An All-American halfback at the University of Notre Dame in 1943, he was called “the best back I ever coached” by storied Head Coach Frank Leahy. Had punting average of 49.2 yards as a sophomore, rushed for 5.9-yard average as a junior. Was a #1 pro football draft choice, but passed up the game to […]
A three-year all-scholastic football star at Cleveland South High, he an All-American center for Ohio State University in 1935, playing in only one losing game in three years for the Buckeyes. Became head football coach and athletic director at Oklahoma University in 1964 after 16 years as line coach, during which he produced 16 All-Americans. […]
One of the greatest athletes ever produced at Cleveland Central High where he was a three-time football all-scholastic, was the city’s leading basketball scorer for three seasons and starred in track. Went on to Springfield College where he won nine letters in four sports and captained the 1922 football team. Later coached at Central High […]
Nicknamed “Dynie,” short for dynamite, he started his football career as captain of the West Tech Junior High team. He later played tackle for the West Tech High varsity from 1922 to 1924 and is considered one of the school’s all-time greats. Became outstanding lineman at Wisconsin University and, later, a coach there.
Starred for Cleveland East Tech High’s great post-World War I teams which lost only one game in three years, that in the National High School Championship Game by a 16-7 score. Went on to play at Iowa State University where he earned fame by running backward for three safeties to beat Drake. Later coached football […]
Played one year (1950) with Cleveland Browns before moving to Detroit Lions where he was a star placekicker and linebacker from 1951 to 1961. Played for Baltimore in 1963 and Washington in 1964, then turned to coaching, first with Denver of the AFL (1965), then Idaho State University (1966) and the Lions (1967-72). Captained the […]
Played six seasons (1947-51 and 1954) for Cleveland Browns. Was considered one of the club’s finest linebackers. Was All-City and All-Ohio fullback at Cleveland Collinwood High School in 1941, then enrolled at Ohio State University, where he played fullback for one season before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps. Played one preseason (1946) for Ohio […]
Star running back for Buffalo Bisons (1946) and Buffalo Bills of the All-American Football Conference, leading the Bills in rushing three straight years (1947 through 1949). Finished his career with the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League in 1950, leading the club in rushing and pass receiving. Was an All-Ohio collegiate star at Xavier […]
Starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in the first game in the team’s history, played September 6, 1946, against the Miami Seahawks. Later switched to defensive backfield with advent of the two-platoon system and became an outstanding safety. Was a great three-sport star at Lakewood High School, earning all-scholastic honors in football and baseball and […]
Member of the first Cleveland Browns football team. Played in ten professional football championship contests was named all-pro end eight times. Played on Ohio State University’s 1942 national championship team before going into the U.S. Army. Decided to forego balance of college career in favor of pro football, basketball and baseball at Hudson (Ohio) High […]