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Bill Sprackling

Quarterback

Inducted 1964

Date of Birth

9/6/1890

Birthplace

Cleveland, OH

School

Brown University (1908-1911)

Bio

Bill Sprackling was Brown University's original "Defiant One". Sprackling refusal to wear helmet and pads despite a fragile-appearing 150-pounds over a 5-9 frame. George Trevor, the Ivy League historian, saw him as an "eye-dazzler in the open field, a flashy punt-handler and bulls-eye passer. In addition, he could drop-kick field goals from nearly mid-field under pressure. As a quarterback, he was a marvel at calling plays, picking out soft spots in the defense of an opponent unerringly." His most famous play was a 110-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Brown's 21-8 upset of Carlisle in 1909. Sprackling's finest hour came in 1910 when Brown shut out Yale, 21-0, the Bruins' first victory over the Bulldogs. That day, Sprackling kicked three field goals, completed five passes for 180 yards and a touchdown, gained 36 yards in nine rushes, returned 13 punts for 150 yards and five kickoffs for 90 yards. "Sprack" was a third-team All-America as a sophomore, a consensus first-team pick as a junior and a second-team choice as a senior.