Lo Boutwell facts for kids

Leon A. Boutwell (born October 3, 1892 – died October 3, 1969) was a professional football player. He played in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1922 and 1923 seasons. Leon Boutwell was a member of the Chippewa people. He was 29 years old when he started playing for the Oorang Indians.

Who Was Leon Boutwell?

Leon Boutwell was a talented football player. He played in the early days of the NFL. His main positions were halfback, fullback, and Quarterback. He was known for his skills on the field. In 1923, he made an important play, recording an interception.

Playing for the Oorang Indians

Boutwell played for a special team called the Oorang Indians. This team was unique because all its players were Native Americans. The team was based in LaRue, Ohio. A very famous football player, Jim Thorpe, was their coach. The Oorang Indians were known for their exciting style of play.

When asked about how people viewed the team, Boutwell once explained something important. He said that many people had wrong ideas about Native Americans. Even though most of the players had gone to college, some people still thought of them as "wild." Boutwell noted that the team sometimes used these wrong ideas to their advantage on the field. This helped them challenge stereotypes and show their true abilities.

School and College Years

Before playing professionally, Leon Boutwell went to high school at Mechanicsburg Academy. This school was in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. After high school, he continued his football career in college. He played college football at the Carlisle Indian School. This school was famous for its strong football program.