Clarence Herschberger, a University of Chicago football star from 1896 to 1898, was the first western player named a first-team All-American in 1898. Known for his spirited personality, Herschberger had a playful contest with his teammate Captain Walter Kennedy to see who could gain the most weight in one meal. After weighing in, Herschberger gained seven pounds, narrowly losing to Kennedy’s 7 1/4 pounds. Undeterred, Herschberger consumed 13 more eggs, possibly out of determination or hunger.
Unfortunately, his overeating caused gastritis, sidelining him for a crucial game against Wisconsin. Without Herschberger, Chicago lost 23–8, ceding the 1897 Western Conference title (now the Big Ten) to Wisconsin. Coach Amos Alonzo Stagg attributed the defeat not to Wisconsin’s team but to Herschberger’s excessive eating. The story highlights Herschberger’s competitive spirit, the strict training regimens of early football, and the sometimes humorous consequences of players’ antics.
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