Shevlin, Thomas L.
Football
b. March 1, 1883, Muskegon, MI
d. Dec. 29, 1915
A three-time All-American end at Yale, from 1903 through 1905, Shevlin was a cocky, 6-foot, 200-pounder. He was so versatile a player that coaches didn't know where to use him in his freshman year, when he played halfback, fullback, end, and tackle.
He settled at end in 1903 but started the 1904 season at fullback. After six games, he was moved back to end and was named an All-American at that position for the second time. Shevlin stayed at end in 1905 and captained a team that won all 10 of its games, outscoring the opposition 222 to 4. During his four seasons, Yale won 42, lost 2, and tied 1.
During the early part of the century, players for the top Eastern college football teams were celebrated athletes, often better known than professional baseball players. Shevlin, who came from a wealthy family, dressed fashionably, drove a Mercedes, carried a gold-headed cane, and reportedly had himself paged when staying in a New York hotel so people would know who he was.
His conceit didn't make him popular. He won the 1905 football captaincy by just one vote and the outgoing captain, James Hogan, refused to shake his hand after the result was announced.
After Yale got off to a poor start in 1915, Shevlin was asked to coach the team for its games against Princeton and Harvard. Yale upset heavily favored Princeton 13-7 but lost to Harvard in the final game of the season. Shevlin contracted a severe cold on the sidelines and it became a fatal case of pneumonia.