A. H. Douglas

Archibald Hugh Douglas, nicknamed "Toots" and "Tootsie", was an American college football and baseball player and a distinguished veteran of World War II. He once commanded the aircraft carrier. He also served in World War I, as part of the Northern Bombing Group.

Early years

Douglas was born on February 8, 1885, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, but grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of Archibald J. Douglas and Nan Harlan.

University of Tennessee

Football

Douglas was once a prominent running back for the Tennessee Volunteers football teams of the University of Tennessee.

1902

The 1902 Volunteers won a school record six games and beat rivals Sewanee and Georgia Tech. 1902 was also the first time that Tennessee scored on Vanderbilt in their Rivalry game. The team closed the season with an 11 to 0 loss to John Heisman's Clemson Tigers. Douglas holds the record for the longest punt in school history when he punted a ball 109 yards during the Clemson game. Heisman described the kick:
In the loss to Vanderbilt, Tennessee's only score was provided by an A. H. Douglas run around right end, breaking two tackles and getting the touchdown. Douglas was selected All-Southern. Nash Buckingham and Sax Crawford were teammates of his.

Naval Academy

Football

Douglas then played for the Navy Midshipmen from 1904 to 1907, a teammate of Bill Dague.

1905

Douglas made the tying score in the Army-Navy Game of 1905.

1907

He was captain of the team in 1907. He was selected a third-team All-American by Walter Camp and a first-team All-American by the New York Tribune. Captain Douglas called the tie to Vanderbilt "the bitterest pill I have ever had to swallow."

Baseball

On the baseball team he was a pitcher.