John DeWitt

John Riegel DeWitt (October 29, 1881 – July 28, 1930) was an American athlete. He played college football for Princeton from 1901 to 1903 and was selected as an All-American in 1902 and 1903. He also competed in the hammer throw, setting the world record in 1903 and winning the silver medal at the 1904 Summer Olympics. Early years DeWitt was born in October 1881 at Phillipsburg, New Jersey. His parents were wealthy owners of extensive mining properties. He moved at a young age to Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, and was raised there. He attended the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. College football 1901 and 1902 seasons DeWitt enrolled at Princeton University in 1900. He sustained a hand injury as a freshman that prevented him from playing football that fall. As a sophomore and junior, he was a starter for the 1901 and 1902 Princeton Tigers football teams that compiled records of 9–1–1 and 8–1 -- the only losses coming to Yale. He played mostly at the guard position, some at tackle, and also earned a reputation as "the greatest drop and punt kicker in the gridiron." At the end of the 1902 season, DeWitt was selected by Walter Camp as a first-team guard on the 1902 All-America team.