Bill Edwards

Bio

Bill Edwards was a guard at Princeton, but the most important tackle he ever made in his life would come long after he set aside his Orange and Black uniform. Edwards won international acclaim in 1910 when he tackled and subdued a would-be assassin who had attempted to take the life of New York Mayor William Gaynor. The Mayor was shot and seriously wounded but survived the assassination attempt. Edwards suffered a flesh wound in the arm and was later awarded the Carnegie Medal for Heroism. Edwards' act of bravery was in character. He was extremely dedicated to each goal he would set for himself. A college diploma was one of those goals as Edwards worked his way through Princeton, gaining gridiron fame along the way. In 1900, he was named class orator and served as master of ceremonies on Graduation Day. He later became a referee and authored a book entitled "Football Days". President Woodrow Wilson appointed Edwards Collector of Internal Revenue for New York's Second District. Edwards also served as president of the American Professional Football League from 1926 to 1929. He played four years at Princeton and was captain in 1899. He was a second-team All-America in 1898 and a first-team pick in 1899.

Career Highlights

• 1899 First Team All-America
• 1898 Second Team All-America