Original Painting by Lone Star Dietz ( Washington Redskins Coach) Dedicated to 1916 Rose Bowl Star Ralph Boone

Auction: Spring Classic 2022

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Original Painting by Lone Star Dietz ( Washington Redskins Coach) Dedicated to 1916 Rose Bowl Star Ralph Boone

Original oilon canvas painting by Lone Star Dietz, College Football Hall of Fame coach and secondcoach of the Washington Redskins. Following his coaching career, Dietz became anoted painted and had an exhibition of his works at Lehigh University in 1955.The offered painting is especially noteworthy, because it was produced for oneof Dietz’s former players at Washington State, Ralph Boone, who was a key contributor in the club's 1916 Rose Bowl victory. The colorful painting(44x36”), titled “My Washington” pictures the sprawling Yakima Valley, Washingtonstate’s agricultural center, noted for its wine, apple, and hops production. Dietzhas signed and dated the painting, “Lone Star Dietz Jan. ’56,” in the lowerright corner. Dietz has added a lengthy dedication on the reverse of the canvas.In full: “’My Washington’ – From the Yakima Valley to the Palouse – It is acountry of roving clouds – endless hills of growing wheat – Delicious apples –tall timber and fields of blooming hops/As painted for Ralph R. Boone a greatfootball player, a fine gentleman and a warm personal friend – by his formercoach – Lone Star Dietz – 1956.” The painting, which is stretched on board, remainsin Excellent to Mint condition. Ralph Boonewas a running back who played under Dietz at Washington State. Boone scored thefirst touchdown of the game in Washington State’s 14-0 win over Brown in the1916 Rose Bowl, which was just the second Rose Bowl game ever played, and theone that began the annual New Year’s Day tradition. Obviously, the ties betweenplayer and coach remained strong throughout the years, with the two forming aclose friendship in later life, as the dedication of this painting will attest.Lone Star Dietz was one of the most interesting figures in the historyof both college and professional football. His heritage as a Native Americanwas always questioned throughout his life, but he was a star football player atthe Carlisle Indian School (1909-1912) under Pop Warner and a teammate of JimThorpe. Washington State marked his first college head coaching position, whichhe held from 1915 to 1917. (Dietz’s win in the 1916 Rose Bowl is still theschool’s only Rose Bowl win.). Dietz eventually coached at seven othercolleges, including Purdue, Louisiana Tech, and Wyoming. In 1933 he became thesecond head coach of the Washington Redskins in what was the club’s secondseason in NFL franchise history. While the story has never been confirmed, it wasoften said that team owner Preston Marshall named the club the “Redskins” inhonor of Dietz’s heritage (the team was known as the Braves during its inaugural1932 campaign). Dietz coached the Redskins for two seasons before returning to thecollege ranks. He retired from coaching in 1942, spending the remainder ofhis life as a painter right up until the time of his death in 1964. Dietz was electedto the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Please note: the sizeand/or weight of this lot will necessitate an increased shipping charge.