“‘Why didn’t you kick him?’

“‘Kick him!’ replied Brent.  ‘He held both my feet!’”

Hardwick recalls another incident that has its share of humor, which occurred in the Yale bowl on the day of its christening.

“Yale was far behind—­some thirty points—­playing rather raggedly.  They had possession of the ball on Harvard’s 1-yard line and were attempting a strong rushing attack in anticipation of a touchdown.  They were meeting with little or no success in penetrating Pennock and Trumbull, backed by Bradlee.  And on the third down they were one yard farther away from the goal than at the start.  They attempted another plunge on tackle, and were using that uncertain form of offense, the direct pass.  The center was a trifle mixed and passed to the wrong man, with the result that Yale recovered the ball on Harvard’s 25-yard line.  Wilson, then a quarter for Yale, turned to his center and asked him sharply: 

“‘Why don’t you keep track of the signals?’

“In a flash, the center rush turned and replied: 

“’How do you expect me to keep track of signals, when I can hardly keep track of the touchdowns.’”

Brown University was playing the Carlisle Indians some ten years ago at the Polo Grounds at New York City.  Bemus Pierce, the Indian captain, called time just as a play was about to be run off, and the Brown team continued in line, while Hawley Pierce, his brother, a tackle on the Indian team, complained, in an audible voice, that some one on the Brown team had been slugging him.  Bemus walked over to the Brown line with his brother, saying to him: 

“Pick out the man who did it.”

Hawley Pierce looked the Brunonians over, but could not decide which player had been guilty of the rough work.  By this time, the two minutes were up, and the officials ordered play resumed.  Bemus shouted to Hawley: 

“Now keep your eyes open and find out who it was.  Show him to me, and after the game I’ll take care of him properly.”

It is interesting to note that Bemus only weighed 230 pounds and his little brother tipped the scale at 210 pounds.

In 1900 Brown played the University of Chicago, at Chicago.  During the second half, Bates, the Brown captain, was injured and was taken from the game, and Sheehan, a big tackle, was made temporary captain.  At that time the score was 6 to 6.  Sheehan called the team together and addressed them in this manner: 

“Look here, boys, we’ve got thirteen minutes to play.  Get in and play like hell.  Every one of you make a touchdown.  We can beat ’em with ease.”

For many years the last statement was one of Brown’s battle-cries.  Brown, by the way, won that game by a score of 12 to 6.