MAROONS GREATEST OF PRO TEAMS

    EV GARDNER, sports editor of the Washington Daily News in a
recent column wrote of the Pottsville Maroons football team, which
he described as being among the greatest of all pro elevens.
     "On that Pottsville team of 30 years ago were three terrific linemen,
Frankie Racis, Bob "Duke" Osborn and Walt Keisling, presently coach
of the Pittsburgh Steelers," Gardner recalls.
     He pointed out that Racis, who hailed from Shenandoah, never went
to college, and this, he said, later played with the Providence Steam
Rollers, Gardner's home town team.  Gardner declared that Racis was
a marvel of defense against punt returns, was rugged, aggressive and
fast, and all that any coach would ever desire for a football player.
     Gardner also spoke highly of Russ Stein and Wilbur "Fats" Henry,
one of the greatest linemen in all football history.  He described Henry's
hands as big as victrolas.  He also praised Charlie Berry, now an
umpire in the American League, and George Kenneally, who later
played with George Marshall's first team, the Redskins of 1932.
     He wrote strong praise for Tony Latone and Barney Wentz, two
backfield men who he declared were the most feared backs in the
league.  He said they ground out first downs on sheer nerve and
strength.  He praised Jack Ernst as a quarterback and Hoot Flanagan.
     He referred to that game in the early days as being exceptionally
rough, with only men with stamina belonging in the game.  He says
that back in those days linemen were paid as little as $60 per game.

Pottsville Republican- January 25, 1956