William Thomas "Mother" Dunn (May 13, 1881 – November 17, 1962) was an American

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

player who was a linebacker and center for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team of

Penn State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State became ...

. Dunn captained the 1906 Nittany Lion, and that year became the first player outside of the Ivy League to be selected as an All-American by Walter Camp. He was also the first great linebacker in the history of Penn State's football program, a school that would eventually be nicknamed "Linebacker U" for its history of excellent play at the linebacker position. Dunn was featured on the official 2011 Nittany Lion football schedule poster as part of the celebration of 125 years of Penn State football.

External links

"The legacy of Linebacker U"
'' The Daily Collegian'', September 2, 2000 1881 births 1962 deaths All-American college football players American football linebackers American football centers Penn State Nittany Lions football players Players of American football from Youngstown, Ohio {{linebacker-1880s-stub