Bodie Weldon

John Ambrose Weldon (November 7, 1895 – May 25, 1928) was a professional football player during the 1920s. He played in the American Professional Football Association (renamed the National Football League in 1922) for the Buffalo All-Americans. Weldon was instrumental in the first NFL game to take place in New York City, as Buffalo defeated the Canton Bulldogs 7-3 at the Polo Grounds. During the game Weldon punted against the legendary Jim Thorpe and kicked a point after touchdown.

However Weldon also played independent football for the Phoenix Athletic Club in 1919 and Union Club of Phoenixville in 1921. He would play a non-league game with Phoenixville on Saturdays, then took a train to Buffalo and the next day’s game. This arrangement helped Weldon, and several other Buffalo All-Americans players, earn extra money in between league games.

Prior to playing pro football, Weldon played at the college level for Lafayette College. He received a college letter in 1916 and was named the team's captain in 1917. While at Lafayette, he also played on the school's basketball team, as a guard, and on the baseball team as an outfielder.

References

• "Lafayette Names Weldon., Eighteen Football Men Receive "L" and Elect Captain." (December 14). New York Times. December 14, 1916. p. 12. Retrieved April 26, 2010. 
• Miller, Jeffery (2006). "The New Pro League is a Big Hit in the Big Apple: Buffalo Faces Canton in the Polo Grounds". Coffin Corner (Professional Football Researchers Association) 24 (6): 1–2. 
• Ghosts of the Gridiron, which tracks the Football history of the Union Club of Phoenixville