Willie Heston

Lore & Background

William Martin Heston was born on September 9, 1878, in Galesburg, Illinois. He played halfback at San Jose State University and the University of Michigan. He was the head football coach at Drake University in 1905 and at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now North Carolina State University) in 1906. After coaching, he practiced law and served as a state court judge in Michigan. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.

In Their Own Story

The November wind off the river cut through the stands at Briggs Stadium, but nobody in the lower bowl seemed to notice. The Lions were down by four, third and eight, and the opposing quarterback was setting his feet in the pocket, eyes scanning the backfield. Heston felt the snap in his shoulders before the center even pushed the ball. He shot his gap, hit the guard's hip with a shoulder that felt like a brick wall, and rolled his eyes to the ball. The quarterback stepped up, tried to throw into the flat, and found a forearm in his vision. The ball bounced off Heston's pad and into the cold November air, where a Lions linebacker snatched it from the sky. The crowd noise swallowed the rest. Heston just shook his hands, turned, and walked back to the line for the next snap like it was nothing. To him, it was nothing. It was just another play, another chance to make the other team feel the weight of Detroit.

Reader's Guide

Heston played in the era when players remained on both offense and defense. He was known as a work-horse halfback, a quick starter, and a hard, crunching runner. He also played defensive back and was described as one of the greatest defensive backs and hardest tacklers. He has been acknowledged as the first to play at what later was designated as the tailback position.

Did You Know?

• Heston scored more touchdowns in his first year of football at San Jose State than any of the regular players.
• In the inaugural Rose Bowl game on January 1, 1902, Heston rushed for 170 yards on 18 carries as Michigan defeated Stanford 49–0.
• Heston held the record for most rushing yards in a Rose Bowl game for 59 years.
• University of Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost rated Heston as the greatest player of all-time.