Arnold Horween facts for kids
Arnold Horween (right) with his brother Ralph (left) as members of the Harvard Crimson football team, circa 1919.
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| Born: | July 7, 1898 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Died: | August 5, 1985 (aged 87) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Fullback, halfback, quarterback |
| Height | 5 ft 11.5 in (182 cm) |
| Weight | 206 lb (93 kg) |
| College | Harvard |
| High school | Francis W. Parker |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1923–1924 | Chicago Cardinals |
| 1926–1930 | Harvard |
| As player | |
| 1921 | Racine Cardinals |
| 1921–1924 | Chicago Cardinals |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career stats | |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 U.S. Navy |
| Years of service | 1917–19 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Arnold Horween (born Arnold Horwitz; 1898–1985) was an amazing American American football player and coach. He played and coached for both Harvard University and in the National Football League (NFL).
Horween was a star player for the undefeated Harvard Crimson football teams in 1919 and 1920. He helped them win the famous 1920 Rose Bowl. He was even named an All-American, which means he was one of the best college players in the country.
After college, Horween played four seasons in the NFL for the Racine Cardinals and the Chicago Cardinals. He was also a player-coach for the Cardinals. Later, he became the head football coach at Harvard from 1925 to 1930.
His brother, Ralph Horween, was also a talented football player at Harvard and in the NFL. They were the last Jewish brothers to play in the NFL for a long time. After football, Arnold and Ralph took over their family's leather business, the Horween Leather Company.
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Arnold Horween's Early Life
Arnold Horween was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 7, 1898. His parents, Isidore and Rose, came to Chicago from Ukraine in 1892. When Arnold was young, his family changed their last name from Horwitz or Horowitz to Horween.
Arnold was Jewish. His older brother, Ralph Horween, was also a football star. They were the last Jewish brothers to play in the NFL until the 2000s.
Arnold played high school football at Francis W. Parker School. He played as a center and fullback for four years. In his senior year, he was the captain of the football team.
Arnold was 5 feet 11.5 inches tall and weighed 206 pounds. In 1928, he married Marion Eisendrath. Her father was also involved in the leather business.
Arnold followed his older brother, Ralph, to Harvard University. They played football together for the Harvard Crimson football team starting in 1916. In his first year, Arnold played football as a fullback and also played baseball as a pitcher. He was even on the track team, throwing the shotput.
In April 1917, Arnold joined the United States Navy during World War I. He quickly moved up in rank, becoming an ensign and later a lieutenant. He served on a destroyer ship in the Atlantic Ocean. He left the Navy in 1919 and went back to Harvard.
When he returned, Arnold played left halfback, right halfback, fullback, and center for Harvard. He was named a First-team All-American in both 1919 and 1920. Harvard's teams were undefeated in both of those years.
In 1920, Arnold was chosen as the Harvard Crimson's first Jewish captain. That year, he kicked a 42-yard field goal against Yale to help Harvard win 9–0. He also kicked a 37-yard field goal against the Centre Colonels.
Arnold was a key player in Harvard's unbeaten 1919 team that won the 1920 Rose Bowl against Oregon. Harvard won 7–6, and Arnold kicked the extra point that decided the game. This was Harvard's only bowl game appearance ever!
A newspaper called The New York Times wrote about how strong he was: "The way he smashed through the line was considerable... there were even some protests that this dark-haired, sturdily built Crimson fullback was a little too rough."
Arnold graduated from Harvard in 1921.
Playing in the NFL
Arnold Horween played in the National Football League (NFL) for four years. He played in 32 games as a fullback, tailback, and blocking back (quarterback).
He started with the Racine Cardinals in 1921. This team was part of the American Professional Football Association, which later became the NFL. From 1922 to 1924, he played for the Chicago Cardinals. He was also a player-coach for the Cardinals in 1923 and 1924.
In 1922–23, the Cardinals had a good record of 8 wins and 3 losses. Arnold scored 4 touchdowns that season. In 1923–24, the team was 8–4. On October 7, 1923, Arnold and his brother Ralph both scored points in the same game! Arnold kicked two extra points, and Ralph ran for a touchdown. The Cardinals won 60–0 against the Rochester Jeffersons.
Arnold's brother, Ralph Horween, also played for the Chicago Cardinals. To protect their family's social standing, Arnold and Ralph sometimes played under the fake last name McMahon. Arnold played as A. McMahon until 1923.
Coaching at Harvard
After his NFL career, Arnold Horween went back to Harvard. He became the head football coach for the school from 1925 to 1930. During his time as coach, Harvard's team had a record of 21 wins, 17 losses, and 3 ties.
Some people at Harvard were not happy about his appointment as coach. However, the players really liked him.
Arnold married Marion Eisendrath in November 1928. They had a long engagement because they agreed to wait until the Harvard football team beat Yale. Harvard finally won against Yale on November 24, and they got married just a few days later! Arnold left his coaching job after the 1930 season.
Horween Leather Company
After leaving football, Arnold Horween moved back to Chicago in 1930. He and his brother, Ralph, took over their family's leather business, the Horween Leather Company. Their father had started the company in Chicago in 1905.
Arnold ran the business from 1949 to 1984. The Horween Leather Company is very successful. It still supplies the leather for the official NFL footballs made by Wilson.
In 1945, Arnold also coached the football team at his old high school, Francis Parker. He was also involved in other important organizations, like being the vice president and a trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also served on the Harvard University board of overseers.
See also
- List of select Jewish football players
