Napoleon Barrel facts for kids
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| Position: | Center / Cornerback | ||
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| Born: | December 25, 1885 Richwood, Minnesota |
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| Died: | December 1, 1964 (aged 78) Gaylord, Michigan |
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| Height: | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Weight: | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| College: | Carlisle Indian | ||
| Career history | |||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||
Napoleon Paul Barrel (born December 25, 1885 – died December 1, 1964) was an amazing American football player. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1923 season. He was 37 years old at the time! Napoleon Barrel was a member of the Chippewa people, a Native American tribe.
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Napoleon Barrel: A Football Pioneer
Napoleon Barrel was a professional football player who made his mark in the early days of the NFL. He played a special role on a unique team. His career shows us how football was growing and changing in the 1920s.
Early Life and Heritage
Napoleon Barrel was born on December 25, 1885, in Richwood, Minnesota. He was a member of the Ojibwe, also known as the Chippewa, tribe. This is a large and important group of Native American people.
He attended Carlisle Indian Industrial School, which was known for its strong football program. Many talented Native American athletes played there.
Playing Professional Football
Napoleon Barrel played in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1923 season. The NFL was still quite new back then. He played seven games, which is a good number for a season.
He played two different positions: Center and Cornerback. The center snaps the ball to start the play, and the cornerback tries to stop the other team's passes.
The Oorang Indians Team
Napoleon Barrel played for a very special team called the Oorang Indians. This team was based in LaRue, Ohio. What made them unique was that every single player on the team was a Native American.
The Oorang Indians were coached by the famous athlete Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe was one of the greatest athletes of his time. He was known for his skills in both football and the Olympics. Playing for a team coached by Jim Thorpe was a big deal!
Napoleon Barrel's time with the Oorang Indians shows an important part of early football history. It highlights the contributions of Native American athletes to the sport.
