Date of death 1953 Name Harry Ryan Positions Tackle, Guard 1902 Philadelphia Phillies | 1896 Punxsutawney Died 1953 College West Virginia Role American football player | |
1895-1901 Latrobe Athletic Association 1898 Western Pennsylvania All-Stars | ||
Education West Virginia University | ||
Harry J. "Cap" Ryan (died 1953) was an early professional football player for the Latrobe Athletic Association from 1895 until 1906. He was also selected to be the first captain in that team's history. He played alongside John Brallier who is considered the first openly professional football player. In 1897 he was named to the "All Western Pennsylvania Team" by The Pittsburg Times.
In 1898, he was selected by Latrobe manager David Berry to play for the Western Pennsylvania All-Stars in the very first football all-star game, against the Duquesne Country and Athletic Club. Ryan also served as advisor to Berry until 1902 when he went to Philadelphia to start the first National Football League. Ryan would play in the league for the Philadelphia Phillies that year.