View source for Pete Henry

{{Short description|American football player (1897–1952)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name                = Pete Henry
| image               = Pete Henry.jpg
| alt                 = Chest-up black and white photograph of Henry facing the camera
| caption             = Henry, {{circa}} 1920
| number              = 18, 20, 13, 55, 23
| position            = [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|Tackle]]
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|1897|10|31|mf=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Mansfield, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|1952|2|7|1897|10|31|mf=y}}
| death_place         = [[Washington, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| height_ft           = 5
| height_in           = 11
| weight_lbs          = 245
| high_school         = [[Mansfield Senior High School|Mansfield (OH)]]
| college             = [[Washington & Jefferson Presidents football|Washington & Jefferson]] (1915–1919)
| pastteams           = 
* [[Canton Bulldogs]] ([[1920 Canton Bulldogs season|1920]]–[[1923 Canton Bulldogs season|1923]], [[1925 Canton Bulldogs season|1925]]–[[1926 Canton Bulldogs season|1926]])
* [[New York Giants]] ([[1927 New York Giants season|1927]])
* [[Pottsville Maroons]] ([[1927 Pottsville Maroons season|1927]]–[[1928 Pottsville Maroons season|1928]])
| pastcoaching        = 
* [[Canton Bulldogs]] ([[1926 Canton Bulldogs season|1926]])<br>Head coach
* [[Pottsville Maroons]] ([[1928 Pottsville Maroons season|1928]])<br>Head coach
* [[Washington & Jefferson Presidents football|Washington & Jefferson]] (1929)<br>Freshman coach
* [[Washington & Jefferson Presidents football|Washington & Jefferson]] (1930–1933)<br>Line coach
* [[Washington & Jefferson Presidents football|Washington & Jefferson]] (1942, 1945)<br>Head coach
| pastadmin = 
* [[Washington & Jefferson College|Washington & Jefferson]] (1932–1952)<br>Athletic director
| highlights          = 
* 2× [[NFL Championship|NFL champion]] ([[1922 Canton Bulldogs season|1922]], [[1923 Canton Bulldogs season|1923]])
* 4× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1920 All-Pro Team|1920]]–1923)
* [[NFL 1920s All-Decade Team]]
* 2× Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1918 College Football All-America Team|1918]], [[1919 College Football All-America Team|1919]])
* First-team All-American ([[1917 College Football All-America Team|1917]])
| coachregrecord      = {{Winning percentage|3|17|3|record=y}}
| coachplayoffrecord  = <!--{{Winning percentage|0|0|record=y}}-->
| coachrecord         = <!--{{Winning percentage|3|17|3|record=y}}-->
| pfr                 = HenrPe20
| pfrcoach            = HenrPe0
| HOF                 = wilbur-pete-henry
| CollegeHOF          = 1330
}}

'''Wilbur Francis''' "'''Pete'''" '''Henry''' (October 31, 1897 – February 7, 1952) was an American [[American football|football]] player, coach, and athletic administrator. He was a charter inductee into both the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 1951 and the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1963.

A native of [[Mansfield, Ohio]], Henry attended [[Washington & Jefferson College]] where he played at the [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|tackle]] position from 1915 to 1919.  He was selected as a consensus All-American in 1918 and again in 1919.

He next played professional football in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for the  [[Canton Bulldogs]] ([[1920 Canton Bulldogs season|1920]]–[[1923 Canton Bulldogs season|1923]], [[1925 Canton Bulldogs season|1925]]–[[1926 Canton Bulldogs season|1926]]), [[New York Giants]] ([[1927 New York Giants season|1927]]), and [[Pottsville Maroons]] ([[1927 Pottsville Maroons season|1927]]–[[1928 Pottsville Maroons season|1928]]). He helped lead Canton to consecutive NFL championships in 1922 and 1923 and was selected as a first-team [[All-Pro]] four consecutive years from 1920 to 1923.  He also served as head coach with Canton in 1926 and with Pottsville in 1928.

In 1929, Henry returned to Washington & Jefferson as an assistant football coach.  He became [[athletic director]] in 1932 and held that position until his death in 1952. He was also the head coach of the [[Washington & Jefferson Presidents football|Washington & Jefferson football]] team in 1942 and 1945.

==Early life==
Henry was born in 1897 in [[Mansfield, Ohio]].<ref name=PFR>{{cite web|title=Pete Henry|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=October 19, 2017|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HenrPe20.htm}}</ref> He was the only child of Ulysses Sherman Henry (1865–1938), an Ohio native who worked for 32 years as a guard in a reformatory,<ref>{{cite news|title='Pete' Henry's Father, 72, Dies|newspaper=The Mansfield News-Journal|date=January 31, 1938|page=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14581761/pete_henrys_father_72_dies/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> and Bertha Frank Henry, an immigrant from Germany.<ref>1910 U.S. Census entry for Ulyses S. Henry and family. Son Wilbur F., age 12, born in Ohio. Census Place: Mansfield Ward 3, Richland, Ohio; Roll: T624_1225; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0184; FHL microfilm: 1375238. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line].</ref>

Henry attended [[Mansfield Senior High School]] where he played football both as a lineman and [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] from 1911 to 1914.<ref name=MNJ99>{{cite news|title=Larger than football: Henry's size and speed made him a superstar in early years|newspaper=Mansfield News Journal|date=August 31, 1999|pages=1B, 4B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14519362/larger_than_football_henrys_size_and/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref name=Coffin>{{cite web|title=The Perfect Tackle: The Career of Hall of Famer Pete Henry |author=Chris Willis|publisher=Pro Football Researchers|work=The Coffin Corner|year=2005|access-date=October 20, 2017|url=http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/27-05-1092.pdf}}</ref> As the team captain and starting fullback in 1914, Henry was effective as a lead blocker and [[forward pass|passer]] out of a [[Single-wing formation|single-wing offense]] and led the team to an 8–1 record. That year, he also returned a [[fumble]] 50 yards for a [[touchdown]] and scored three touchdowns in one game.<ref name=MNJ99/>

==College career==
In 1915, Henry enrolled at [[Washington & Jefferson College]] located approximately 30 miles southwest of [[Pittsburgh]]. He played football for the [[Washington & Jefferson Presidents football]] team for five years from [[1915 Washington & Jefferson Presidents football team|1915]] to [[1919 Washington & Jefferson Presidents football team|1919]] (the 1918 season was not counted against Henry's four years of eligibility due to his military service).<ref name=CFHOF>{{cite web|title=Wilbur "Fats" Henry|publisher=National Football Foundation|access-date=October 20, 2017|url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1330}}}}</ref> During Henry's time with Washington & Jefferson, the football team compiled a 31–10–1 record.<ref>{{cite web|title=Washington & Jefferson Presidents School History|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|access-date=October 20, 2017|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington-jefferson/}}</ref>

Washington & Jefferson head coach [[Bob Folwell]] switched Henry in 1915 from a fullback to a [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|tackle]], the position he played for his entire college and professional career. The [[1915 Washington & Jefferson Presidents football team|1915 Washington & Jefferson football team]] compiled an 8–1–1 record, defeated [[1915 Yale Bulldogs football team|Yale]] (which had won the national championship as recently as [[1909 Yale Bulldogs football team|1909]]) by a 17–0 score, and outscored all opponents, 219–45.<ref>{{cite web|title=1915 Washington & Jefferson Presidents Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|access-date=October 20, 2017|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington-jefferson/1915-schedule.html}}</ref>

Henry became known as one of the best punt blockers in the game while playing for Washington & Jefferson.<ref name=Heisman/> Years later, he cited a blocked punt in 1916 as his greatest thrill as a player. Taking the ball off the punter's toe and running it back 40 yards for a touchdown, Henry recalled: "The ball plopped right against my stomach and never bounced as I threw my arms around it."<ref>{{cite news|title=Selected By Camp In 1917, 19: Pete Henry Was First W-J Athlete Honored; Four-Letter Winner|newspaper=The Mansfield News-Journal|date=December 10, 1937|pages=22, 23|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14581600/selected_by_camp_in_1917_19_pete/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Henry was recognized by the Frank Menke Syndicate as a first-term [[All-American]] at tackle in [[1917 College Football All-America Team|1917]].<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/officialfootball19181nati#page/n21/mode/2up Spalding's Football Guide]</ref> In both [[1918 College Football All-America Team|1918]] and [[1919 College Football All-America Team|1919]], he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American.<ref>{{cite web|title=Football Award Winners|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)|year=2016|access-date=October 21, 2017|page=6|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/awards.pdf}}</ref>

In 1919, [[1919 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pitt]] argued that Henry was ineligible to play a fifth year.<ref name=northchapter6 />  A gentleman's agreement among all college teams generally allowed players whose 1918 seasons were cut short to play.<ref name=northchapter6 />  In fact, Pitt played several other teams with similarly situated players without complaint.<ref name=northchapter6 /> Henry agreed to sit out the game, and Pitt won, 7–6.  Washington & Jefferson fans circulated flyers at the game that said, "Who Scared Pitt?" on the front with a mug shot and one word, "Henry", on the back.<ref name=MNJ99/> In his later years, Henry was not one to keep souvenirs, but he did keep the program from that game.<ref name=northchapter6>{{cite book| last = E. Lee| first =  North| title = Battling the Indians, Panthers, and Nittany Lions: The Story of Washington & Jefferson College's First Century of Football, 1890-1990| chapter=Chapter 6: Who Scared Pitt?|publisher = Daring Books| year = 1991| pages = 75–83| oclc = 24174022| isbn = 978-1-878302-03-8}}</ref>

In 1920, [[Pop Warner]], who had coached against Henry at Pitt, selected Henry as one of the two tackles on his greatest collegiate eleven of all time and said: "Henry was the fastest and most aggressive big man I ever saw."<ref>{{cite news|title=Warner Ranks Two Pitt, One W. & J. Men on "Greatest" Team|newspaper=The Gazette Times|publication-place=Pittsburgh|date=November 2, 1920|page=9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14550667/warner_ranks_two_pitt_one_w_j_men/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Henry also played basketball for W&J and competed in weights events for the Washington & Jefferson track team.<ref name=MNJ20/> He also later played professional basketball for the Warren Trumbull Steels, Canton Sinclair Oils, and Dover All-Stars.<ref>{{cite news|title=Recalls Toledo Battle|newspaper=The Mansfield News-Journal|date=December 9, 1937|page=20|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14581658/recalls_toledo_battle/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

==Professional playing career==
[[File:W. pete henry pottsville charm.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Henry's small charm made from anthracite coal given to members of the 1928 Pottsville Maroons]]

===Canton Bulldogs (1920–1923)===
Upon graduating from college in 1920, Henry was 5 feet, 11 inches and weighed 235 pounds, but was "considered a fast man, able to do the hundred in close to 11 seconds."<ref name=MNJ20/>  He received offers to play professional football for the [[Canton Bulldogs]], [[Cleveland Tigers (NFL)|Cleveland Tigers]], [[Akron Pros]], [[Hammond Pros]], and [[Rock Island Independents]].<ref name=MNJ20>{{cite news|title=Canton Bulldogs Get Wilbur Henry|newspaper=The Mansfield News|date=September 19, 1920|page=2B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14550278/canton_bulldogs_get_wilbur_henry/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He signed with Canton in September 1920, saying he wished to play with [[Jim Thorpe]].<ref name=MNJ20/>

As a rookie, Henry participated in the first season of the new professional association that became the NFL. He played all 13 games for the [[1920 Canton Bulldogs season|1920 Bulldogs team]] that compiled a 7–4–2 record. At the end of the 1920 season, Henry was selected as a first-team tackle on the [[1920 All-Pro Team|All-Pro]] team selected by sportswriters Bruce Copeland (''Rock Island Argus'').<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hogrogian |first=John |year=1984 |title=1920 All-Pros |journal=[[The Coffin Corner]] |publisher=[[Professional Football Researchers Association]] |volume=6 |issue=1 |url=http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/06-01-173.pdf }}</ref>

In 1921, Henry again played every game for the [[1921 Canton Bulldogs season|Bulldogs team]] that compiled an 8–3–3 record. Henry was selected as a first-team [[All-Pro]] team compiled by the ''[[Buffalo Evening News]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1921_APFA/allpro.htm | title=1921 APFA All-Pros | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | work=pro-football-reference.com | access-date=24 July 2014}}</ref>

In 1922, [[Guy Chamberlin]] joined the Canton team as player, coach, and part owner and built the Bulldogs into one of the NFL's first powerhouse teams.  The [[1922 Canton Bulldogs season|1922 Bulldogs team]] included Pro Football Hall of Famers (Henry, Chamberlin, and [[Link Lyman]]), compiled a 10–0–2 record, shut out nine of twelve opponents, outscored all opponents 184–15, and won the 1922 NFL championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=1922 Canton Bulldogs Statistics & Players|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=October 20, 2017|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cbd/1922.htm}}</ref>

The following year, the [[1923 Canton Bulldogs season|1923 Canton Bulldogs]] with Henry and Chamberlin compiled another undefeated season (11–0–1), shut out eight of twelve opponents, outscored all opponents by a combined total of 246–19, and won its second consecutive NFL championship.<ref name=t23>{{cite web|title=1923 Canton Bulldogs Schedule & Game Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=April 9, 2017|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cbd/1923_games.htm}}</ref> Henry led the 1923 team with 58 points on nine field goals, 25 extra points, and a touchdown reception.<ref name=t23/> On October 23, 1923, he set an NFL record with a 94-yard punt; his record stood until 1969.<ref name=MNJ99/> On November 11, 1923, with the Bulldogs trailing to [[1923 Buffalo All-Americans season|Buffalo]] by a 3–0 score and a half minute left in the game, Henry blocked a [[Tommy Hughitt]] punt and then drop-kicked a field goal to preserve Canton's undefeated season.<ref>{{cite news|title=All-Americans and Canton in 3-3 Tie Game: Blocked Punt and field goal by Henry in Final Minute of Play Saves Bulldog Eleven From Defeat|newspaper=The Buffalo Commercial|date=November 12, 1923|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14584365/allamericans_and_canton_in_33_tie_game/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Henry Again Saves Canton Pro Eleven|newspaper=The Mansfield News|date=November 12, 1923|page=9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14558855/henry_again_saves_canton_pro_eleven/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>  At the end of the 1923 season, Henry was selected by ''Collyer's Eye'' magazine, the ''[[Green Bay Press-Gazette]]'', and the ''[[Canton Daily News]]'' as a first-team player on the [[1923 All-Pro Team]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1923 NFL All-Pros|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=April 9, 2017|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1923/allpro.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Collyer's All-Star Pro Elevens|newspaper=The Davenport Democrat and Leader|date=December 21, 1923|page=25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10180981/collyers_allstar_pro_elevens/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

===Pottsville Maroons (1924)===
In August 1924, Cleveland jeweler [[Samuel Deutsch]] bought the Canton Bulldogs and moved the team to Cleveland where they became the [[1924 Cleveland Bulldogs season|Cleveland Bulldogs]] during the [[1924 NFL season]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Champion Bulldogs Sold To Cleveland|newspaper=Akron Beacon-Journal|date=August 4, 1924|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10181517/champion_bulldogs_sold_to_cleveland/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Henry did not join the Bulldogs in Cleveland, instead playing for the [[1924 Pottsville Maroons season|1924 Pottsville Maroons]] of the [[Anthracite League]]. ([[Pottsville, Pennsylvania|Pottsville]] in the 1920s was a city with a population of approximately 22,000 located 100 miles northwest of [[Philadelphia]].) Henry led Pottsville to a 12–1–1 record and the Anthracite League championship and was named to the All-Anthracite team at the end of the 1924 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Copley Names Chapman On His All-Star Anth. Football Aggregation|newspaper=Mount Carmel (PA) Item|date=December 15, 1924|page=5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14558939/copley_names_chapman_on_his_allstar/}}</ref>

===Canton Bulldogs (1925–1926)===
In January 1925, Henry was reinstated to good standing with the NFL, having been subjected to sanctions the previous year when he refused to join the Bulldogs when the team moved to Cleveland.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pete Henry In National League Again|newspaper=The Mansfield News|date=January 19, 1925|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14589583/pete_henry_in_national_league_again/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>  In the summer of 1925, Henry and four other Canton alumni ([[Link Lyman]], [[Rudy Comstock]], [[Ben Jones (halfback)|Ben Jones]], and [[Harry Robb]]) bought the Cleveland Bulldogs for $3,500 and moved the team back to Canton.<ref>Old Leather, p. 59.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Canton Bulldogs to Return in Fall|newspaper=The Gazette Times|location=Pittsburgh|date=July 19, 1925|page=31|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10181695/canton_bulldogs_to_return_in_fall/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Henry appeared in only six games for the 1925 Canton team,<ref>{{cite web|title=1925 Canton Bulldogs Statistics & Players|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2017|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cbd/1925.htm}}</ref> missing much of the season due to injury.<ref>{{cite news|title=Akron Is Next On Bulldog Program|newspaper=The Daily Times|publication-place=New Philadelphia, Ohio|date=November 12, 1925|page=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14589770/akron_is_next_on_bulldog_program/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The following year, he appeared in all 13 games and served as co-head coach with [[Harry Robb]] of the [[1926 Canton Bulldogs season|1926 Canton team]] that compiled a 1–9–3 record.<ref>{{cite web|title=1926 Canton Bulldogs Statistics & Players|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=October 22, 2017|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cbd/1926.htm}}</ref>

===New York and Pottsville (1927–1928)===
Before the [[1927 NFL season|1927 season]], the NFL dropped 12 teams, including Canton.<ref>{{cite news|title=Here's Your Hat |work=Pro Football Researchers Association |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Articles/Heres_Your_Hat.pdf |access-date=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218172804/http://profootballresearchers.org/Articles/Heres_Your_Hat.pdf |archive-date=December 18, 2010 }}</ref> In September 1927, Henry signed to play with the [[New York Giants]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pete Henry Signs To Play With Giants|newspaper=Chester (PA) Times|date=September 22, 1927|page=15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14590430/pete_henry_signs_to_play_for_giants/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>  He appeared in only four games for the Giants.<ref name=PFR/> In mid-October 1927, he was acquired by the Pottsville Maroons (for whom he had played in 1924) in a transaction with the Giants.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pete Henry Comes Back To Pottsville|newspaper=Mount Carmel (PA) Item|date=October 20, 1927|page=2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14559117/pete_henry_comes_back_to_pottsville/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He remained with Pottsville through the 1928 season.<ref name=PFR/> He also served as head coach of the [[1928 Pottsville Maroons season|1928 Pottsville team]] that compiled a 2–8 record against NFL opponents.<ref>{{cite web|title=1928 Pottsville Maroons Statistics & Players|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=October 21, 2017|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ptb/1928.htm}}</ref>

==Honors and awards==
Henry received multiple honors and awards arising out of his accomplishments as a football player, including the following:
* In November 1928, [[John Heisman]] selected Henry for "Heisman's Hundred in Hall of Football Fame". Heisman cited Henry's "extraordinary" speed and called Henry "[b]eyond all question . . . the greatest punt blocker the game has ever known."<ref name=Heisman>{{cite news|title=Heisman's Hundred in Hall of Football Fame|author=John Heisman|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=November 29, 1928|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14581383/heismans_hundred_in_hall_of_football/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* In November 1931, a jury consisting of many of football's leading figures, including [[Pop Warner]], [[Robert Zuppke]], [[Gil Dobie]], [[Hugo Bezdek]], and [[Bill Roper (American football)|Bill Roper]], was tasked with selecting "Football's Greatest Player." Henry finished 16th in the voting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Who's Football's Greatest Player?|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|date=November 22, 1931|page=54|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14579840/whos_footballs_greatest_player/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* In November 1939, [[Grantland Rice]] included Henry as one of two tackles and eleven players on the All-Time All-America team he selected for ''Collier's'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news|title='Pete' Henry Named on Collier's Eternal All-America By Rice|newspaper=The Mansfield News-Journal|date=December 2, 1939|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14581818/pete_henry_named_on_colliers_eternal/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* In October 1951, Henry was inducted into the [[Helms Athletic Foundation]]'s Professional Football Hall of Fame. He had previously been inducted into the Helms College Football Hall of Fame in 1949 and was the eighth player to be inducted into both the pro and college football hall of fame established by the Helms Foundation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pete Henry Named To Pro Hall of Fame|newspaper=The Daily Republican|publication-place=Monongahela, PA|date=October 18, 1951|page=2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14576623/pete_henry_named_to_pro_hall_of_fame/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* In November 1951, Henry was one of 52 inaugural inductees into the [[National Football Foundation]]'s Football Hall of Fame (later renamed the [[College Football Hall of Fame]]).<ref>{{cite news|title=Hall of Fame Now Has 31 Players and 21 Coaches|newspaper=Wisconsin Rapids (Wis.) Daily Tribune|date=November 5, 1951|page=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9737688/hall_of_fame_now_has_31_players_and_21/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref name=DN53>{{cite news|title=Election of Late Pete Henry to Hall of Fame Will Be Honored Saturday|newspaper=The Daily Notes|publication-place=Canonsburg, PA|date=October 20, 1953|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14575484/election_of_late_pete_henry_to_hall_of/}}</ref>
* In January 1963, Henry was selected as one of the 17 inaugural inductees into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pittsburgh Touch Given Pro Football's 'Hall' In Canton: 17, Including Bert Bell, Pete Henry And Cal Hubbard, Charter Members|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=September 6, 1963|page=32|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14575360/pittsburgh_touch_given_pro_footballs/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* In 1969 the [[Football Writers Association of America]] named Henry to the pre-1920 squad of its 22-man College Football All-Time Team.<ref>National Collegiate Athletic Association, ''The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide, 1970.'' Phoenix, AZ: College Athletics Publishing Service, 1970; p. 161.</ref>
* In August 1969, Henry was named to the [[National Football League 1920s All-Decade Team|NFL 1920s All-Decade Team]].<ref>{{cite news|title=All-1920s NFL Team Selected|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|date=August 27, 1969|page=C5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9748483/all1930s_nfl_team_selected/}}</ref>
* In February 1971, Washington & Jefferson College dedicated its new multipurpose sports complex as the Henry Physical Education Center (later renamed [[Henry Memorial Center]]) in his honor.<ref>{{cite news|title=W&J To Honor Former Athlete At Dedication|newspaper=The Daily Notes|publication-place=Canonsburg, PA|date=February 2, 1971|page=5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14586454/wj_to_honor_former_athlete_at/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

==Coaching and administrative career==
In June 1929, Henry was hired by his alma mater W&J as an advisory coach to the football team and head coach of the basketball and track teams.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wilbur Henry To Coach At W. & J.|newspaper=The Mansfield News|date=June 22, 1929|page=19|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14580057/wilbur_henry_to_coach_at_w_j/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> In the fall of 1929, Henry also coached W&J's freshman football team.<ref>{{cite news|title=W. & J. Frosh To Meet Kiski|newspaper=The Daily Republican|publication-place=Monongahela, PA|date=October 2, 1929|page=3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14580112/w_j_frosh_to_meet_kiski/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>  He was promoted in July 1930 to assistant coach for W&J's varsity football team.<ref>{{cite news|title=W. & J. Elevates Henry As Coach|newspaper=The Evening Independent|publication-place=Massillon, Ohio|date=July 10, 1930|page=11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14580191/w_j_elevates_henry_as_coach/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Henry became the school's athletic director in April 1932 while retaining his duties as line coach for the football team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Henry Directs W-J Athletics|newspaper=The Daily Times|publication-place=Philadelphia, Ohio|date=April 22, 1932|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14579942/henry_directs_wj_athletics/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

When [[Stu Holcomb]] resigned as W&J's head football coach in early 1942, Henry added the responsibility to his duties as athletic director. W&J President Ralph Cooper Hutchinson said at the time: "At this time, when football, along with other college activities, faces a crisis due to war conditions, the college has turned to Director Henry to serve in the emergency."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Henry Is Named Football Coach At Wash-Jeff|newspaper=The Daily Notes|publication-place=Canonsburg, PA|date=April 24, 1942|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14579401/henry_is_named_football_coach_at/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> W&J withdrew from intercollegiate for the 1943 and 1944 seasons due to wartime conditions. When football resumed in 1945, Henry again served as the team's head coach.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Sportseer|newspaper=The Indiana (PA) Gazette|date=October 25, 1956|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14579581/the_sportseer_washington_jefferson/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> In January 1946, Henry stepped down as head coach with the hiring of Henry Leucht to take over those responsibilities.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coach Chosen To Lead W. & J. To Glory Road|newspaper=The Daily Notes|publication-place=Canonsburg, PA|date=January 15, 1946|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14579689/coach_chosen_to_lead_w_j_to_glory/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Henry continued to serve as W&J's athletic director until his death in 1952.

==Family and death==
Henry was married in September 1927 to Marie M. Floding of [[Canton, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Joins Professionals|newspaper=The News-Messenger (Fremont, Ohio)|date=September 19, 1927|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14581929/joins_professionals/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He met his wife after he was hospitalized with a football injury, and she was assigned as his nurse.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sports Podge|author=Rex Hess|newspaper=Mansfield News-Journal|date=November 11, 1942|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14581960/sport_podge/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref name=Coffin/>

In his later years, Henry developed [[diabetes]] which limited his circulation. In January 1949, he had his right leg amputated to treat a gangrenous infection that developed in a toe.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pete Henry's Leg Amputated|newspaper=The Daily Notes|publication-place=Canonsburg, PA|date=January 20, 1949|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14576063/pete_henrys_leg_amputated/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He died in 1952 at age 54 at his home in [[Washington, Pennsylvania]].<ref name=PFR/><ref>{{cite news|title=Sports World Pays Tribute To Henry|newspaper=The Daily Notes|publication-place=Canonsburg, PA|date=February 8, 1952|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14577187/sports_world_pays_tribute_to_henry/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The cause of death was [[sepsis]] due to gangrene in his left foot and [[diabetes mellitus]].<ref>Death certificate for Wilbur Frank Henry, dated February 9, 1952. Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, US; Certificate Number Range: 017401-019950. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964 [database on-line].</ref>  He was buried at Mansfield Cemetery in [[Mansfield, Ohio]].

Henry was eulogized in Washington & Jefferson's college newspaper, the ''[[Red & Black (Washington & Jefferson College)|Red & Black]]'', as "capturing the very spirit of Wash Jeff and, for many people was the College."<ref>{{Cite journal| last = Scarborough| first = David Knowles| title = Intercollegiate Athletics at Washington and Jefferson College: the Building of a Tradition| journal = Ph.D Dissertation| publisher = [[University of Pittsburgh]]| location = [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]| year = 1979|page=73}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Profootballhof|94}}
* {{College Football HoF|1330}}
* {{Find a Grave}}

{{Canton Bulldogs coach navbox}}
{{Pottsville Maroons coach navbox}}
{{Washington & Jefferson Presidents football coach navbox}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Pete Henry—championships, awards, and honors
| list1 =
{{1922 Canton Bulldogs}}
{{1923 Canton Bulldogs}}
{{1927 New York Giants}}
{{1918 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1919 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{NFL1920s}}
{{1963 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Pete}}
[[Category:1897 births]]
[[Category:1952 deaths]]
[[Category:American football drop kickers]]
[[Category:American football tackles]]
[[Category:Canton Bulldogs coaches]]
[[Category:Canton Bulldogs players]]
[[Category:New York Giants players]]
[[Category:Pottsville Maroons coaches]]
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[[Category:Washington & Jefferson Presidents athletic directors]]
[[Category:Washington & Jefferson Presidents football coaches]]
[[Category:Washington & Jefferson Presidents football players]]
[[Category:Washington & Jefferson Presidents men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Washington & Jefferson Presidents men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Washington & Jefferson Presidents men's track and field athletes]]
[[Category:College track and field coaches in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
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[[Category:Sportspeople from Mansfield, Ohio]]
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[[Category:Players of American football from Washington County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Ohio]]
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[[Category:Basketball coaches from Ohio]]
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[[Category:Track and field athletes from Ohio]]