What trophy did Douglas Fairbanks present in may 1929?

Answer 1

According to my research, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. created an award that was presented to the nation's most valuable collegiate football player. According to an article entitled "Sam Francis Is Voted Football's Greatest Player" on page 9 of the 6 January 1937 edition of the Baton Rouge (LA) Morning Advocate, "The beautiful trophy is made of sterling silver and weighs approximately 40 pounds. To gain the trophy permanently, it must be won three times by a school. To the player bringing the prize to the school, Douglas Fairbanks presents a gold medallion suitably inscribed and bearing a relief replica of the trophy." As far as I have been able to ascertain, the trophy was first given to Erny Pinckert of USC following the 1931 season. Other award winners include Harry Newman of Michigan in 1932, Francis "Pug" Lund of Minnesota in 1933, Robert "Bones" Hamilton of Stanford in 1934, Jay "The Flying Dutchman" Berwanger of Chicago in 1935, Harrison "Sam" Francis of Nebraska in 1936, future US Supreme Court Justice Byron "Whizzer" White of Colorado in 1937, Davey "Slingshot" O'Brien of TCU in 1938, Kenny "Kingfish" Washington of UCLA in 1939, Tom "Old 98" Harmon of Michigan in 1940 & Frank "Fireball Frankie" Sinkwich of Georgia in 1941 & 1942. All these gentlemen are enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame (CFHOF). The award seems to be the result of some sort of grading system of sportswriter Norman L. Sper Sr. involving speed, running interference, blocking, ball carrying, pass receiving, passing, defensive ability, play diagnosing, kicking, aggressiveness & generalship. I do not know if the award was given after 1942, if the trophy still exists, and if so, where the trophy resides.