipp lay dying, a distraught Knute Rockne came to visit his player at St. Joseph's Hospital and the stage would be set for one of those classic Hollywood moments! While on his deathbed, in a scene made famous by Ronald Reagan as an actor (the future president played the football hero in Knute Rockne: All American), a frail, wispy-voiced Gipp looked up to his forlorn forlorn coach and said:

I've got to go Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys -- tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don’t know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy.

The tired sick eyes of the 25-year-old closed a final time and he was gone. As author Francis Wallace wrote so movingly: "The snows of Christmas powdered the grave of Thanksgiving's hero."

Knute Rockne, ever the master motivator, waited eight years to relay Gipp's parting request to his Notre Dame football squad. By November of 1928, the once dominant Irish had already lost two games and they were not the powerhouse from an earlier time, a time that featured George Gipp, his heroics now a distant memory, and the famous Four Horsemen of Notre Dame. But Rockne, like his former prize player, was a battler! For Coach Rockne's chance to recall Gipp's stirring words came on November 10, 1928 when his injury-riddled and understaffed Notre Dame team traveled to Yankee Stadium in New York to face the unbeaten Army team. It wasn't supposed to be close. The great Army team was supposed to roll over Rockne's men. But fate would once again strike against Army, for their old nemesis, George Gipp, would make his mark again. This time, though, it wasn't on the field. It was in the locker room . . . at halftime . . . after the Irish managed to trudge in for rest after a scoreless first half.

The Notre Dame players slowly filed into the damp room and their trainers quickly attended to the injuries. There was a steady hum, but the great coach ordered everyone out of the room except the players and three visitors. Rock introduced the three to his team:

Men, I'd like you to meet Mayor Jimmy Walker of New York City . . . former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey . . . and the city's greatest cop, John Broderick.

Now with the room quiet and cleared, Rockne's normally machinegun-fire voice disappeared. He looked above, he signed and said:

Boys, it will be eight years since I visited a sick young Notre Dame man on his deathbed. He had already brought glory to his school as the greatest football player in America. His name was George Gipp. Remember that name. Never forget it.

You know, before he died George Gipp called me over close to him and whispered that someday when things are going against us, tell the boys to go out and win just one for the Gipper . . . This is the day, boys, and you are the team . . . so GO WIN ONE FOR THE GIPPER.

The silence was deafening but sobs could be heard, and not just from the players. Up against the wall, Dempsey, the Mayor and Broderick wiped away tears. The battered team from the first half charged the field with determination that would not bode well for Army.

Ultimately, in a slugfest before a record 85,000 fans, Notre Dame and Army seesawed back and forth before partisans from both teams. A bloodied Jack Chebigny scored the first touchdown for the Irish on a one-yard plunge and after reaching the endzone it is said that he shouted, "That's one for the Gipper! Let's get another!" They needed it but Notre Dame eventually won the battle 12 to 6 and football experts of the day said that it was the greatest demonstration of inspired football they had ever seen. Even now, over 70 years later, every aspiring football player, or anyone facing huge odds, hears the tale of the Gipper!

The Gipper "Game Ball"

The rare artifact that represents the classic battle is the actual "game ball" that was signed and awarded to a lucky fan at season's end. On December 6, 1928 at the University of Notre Dame, the annual "Civic Testimonial Banquet to the Fighting Irish" turned out to be serendipitous for one Walter Foster. It turns out that Walter attended the banquet luncheon and during the course of the event was the lucky fan to receive the actual "game ball" as a giveaway prize. He eventually gave it to a neighbor, friend and not unexpectedly, an avid Notre Dame fan, where it remained on proud display at his home for several decades.

Recently, Kelly Snyder, a family member of the lucky owner, contacted the National Sports Gallery and decided to allow the public to enjoy this historic sports artifact. It has never before been seen publicly so it has created quite a stir. As you can see, the signatures are in ink, quite legible and all of the members of the famous team from 1928 are represented. If you look closely, you will see it is signed by Knute Rockne, Jack Chebigney and the entire team . . . a team that was inspired to beat the odds by the moving words of a great coach about a truly heroic young athlete.