1945 Florida A&M Rattlers football team

The 1945 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 1945 college football season. In their first season under head coach Jake Gaither, the Rattlers compiled a 9–1 record and won the SIAC championship. The team's sole loss was to undefeated black college national champion Wiley in the Orange Blossom Classic. The Rattlers played their home games at Sampson-Bragg Field in Tallahassee, Florida.

1945 Florida A&M Rattlers football
SIAC champion
ConferenceSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record9–1 (6–0 SIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumSampson-Bragg Field

After seven years as an assistant coach, Jake Gaither took over as head football coach prior to the 1945 season. It was during the 1945 season that Gaither first adopted the "blood, sweat and tears" motto for his team, taking the phrase from the famous words of Winston Churchill.[1] Gaither's assistants in 1945 were Pete Griffin, M.L. Neeley, and Jess Ramsey.[2]

Four Florida A&M players were named to the All-SIAC football team selected by the conference coaches: quarterback Leroy Cromartie; halfback Ted Montgomery; end Nathaniel Powell; and tackle Bill Brewington. Two others received honorable mention honors: center Forrest McKinney and fullback Lernard Ingraham.[2]

At the team banquet following the season, college president, Dr. William H. Gray Jr., praised the work of his young coach: "Although I value a winning football team, I value Coach Gaither, not because he has coached a championship team, but because he has proved himself to be a great teacher of men, both by precept and by example. The lessons that our boys have learned under the direction of Coach Gaither, if applied throughout life, will bring victory to them, not only on the field of athletic endeavor but also in the greater field that lies ahead."[2]

Schedule
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 6at Wilberforce*Wilberforce, OHW 26–20
October 13at Alabama StateMontgomery, ALW 17–2
October 20Morris Brown
W 39–0
October 27Knoxville
  • Sampson-Bragg Field
  • Tallahassee, FL
W 25–0[3]
November 3vs. Tennessee A&I*
W 20–18[4]
November 10at TuskegeeTuskegee, ALW 54–20
November 17at Clark (GA)Atlanta, GAW 24–19
November 24at MorehousedaggerAtlanta, GAW 46–6
December 1Louisiana Normal*
  • Sampson-Bragg Field
  • Tallahassee, FL
W 33–12[5]
December 8vs. Wiley*
L 6–328,000[6]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

References
  1. "West Wind Blows". Tallahassee Daily Democrat. October 12, 1945. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. C.B. Lindsey (December 19, 1945). "Four Rattlers Picked On All-Conference Team". The Tallahassee Daily Democrat. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Rattlers Shut Out Knoxville, 25 to 0". Tallahassee Sunday News-Democrat. October 28, 1945. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Rattlers Edge Tennessee 20-18". Tallahassee Sunday News-Democrat. November 4, 1945. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. C.B. Lindsay (December 2, 1945). "A&M Rattlers Down Louisiana Normal 33-12". Tallahassee Sunday News-Democrat. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Wiley Downs Aggies To Win Negro Crown". Tampa Sunday Tribune. December 9, 1945. p. 1B.
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