Hawkeye Football | Wayback Machine | The Origin of Floyd of Rosedale

It's time to get that pig back. But first, do you know the history of Floyd? There was a story published on Minnesota Public Radio by Mark Steil in 2005 that is an excellent summary.

I'll quote the opening paragraphs, hopefully you'll give the article a read. Remember, this was published in 2005.

"This Saturday is the 70th anniversary of the creation of one of college football's most famous trophies. Floyd of Rosedale goes each November to the winner of the Minnesota-Iowa game. On one level, the bronze pig is just another collegiate prize. But few people know it had its origins in a 1934 game with racial overtones.

It was a time of discrimination. African Americans were banned from the NFL. The University of Minnesota enrolled blacks but enforced segregationist policies. The key player behind the Floyd trophy was an African American who refused to yield to discrimination. "

Read this (link):

The Origin of Floyd of Rosedale