Bull Kearley
| File:Bull Kearley.png Kearley from the 1914 team picture | |
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Halfback/End |
| Personal information | |
| Born | August 25, 1891 Franklin, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | August 11, 1977 (aged 85) Andalusia, Alabama, U.S. |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Auburn (1911–1914) |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
| Coaching profile at Pro Football ReferenceLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Stats at Pro Football ReferenceLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Richard Irven "Bull" Kearley (August 25, 1891 – August 11, 1977) was an American college football player.
Early life
[edit | edit source]"Bull" Kearley was born on August 25, 1891, in Franklin, Alabama[1] of Monroe County to Irvin James Kearley and Frances E. Gaines.
Auburn University
[edit | edit source]Kearley was a prominent football player for Mike Donahue's Auburn Tigers of Auburn University from 1911 to 1914, winning two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) titles with Auburn and selected for All-Southern teams in 1913 and 1914.[2][3]
1913
[edit | edit source]He was shifted from halfback to end in 1913,[4] playing opposite Robbie Robinson. Donahue's 7-Box or 7-2-2 defensive scheme required fast ends which could disrupt a play from the start; a role filled by Kearley.[5]
1914
[edit | edit source]He recovered three fumbles in the game with Georgia Tech in 1914, a 14 to 0 victory. "Bull Kearley was the star on both sides and gave an exhibition of football the like of which has never seen on a southern gridiron before. He covered every punt and nearly every time nailed the man in his tracks, once coming down the field so hard that the man, receiving the punt, fumbled it to get out of the way."[6] One writer claims "Auburn had a lot of great football teams, but there may not have been one greater than the 1913-1914 team."[7]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Registration State: Alabama; Registration County: Covington; Roll: 1509374.
- ^ "Constitution's All-Southern Picked By Coach Donahue of Champion Auburn Team". Atlanta Constitution. November 30, 1913.
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