Bringing Back Vintage Football

One of the best things about working on my Mudlavia novel has been the people that it’s connected me with. A while ago, Simon Herrera, from Vintage American Football, contacted me after reading my post about the Pine Village Football Team (you can read that post here). He had a simple question, and I laugh now, because that simple question sent me on quite a wild goose chase! 

Simon designs these super cool Vintage American Football jerseys and t-shirts, representing different football teams from the early 1900’s, and he wanted to know the colors for the Pine Village football team to create a shirt for them.

I live in Pine Village, and love the rich history of the Pine Village football team. Pine Village is said to be where NFL football originated. When you read about the Villagers, who played from 1898 through the 1920’s, you can’t help but be drawn in. The team was mostly made up of farmers, who farmed all day, and played football underneath electric bulbs strung across the town square at night. They had a goat for a mascot, though no one knows why, and the fans were absolutely crazy about their Pine Village Eleven.

Pine Village Football Team with their goat!

We have a few local publications and lots of local stories about the Pine Village football team, so even though I didn’t remember reading about their colors from my research, I figured they would be easy to find. They weren’t, but that’s a story for another post!

Photo/Game Promo Credit- Simon Herrera

Like me, Simon was drawn into the history of football as he started researching the Rock Island Independents, one of the original NFL football teams. While he was researching them, he fell in love with the old game and its players.

Not only does he create jerseys and research the old football teams, he also puts on a vintage football game every fall in Rock Island, Illinois. They dress in the old school jerseys (which Simon designs), wear replica leather helmets, and play by the old rules. They do everything they can to make the game and the atmosphere as much like a 1920's football game as they can.

This year the big game between the Rock Island Independents and the Moline Universal Tractors will commence on Sunday, October 14th at Douglas Park in Rock Island, Illinois at 2:00PM. Along with the game there will be 1920’s style jazz music, a car show, and local food. This is a free, family friendly event showcasing 1920’s football. I don’t know about you, but sounds like a blast to me!

You can find Simon's vintage jersey and t-shirts at his Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageMerchandiseCo

You can also read more about Simon's research at http://vintageamericanfootball.com/#/ http://rockislandindependents.com/