Chic Harley: The Legend Behind Ohio State's Success
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- Chic Harley: Ohio State's Forgotten Football Legend
In 2010, the Big Ten Network initiated the Top 50 Big Ten Icons countdown, featuring luminaries like Bobby Bell, Howard "Hop Along" Cassidy, and Tom Harmon. Notably absent was Ohio State legend Charles Wesley "Chic" Harley, a three-time All-American who helped Ohio State win its first Western Conference title in 1916 and secured their first victory over Michigan in 1919. Harley's influence was instrumental in the $1.3 million funding drive to build Ohio Stadium, often called "the house that Harley built."
Born on September 15, 1894, in Chicago, Harley moved to Columbus, Ohio, and attended East High School. His high school games drew more spectators than Ohio State games, reflecting his popularity. Recruited by Ohio State University, Harley led the team to several victories, including a standout performance against Wisconsin in 1916 and Northwestern for the conference title. Harley's exploits on the field earned him a place on Walter Camp's All-American list.
During World War I, Harley joined the Aviation Corps, complicating his football career. After the war, he returned to Ohio State, where he led the team to a historic 13-3 victory over Michigan in 1919, marking the beginning of a storied rivalry.
Harley briefly joined the Decatur Stalies, later the Chicago Bears, but his career was cut short by injuries and mental health issues. Diagnosed with dementia praecox, later known as schizophrenia, Harley spent much of his life in sanitariums and under medical care. Ohio State honored him by hiring him as an assistant coach to help cover his medical expenses.
Despite his challenges, Harley was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. His legacy, overshadowed by his mental illness, remains a poignant reminder of a brilliant career cut short. Chic Harley passed away on April 21, 1974, and is buried near Ohio State University.
Chic Harley's story is a testament to his indelible impact on Ohio State football and college football history.
Books for Reference:
Chic: The Extraordinary Rise of Ohio State Football and the Tragic Schoolboy Athlete Who Made It Happen
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The One and Only: Chic Harley - America's Great Athlete
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So...... how many of you have actually heard of Chic Harley?
This is my first time hearing of him. Tragic story, he deserved better.
@@MichaelPiz Same deal.
Knew the name, but sure didn't know this story, thanks.
A guy from my high school was Chic's lead blocker. Fred Norton. He was killed in WWI
I would think most OSU fans know about Chic Harley, but then I am in my mid 50s so maybe the younger folks don't know. But Ohio Stadium was always "the house that Harley built" before it was "the Shoe." I'm also a big Thurber fan, and I think the best description of him by Thurber is this "If you never saw him run with a football, I can't describe it to you. It wasn't like Red Grange or Tom Harmon or anybody else. It was kind of a cross between music and cannon fire, and it brought your heart up under your ears. There was nothing like the glory when Chic Harley got away"
I'm a Michigan fan so I haven't heard of Chic Harley before. Thanks for the history! I love this stuff!
It really is a shame that so many stories of history tend to get forgotten when the children who remember are all gone.
I know of Chic Harley, but I am 71 and have been a hardcore OSU fan my entire life.
It makes you wonder how many football players from back in the day probably had terrible cases of CTE and we just didn't understand what was happening to them at the time. Because tbeyy probably took even more damage than players today and then were expected to just go about their lives as if nothing had gone wrong; similar to how people coming back from war had PTSD but were just considered to be malcontents or whatever.
But schizophrenia's another kettle of fish. Nobody's found either physical or cognitive causes for it.
I know of him strictly due to the documentary Ohio State Vs Michigan: The Rivalry
Yes I know the story of Chic. I do have to say you did this story justice. If they talk about Chic 50 years from now this telling is what I would like see them use. Thank you.
Great video. Thanks! I had never heard of Chic Harley.
I'm a MIchigan fan who never heard of him. Glad I did. Thanks for the great content. Go Blue!
We all have heard of Chic Harley because Paul Keels talks about him all the time when they talk about great OSU players
Who is Paul Keels?
Would love to hear your take on the real Gipper. Also…putting another request in for Gen Neyland. 😂
I've read that Alabama playing Washington in the Rose Bowl was the first time a Southern team had played a Northern one. I knew that to not be true but had no idea that Auburn had played (the) Ohio State University in 1917
Prior to Alabama playing Washington and Stanford in consecutive Rose Bowls (To that date, the biggest and most important and lucrative matchups for ALABAMA) They had played Cincinnati 1908, Carlise Indian school 1914, (their second unsuccesful meeting with Pop Warner after Georgia 1895, and prior to Stanford 1927), Penn, and they played in Cleveland, Ohio vs Case technical institute 1920. The Rose Bowls in California were very important in Alabama history, especially Stanford, as the proceeds funded the construction of Denny Stadium, and it was the first ever real time coast to coast radio broadcast of a sporting event. In Alabama, on the other end of radio receiver was a 13 year old boy, who later claimed it was the most exciting thing he ever heard in his life....the boy was Paul "Bear" Bryant.
how about a video on davey obrien . the guy who has an award named after him.
I'll get there! But I am slow...
He looks like Matt Damon! Make his life into a movie!
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CTE