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Hector Cowan

Tackle

Inducted 1951

Date of Birth

7/12/1863

Birthplace

Hobart, NY

School

Princeton University (1885-1889)

Bio

Caspar Whitney picked the first All-America team in 1889. The Princeton Tigers dominated that team, placing three backs and tackle Hector Cowan on Whitney's first unit. Yale's legendary Pudge Heffelfinger, who played against Cowan on several occasions, remembered, "He had the strongest shoulders and arms I've ever been up against and his stubby legs drove like pistons when he carried the ball. Hector could carry a couple of tacklers on his back, yet he was plenty fast in the open." Pudge should have known him well, for Cowan and his crewmates handed Heffelfinger his first loss when they stopped the Elis, 10-0, in 1889. Cowan was captain of the Orange and Black that season, leading his team to a perfect ten-game mark. During Cowan's five varsity seasons at Princeton, the Tigers compiled a 44-3-1 record.