RIP Noble Doss

Watching that makes me feel for Gideon. He really may not ever get over it… Hope he keeps his head up.

RIP Mr. Doss.

For the few of you who may be unaware of the context of Mr. Doss’ catch:

Texas A & M enterred the game riding a 19 game winning streak and ranked # 1. They were defending National Champions and needed only a win against Texas to secure a second National Title and an invitation to the Rose Bowl. Texas’ record was 6 wins and 2 losses. The Aggies were favored to win by 3 touchdowns. Mr. Doss’ catch came on the third play from scrimmage, and on the next play, Pete Layden plunged in from the 1 yard line. That touchdown and the extra point which followed were the only points scored in the game.

Jarrin’ John Kimbrough was the Aggies’ featured player and everybody’s All-American. He was the man Mr. Doss beat on the catch. Mr. Doss also killed 3 Aggie drives with interceptions, one in the endzone, all off the arm of Kimbrough. Only 13 Texas players saw the field that day, and for some time, they were known as the immortal 13.

Rest in Peace Mr. Doss

RIP indeed, Mr. Doss. I hope he no longer worries about a single play.

Hook ’em!

I can’t imagine that there is a man more aptly named than Noble Doss.

They should put his picture next to the word Gentleman in the dictionary.

I had the pleasure of interviewing him several times, and each and every time he was gracious, kind, and open about his feelings for Texas.

For one special interview we got most of the survivors from the 1941 cover of Life magazine together. It was as obvious then as it was on that ABC story how much Noble still thought about the dropped pass against Baylor. His teammates talked about other missed opportunities to win the game, but it still preyed on Noble’s mind.

I had the pleasure of seeing him from time to time in social settings and he was a kind, quiet man who was genuinely interested in what was happening with you.

He is a template for what representing Texas on and off the field should be.

As for the dropped pass, for those who don’t know the entire story, the 1941 Texas football team was the best in school history for the first 60 years of the century.

The Horns looked to be on their way to the national championship, having won every game up to the Baylor contest by an average of 38-5. They were scheduled to be on the cover of Life magazine the next week, when Baylor stunned Texas with a 7-7 tie. That was the game where Noble dropped an apparent sure touchdown.

The team, still stunned over the defeat, lost to TCU the next week 14-7.

Despite that, the Rose Bowl was still interested in Texas after they beat A&M. However, the Horns had another game to play — against Oregon. The Rose Bowl said they would invite Texas, if they cancelled the Oregon game. The Pac 10 winner that year was Oregon State, and the Rose Bowl feared a Texas loss to a Pac 10 team that had lost to Oregon State would ruin the game.

Texas refused to cancel the game, so the Rose Bowl invited Duke instead.

Texas beat Oregon 71-7 on December 6, 1941. Of course the next day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The Rose Bowl, fearful of a possible Japanese attack on the West Coast, moved the game to the Duke campus. Oregon State defeated Duke 20-16.

That’s how close Texas came to playing in a Rose Bowl 44 years before they actually did, and that’s how close Austin came to hosting a Rose Bowl.

Great post, and great comments by all.

His son, the doctor, delivered me.

A Longhorn legend takes it to the Big House.

RIP Mr. Doss.

Noble Doss goes to his grave as the career interception leader for The University of Texas, with 17. His long record was finally tied by Nathan Vasher in 2003, after 62 years.

Doss also shares the single-season interception record of 7 with Vasher, Jerry Gray, William Graham, and Jack Crain.

Wow, even as an Aggie I will miss him and curse the fact I never met him.

Quick piece from the Statesman

Great story, Srr. Huck, thanks

He was aptly named. A great Longhorn, and an even better man. Noble Doss never accepted it, but his football career was all about what he did for his team, and nothing about a dropped pass.

The tribute earlier in this post makes me wish I had the good fortune to have met Noble Doss. I know of him from his football-playing days, but I think his impact extended much further than a football field.

RIP Noble Doss.

It’s hard to imagine that after his great accomplishments he still regrets the one drop. Can’t imagine carrying that burden for 60+ years. If anyone deserves to rest in peace, it’s that man.

It’s an awful shame he still blamed himself for that game 60 years later :( He is now RIP Mr. Doss.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. —Matthew 11:28

Learned a few new things. Looking forward to an update soon.