THE EXETER
INVINCIBLES

About two years ago I became interested in the story of a group of young men who formed a semi-pro football team in Exeter in 1920, went undefeated over two seasons and were declared State Champions each season. When Terry's father in law, Bill Nielsen told me this story, passed down by his grandfather, I was surprised. Growing up in Exeter as a "football" guy, I was surprised I'd never heard. I got very interested and began to research. I was impressed by many things that seemed linked to our world today:

 

• They were coming off a worldwide pandemic- the Spanish Flu in 1918.

• The NFL started in 1920 (recall all the 100 anniversary PR last year.) The first NFL champs, the Akron Pros, came to California to promote the league by challenging local teams. The Valley stars challenged them and the Akron Pros played these Exeter guys at a game in Dinuba in 1921. The first African American NFL star and later coach was on that team- Fritz Pollard. 

• WW1 had just ended and its effects resonated everywhere

• The American Legion was launched as a Veteran group in 1919 for these 4 million guys recently returned from service. (Among them, my grandfather Thomas McManus who started the first Post in Bakersfield. Later, my Dad was quite involved in the Legion.
   

Politics were unsettling:

 

• The Soviet Union had just begun and its effort to export its vision of worldwide communism had an impact in 1920 America.

• Race riots were in every large city in the US in 1919.

• Massive labor strikes in large cities that year

• Mail bombs sent to politicians and business leaders alike

• Huge national campaign for Women's suffrage waged- 19th amendment (even though Calif granted women right to vote in 1911)

• Prohibition voted in as the 18th amendment to the constitution ratified. No booze.

 

And with all this other stuff happening, a bunch of young guys wanted to play football and split the proceeds from ticket sales. They won 13 games, tied one and outscored their opponents 334 to 23. Afterwards, they were nicknamed "The Invincibles" by the Publisher from the local paper. Exeter only had a population of 1800 but a farmer built a stadium for 3000 with showers and dressing facilities- best stadium in the region. 

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I felt compelled to have these men remembered. It seemed like there should be a mural celebrating this piece of Exeter history. The murals in Exeter are supposed to have a historical theme. The Mural Committee wasn't interested but David Nielsen (Terry's brother in law) said his insurance company would sponsor the mural if we found a place. We secured permission from the school district to have a mural painted next to the football stadium entrance and engaged the top mural artist in the area to paint.

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On the morning of Oct 16th the mural will be dedicated at a special ceremony. The Exeter High video class will livestream it via YouTube and students are also putting together a 1920 music playlist to set the mood.

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I hope the Exeter Invincible's story resonates with you as it does with me, and I hope to see you at the Mural Dedication, October 16th!

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Hope this finds you all well,

Dwight Miller