Born and passed on this day in history, the great Fielding H. Yost-era back Willie Heston. He tallied a remarkable 71 touchdowns in his career, and more importantly, never lost a single game in his four years in Ann Arbor. Join me in a toast to the great Heston! Here’s more:
This Week in Michigan Football History appears live on the WTKA Countdown to Kickoff approximately two hours before kickoff. Full script:
GOOD AFTERNOON! Today we head back to 2006 as Lloyd Carr’s #10 Wolverines welcomed the Chippewas from Central Michigan. In a game interrupted by the first weather delay in the modern history – the Wolverines put up over 250 yards on the ground and kept Central’s talented QB Dan LaFevour in check in the 41-17 rout.
But Sorry Chips, September 9th is a very special day in Meechigan football lore for another reason! This day marks the date of birth and date of passing of arguably the greatest player in Wolverine history – I’m talking about the brilliant Willie Heston.
Heston grew up in Illinois before moving out west and settling in Oregon. He later enrolled at San Jose State and decided to give football a shot. Their coach tried him at halfback where Heston dominated and fell in love with the game. Then two important twists of fate changed the course of Michigan football history:
- First, while at San Jose State, Heston was encouraged by a Professor of Literature named Nettie Daniels. Ms Daniels was a Michigan grad, and a huge football fan, a encouraged Willie to transfer to U of M after graduation.
- The second twist happened in 1900, when Fielding H. Yost, who coached at Stanford at the time, agreed to lead San Jose State in their final game. That’s where Yost and Heston met, hit it off, so once Yost took over at Michigan in 1901 he reached out to Heston to come join his new squad.
Heston scored a one way train ticket to the Midwest and once In Ann Arbor he quickly became a dominant force in Western football and beyond. All told, in brutal era of pigskin before the forward pass, Heston’s speed and physicality worked perfectly in Yost’s “Hurry Up” offense, and together they changed the game. He was the first player to be named All-Western four times, and the first from outside the East to be named a two-time All-American.
Heston tallied an amazing 71 touchdowns in his career, and more importantly, he NEVER LOST A GAME while suiting up for the Maize and Blue from 1901 to 1904- that was record of 43 wins, no losses and a single tie. Oh, and he helped deliver U of M’s FIRST FOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
GO BLUE! Beat the Rebels! Happy Birthday Willie Heston! And FOR MORE, check out MVictors.com and WTKA.com – For the KeyBank Countdown to Kickoff — this is The Professor, Greg Dooley!
