DIY History | Transcribe | Nile Kinnick Collection | Correspondence to and from Nile Kinnick, friends and family regarding his championship football season, August-December 1939

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Correspondence to and from Nile Kinnick, friends and family regarding his championship football season, August-December 1939

1939-10-12: Front

Letter sent to Jackson, Michigan
Omaha, Nebraska, October 12, 1939
Dear SB:
Again I open my letter with a reference to fleeting time. It seems such a short while since last Saturday, and perhaps it impresses you in the same way, with Michigan coming over the horizon like a swelling cloud. But rumbling clouds carry no terror for those who understand and have just faith in their own strength and security, and I have no doubt at all that Iowa will give a proper account of the spirit that was so clearly in evidence last Saturday. It was a truly thrilling sight to witness the double-barreled comeback that Iowa made. I have seen other teams come from behind to win, but never twice in the same game. That same determination and refusal to be beaten, that same courage and sustained fighting spirit can bring the same result at Ann Arbor. Iowa is definitely the under dog, but Michigan can be beaten and don't forget that you boys can very well do it. Power to you, and our best thought will attend you always.
I hardly hope to see another spectacle like that of last Saturday. It was one game in a thousand, and all who saw it will testify to that. Mother was thrilled to pieces, and Grandma was practically in bed afterwards, so her letter said. Ben's letter yesterday said he would rather be in Iowa last Saturday than anyplace in the world. Writing to mother he said, "There was nothing lacking, except your own sweet self." She was there alright, and you may depend on that. Your letter also was so good. I hope that you willwrite to mother as often as practicable as she, and all of us, loves to bridge the distance in your letters; and the little touches of sentiment are the kisses that expresses the heart's affection.
Mother plans to go back to Adel next Monday to stay until Thursday. The countryside is displaying the October grandeur of Iowa, and Ben and I did continually remark it when driving home last Sunday. We had a brief visit with Clarke, Mary and Mike, who constitute in my estimation just about the finest young marital combination that I know, bar none. Something for any young person to shoot at. We had dinner at Bishops, with our takeoff following immediately. The Dad's Day dinner was something I shouldn't care to have missed, and yes, I was much pleased to meet Era. Your judgment there has my approval I am sure.
The papers have had plenty of nice reading lately, but I particularly liked Bert MCGrane's summary in to-days column, "He's a rare combination of gentleman, athlete, honor student and great competitor." And I recall your quotation from Anderson, that "Nobody can be tougher and rougher than a gentleman." Well, it's a great game and I am glad that your last year is beginning with a definite promise of the kind of season that you have been wanting. And I am confident that you are ready and that you are big enough to carry any and all burdens that come your way. Blessings on you.
Love
Pop

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Letter sent to Jackson, Michigan Omaha, Nebraska, October 12, 1939 Dear SB: Again I open my letter with a reference to fleeting time. It seems such a short while since last Saturday, and perhaps it impresses you in the same way, with Michigan coming over the horizon like a swelling cloud. But rumbling clouds carry no terror for those who understand and have just faith in their own strength and security, and I have no doubt at all that Iowa will give a proper account of the spirit that was so clearly in evidence last Saturday. It was a truly thrilling sight to witness the double-barreled comeback that Iowa made. I have seen other teams come from behind to win, but never twice in the same game. That same determination and refusal to be beaten, that same courage and sustained fighting spirit can bring the same result at Ann Arbor. Iowa is definitely the under dog, but Michigan can be beaten and don't forget that you boys can very well do it. Power to you, and our best thought will attend you always. I hardly hope to see another spectacle like that of last Saturday. It was one game in a thousand, and all who saw it will testify to that. Mother was thrilled to pieces, and Grandma was practically in bed afterwards, so her letter said. Ben's letter yesterday said he would rather be in Iowa last Saturday than anyplace in the world. Writing to mother he said, "There was nothing lacking, except your own sweet self." She was there alright, and you may depend on that. Your letter also was so good. I hope that you willwrite to mother as often as practicable as she, and all of us, loves to bridge the distance in your letters; and the little touches of sentiment are the kisses that expresses the heart's affection. Mother plans to go back to Adel next Monday to stay until Thursday. The countryside is displaying the October grandeur of Iowa, and Ben and I did continually remark it when driving home last Sunday. We had a brief visit with Clarke, Mary and Mike, who constitute in my estimation just about the finest young marital combination that I know, bar none. Something for any young person to shoot at. We had dinner at Bishops, with our takeoff following immediately. The Dad's Day dinner was something I shouldn't care to have missed, and yes, I was much pleased to meet Era. Your judgment there has my approval I am sure. The papers have had plenty of nice reading lately, but I particularly liked Bert MCGrane's summary in to-days column, "He's a rare combination of gentleman, athlete, honor student and great competitor." And I recall your quotation from Anderson, that "Nobody can be tougher and rougher than a gentleman." Well, it's a great game and I am glad that your last year is beginning with a definite promise of the kind of season that you have been wanting. And I am confident that you are ready and that you are big enough to carry any and all burdens that come your way. Blessings on you. Love Pop