A Man Before His Time: Theodore Roosevelt wanted to ban football . . .

Even way back at the beginning of the 20th Century, football was seen as a dangerous sport.  Despite his rough and tumble ways, President Theodore Roosevelt attempted to "change the rules" and nearly banned football "due to its undue violence resulting in many player injuries.  This CALAMITY Bank, shown on the cover of a Collectors' Showcase magazine (January/February 1983), "considered among the most desirable of old cast iron mechanicals typifies the popular rough and tumble sport."

Collector's Showcase Magazine, #51610,  available at OldCornerBooks.com