Dexter Very Explained

Dexter Very
Birth Date:November 27, 1889
Birth Place:Fairdale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:State College, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Weight Lbs:165
Pastschools:
Currentposition:End
School:Penn State Nittany Lions
Highlights:
Cfbhof Year:1976
Class:Graduate

Dexter W. Very (November 27, 1889  - September 27, 1980) was an American college football player for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team of Pennsylvania State University.

Biography

Very started at right end for the Nittany Lions in every game from 1909 to 1912. During that time, Penn State was undefeated in 1909, 1911 and 1912, while losing just two games in 1910.

Very was elected as the team's captain in 1911, and helped the Nittany Lions defeat the Penn Quakers, for its first victory over Penn in 18 years. That game he stripped the Quakers' Ray Mercer of the football and ran it back for a Penn State touchdown. In 1912, Very scored nine touchdowns in eight games. He never wore a helmet while playing. He was also the Middle Atlantic wrestling champion in 1915 at 158lbs.

After college, he worked as a manufacturer's representative in Pittsburgh and also worked as a football official. He officiated the 1927 Georgia vs. Yale football game. On January 2, 1933, Very officiated the Rose Bowl.

Early Years

Dexter Very was born in Fairdale, Pa (Greene County) in southwestern Pa. In 1907, he graduated from the Scotland Orphan Industrial School, Scotland, Pa, later re-named to Scotland School for Veterans Children.

He attended Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, Pa for two years before enrolling in Penn State.

Later years and death

Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976, Very passed away on September 27, 1980.