A Historic Sweater from Harvard Football’s Early Days
A remarkable piece of Harvard Football history is preserved in a game-worn black turtleneck sweater from the late 1890’s. The sweater features a sharp crimson “H” on the chest, with the player name “BURDEN” stitched into the back tail. This belonged to the Harvard player William Burden. He joined the freshman team in 1896, moved to varsity as a backup center in 1897, and became a starting guard in 1898. By 1899, he was captain of the team. Outside of football, Burden was president of his class as well as president of the Hasty Pudding and Groton clubs. Burden ended up graduating from Harvard in 1900. The sweater, showing signs of wear and a few repairs, remains in excellent condition—a testament to its storied past and the grit of early Harvard Football.

All photo credit Grey Flannel Auctions 

Harvard Football’s Deep Roots
Harvard Football’s history dates back to the very origins of the sport football as we know it. Just a decade after professional baseball arrived in the U.S., Harvard Football Club began in 1873 shaping what would become modern football. Initially resembling rugby, the early games lacked the protective gear we associate with football today. Along with the fact that the forward. Pass was almost obsolete players were often player-coaches due to the amount of participation the sport received in the earliest years. 

Bloodbath at Hampden Park

One of the most infamous games in this era was the “Bloodbath at Hampden Park” on November 24, 1894, during a Harvard-Yale matchup. The game’s severe injuries led to its suspension for two years. After Yale secured a 12–4 victory, the rivalry spilled into the streets as fans continued the pattern of aggression. The suspension of the matchup was lifted in 1897, when the teams played to a 0–0 tie. The Game would not face suspension again until World War I.

Early Player Safety Concerns 

Between 1890 and 1892, the dangers of the sport became apparent, with 76 player fatalities nationwide. This prompted President Theodore Roosevelt, a Harvard alum, to spearhead reforms in 1905, introducing safer rules such as the forward pass.

Written by Sammy Aronoff