Duke  Osborn

    Duke Osborn, a native of Falls Creek, Pa., was an out-
standing end on the 1925 DuBois High School varsity,
receiving his diploma with the Class of 1916.
     Duke entered Penn State in the autumn of 1916.  He
became first team center on the Penn State Freshman team
in 1916, a team completing the season undefeated and untied.
After the first year at Penn State he entered the U.S. Navy,
receiving an honorable discharge January 1, 1919.  In the
autumn of 1919 Duke returned to Penn State, resuming football
activity, playing center and guard.
     In autumn of 1920 Duke Osborn turned to professional
football, signing with the Canton, Ohio, Bulldogs.  He re-
mained with the Canton Bulldogs in 1921, and 1923.  He
captained the team in 1922 and 1923- which was undefeated
those for those two years, winning 26 games in a row.  Duke
performed as center on this team- along side two nationally
known tackles, Fats Henry and Link Lyman.
     In the autumn of 1924 Duke Osborn switched his pro
football activities to the Cleveland Bulldogs.  In 1925 the
Cleveland interests re-sold to Canton and it was then that
Duke decided to sign with Pottsville.
     This rugged competitor always wore his "lucky" baseball
hat (not a leather helmet!) during a game.  He was excellent
at pulling out of the line to lead a back.
     Duke was a leading light in the record of the Maroons. 
The Maroons won the pro league championship in Duke's
first year- 1925.  He remained with Pottsville in 1925, 1926,
1927  & 1928.  In 1928 Fats Henry and Duke Osborn accep-
ted the dual role as Co-Coaches for Pottsville.
     Mr. Osborn retired on February 1, 1962, after 33 years
service as Supt. of Assembly with the Oldsmobile Division,
of General Motors.
     Duke is the only N.F.L. player on record who has played
with four consecutive championships (as of 1963).