Vintage Chicago Tribune: Celebrating 100 years of the Silver Football

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“What football player of the Big Ten is of greatest value to his team?”

In October 1924, Chicago Daily Tribune sports writer Harvey Woodruff wrote that the newspaper had “authorized” him to answer that question.

Originally intended for the “player of greatest value to his team” and not necessarily the “greatest player,” the Tribune’s football trophy was “to give the self-effacing chap who labors only for teamwork and team success an opportunity as nearly equal as possible to the ball carrier out in the limelight,” Woodruff wrote. “Success of the stars is made possible by the work seldom revealed to the spectators, of men who are blocking opponents and offering interference.”

Chicago Tribune Silver Football: What to know about the Big Ten’s highest honor, 100 years later

The Tribune hoped the annual award, which preceded the Heisman Trophy by 11 years, would “become a much sought honor surpassing any now possible for these hard-working gridiron heroes whose efforts afford pleasure to so many thousand people.”

One hundred years later, the Chicago Tribune Silver Football remains one of the highest honors a Big Ten player can receive. The list of winners includes future Pro Football Hall of Famers and Super Bowl MVPs along with others less remembered in the sport’s annals.

Here’s what to know about the award, including a decade-by-decade look at all the winners.

How the Silver Football was born — and how the selection process has evolved over 100 years

Tim Lowry, the center and captain of the previous year of Northwestern's football team, was honored on his own battlegrounds on Jan. 10, 1926, when presented with the Tribune Trophy, a silver football, give to the Western conference football player of most value to his team last season. Coach Glen Thistlethwaite, from left, Athletic Director Kenneth L. Wilson, Lowry, and Harvey T. Woodruff, are photographed. Editors note: This historic print has been hand painted in areas. (Chicago Tribune archive)
Tim Lowry, the center and captain of the previous year of Northwestern’s football team, was honored on his own battlegrounds on Jan. 10, 1926, and awarded the Tribune Trophy, a silver football, given to the Western Conference football player of most value to his team the previous season. Coach Glen Thistlethwaite, from left, athletic director Kenneth L. Wilson, Lowry and Harvey T. Woodruff are seen here. Editors note: This historic print has been hand-painted in areas. (Chicago Tribune archive)

One hundred years after its inception, the Chicago Tribune Silver Football remains one of the highest honors a Big Ten player can receive.

Column: Silver Football winners, from Red Grange to Marvin Harrison Jr., are the definition of greatness

Harold "Red" Grange in 1925. He won the inaugural Tribune Silver Football award in 1924. (AP)
Harold “Red” Grange in 1925. He won the inaugural Tribune Silver Football award in 1924. (AP)

The elite fraternity of Chicago Tribune Silver Football winners includes athletes of every size and shape, young men playing a game they love with a common goal.

Remembering Ken Rouse, the 1927 Silver Football winner from University of Chicago

Ken Rouse, University of Chicago football player, circa 1927. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)
Ken Rouse, a University of Chicago football player, circa 1927. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

Looking back nearly 100 years later, Ken Rouse’s selection as the Chicago Tribune Silver Football winner might appear to be an unusual choice.

Catching up with Bob Timberlake, the 1964 Silver Football winner from Michigan

University of Michigan quarterback Bob Timberlake on Nov. 25, 1964. He was the 1964 Chicago Tribune Silver Football award winner. (Preston Stroup/AP)
University of Michigan quarterback Bob Timberlake is seen on Nov. 25, 1964. He was the 1964 Chicago Tribune Silver Football award winner. (Preston Stroup/AP)

Much has happened in Bob Timberlake’s life in the six decades since he won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football, including becoming a minister, teaching an affordable housing course and undergoing a lifesaving stem cell transplant.

Catching up with Jim Grabowski, the 1965 Silver Football winner from Illinois

The Green Bay Packers Jim Grabowski (33) runs against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 16, 1967, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packer fullback made the run after receiving a handoff from quarterback Bart Starr (15) in the season opener. (Paul Shane/AP)
The Green Bay Packers Jim Grabowski (33) runs down the field in a game against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 16, 1967, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packer fullback made the play after a handoff from quarterback Bart Starr (15) in the season opener. (Paul Shane/AP)

Jim Grabowski was the fifth Illinois player to receive the Chicago Tribune Silver Football, but he doesn’t look back on his time in Champaign in terms of individual accomplishments.

Catching up with Lee Gissendaner, the 1992 Silver Football winner from Northwestern

Northwestern wide receiver Lee Gissendaner carries the ball against Michigan on Dec. 14, 1992. He won the 1992 Chicago Tribune Silver Football award. (Jim Prisching/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern wide receiver Lee Gissendaner carries the ball against Michigan on Dec. 14, 1992. He won the 1992 Chicago Tribune Silver Football award. (Jim Prisching/Chicago Tribune)

Lee Gissendaner never considered a career in scouting when he was a star wide receiver at Northwestern. But scouting found him.

Catching up with Braxton Miller, the 2012 and 2013 Silver Football winner from Ohio State

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller dives into the end zone against Penn Statein the third quarter at Beaver Stadium on Oct. 27, 2012, in State College, Pa. (Patrick Smith/Getty)
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller dives into the end zone against Penn State in the third quarter at Beaver Stadium on Oct. 27, 2012, in State College, Pennsylvania. (Patrick Smith/Getty)

For former Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, the 2012 season coincided with a seismic change in the Buckeyes program.

Want more vintage Chicago?

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Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com



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