The Outland Trophy

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The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. Outland was one of only a few players in history ever to be named All-America at two positions, John Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in 1898 at tackle and consensus All-America honors at halfback in 1899.

In the fall of 1895, John Outland entered the University of Kansas never having played football in his life, but while watching practice one afternoon, he was seen by the varsity captain, who induced him to put on a uniform. Three days later, he was playing on the varsity team. After a 6-1 season, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania where he found his home. From 1897-1899, Outland and Hall of Fame teammate Truxton Hare led Penn to a 35-4-3 record. Outland obtained his medical degree and was a surgeon during World War I, rising to the rank of major. He tried his hand at coaching at Franklin & Marshall College in 1900, Kansas in 1901, and Washburn 1904-05.

Outland had always contended that football tackles and guards deserved greater recognition and conceived the Outland Trophy as a means of providing this recognition. Today, the Outland Trophy is recognized as one of the nation's most prestigious awards, given to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman.