Character Relationship Map: The Quarterback

Characters

• Jack Stone (played by Richard Dix) — protagonist

  Jack is the son of Elmer Stone and a classmate of his father. He works driving a milk wagon and serves as the college football team's quarterback. After his eligibility is questioned, he is cleared an...

• Elmer Stone (played by Harry Beresford) — supporting

  A former quarterback for Colton College in 1899, Elmer made a vow to remain a student until the team defeated their rival, State University. Twenty-seven years later, he is still enrolled, living a pr...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Elmer Stone → Jack Stone (Family Father) — Elmer is Jack's biological father, creating a unique familial bond.

Story Analysis

A former quarterback's decades-old student vow is placed in the hands of the next Colton quarterback during the decisive rivalry game.

Plot Progression

1. The Unfinished Promise — Elmer Stone plays quarterback for Colton College in 1899 and vows to remain a student until Colton defeats State University. The rivalry gives his student life an unusual purpose.
2. Twenty-Seven Years Enrolled — Twenty-seven years later, Elmer is still enrolled at Colton and is a classmate of his son. His prolonged student life has become the central consequence of his old promise.
3. Clearing The Quarterback — Elmer's son works as a milk-wagon driver and serves as Colton's quarterback. An eligibility question threatens his participation, but he is eventually cleared.
4. The Big Game — The cleared quarterback enters a do-or-die contest against State University. The game carries both Colton's competitive hopes and the weight of Elmer's decades-old vow.
5. A Possible New Life — The rivalry's outcome may finally release Elmer from his student promise. A victory could give him the chance to pursue a life and a job beyond college.