A. S. Valentine
Encyclopedia
A. S. Valentine was an early professional football
player for the Allegheny Athletic Association
. He served as the team's quarterback
in 1890 and 1891. However he jumped to the rivial Pittsburgh Athletic Club
in 1892. Valentine played for Pittsburgh in their first two games. Then, without warning, he suddenly jumped back to the Allegheny team. Some Pittsburgh A.C. members accused Allegheny of enticing him back; while others charged he had all along been a spy for them. During Allegheny's two games against the Pittsburgh A.C. that year, Valentine played as a left halfback
.
In 1891, he played in a game for Shadyside Academy as that team was defeated by the Pittsburgh A.C., 26-0. That same year he scored a touchdown against the Greensburg Athletic Association
, during a 10-5 Allegehny win. During a game against the Detroit Athletic Association on November 11, 1893 Valentine reportedly openly punched Detroit's quarterback so openly. The officials ignored the incident, and the Detroiter used the next play to retaliate against Valentine. Shortly after a brawl between the two clubs erupted. Allegheny would go on to win the game 18-0. In 1894, during a game against the Pittsburgh A.C., Valentine was thrown out of the game after coming to the aid of James Van Cleve
during a fight against Pittsburgh's Joe Trees
. After several appeals, Valentine left the field reportedly "crying like a baby" by the local media.
In 1895 Allegheny declined to field a team after learning of a investigation into the club by the Amateur Athletic Union
, over reports that the team had been secretly paying players. As a result, Valentine became a referee. He officiated a game that year between the Duquesne Country and Athletic Club
and Greensburg. The game was filled with fights and arguments. Valentine refused to return to the game for the second half.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player for the Allegheny Athletic Association
Allegheny Athletic Association
The Allegheny Athletic Association was an athletic club that fielded the first ever professional American football player and later the first fully professional football team. The organization was founded in 1890 as a regional athletic club in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which is today the North...
. He served as the team's quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
in 1890 and 1891. However he jumped to the rivial Pittsburgh Athletic Club
Pittsburgh Athletic Club (football)
The Pittsburgh Athletic Club football team, established in 1891, was based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1892 the intense competition between two Pittsburgh-area clubs, the Allegheny Athletic Association and the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, led to William Heffelfinger becoming the first known...
in 1892. Valentine played for Pittsburgh in their first two games. Then, without warning, he suddenly jumped back to the Allegheny team. Some Pittsburgh A.C. members accused Allegheny of enticing him back; while others charged he had all along been a spy for them. During Allegheny's two games against the Pittsburgh A.C. that year, Valentine played as a left halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
.
In 1891, he played in a game for Shadyside Academy as that team was defeated by the Pittsburgh A.C., 26-0. That same year he scored a touchdown against the Greensburg Athletic Association
Greensburg Athletic Association
The Greensburg Athletic Association was an early organized football team, based in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, that played from 1890 until 1900. The team began as an amateur football club in 1890 and was composed primarily of locals before several professional players were added for the 1895 season...
, during a 10-5 Allegehny win. During a game against the Detroit Athletic Association on November 11, 1893 Valentine reportedly openly punched Detroit's quarterback so openly. The officials ignored the incident, and the Detroiter used the next play to retaliate against Valentine. Shortly after a brawl between the two clubs erupted. Allegheny would go on to win the game 18-0. In 1894, during a game against the Pittsburgh A.C., Valentine was thrown out of the game after coming to the aid of James Van Cleve
James Van Cleve
James M. Van Cleve was the fourth ever known person to be paid to play football. Only Pudge Heffelfinger, Sport Donnelly and Peter Wright were professionals before him. Van Cleve's contract was with the Allegheny Athletic Association for $50 per game for the entire 1893 season.In 1894, during a...
during a fight against Pittsburgh's Joe Trees
Joe Trees
Joseph Clifton Trees was a college football player at the University of Pittsburgh, the first athlete to receive an athletic subsidization at the school, and, possibly, an early professional football player. He later made millions of dollars in the oil industry and became a trustee and significant...
. After several appeals, Valentine left the field reportedly "crying like a baby" by the local media.
In 1895 Allegheny declined to field a team after learning of a investigation into the club by the Amateur Athletic Union
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
, over reports that the team had been secretly paying players. As a result, Valentine became a referee. He officiated a game that year between the Duquesne Country and Athletic Club
Duquesne Country and Athletic Club
The Duquesne Country and Athletic Club was a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1895 until 1900. The team was considered one of the best, if not the best, professional football teams in the country from 1898 until 1900...
and Greensburg. The game was filled with fights and arguments. Valentine refused to return to the game for the second half.