Walter D. Graham

Walter D. Graham
Walter D. Graham, Chicago Daily Tribune, October 26, 1901
Born	January 23, 1885 Illinois
Died	July 14, 1927(1927-07-14) (aged 42) River Forest, Illinois
Citizenship	United States
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Known for	Football player

Walter DeWitt "Octy" Graham (January 23, 1885 – July 14, 1927) was an American football player. He played for the University of Michigan from 1904 to 1907 and was one of the leading players on the famed "Point-a-Minute" teams of 1904 and 1905.

A native of Chicago, Graham attended the English High and Manual Training School and the North Division High School. In 1901, the Chicago Daily Tribune reported that a "young Hercules" had been discovered in a Chicago high school:

"HIGH SCHOOL BOY A MARVEL OF STRENGTH.
Walter D. Graham is the young Hercules in strength discovered among the Chicago high school boys who aspire to become heroes of the gridiron. ... Medical inspectors of the Board of Education had been making physical examinations of ambitious punters to see whether their constitutions were rugged enough to withstand the vigorous tactics of football. After over a hundred applicants had been put through a series of tests the examiners were astonished to be confronted, who gave his age as 16 years and his weight at 218 pounds. In normal condition his chest measure is 41½ inches, and in expansion he stretches the tape to 44 inches. His height is 5 feet 6 inches. His flesh and muscles are as solid as bands of steel. The gripping machines did not register high enough to show his strength. ... It is unnecessary to add that Graham was declared fit to stand any hardship known on the gridiron."

Despite his size, Graham also won honors as a hurdler while in high school.

After graduating from high school, Graham enrolled at the University of Michigan. He played at the guard and tackle positions for the Michigan Wolverines football from 1904 to 1907. He was known by the nickname "Octy" due to his having a long reach like an octopus. After he scored three touchdowns in a 1905 game, the Chicago Daily Tribune wrote:

"'Octy' Graham was allowed to carry the ball and he scored three touchdowns. Moreover he carried the ball repeatedly on sprints in which he broke away from the entire field for several yards. At other times he was down under punts like a shot out of a gun. The cheering for 'Octy' was prolonged: 'Rah for Octy, Michigan's Eckersall'"