Paul Blair (May 30, 1882 – December 11, 1904) was an American professional football player for the Latrobe Athletic Association in 1904. He was also the brother of Latrobe player, Eddie Blair. After the 1904 season, Blair was killed when he was hit by train walking along the Pennsylvania Railroad line between Latrobe, Pennsylvania and nearby Derry. The train's crew then loaded Blair's body on the train. Paul's father, John Blair, who was a railroad employee, recognized the shoe on the body that was just struck by the train, as being his son's. Latrobe players Harry Ryan and John Brallier served as pallbearers at the funeral.
The Latrobe football team also reportedly sent a floral wreath, standing on a pillar, to the Blair home. It stood almost five feet high. In the wreath were the words "Latrobe Football Team, 1904," while the words were intertwined with the colors of the team.[1][2]
References
- ^ "Picked Up Son's Shoe, Disclosed His Death". Latrobe Bulletin. Latrobe, Pennsylvania. December 12, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved August 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ Van Atta, Robert (1980). "Latrobe, PA: Cradle of Pro Football" (PDF). Coffin Corner. 2 (Annual). Professional Football Researchers Association: 1–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2009.