In 1913, an article in an Eastern newspaper sought to choose the greatest Harvard football player of all time.

"[3] The article continued:"But in sizing them all up there still remains one whom Harvard graduates and students regard with the greatest veneration, not so much for his actual individual performances, although he was one of the best, but for those sterling qualities which go to make up a tactician, a Hannibal of the gridiron, one whose real object in life was to develop a team that could and did beat Yale--Arthur V. Cumnock, captain of the team of 1890.

In describing Cumock's determination as a team leader, the author of the 1913 article wrote: "He permitted no one to interfere with his plans.

"[3] As for his individual performance in the 1890 Yale game, the writer noted: "Such tackling as Cumnock did that day probably has never been equaled.

Lee McClung would come around the end with the giant Heffelfinger interfering, and the records read: 'Cumnock tackles both and brings them down.