George Stephens (American football)

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George Stephens
Born (1873-04-08)April 8, 1873
Summerfield, North Carolina
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Asheville, North Carolina
Occupation Journalist
Known for Myers Park
College football career
North Carolina Tar Heels
Position Halfback
Class 1896
Career history
College North Carolina (1894–1895)
Personal information
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Career highlights and awards

George Erwin Gullett Stephens (April 8, 1873 – April 1, 1946) was a college football player. He caught the first forward pass in the history of the sport. He was later a journalist who also sold insurance and real estate.[1]

University of North Carolina

He was a prominent running back for the North Carolina Tar Heels football team of the University of North Carolina. He was selected third-team for an all-time Carolina football team of Dr. R. B. Lawson in 1934.[2] Joel Whitaker selected him first-team for his all-time UNC squad.[3]

1895

It is thought that the first forward pass in football occurred on October 26, 1895 in a game between Georgia and North Carolina when, out of desperation, the ball was thrown by the North Carolina back Joel Whitaker instead of punted. Stephens caught the ball and ran 70 yards for a touchdown.[4] He was selected All-Southern.[5] The team won the conference championship in the first season of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

Myers Park

Stephens was much involved in the expansion of Myers Park.[6][7]

Journalist

He was joint president and publisher of the Charlotte Observer and joint owner and publisher of the Asheville Citizen.[1]

References

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  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. open access publication - free to read
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  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. open access publication - free to read