Stan Robb
{{Short description|American football player (1899–1959)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Stan Robb
| image = File:Stanley-Robb.png
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth_date|1899|09|19}}
| birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1959|01|09|1899|09|19|mf=yes}}
| death_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 185
| position = End, guard, tackle
| high_school = Peabody (PA)
Mercersburg (PA)
| college = Centre, West Virginia Wesleyan
| pfr = RobbSt20
| teams =
- Holmesburg Athletic Club (1922)
- Philadelphia Quakers (1922)
- Clifton Heights Orange & Black (1923)
- Pottsville Maroons (1924)
- Canton Bulldogs (1926)
- Clifton Heights Orange & Black (1927)
| pastcoaching =
- Peabody High School (1918)
Assistant
| highlights =
- Anthracite League champion (1924)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 3
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 3
| statlabel3 = Touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 1
}}
Stanley Rankin Robb (September 19, 1899 – January 9, 1959) was an American football lineman and end who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Canton Bulldogs. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he attended Peabody High School and Mercersburg Academy, after which he played college football for the Centre Praying Colonels (1920) and West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats (1921). Robb began his professional football career in 1922, splitting the year between the Holmesburg Athletic Club and Philadelphia Quakers. He played the 1923 season with the Clifton Heights Orange & Black before joining the Pottsville Maroons for their Anthracite League championship year in 1924. Robb joined the Canton Bulldogs, coached by his brother Harry, in 1926, playing what would be his only three games in the NFL while scoring one touchdown. He later returned to Clifton Heights to finish his career.
Early life and education
File:Stan Robb WWI registration card.png
Stanley Rankin Robb was born on September 19, 1899, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobbSt20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Stan Robb Stats|access-date=February 10, 2023|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217214401/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobbSt20.htm|url-status=live}} He attended Peabody High School where he played football as a tackle, being described as a "star" player.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118382055/pittsburgh-post-gazette/|newspaper=The Gazette Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 9, 1919|page=14|title=Untitled}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118382356/pittsburgh-daily-post/|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Sunday Post|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 15, 1918|page=19|title=Peabody High Lacks Game for Oct. 5|archive-date=February 10, 2023|access-date=February 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210232026/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118382356/pittsburgh-daily-post/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Robb also attended Mercersburg Academy for a time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerr/robb00600.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Stan Robb Stats|access-date=February 10, 2023|archive-date=February 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210232025/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerr/robb00600.html|url-status=dead}} Around 1917, he enlisted in World War I.United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. After graduating from high school, he assisted in coaching the linemen at Peabody in 1918. The following year, he was reported as having joined the football team at Penn State College, although a news article from 1920 said that he had played for The Kiski School that year, being a "star guard."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118382986/evening-public-ledger/|newspaper=Evening Public Ledger|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 16, 1920|page=16|title=Star Players Attend Center|archive-date=February 10, 2023|access-date=February 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210232024/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118382986/evening-public-ledger/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Robb began playing college football for the Centre Praying Colonels in 1920, appearing as a right guard, left guard,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118385329/the-pittsburgh-press/|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 13, 1920|page=10|author=Davis, Ralph|title=Peabody's All-American Eleven|archive-date=February 11, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211000343/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118385329/the-pittsburgh-press/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} and end.{{cite news |title=Robb Arrives |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117418807/robb-arrives/ |access-date=January 28, 2023 |newspaper=Danville Daily Messenger |date=January 8, 1921 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128101255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117418807/robb-arrives/ |url-status=live }} {{open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118384540/buffalo-courier/|newspaper=Buffalo Courier|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 24, 1920|page=47|title=Centre Is Beaten But Not Disgraced By Harvard, 31-14|archive-date=February 11, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211000341/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118384540/buffalo-courier/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He appeared in a number of games for the team, including their match that season against the Harvard Crimson.{{cite news |title=Stanley Robb to Report |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117418850/stanley-robb-to-report/ |access-date=January 28, 2023 |newspaper=The Gazette Times |date=September 17, 1921 |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128101807/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117418850/stanley-robb-to-report/ |url-status=live }} {{open access}} In the 1920 season finale against TCU, he blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. Robb was known for his speed at end, with the Chester Times writing that he "gained national repute as one of the fastest ends ever turned out of Centre College."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118384866/delaware-county-daily-times/|newspaper=Chester Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 9, 1923|page=10|title=Six College Stars Sign For Clifton Football Team|archive-date=February 11, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211000341/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118384866/delaware-county-daily-times/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Robb left to play for the West Virginia Wesleyan football team in 1921. He had left the team by the 1922 season.
In addition to playing football, Robb also participated in basketball and track and field with his schools.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118384216/the-advocate-messenger/|newspaper=Danville Daily Messenger|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 20, 1921|page=1|title=College Men Stage Minstrel Performance|archive-date=February 11, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211000341/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118384216/the-advocate-messenger/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} At Centre, he also acted in school minstrel productions.
Professional career
Robb began his professional football career in September 1922, starting the season as an end for the Holmesburg Athletic Club.{{cite news|title=Holmesburg Has Capable Lineup|via=NewspaperArchive|author=Dallas, William S.|date=September 28, 1922|page=17|newspaper=Evening Public Ledger|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/philadelphia/philadelphia-evening-public-ledger/1922/09-28/page-17/|url-access=subscription}} By October, he had joined the Philadelphia Quakers.{{Cite news|newspaper=Washington Herald|via=NewspaperArchive|url-access=subscription|date=October 27, 1922|page=7|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-dc-washington-washington-herald-oct-27-1922-p-7/|title=Quakers To Bring Line-Up Of Stars}} Following the 1922 season, Robb was signed by the Clifton Heights Orange & Black. The Chester Times said that, "The reputation of Stanley Robb not only while he starred for Centre College, but while he was played last season with Holmesburg and the Philadelphia Quakers, is such that he needs no formal introduction to county fans." He missed several games early in the season, but returned at the end of October.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118386795/delaware-county-daily-times/|newspaper=Chester Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 26, 1923|page=16|title=Clifton Heights Strengthened For Magnolia Battle|archive-date=February 11, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211003147/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118386795/delaware-county-daily-times/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} With Clifton Heights, he was mentioned as being one of the "stars" comprising "one of the greatest collections of college stars ever seen on a Delaware County gridiron."{{Cite news|via=NewspaperArchive|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|title=Clifton Hts. Eleven Has Stiff Schedule|date=September 23, 1923|page=20|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/philadelphia/philadelphia-inquirer/1923/09-23/page-20/|url-access=subscription}}
Robb played in the Anthracite League with the Pottsville Maroons in 1924.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118387418/reading-times/|newspaper=Reading Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 6, 1924|page=13|title=Pottsville Defeats Wilkes-Barre, 34-0|archive-date=February 11, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211004744/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118387418/reading-times/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} The Maroons ended up winning the league championship.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/09-An-321.pdf|magazine=The Coffin Corner|publisher=Pro Football Researchers Association|author=Zagorski, Joe|title=The Anthracite Football League|number=8|date=1987|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-date=June 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607154923/https://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/09-An-321.pdf|url-status=live}} Two years later, Robb was signed by the Canton Bulldogs of the National Football League (NFL). He made his NFL debut against the New York Giants on November 2, 1926, and scored a touchdown in the 7–7 tie.{{cite news|newspaper=Canton Daily News|date=November 3, 1926|page=12|title=Canton Bulldogs Stage Comeback to Tie New York Giants|via=NewspaperArchive|url-access=subscription|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/canton/canton-daily-news/1926/11-03/page-12/}} He scored near the end of the game in what was described as a "lucky score" to prevent the Giants from winning. The Canton Daily News reported the play as follows:
{{blockquote|That lucky touchdown cheated the Giants out of a victory, they well deserved. They outplayed the Bulldogs most of the way and had victory within their reach when Vick, the new quarterback of the Bulldogs threw a forward pass to Ben Roderick, late of Columbia in the last five minutes. Roderick was standing on the five yard line waiting to receive the ball, when a Giant player rushed behind him and knocked the ball out of his arm. But along came Stanley Robb, of the famous Robb family. Robb is fleet of foot and he grabbed the leather sphere out of the air before it hit the ground. All that stood between him and a touchdown was about five yards of turf, and the younger Robb spanned that five yards in two leaps.}}
Robb appeared in two additional games for the Bulldogs.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118389158/hartford-courant/|newspaper=Hartford Courant|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 8, 1925|page=12|author=Young, Leslie A.|title=Darkness Ends Canton Bulldogs-Blues Game With Hartford In Front 16-7|archive-date=February 11, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211012347/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118389158/hartford-courant/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118389291/hartford-courant/|newspaper=Hartford Courant|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 12, 1926|page=14|title=Oden Runs Wild As Steamrollers Crush Bulldogs|archive-date=February 11, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211012344/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118389291/hartford-courant/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} His next game was against the Hartford Blues on November 7, which resulted in a 16–7 loss. He and Ralph Nichols were both ejected after fighting each other. Robb had tackled a Hartford player and Nichols, upset with the force which he used, grabbed Robb by the shoulders and "pulled him away rather roughly." Robb responded by punching him in the chin, and Nichols then began punching Robb all around before the official broke up the fight and dismissed both of them. His final game came against the Providence Steamrollers on November 11, after which he left the team.{{cite news|url-access=subscription|date=November 17, 1926|newspaper=Canton Daily News|page=10|title=Sachs And Roberts Signed By Bulldogs To Finish Campaign|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/canton/canton-daily-news/1926/11-17/page-10/|via=NewspaperArchive}}
Robb returned to the Clifton Heights Orange & Black in 1927.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118389638/delaware-county-daily-times/|newspaper=Chester Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 3, 1927|page=11|title=Clifton Downs East Falls; P. M. C. Defeats Prospect F. C.|author=Speecan, Frank Lee}} {{Open access}}
Personal life and death
Robb's brother Harry played college football at Penn State, and later played with him at Pottsville{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118387587/mount-carmel-item/|newspaper=Mount Carmel Item|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 3, 1924|page=4|title=Henry And Robb Signed By Pottsville|archive-date=February 11, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211004741/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118387587/mount-carmel-item/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} and Canton.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobbHa20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Harry Robb Stats|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211012921/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobbHa20.htm|url-status=live}} Stan played under his brother, who both played and served as head coach, with Canton in 1926.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/RobbHa0.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Harry Robb Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks|access-date=February 11, 2023|archive-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211012923/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/RobbHa0.htm|url-status=live}}
Robb married Beatrice M. Ritter in November 1937.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118383365/the-evening-news/|newspaper=The Evening News|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 29, 1937|page=5|title=Miss Ritter Wedded|archive-date=February 10, 2023|access-date=February 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210233504/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118383365/the-evening-news/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He enlisted in World War II in February 1942.National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Pennsylvania, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947. Robb died on January 9, 1959, at the age of 59.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robb, Stan}}
Category:American football ends
Category:American football tackles
Category:American football guards
Category:Canton Bulldogs players
Category:Centre Colonels football players
Category:Holmesburg Athletic Club players
Category:Philadelphia Quakers (AFL) players
Category:Pottsville Maroons players
Category:West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats football players
Category:High school football coaches in Pennsylvania