William Herbert Corbin

William Herbert "Pa" Corbin (July 20, 1864 – April 14, 1945) was an American college football player for the Yale Bulldogs football team for Yale University from 1886 to 1888, during which time the team posted a 31–0–1 record. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

Early life Corbin was born in Union, Connecticut, the son of William Melvin Corbin, a manufacturer and merchant who served in the Connecticut General Assembly, for one session as a representative and then as a state senator, and his wife, née Josephine Walker. He attended Hartford Public High School. His interest in Yale football continued after graduation at practice session and games at the Yale Bowl; he became known to undergraduates as "Pa" Corbin.

Corbin described how a center used to snap the ball with his foot: "By standing the ball on end and exercising a certain pressure on the same, it was possible to have it bound into the quarterback's hands."

Teaching career He taught at Westminster School at Dobbs Ferry for three years following graduation, and then became headmaster of the Pingry School from 1892 to 1897.

Tax commissioner He served as Connecticut State Tax Commissioner from 1907 until his retirement in 1920.

Death Corbin died in 1945 a month after he was struck by an automobile in Hartford, Connecticut.