Speaking of penalty flags...

[RMR]

I was at the College Football Hall of Fame this past weekend and got to see the first ever penalty marker.

[HLinNC]

I need to road trip down there and check it out.  I've been to the Pro and want to go back as they've added on since I last went.

[Joe Stack]

I was there this summer and I missed that.

My dad worked football in Texas in the 50s and later and when he started, they used all red flags. They also wore all white long sleeved shirts. Only later did they switch to stripes.

[bama_stripes]

And before there were markers, the "assistant referees" apparently used horns.

[hefnerjm]

I was there this summer and I missed that.

My dad worked football in Texas in the 50s and later and when he started, they used all red flags. They also wore all white long sleeved shirts. Only later did they switch to stripes.

This is actually the reason why NFL challenge flags are red...it was in homage to the history of the game.

[AlUpstateNY]

Ah yes, red penalty flags.  One of the reasons restaurants that hosted Football Officials annual banquets, stopped using red dinner napkins.  (before the advent of mail order Official's suppliers)

[Ralph Damren]

I was at the College Football Hall of Fame this past weekend and got to see the first ever penalty marker.

I started in Connecticut back in 1969 while it was still a NCAA state (Went NFHS in 1979) and these were the flags that we used. When I moved to Maine in 1971, my mew found buddies were in awe of my red & white flag and my spiffy black cap with white piping (NFHS had solid black back then).

[hefnerjm]

I started in Connecticut back in 1969 while it was still a NCAA state (Went NFHS in 1979) and these were the flags that we used. When I moved to Maine in 1971, my mew found buddies were in awe of my red & white flag and my spiffy black cap with white piping (NFHS had solid black back then).

So, Ralph...are they reserving your spot in the museum too?      What???  too soon?

[Ralph Damren]

So, Ralph...are they reserving your spot in the museum too?      What???  too soon?

I'm a relic, but not deserving of a museum spot. My trusty red & white flag probably should be though . I conformed and got a spiffy red flag to go with my new crewmates and to keep the prom queen's divorced mom from pointing and giggling . I retired my ole' multi colored to be tied into a knot on my linesman's clip. It got muddy...it got old.... I threw it out...I also clipped Ted Williams baseball cards to the spokes of my JC Higgins Special (popular bike in New England)....I had 1909 VDB & 1909 VDB-S in my penny loafers.....oh, but the squanders of youth .....