1910 West Virginia Football Death and Murder Charge

Interesting article on a player punching a opponent in the back of the head. The player dies and the assailant is charged with murder.

From the San Francisco Call, November 14th 1910

MURDER CHARGE FOLLOWS BLOW IN FOOTBALL GAME

Magistrate Issues Warrant for Bethany College Team Player for Killing West Virginia University Captain

WHEELING. W. Va., Nov. 13.— A warrant charging- Thomas McCoy, right end of the Bethany college football team, with murder in connection with the death of Captain Rudolph Munk of the West Virginia team was issued here today by Magistrate R. G. Hobbs. The action followed a partial inquest by Coroner W. W. Rogers. Munk sustained injuries in the game between the two teams Saturday from which he died five hours later- without regaining consciousness.. The testimony was furnished principally by Homer N. Young, a Pittsburgh attorney, who umpired the game. The autopsy' disclosed that Munk's death was caused by a blood clot at the base of his brain and could not have" been the result of a former injury. McCoy lives at Canton, O. The warrant for his arrest will be served tomorrow. giving details of the way in which Munk was injured. Young said the ball was on Bethany's 30 yard line when Munk started down the field for interference.

"He was near the player with the ball," Young said. "Munk was met by McCoy, who ran toward Munk as they both were running down the field. Ten yards behind the scrimmage line, when Munk was in front, McCoy, struck him In the back of the head with his fist. Both Munk and McCoy fell, but the latter quickly regained his feet, looked at Munk and started off the field."

Umpire Young said that as the blow appeared to him clearly intentional he immediately put McCoy out of the game. No other witnesses were heard today, but several players have been summoned for tomorrow night, when the inquest will be resumed.

McCoy left college this fall without notifying the faculty and had not played on the team for two weeks. President Cramblett of Bethany said tonight that he was unaware that McCoy was to play In Saturday's game.

All the remaining games scheduled by West Virginia university will be canceled, including the Thanksgiving day game with Washington and Jefferson.