When the 1941 season began, former Youngstown State University coach Dwight “Dike” Beede sought a clearer way to signal penalties, leading him to fashion a simple flag that could be seen by players and officials alike.
From Local Experiment to National Standard
The first test came at Youngstown’s Rayen Stadium during a match against Oklahoma City University, where the flag was hoisted from the sidelines. Its fabric was stitched from a discarded Halloween costume and a piece of bedsheet, and it was anchored with lead sinkers taken from Beede’s fishing tackle box.
Beede’s wife, Irma, sewed the inaugural set of flags, earning the affectionate moniker “Betsy Ross of Football.” Her handiwork not only provided a practical tool but also added a personal touch that would later become part of the sport’s lore.
The flag’s visibility caught the eye of Ohio State official Jack McPhee, who introduced it during the high‑profile Ohio State‑Iowa game. Impressed by its clarity, league commissioner Major John Griffith authorized its official use in 1948, cementing the flag as a permanent element of the rules.
A replica of the original flag now hangs in Stambaugh Stadium’s Thomas F. Mosure Hall of Gridiron Glory, serving as a tangible link to the invention’s legacy. The display is complemented by other artifacts that trace the evolution of football equipment and officiating.
In 2016, WKBN’s Stan Boney sat down with Beede’s daughters, Gretchen Dawson and Susan Stephens, to discuss the flag’s impact on their family and on the broader football community. Trevor Parks, associate athletics director at Youngstown State, later highlighted how the story continues to inspire pride in the city and the university.