John H. Outland

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John H. Outland (March 7, 1871 – March 24, 1947) was an All-American college football player and the namesake of the Outland Trophy.

Outland was born in Douglas County, Kansas. After starring in football and baseball at the University of Kansas in 1895 and 1896, Outland went to Philadelphia to complete his medical education. There, he became one of the few men ever to win All-American football honors in both line and the backfield. He was picked by Walter Camp as a tackle for his All-America team in 1897. In 1898 he was selected again, this time as a halfback. He was captain of the 1898 Pennsylvania team and was voted Most Popular Man at the University of Pennsylvania.

Outland was the founder of the Kansas Relays, having obtained the inspiration for that event at Penn, when as a student, he saw the Penn Relays just getting under way. For many years he held the post of honorary referee of the Kansas events. Later on, Outland became the Athletic Director at the University of Kansas.

He conceived the idea of the Outland Trophy because of his belief that interior lineman were not given enough recognition in college football. The trophy is the third oldest college football trophy. Selection of the winner is made by the Football Writers Association.

After receiving his medical degree, Outland served as a major in the United States Army Medical Corps during World War I.

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