100-year-old Ebner honorary captain for Cameron football

It was 85 years ago when Robert Ebner first took the field for the Cameron High School football team. Now four generations later Ebner was an honorary captain for his great- grandson's team as he celebrated his 100th birthday weekend.

Ebner wore his great-grandson Sawyer Ebner's No. 51 jersey as he joined in on the coin flip as an honorary captain for Cameron's game against Unity on Friday, Sept. 13.

Cameron played 8-player football and had hand-sewn jerseys back when the centenarian was in high school. In his sophomore year in 1939 the high school had two extra jerseys made for the team, and Ebner was one of the lucky players who was chosen to put on the Cameron uniform and play.

The following year he was a part of the team that defeated Glenwood City 38-14 to complete an undefeated season and win the state championship for 8-player.

Following high school Ebner went on to serve in the Navy during World War II, and upon returning graduated from Marquette University. He returned to Cameron to raise his family.

Ebner's birthday weekend began with a victory for the Comets as his great-grandson, at linebacker, recorded six tackles to helping Cameron take down Unity in overtime. It continued Saturday, Sept. 14, with a birthday celebration at Pioneer Village Museum west of Cameron.