John Cranston (American football)

During the 1905 football reform movement, Cranston was part of the reformist camp and proposed the abolition of professional coaches.

A native of Sheridan, New York,[2] Cranston began his football career at Phillips Exeter Academy in 1887.

"[4] The World of New York called Cranston one of Harvard's best men, and experienced player who was "as strong as a bull.

"[2] The Springfield Republican wrote that Cranston was not a great blocker and "is rather pugnacious and wastes time splitting heads; but he is a strong, heavy man, and will do his part very nearly as it ought to be done.

"[8] Cranston was also noteworthy as the first player to wear equipment to protect his face during an American football game.

Football was a brutal game that resulted in many serious injuries and deaths in the 19th century, prior to modern innovations of helmets and padding.

At the time of his appointment, the Boston Morning Journal summarized his accomplishments as follows:"John Cranston played at Harvard in 1888, 1889 and 1890, two years as centre and one as guard on the 'varsity team.

He stands as the best center Harvard ever boasted, and his long experience in football, and his past coaching, coupled with remarkable business ability, should work wonders with the Crimson candidates when they report for the eleven next September.

"[14] In 1905, college football was struck by scandals involving professionalism, as some schools were accused of hiring "ringers," and also by concerns over the sport's brutality and injuries.

Cranston drew further attention in late 1905 when he published a further article in the Boston Journal opining that athletics were being overdone at universities.