Tiny Maxwell
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| Position: | Guard |
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| Personal information | |
| Date of birth: | September 7, 1884 |
| Place of birth: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Date of death: | June 30, 1922 (aged 37) |
| Place of death: | Norristown, Pennsylvania |
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Englewood (IL) |
| College: | Chicago, Swarthmore |
| Career history | |
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Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell (September 7, 1884 – June 30, 1922) was a professional football player and referee. He was also a sports editor with the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Maxwell was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 7, 1884. He is known to have had a sister, named Katerine Doust at the time of his death. Maxwell began his athletic career began at Englewood High School. There he excelled in football and track and field. He also played the mandolin and was a student actor in the school's Shakespearean plays.
Before playing professional football, Maxwell played at the college level while attending the University of Chicago. He played for the Maroons in 1902, under coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, who recruited Maxwell for his size and style of play. Maxwell weighed 240 pounds, in an era when the average offensive lineman weighed under 200 pounds. Maxwell's struggle with a speech impediment made his physical presence less intimidating and in fact increased his popularity. He played guard for the Maroons in 1902 and 1903. He also competed for the school as a boxer and in track and field, later set the school's record in the hammer throw. On July 4, 1904, Maxwell set the school's shot put record, when he recorded a 42'9" throw.
In the fall of 1904, Maxwell transferred to Swarthmore College. There he prompted the interest of the school's president, who personally encouraged him to improve his studies and even directed the college treasurer to send his tuition bills to a member of the Swarthmore College Board of Managers. It was around this time that he was given the nickname "Tiny". According to Amos Stagg, Maxwell was called "Fatty" while attending the University of Chicago. During his two years at Swarthmore, the school's football team went 6-3 in 1904 and 7-1 in 1905, losing only to the Penn.
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