Illinois Verse/Red Grange
Red Grange
Greatest half-back in the world is Grange, Play boy of the middle west.To him came high adventure, romantic, strange, Tho flamboyant fame was not his quest.
Modest youth,—slim, with auburn hair, Students, unheeding, passed him by.In training under Zuppke's watchful care, Industrious, quiet, earnest and shy.
Marvelous runs on the foot-ball field soon brought Varsity recognition and praise;A hero-worship and adulation unsought From flappers for whom Red was the craze.
Stadium crowds uprose with ringing cheers When seventy-seven with the ballSped for the goal and dissipated fears That come, however successful, to all.
Like a mighty tide then spread the fame Of his spectacular careerAnd from the papers came delighted acclaim Whenever Grange on the grid would appear.
On our fields the seeds of his success were sown, National now and spread afar,—And Illinois is proud to proclaim her own Red Grange, the noted foot-ball star.