Throwback Thursday: Football in Ballard

By Joe Veyera

With the Seahawks set to begin their Super Bowl title defense on Thursday evening in their first preseason game against the Broncos, this week’s throwback post takes a look at how players threw the pigskin in the Ballard of yesteryear.

The black and white photo below, taken in 1903, shows the 1903 Champion Football team of Seattle. Fourteen young men are posed in three rows dressed in their uniforms. Inscription on the back of the photo: “Champion Football Team of Seattle Ballard Varsity for season of 1903.”

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The black and white photo below, taken in 1923, shows fans at Husky Stadium for the “Old Oswald” punt, pass, and kick competition, held by the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department in conjunction with The Seattle Times (read more about the Old Oswald competition from The Seattle Times here)

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The black and white photo below, taken in 1923, shows children welcoming that year’s champion of the “Old Oswald” competition.

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The black and white photo below, taken in 1910, shows a team photo of 21 young men in football uniforms, with one man in a suit (presumably the coach) in the background.

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Do you have an historical photo or a story that readers would enjoy hearing about? Email us at tips@myballard.com with Throwback Thursday in the subject line.

Photos and information courtesy of Ballard Historical Society.

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