Chico—In Menken's day (and before and a bit after), teaching English was a low paying slot among teachers. My dissertation is on one of the most influential and famous English teachers in American history, and her degree was in LATIN because she wanted to make decent money when she began teaching in 1907! As many writers do, Menken has a disdain for teachers of English—especially since English classes often do more harm to reading and writing than good.
Ironically, this particular thread is mixing knowledge of two systems—grammar and the laws/rules of soccer/football. Seems we might be better off if everyone had better command over each. (Along with understanding the fundamental concepts of each.)
As to good quotes: "Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it." HD Thoreau. Think about this with respect to both grammar and SCHSL refs.
