Photo Credit: "Legend of the 26"

Wesley L. Kendall

Halfback

Multnomah Athletic Club

How do you decide the best player of the year in a new sport? 

Football in 1891 was a far cry from what we see today and Wesley Kendall would not recognize the sport he dominated during it's debut season with the Multnomah Athletic Club.  With it's roots in rugby and the familiar "scrum" action of the day, Kendall was a vision of what the future would hold, albeit a couple of decades early.

Blessed with great speed, the 145-pound halfback would burst from the pack sprinting through open holes and around the end and outrace everyone on the field in moving the ball downfield.

Not only did he account for seven touchdowns in the Multnomah - Tacoma series to open the football era, he broke loose for 233 yards rushing on New Years Day.  That record stood for over 45 years.