The 1897 Harvard Crimson football team represented Harvard University in the 1897 college football season. The Crimson finished with a 10âÂÂ1âÂÂ1 record and shut out 10 of 12 opponents under first-year head coach William Cameron Forbes, who later served as Governor-General of the Philippines (1908âÂÂ13) and Ambassador of the United States to Japan (1930âÂÂ32). The 1897 team won its first ten games by a combined 227âÂÂ5 score. It then closed the season playing to a scoreless tie with Yale and losing by a 15âÂÂ6 score against Penn.
Two Harvard players received consensus honors on the 1897 College Football All-America Team: center Allan Doucette and halfback Benjamin Dibblee. Other notable players on Harvard's 1897 team included end Norman Cabot and tackle Malcolm Donald.