The Huddle originated in 1892 at Gallaudet University, Washington D.C. It's founder was a deaf man named Paul Hubbard, who played quarterback for Gallaudet University's Bisons football team. At the time Gallaudet was the world's only Liberal Arts University for students who were deaf or hard of hearing. On April 8th 1864 President Lincoln granted authorisation for Gallaudet's Board of Directors to grant degrees to deaf students. Prior to the 1890's football players could openly discuss play, tactics, and strategies merely by staying far enough out of earshot of the opposing team that they could not be overheard. This changed when Paul Hubbard noticed that opposing deaf teams could 'eavesdrop' on his team-talks, by simply reading the sign language he used to communicate with his fellow players. By doing so, opponents were able to read his strategies and set-ups, and thus intercept and counter them.

To resolve this, he organised his team into a tight inward-facing huddled group, where sign language could be openly used, but could not be seen or read by rival deaf teams. The strategy worked, and 'the huddle' became a vital part of the Gallaudet Bisons match preparations. Other deaf teams soon adopted a similar strategy, 'the huddle' became an integral part of the game, and it’s introduction into the sporting world was conceived.

It was introduced to Celtic by former Captain Tony 'Mogga' Mowbray (1991 - 1995) who felt it would be a great way of instilling a bit more spirit into the players, and cohesiveness into the team. The Huddle is now an integral part of our pre-match ritual, and serves to unite the players, the team, and the fans in preparedness to face our footballing adversaries. It bonds us, and readies us for those we are about to commence battle with.
(Huddle_67 from KStreet forum)
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Info: http://www.gallaudet.edu/gallaudetathletics.htm

Inside the Huddle

going clockwise the players are:
Douglas, Balde, Simon Lynch, Agathe, Fernandez, Maloney, Sylla, Guppy, Lennon, Laursen and Lambert.



A Huddle themed Celtic cake!