October 31, 1897 – Mansfield, Ohio – Wilbur “Pete” Henry was a 3-year All-American tackle from Washington and Jefferson College.
“Fats” was the largest lineman of his era, standing 5-foot-11-inches tall and weighing in at a solid 245 pounds. Pete signed to play with the Canton Bulldogs, coincidentally on the same day that the NFL’s precursor, the American Professional Football Association, was formed in Ralph Hay’s Hupmobile Showroom in Canton. A focused beast on the gridiron replaced the good-natured Henry off the field.
Pete’s most notable season was in 1923 with the Bulldogs, according to the National Football Foundation’s website. Henry booted a 94-yard punt, blocked a punt, scored a touchdown, and kicked nine field goals via drop kick. Oh, and by the way, the Canton Bulldogs won their second consecutive NFL Championship that year due in part to his outstanding play.
In the NFL for a total of 8 seasons, not only with Canton, but also a member of the Pottsville Maroons and the New York Giants. Pete Henry was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Pete in 1963’s class of inductees.
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