Rome in Floyd County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Woman Who Saved Football in Georgia
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 11, 2021
1. The Woman Who Saved Football in Georgia — Marker I
Inscription.
The Woman Who Saved Football in Georgia. . Vonalbade Gammon (b. 1879), a Rome native, entered UGA in 1896. He quarterbacked UGA's undefeated team coached by Glenn “Pop” Warner, and played against Auburn coached by John Heisman, on October 30, 1897. In a game with UVa, Von crashed the line behind tackle. Rendered unconscious, he died at Grady Hospital the following day. In November Georgia lawmakers banned football. ,
Von Gammon is buried in Rome's historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery, The Woman who Saved Football in Georgia. Rosalind Burns Gammon did not believe her son died in vain and did not want the game of football to come to an end. In a letter to Rep. James D. Nevin, she wrote “grant me the right to request that my boy's death should not be used to defeat the game that was the most cherished object of his life.” Gov. Wm. Y. Atkinson read the letter and vetoed the bill. A plaque was given by UVa to UGA to commemorate them both. “A Mother's strength prevailed.” ,
The Bowie-Gammon home is located on East Third Avenue.
Vonalbade Gammon (b. 1879), a Rome native, entered UGA in 1896. He quarterbacked UGA's undefeated team coached by Glenn “Pop” Warner, and played against Auburn coached by John
Heisman, on October 30, 1897. In a game with UVa, Von crashed the line behind tackle. Rendered unconscious, he died at Grady Hospital the following day. In November Georgia
lawmakers banned football.
Von Gammon is buried in Rome's historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery
The Woman who Saved Football in Georgia
Rosalind Burns Gammon did not believe her son died in vain and did not want the game of football to come to an end. In a letter to Rep. James D. Nevin, she wrote “grant me the
right to request that my boy's death should not be used to defeat the game that was the most cherished object of his life.” Gov. Wm. Y. Atkinson read the letter and vetoed the bill. A plaque was given by UVa to UGA to commemorate them both. “A Mother's strength prevailed.”
The Bowie-Gammon home is located on East Third Avenue
Women. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1897.
Location. 34° 15.267′ N, 85° 10.296′ W. Marker is in Rome, Georgia, in Floyd County. It can be reached from the intersection of Broad Street and East 4th Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The markers are etched in the sidewalk at the southeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rome GA 30161, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Opera Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellen Axson Wilson (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Floyd County (about
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 11, 2021
2. The Woman Who Saved Football in Georgia — Marker II
Also see . . . The Tragedy of Von Gammon. From the University of Georgia Libraries. (Submitted on April 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 11, 2021
3. The Woman Who Saved Football in Georgia Markers
Unknown / Public domain
4. Richard Von Albade Gammon
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,282 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
