The flag over Harvard's Stadium flies at half-staff today and a lone football jersey with the number 88 hangs in the Crimson locker room, paying tribute to the famous senator whose competitive spirit and tenacity earned him the nickname "Lion." Ted Kennedy was the fourth Kennedy brother to play football at the university.

According to the Harvard Web site, "Kennedy was listed at 6 foot 2 and 200 pounds as a senior wide receiver.... He caught Harvard's only touchdown to cap a 92-yard drive in a steady snow during a 21-7 loss against Yale in 'The Game' in 1955 in front of 56,000 fans at the Yale Bowl. He also caught a TD pass against Columbia in a 21-7 win that season. For the season, he caught six passes for 80 yards (13.3 yards per catch), ranking second on the team in receptions."

Kennedy's athleticism was also shared by his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics. Shriver's love of athletics was forged early in life while playing sports with her brothers. In 2000 the NCAA honored Shriver with the Theodore Roosevelt Award in recognition for her lifetime commitment to service and athletics.

Before today's practice, Harvard's head coach football coach Tim Murphy gathered his team for some words on Kennedy and a moment of silence.