Al Mahrt

Alphonse Herman Mahrt (October 12, 1893 – June 24, 1970) was a professional football player and coach who played his entire career with the Dayton Triangles of the "Ohio League" and later the National Football League (NFL). He was an early proponent of the forward pass after the revolutionary play was added to an extensive list of regulations to college football in 1906. By 1911 when most of the pass restrictions were lifted, Mahrt debuted as regular back on St. Mary’s Institute’s (now the University of Dayton) varsity football team. Mahrt discovered that spinning the throw of the ball increased accuracy and distance, establishing an aerial offense against such teams as Xavier University and Otterbein College.

Al Mahrt
Born:(1893-10-12)October 12, 1893
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Died:June 24, 1970(1970-06-24) (aged 76)
Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Quarterback/Tackle
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight190 lb (86 kg)
CollegeDayton
Career history
As coach
1914–1915Dayton
1915Dayton Triangles
1917–1919Dayton
As player
1913–1914St. Mary’s Cadets
1915Dayton Gym-Cadets
1916–1917Dayton Triangles
1919–1922Dayton Triangles
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-Pro (1920)
  • 3x Dayton city champion (1913, 1914, 1915)
Military career
AllegianceUnited States United States
Service/branchUnited States Army seal U.S. Army
Battles/warsWorld War I

In 1913 Mahrt switched to the St. Mary’s Cadets, the precursor of the future Dayton Triangles, he was also named the team's captain. Mahrt returned to St. Mary’s varsity in 1914, and captained the team. That season a 70-yard spiral to Babe Zimmerman against Ohio Northern University set a school record. Aside from his college career, Al continued to play for the Cadets. From 1913 until 1915 the team won the Dayton City Championship every year. In 1914 Mahrt was injured through most of the season, however in 1915 he was named the team's coach. In 1918, Mahrt joined the United States Army and served in World War I.

In 1920, Al led all passers in the American Professional Football Association (renamed the NFL in 1922), completing 28 aerials for 591 yards. He would also throw 7 touchdowns on the year. He was runner-up in 1921 completing 29 that were good for 452 yards. He was chosen to the 1920 All-Pro team, which placed him as a second-team quarterback. He retired from the Triangles after the 1922 season.

After his football career, Mahrt worked at Dayton Brewing Co, Dayton Metal Products, and Smart Co. He then worked with Mead Corporation (later MeadWestvaco, now WestRock) for nearly 30 years before retiring in 1959. When he retired he was the vice president of the corporation.[1] WestRock's Mahrt paper mill in Cottonton, Alabama, was named in Mr. Mahrt's honor.

References

  1. "Calvary Cemetery". Calvary Cemetery Dayton. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  • PFRA Research. "1918: A War Year" (PDF). Coffin Corner. Professional Football Researchers Association: 1–3. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2012.
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