He lives on as one of the most treasured and iconic figures in Australian football, with his legacy standing as the greatest and most influential Bulldog of all time.
E.J. ‘Ted’ Whitten was loved for his outstanding ability on the field but his captivating personality captured hearts across the country.
In the 20th year since Whitten’s death, and his famous final lap of the MCG, Fox Footy will commemorate his life with an Open Mike special, hosted by Mike Sheahan.
The feature retraces one of the most memorable moments in AFL history including interviews with Whitten’s son, Ted Jnr and former teammates John Schultz and John Nicholls.
Doug Hawkins also reminisces on the day he overtook Whitten’s games record at the Bulldogs.
“I got a telegraph, back in those days you got a telegraph, from Ted Whitten… Special.
“(It said) ‘Listen son, it’s your big day next week, you deserve to be there, you get out there and you stick it up ‘em.’
“It was fantastic, it just changed everything, it changed how I felt. I believed I belonged there.”
The feature also includes input from Ron Barassi, Neil Kerley, Bob Skilton, Doug Hawkins, Danny Frawley, Alan Stoneham and Bob Murphy.
Whitten played a VFL record 321 games in an inspirational 20 year playing career, captain Footscray for 212 games and coaching for 228, with over 12 seasons as playing coach.
He was centre half-back in the Club’s 1954 premiership, he also coached the team to a Grand Final appearance in 1961.
Whitten was named captain of both the AFL and Bulldogs’ Teams of the Century.
Open Mike special – Mr Football 20 Years On
Premiere: Monday 15 June, 9:30pm AEST
Only on Fox Footy (Channel 504)
