By Karla McArthur, Education Correspondent
Seventy-three years ago, Robert Wolfe became the first player to score a touchdown on Glencoe High School’s football field. It was 1952, and the historic moment came during the first game ever played on the school’s new field.
Wolfe, who celebrated his 91st birthday on Sept. 25, was Glencoe High’s starting quarterback that season.
At the time, Glencoe’s football field was still under construction during spring training, forcing the Yellow Jackets to hold practices at the Taylor Farm cow pasture off Rabbittown Road. The team, coached by E.C. Wilson, used the Taylor barn as their makeshift dressing room.
Wolfe still laughs when recalling the day a cat gave birth to kittens on one of his teammate’s clothes during practice.
The cow pasture and red barn still stand today on Rabbittown Road and are now owned by Steven Warren.
Wolfe has been married to his wife, Betty, a former Glencoe cheerleader, for years. The couple has three daughters — Shelia, Debbie and Tammy — all Glencoe High graduates. Following in their mother’s footsteps, Shelia and Debbie also cheered for the Yellow Jackets.
Wolfe was honored Oct. 3 during Glencoe High’s game against the Weaver Bearcats, where the Jackets claimed a 56-19 victory.
As the crowd watched under the Friday night lights, Wolfe’s presence served as a living reminder of Glencoe’s proud football legacy — one that began more than seven decades ago with his first touchdown and continues to inspire generations of Yellow Jackets.
