In 1952, former Notre Dame quarterback Gus Dorais was asked to name his all-time football team. As a player and coach for most of the first half of the 20th century Dorais had an up-close look at the best football players of the era. He agreed to name his team but he would only name a team of players that he had either seen on the field or whose careers preceded the free substitution rule of the early 1940s:
(the player comments are by Dorais)
Quarterback
Dutch Clark (Colorado College and Detroit Lions)
Nobody could top the Dutchman in football instinct or in ability to run the team. Few topped him in mechanical skill.
Halfback
Jim Thorpe (Carlisle and Canton Bulldogs)
A one-man team
Halfback
George Gipp (Notre Dame)
Maybe I'm prejudiced having coached the Gipper when I was Rock's assistant, but I'd have to pick him over any other halfback, except Thorpe.
Fullback
Bronko Nagurski (Minnesota and Chicago Bears)
Some prefer Ernie Nevers (Stanford and Duluth Eskimos/Chicago Cardinals), but I thought the Bronk a better all-around man.
Center
Mel Hein (Washington State and New York Giants)
I'd give him an edge over Bulldog Turner (Hardin-Simmons and Chicago Bears).
Guard
Clarence Spears (Dartmouth and Canton Bulldogs)
More than a guard, Doc was half a line in himself.
Guard
Danny Fortmann (Colgate and Chicago Bears)
The best in the modern pro league.
Tackle
Wilbur Henry (Washington & Jefferson and early Ohio pro teams)
Closest to Doc Spears among the lineman to come under my observation.
Tackle
Ed Healy (Dartmouth and Chicago Bears)
He could do everything.
End
Harold Muller (University of California-Berkeley)
Remembered best for his long passes but outstanding in all other phases, too.
End
Don Hutson (Alabama and Green Bay Packers)
A pass receiver who drove defensive coaches to distraction. I doubt that we'll ever again see his equal.
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