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President Roosevelt holds a “football reforms” ball as he looks toward a “college coach.” A “goal” is in the background as Uncle Sam watches and says, “Rah! Rah! Rah!” President Roosevelt: “Now for a good, clean game.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-10
President Roosevelt holds a lunchbox and sees a variety of sights. Caption: 9 a. m.—He discovers the Pike. 1 p. m.—Passes through the Philippine village. 2 p. m.—Inspects the “Petroleum Alps.” 3 p. m.—Makes a rush for the stadium. 5 p. m.—Takes a last look at the general effect. And is compelled to leave before seeing the Boer war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-28
The sun, wearing a football helmet, beams rays onto a football-shaped planet that shows a stadium with fans in the grandstands and a football game in progress. In the background is the outline of a young woman’s head looking on.
As college life resumed in the fall of 1906, so did the football season. At the time the sport was mostly confined to universities, colleges, and preparatory or secondary schools. Research has revealed President Roosevelt’s initiative and role in rescuing football from criticism and possibly banishment from schoolfields at this very time. There were few helmets (despite the sun’s gear) or other equipment, few rules or even field markers, and few palliatives for what was largely conducted, and enjoyed, as a violent sport frequently reveling in serious injury and death.
Transcription of the handwritten message President Roosevelt added to the photograph sent to Francis B. Harrington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and the Harvard College freshman football team. Roosevelt can be seen to the right of the man with the bow tie.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905
At Harvard, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. played football on the freshman team and on the 2nd eleven, although he weighed less than 130 pounds, until he broke his ankle.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905
Article discusses Theodore Roosevelt Jr.’s performance during a Harvard College freshman football game.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-10-29
Headmaster of Groton School, Endicott Peabody, sends a printed letter to all Groton alumni telling them of the boys farming instead of playing football this year and the establishment of intensive military training. He also gives updates on various faculty members and the state of the flu epidemic near the school. He adds that the soldier alumni photos are being displayed.
1918-10-05
President Roosevelt was forced to return from his western trip due to an abscess developing from the trolley accident injuries. Kermit appears to be “getting on very nicely” at school and Roosevelt looks forward to hearing about his schooling.
1902-09-25
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he is glad he went out for the football team and that he expects him to have hard times with his six courses. He also reports that duffel bags and shoes have arrived for their African trip and asks Kermit how many pairs of shoes he wants.
1908-10-06
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to tell him about a letter from the Kodak Company and says he is glad Kermit went out for freshman football and the two-mile run. Roosevelt tells a story about Quentin acquiring and selling a pig and closes by talking about horseback riding and some plays on the White House grounds.
1908-10-17
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit regarding arrangements for their hunting trip to Africa. He talked with Carl Ethan Akeley and Colonel J. H. Patterson on the matter. He also mentions the Harvard-Yale football game, Kaiser Wilhelm II angering the German people, and finishing two speeches.
1908-11-22
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about journalists and newspapers that attack him, naming William Randolph Hearst specifically. He talks about a lunch with the “tennis cabinet” where a trophy was presented to Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon. Roosevelt closes with news from Ted and Archie.
1907-11-14
The students of Saint John’s School resolve to drop out of the game of football and endorse President Roosevelt’s efforts to reform the game.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-23
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he has a letter of James Monroe that he is keeping for Kermit. Edith has taken Ethel and Archie away for a few days, and Roosevelt relates a story about Archie’s football team and the dogs. Roosevelt adds that he is horribly bothered by California’s approach to immigration rules regarding the Japanese and is worried it may lead to war with Japan. He closes by saying he is taking Quentin to hear a sermon by the former Rough Rider chaplain. Kermit has taken notes on the back of the envelope.
1906-10-27
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit telling him to study hard and play football as well. Roosevelt met with the Rector and is sorry that the Rector and Kermit did not hit it off. Roosevelt feels the next years of his presidency will be difficult and hopes to have a couple days to relax with Edith before heading back to Washington. He ends by updating events with Archie and Quentin.
1905-09-27
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he is going to New Orleans, Louisiana, to please the people who feel they are cut off. Roosevelt was interested to hear that Kermit is playing the same position in football as Ted and is getting on better with the Rector. Roosevelt says he has been playing tennis with the French Ambassador. He closes by describing a walk with Edith and how much they enjoy the surroundings of the White House.
1905-10-05
President Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to give him advice about sleeping bags. Roosevelt is meeting with the football men from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton to get them to stop having “mucker play.” He adds that Archie loves playing football, while Quentin is reading advanced books. Roosevelt ends by saying how glad he is to have Secretary of State Elihu Root and Secretary of War William H. Taft.
1905-10-09
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to give him advice about balancing football and studying. He then talks about his southern trip including injuries he sustained in New Orleans on a ship. Roosevelt adds that Alice Roosevelt returned from her eastern trip and brought presents for the children, including Japanese fencing armor.
1905-11-01
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that he is glad Ted visited Kermit at Groton, and, if Kermit works hard, he can finish school at home next year. Roosevelt says he is having problems with the Panama Canal because of clashes between Secretary of War Taft and Chairman Shonts. Massachusetts is going crazy over the tariff as well. Roosevelt says he is getting plenty of tennis, rides, and scrambling walks. He adds that Edith has been reading a lot to Archie and Quentin and the next day African hunter Frederick Selous is visiting.
1905-11-12