September 28, 2022

In 1903 Yale was playing Princeton. Back then field goals were worth 4 points and the goal posts were a lot lower because nobody could kick the rounder football as high, so you didn't need those posts that go 40 feet into the air. Also back then the rules on players linking up were a lot more liberal - that's why you had the flying wedgie and other such formations.

Yale trailed in the game 18-15 but had moved the ball down to the Princeton 10 yard line and lined up for a game-winning field goal from the 17 yard line. Now back then the college football goal posts were on the goal line not the end line, so it was just a 17 yard field goal attempt.

Princeton coach Art Hillebrand told his guys to use their special kick blocking formation where the 2 players would play line, then 3 groups of 3 players would stand at the goal line on each other's shoulders spaced out, one group at the left goal post, the second group at the center, and the third group at the right goal post. Princeton backup running back Charles Kafer, brother of All-American Dana Kafer, was a scrawny easily hoisted lad so he was at the top of the trio along the right goal post, standing on a teammate's shoulders.

Yale all-American Ledyard Mitchell lined up to try the game winning kick. He booted a line drive toward the right upright. Kafer leapt up and grabbed the ball to block the kick then fell. He and the ball were impaled on the goal post. Because the ball did not go between the uprights the kick was no good and Princeton held on for the win. Kafer, sadly, did not fare as well. But his sacrifice was recognized as Princeton built a metallic statue of Kafer cradling the football with a goal post sticking through him. Unfortunately the statue was destroyed in a lightning strike in 1953, so no legacy of his great play remains.

The rules were changed after this unfortunate incident and players were barred from standing on each other's shoulders. Goal posts were also redesigned so they were no longer sharpened to a point at the top.

And now you know the rest of the story.

Yost and Rockne Argue

Football Players and Celebrities