Dexter Very
Dexter W. Very (November 27, 1889 – September 27, 1980) was an American college football player for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team of Pennsylvania State University.[1]
 Very at Penn State | |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | |
|---|---|
| Position | End |
| Class | Graduate |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | November 27, 1889 Fairdale, Pennsylvania |
| Died: | September 27, 1980 (aged 90) State College, Pennsylvania |
| Weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| College Football Hall of Fame (1976) | |
Biography
Very started at right end for the Nittany Lions in every game from 1909 to 1912. During that time, Penn State was undefeated in 1909, 1911 and 1912, while losing just two games in 1910.
Very was elected as the team's captain in 1911, and helped the Nittany Lions defeat the Penn Quakers, for its first victory over Penn in 18 years. That game he stripped the Quakers' Ray Mercer of the football and ran it back for a Penn State touchdown. In 1912, Very scored nine touchdowns in eight games. He never wore a helmet while playing. He was also the Middle Atlantic wrestling champion in 1915 at 158lbs.[2][3]
After college, he worked as a manufacturer's representative in Pittsburgh and also worked as a football official.[4] He officiated the 1927 Georgia vs. Yale football game. On January 2, 1933, Very officiated the Rose Bowl.
Later years and death
Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976, Very passed away on September 27, 1980.[5]
References
- Yes, Dexter Very Knew The Doctor, The Boston Globe, 1933, retrieved 13 March 2023
- P.A.A. Wrestlers Make Brillian Showing in Middle Atlantic Meet, The Pittsburgh Daily Post, 1915, retrieved 13 March 2023
- Last Week To Enter Wrestling Tourney, The Pittsburgh Press, 1921, retrieved 13 March 2023
- Big Games Assigned to Local Officials, The Pittsburgh Press, 1931, retrieved 13 March 2023
- Hall of Famer Very dies, Oakland Tribune, 1980, retrieved 13 March 2023