1938 Florida A&M Rattlers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1938 Florida A&M Rattlers football Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference SIAC 8–0 6–0 William M. Bell 3rd College Field Black college national championSIAC champion Orange Blossom Classic W 9–7 vs. 1938 Kentucky State Thorobreds Kentucky State The 1938 Florida A&M Rattlers football team was an American football team that represented Florida A&M College as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) during the 1938 college football season. In their third season under head coach William "Big Bill" Bell, the Rattlers compiled a perfect 8–0 record, defeated 1938 Kentucky State Thorobreds Kentucky State in the Orange Blossom Classic, outscored opponents by a total of 189 to 7, and were recognized as the black college national championship.Florida A&M Yearly Results (1935-1939) College Football Data Warehouse November 22, 2019 https://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/f/florida_a&m/1935-1939_yearly_results.php May 12, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160512125348/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/f/florida_a%26m/1935-1939_yearly_results.php dead The Rattlers played their home games at College Field in Tallahassee, Florida.A.&M., Tuskegee To Play Saturday The Tallahassee Daily Democrat November 3, 1938 6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39499579/am_tuskegee_to_play_saturday/ Newspapers.comRattlers Play Here Saturday The Tallahassee Daily Democrat November 11, 1938 6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39498167/rattlers_play_here_saturday/ Newspapers.com The team gained acclaim for not allowing a single point by opponents during the regular season. In seven regular season games, the Rattlers outscored opponents by a total of 180 to 0. Hailing the team as the pride of Florida, one sports writer observed: "The brand of football these colored lads have been turning out is so good that 'white folks' have been flocking to their games this year throughout the south."Rattlers Unknown In Own Backyard Gain High Honors The Tallahassee Daily Democrat November 23, 1938 6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38429657/tallahassee_democrat/ Newspapers.com The team's acclaimed backfield, made up of quarterback Henry Butler, fullback Stanley Strachan, and halfbacks John D. Harris and Tom "Tank" Jones, was known as the "Four Ghosts".Florida Rattlers To Play Kentucky In Final Battle The Tallahassee Daily Democrat November 27, 1938 5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39498472/florida_rattlers_to_play_kentucky_in/ Newspapers.comRattlers Leave For Big Battle With Kentucky The Tallahassee Daily Democrat December 2, 1938 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39500202/rattlers_leave_for_big_battle_with/ Newspapers.com The line, known as the "Seven Rocks", did not allow a first down against 1938 Tuskegee Golden Tigers Tuskegee. Defensively, the team still holds school records for both fewest yards allowed (951 yards in eight games) and fewest first downs allowed (53 in eight games).Florida A&M Rattler Football Media Guide Florida A&M University 2015 75 http://www.famuathletics.com/attachments1/433934.pdf Jake Gaither, who later led the Rattlers from 1945 to 1969, was an assistant coach for the 1938 team.Rattlers Play Clark Saturday The Tallahassee Daily Democrat October 21, 1938 9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39502074/rattlers_play_clark_saturday/ Newspapers.comRattlers Ready For Tuskegee Go The Tallahassee Daily Democrat November 4, 1938 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39501370/rattlers_ready_for_tuskegee_go/ Newspapers.com Schedule y September 30 at 1938 North Carolina A&T Aggies North Carolina A&T<ncg> Greensboro, NC W 13-0 October 15 1938 Alabama State Hornets Alabama State College Field Tallahassee, FL W 17-0 Rattlers Smother 'Bama State, 17-0 The Tallahassee Daily Democrat October 16, 1938 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39499317/rattlers_smother_bama_state_1710/ Newspapers.com October 22 1938 Clark Panthers Clark (GA) College Field Tallahassee, FL W 33-0 Rattlers Crush Clark Team, 33-0 The Tallahassee Daily Democrat October 23, 1938 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39498800/rattlers_crush_clark_team_330/ Newspapers.com October 29 at 1938 Morris Brown Wolverines Morris Brown Ponce de Leon Park Atlanta, GA W 16-0 Morris Brown Defeated, 16 to 0 The Atlanta Constitution October 30, 1938 5B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39505453/morris_brown_defeated_16_to_0/ Newspapers.com November 5 1938 Tuskegee Golden Tigers Tuskegee College Field Tallahassee, FL W 40-0 Florida Rattlers Smother Tuskegee Under 40-0 Score The Tallahassee Daily Democrat November 6, 1938 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39504732/florida_rattlers_smother_tuskegee_under/ Newspapers.com November 12 1938 South Carolina State Bulldogs South Carolina State College Field Tallahassee, FL W 41-0 November 19 at 1938 Knoxville Bulldogs Knoxville Knoxville, TN W 20-0 Rattlers Retain Southern Crown; Beat Knoxville The Tallahassee Daily Democrat November 20, 1938 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39499811/rattlers_retain_southern_crown_beat/ Newspapers.com December 3 vs 1938 Kentucky State Thorobreds Kentucky State<ncg> Tinker Field Orlando, FL (Orange Blossom Classic) W 9-7 Florida Rattlers Beat Kentucky, 9-7, For National Title The Tallahassee Daily Democrat December 4, 1938 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39499124/florida_rattlers_beat_kentucky_97/ Newspapers.com References Florida AandM Category:Florida A&M Rattlers football seasons Category:Black college football national champions Category:Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Florida AandM Rattlers football