In Today's Climate, Would Doak Walker

[ponyte]

Impossible to know or even speculate. Doak's era was significantly different. Rules were different (clipping, holding, back field in motion, unsportsmanlike and time of clock stoppage, required to play both ways and so on).
Also, during Doak’s era there was far more segregation in college football thus the potential for more competitive athletes playing college football was decreased. This would also potentially decrease the athletes that could have been considered.

It is impossible to compare stats as the variables surrounding the computation of stats then and now are too great. The various errors introduced into a statistical model are too great to correct.

This is not a social commentary or an attempt to diminish Doak’s achievements, just the circumstances in Doak’s time versus these times are so different that it is difficult to impossible to draw conclusions.

[jtstang]

Im pretty sure they gripped the balls the same, but the protection they used was much less effective.

Of course at A&M they've been gripping thier balls the same way since the dawn of time.

[PonyLaw_aTm]

they are displaying correct CT ball-gripping form, its a tradition

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

they are displaying correct CT ball-gripping form, its a tradition

That's assuming that there are balls to grip, of course.

[PonyLaw_aTm]

castration is for t-sips

[couch 'em]

Im pretty sure they gripped the balls the same, but the protection they used was much less effective.

Motioning only in the backfield has always been 100% effective.

[One Trick Pony]

“In Today’s Climateâ€

[PonyLaw_aTm]

o we got it the first time, we just took it a different direction.

[One Trick Pony]

o we got it the first time, we just took it a different direction.

[Water Pony]

The Legend

[asphalt cowboy]

An athlete such as Walker, or any other great athlete, would be as good today. Training methods have been modified and the athletes themselves would benefit greatly from the improvement. AS YOU SLIDE DOWN THE BANNISTER OF LIFE, MAY THE SPLINTERS NEVER BE POINTED THE WRONG WAY.

[jason54858]

No, he wouldn't have even been an All-American. The game is alot different back then. There was less athletism and more game planning. Its like asking if Babe Ruth would have been as good today? The anwer is no, but he is still a legend in his own right. He was dominate in his era which made him great. Just as Doak was dominate in his era.

[jason54858]

An athlete such as Walker, or any other great athlete, would be as good today. Training methods have been modified and the athletes themselves would benefit greatly from the improvement. AS YOU SLIDE DOWN THE BANNISTER OF LIFE, MAY THE SPLINTERS NEVER BE POINTED THE WRONG WAY.

Yeah, that is true but the type of athlete Doak was back than is a different position on the field in todays game. What do you think Doak ran in the 40? Even with the new advanced training methods today I still cant see him running more then a 4.5 or 4.6 range. I dont think you can win a Heismen as a running back with that time,

[couch 'em]

Look how much olympic records have changed since the 40s. I don't think we really can have any idea how Doak's genes would fair growing up in modern times. No way to judge. He probably wouldn't have been a RB, but he very well could be dominant in another position.

[George S. Patton]

No, he wouldn't have even been an All-American. The game is alot different back then. There was less athletism and more game planning. Its like asking if Babe Ruth would have been as good today? The anwer is no, but he is still a legend in his own right. He was dominate in his era which made him great. Just as Doak was dominate in his era.

Probably the best point made on this thread.