While Alabama’s Bryce Young won the Heisman over Aidan Hutchinson last night, rest assured that Michigan won the battle over historical ownership of the line, “Those Who Stay Will Be Champions.” Today Michigan “owns” the Bo Schembechler-attributed line, but Bo probably borrowed it directly or indirectly from Alabama’s legendary head coach Bear Bryant. It's ok, trust me.
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The Debut: Michigan’s Winged Helmet (1938)
This weekend I swung by the local shop (Ann Arbor Sports Memorabilia) owned by uber collector Ken Magee. He’s got a solid archive of Michiganensians in the store and I thumb through the 1939 edition (‘38-‘39 school year). Check out a couple of photos from the debut of the winged helmet – October 1, 1938, against MSC in the Big House: Above>> that’s pistol back Paul Kromer donning the fresh headgear (pic added to the Uniform Timeline). He and fellow sophomore Tom Harmon were dubbed the ‘Touchdown Twins’ but Kromer was the lone star this day, scoring both touchdowns in the 14-0 victory. Kromer’s career was cut short but an injury in 1939 and Harmon went on to…<yawn>…win the Heisman, become a war hero, marry a Hollywood starlet, engage in a successful broadcasting career, sire the world’s most handsome man, etc. Also from the ‘39 yearbook is below>> you’ve got Mr. Wallace Hook outgunning one of the Spartans down the field in that game, also donning the righteous wings. If you look closely the distraught #24 is donning a winged helmet of his own, a style Biggie Munn bagged in 1947:Anniversary and The BookGiven those beauties first took the field in 1938, this season will mark the 75th anniversary of the most famous helmet in football. What better way to…
