Grant Dibert was an early professional football player with the Pittsburgh Athletic Club however, which was customary at the time, he also played a few side games with the Allegheny Athletic Association.[1] He played the position of halfback. His primary team was the Pittsburgh A. C., whom he played for, from its founding, in 1891 until 1893.[2]
In 1893, the Pittsburgh Athletic Club signed one of its players, to the first known pro football contract, which covered all of the Pittsburgh A. C. games for the year. While the signature on that piece of paper is barely recognizable, many sports historians believe that player was probably Dibert.[3] Still remaining on the paper are the remnants of two letters from the signature, a high loop that could be the top of a "b" and, after a short space, the crossed top of a "t".[4]
Dibert opened the 1893 season in the Pittsburgh backfield, but lost his position after the fourth game of the season. Although he was mentioned later in the season as an available sub, he did not play for the team again. It is unknown if Dibert was paid for only the games he played in or if he was given money, just to prevent him from playing for Allegheny A. A.[5]
Prior to his professional career, Dibert played college football at Swarthmore College.
References[]
- ↑ PFRA Research. "Five Hundred Reasons". Coffin Corner (Professional Football Researchers Association): 1–6. http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Articles/Five_Hundred_Reasons.pdf.
- ↑ PFRA Research. "The A's Have It". Coffin Corner (Professional Football Researchers Association): 1–4. http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Articles/3As_Triumph.pdf.
- ↑ Peterson, Robert W. (1997). Pigskin: The Early Years of Pro Football. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-511913-4. http://books.google.com/books?id=rCnbhSRZpgIC.
- ↑ PFRA Research. "A Weekly Wage". Coffin Corner (Professional Football Researchers Association): 1–4. http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Articles/Weekly_Wage.pdf.
- ↑ PFRA Research. "A Weekly Wage". Coffin Corner (Professional Football Researchers Association): 1–4. http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Articles/Weekly_Wage.pdf.