September 1, 1999
Century Club celebrates gridiron traditions
Traverse City's first all-state player, John Ott honored at awards dinner
By Garret Leiva
Herald editor
Helmets without facemasks and single wing formations - it was indeed a night of history and tradition at this year's Traverse City Football Century Club awards dinner.
Traverse City's first all-state football player, John Ott; local sports fan and former sports editor, Ken Bell and St. Francis coach, Bob Brick were among the local legends honored during an evening program held at the Traverse City Elks Lodge.
Paying homage to these gridiron heroes was part of the Century Club's mission to promote the history and tradition of Traverse City football, noted club founder Jim Ooley; a former Trojan football coach for 39 years.
The Century Club formed three years ago in recognition of 100 years of Traverse City football and is presently establishing itself as an official football fund-raising organization. Ooley said future goals of the group include raising scholarship funds and creating distinctive sections in the Thirlby Field press box adorned with Trojan, Titan and Gladiator memorabilia.
One such football figure that could rightly take a place of distinction high above Thirlby Field was the night's guest of honor, John Ott. A powerful halfback and a proficient pass-catcher, Ott was named to the 1944 All-Michigan Football Team; becoming the first player in Traverse City football history to accomplish this honor.
Going by John, not Johnny these days, the Grand Rapids equipment businessman said the awards ceremony came as an unexpected surprise - especially after five decades since his last scamper from the single wing formation.
"It's been 55 years since I played football in Traverse City, so to be honored at this time is a real treat," said Ott, a 9 letter varsity sports standout in football, basketball and baseball.
Presenting the Century Club award to Ott was long-time local sports fan, Ken Bell. The former sports writer and editor for the Traverse City Record-Eagle recalled that at 6'1" and 185 pounds, Ott was a defensive backs worst nightmare. "John was a slashing type runner who was hard to pull down. Back then lineman went 180 to 160 pounds, so he was a big kid in those days," said Hall, who was also honored by the Century Club for his tireless contributions to the Traverse City football program.
Also remembering Ott's natural athletic prowess were several of his Trojan football squad teammates. As one of those creating a hole of daylight for Ott, former right guard Bud Weede said the team's offensive playcaller was a true competitor. "John had a lot of natural ability and agility to run with the ball," noted Weede, a player Ott said deserved the title of all-state as much as he did.
As quarterback on passing plays, Walt "Andy" Anderson said Ott was the team's offensive mainstay whether it was a ground attack or an aerial assault on the opposing defense. Called the "Anderson-Ott Combination," the offensive pairing proved successful at moving the first down chains. "John was an exceptional pass catcher. If you could throw it anywhere near him, he was going to catch it," Anderson said.
Living for Friday nights during football season, Ott said his greatest gridiron memory came at the expense of not just another team, but some very close friends.
Staying with his mother in Manistee during the summer months, Ott became acquainted with several of the school's football players. His senior year the two teams squared off against each other in what seemed like an evenly matched contest. Ott, however, quickly changed all that with a 65 yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.
"All these guys were buddies of mine and after the game they were ticked. We were still friends, but they hated every minute of it and I loved it. It was the most fun I ever had playing football," said Ott, who crossed the goal line a total of five times that night, although two touchdowns were called back on penalties, in route to a 39-6 shellacking.
While Ott could be credited with carrying his team to victory in the Manistee game, old newspaper clippings displayed at the Century Club dinner extolled his virtues the entire season. In 1944, Ott's 127 yards rushing and 84 yards of pass receiving sealed a 31-7 victory over Petoskey for the "Little Brown Jug." Also, his lone touchdown proved the difference in a 6-0 squeaker against Cadillac. One article even reported that while playing Roger City, two Huron defenders tried to stop Ott on a 55 yard sprint along the sidelines, but the halfback "brushed them off like flies."
Although more than half a century has passed since Ott's exploits on Thirlby Field made both headlines and defenders shake their heads, the former running back fondly remembers the history and tradition of Traverse City football.
"The most fun time of the year was those football Friday nights. The opening kickoff was the start of something special, it was probably what I looked forward to more than anything else in school," Ott said.