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1938 Blue-Gray Football Game

I found this photo as I was going through my father's papers after his death. I think it is a photo of the South squad from the 1938 Blue-Gray Game. This was the first Blue-Gray game, and it was played in Montgomery, AL on January 2, 1939. Even though it was played in 1939, this game is usually refered to as the "1938" game to distinguish ir from the one played in December 1939. The photo is signed by several of the players, coaches, and trainer (except for my father, Joel Hitt, who presumably didn't sign it because it was his). Here is a list of people in the photo based on the signatures on the photo.

Back row:

Jack Gormley, LSU
Don Willis, Clemson
Charlie Woods, Clemson
Eddie Dunn, University of Miami
Oscar Burford, Auburn
Barrett Booth, LSU
Dick Gormley, LSU
Dick Todd, Texas A&M
Alvin Davis, Alabama
unsigned
Bo Russell, Auburn
Lewis Bostick, Alabama
Steve Maronic, UNC
Junie Burns, Auburn
Jesse Foshee, Alabama

Front row:

Jack Meagher (Head Coach, Auburn)
Ed Clary, University of South Carolina
Joel Hitt, Mississippi College
Gaylon Smith, Southwestern
Preacher Franklin, Vanderbilt
Ed Gatto, LSU
Grover Harkins, Alabama
Marion Walker, Auburn
George Fry, NC State
Harry Peking

Not pictured, but signed the photo:

Jack Stuart (trainer)
W. A. Gunter (Mayor of Montgomery)
Jim Ryboy, Alabama

Dick Todd, Marion Walker, and Harry Peking are not listed in the game program, but signed the photo (and presumably played). Bronco Brunner is listed in the game program, but is not in the picture and did not sign it.

About half of the Gray squad (12 out of 25) was drafted into the NFL. Here is a compilation of information obtained from the Blue Gray game program and drafthistory.com (beware name typos).

Player	College	Position	Weight	NFL Draft
Joel Hitt	Mississippi College	End	188	Rams, Round 13
Jack Gormley	LSU	End	193
Oscar Burford	Auburn	End	190
Marvin Franklin	Vanderbilt	End	180
Eddie Gatto	LSU	Tackle	205	Rams, Round 5
Steve Maronic	North Carolina	Tackle	210	Lions, Round 5
Bo Russell	Auburn	Tackle	205	Redskins, Round 8
George Fry	North Carolina State	Guard	200
Lou Bostick	Alabama	Guard	200	Rams, Round 9
Junie Burns	Auburn	Guard	193
Jessee Foshee	Alabama	Guard	190
Grover Harkins	Alabama	Guard	196
Charlie Woods	LSU	Center	195
Dick Gormley	LSU	Center	187	Eagles, Round 20
Barrett Booth	Alabama	Quarter	195
Alvin Davis	Alabama	Quarter	190
Bronco Brunner	Tulane	Halfback	170	Rams, Round 8
Charley Watson	North Carolina	Halfback	180	Giants, Round 14
Gaylon Smith	Southwestern	Halfback	205	Rams, Round 2
Eddie Dunn	University of Miami	Halfback	195
Don Willis	Clemson	Fullback	200	Giants, Round 5
Ed Clary	South Carolina	Fullback	185	Steelers, Round 14

Dick Todd was drafted by the Redskins in round 5.

Please send any corrections to the names to the webmaster listed below.