Tom Alberghini (1920-2013)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-21-at-2-21-20-pm.png?1613942637)
Guard—(Holy Cross) Pittsburgh Steelers 1945
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/albergh07_orig.jpeg)
Alberghini appeared in just one NFL game. In a note to me he wrote, "I call myself a fringe player." This 1944 newspaper article notes what had happened in the lives of players who had played previously in the East-West Shrine game. Alberghini was one of those players. The article stated, Holy Cross said two of its former Shrine players, Navy Lt. James Turner, 1940 East team and Lt. Tom Alberghini of the Marines (East 1943) were wounded in action and have been awarded the Purple Heart." Of this, Alberghini wrote me: "During the war (WWII) I was combat all the way. Was wounded again at Okinawa, through the left shin bone. I also picked up a Silver Star on Guam."
Joe "Doc" Alexander (1897-1975)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2023-03-20-at-5-52-40-pm.png?1679356493)
Guard—(Syracuse) Rochester Jeffersons 1921-24, New York Giants 1925-27 [All-American 1918-19, College Football Hall of Fame 1954]
In addition to playing for the Jeffersons and the Giants in the NFL, in 1922 he was the head coach of the Jeffersons, and in 1926 he was the head coach of the Giants.
Warren Alfson (1915-2001)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-01-at-6-11-33-am.png?1612541780)
Guard/Linebacker—(Nebraska) Brooklyn Dodgers 1941 [All-American 1940, Nebraska Football Hall of Fame 1975]
I was one of five proposed for All-Pro by Jock Sutherland in 1941.
Warren Alfson
Warren Alfson
Warren Amling (1924-2001)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-01-at-6-18-19-am.png?1612185570)
Guard—(Ohio State) [All-American 1945-46, College Football Hall of Fame 1984]
He was a great player.
Harry Stuhldreher
Harry Stuhldreher
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/amlg060_orig.jpeg)
Warren Amling is one of seven 1945 U.P. All-Americans who signed this news article. The others include George Savitsky, Bob Fenimore, Herman Wedemeyer, Vaughn Mancha, Doc Blanchard, and Glenn Davis. Of Amling, the sports writer said, "The outstanding choice of the voters for a guard spot due to his excellent play in the underpar but still rugged Western conference."
Plato Andros (1921-2008)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-02-at-5-15-32-pm.png?1612311444)
Guard/Offensive Tackle—(Oklahoma) Chicago Cardinals 1947-50
We had our share of genuine, bonafide characters, too. Plato Andros, the gorgeous Greek from Oklahoma, certainly fit that category. Plato, who lived with his wife in the same apartment building Lucy and I moved into, bragged that he had the broadest shoulders in the NFL, and to disagree wasn’t wise. To do so might cause Plato to pull out the .38 revolver he always toted. And from game’s end on Sunday through Monday, our only day off, he usually maintained a constant drunk. Since guns always scared the crap out of me, those were times Lucy and I would usually head for the library or a similar haven of safety. Swell guy, Plato. Since he couldn’t carry his cannon on the field, he used another weapon. When a particularly critical play was in the offing, Andros would work a little extra saliva into the tobacco he always chewed and, at the precise moment the ball was snapped, send a stream of chew juice into the eyes of an unsuspecting opponent. It was an extremely effective technique. To this day I maintain it had as much to do with the advent of face masks four years later as did the urge to curtail broken noses.
Don Paul
Don Paul
John Badaczewski (1922-1999)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-02-at-5-21-25-pm.png?1612311751)
Offensive Guard/Defensive Guard—(Western Reserve) Great Lakes Naval Training Station 1943, Bainbridge Naval Training Station Commodores 1944, Fleet City Bluejackets 1945; Boston Yanks 1946-48, Chicago Cardinals 1948, Washington Redskins 1949-51, Chicago Bears 1953
Stan Batinski (1917-1990)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-16-at-6-42-41-am.png?1613482998)
Guard—(Temple) Detroit Lions 1941,1943-47, Boston Yanks 1948, New York Bulldogs 1949
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/batins49.jpeg?1613483198)
I purchased this 3x5 card (with the original envelope) for $20 in 2015 from Bill Butts, an autograph/rare books dealer in Galena, Illinois. He got it from the estate of Rich Laade, my autograph collecting mentor. Batinski signed it for Rich in November 1989, only about three months before he passed away.
Ed Bell (1921-1990)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-16-at-6-29-40-am.png?1613482235)
Guard/Tackle—(Indiana) Miami Seahawks (AAFC) 1946, Green Bay Packers 1947-49
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/editor/belled49.jpeg?1613481824)
I purchased this 3x5 card (with the original envelope) for $20 in 2015 from Bill Butts, an autograph/rare books dealer in Galena, Illinois. He got it from the estate of Rich Laade, my autograph collecting mentor. Bell signed it for Rich on July 7, 1979. Rich had been collecting autographs more than a decade before I began. I have numerous letters from Rich, giving me advice and suggestions. He was very helpful for getting me started.
Roman "Grizz" Bentz (1919-1996)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-05-at-4-02-05-pm.png?1612566170)
Guard/Tackle—(Tulane) Camp Grant Warriors 1943, Fort Warren Broncos 1945; San Francisco Clippers (AFL) 1944, New York Yankees (AAFC) 1946-48, San Francisco 49ers (AAFC) 1948 [AFL All League Team 1944]
Libero Bertagnolli (1914-1992)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-30-at-11-33-05-am.png?1612031660)
Guard/Linebacker—(Washington, MO) St. Louis Gunners (AFL/Independent) 1938-40, Phoenix Panthers (PCFL) 1940, New York Americans (AFL) 1941, Great Lakes Naval Training Station Bluejackets 1943; Chicago Cardinals 1942,1945, Greensboro Patriots (Dixie League) 1946
We loved Bert. He lectured us about hanging out in alleys and swapping spit with girls.
Jack Secord
Jack Secord
John Billman (1919-2012)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-6-59-04-am.png?1613311204)
Guard/Linebacker—(Minnesota) Brooklyn Dodgers (AAFC) 1946, Chicago Rockets (AAFC) 1947
Ed Bock (1916-2004 )
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-02-at-5-48-44-pm.png?1612313577)
Guard—(Iowa State) [All-American 1938, College Football Hall of Fame 1970]
Iowa State was reluctant to buy me some false teeth right away so I fashioned myself three teeth out of paraffin to fill the gap. Then against Kansas State, a back ran over me for a sizeable gain and as the play ended I looked up at one of the officials and spit out those three wax impressions. He whistled a penalty on Kansas State -- 15 yards for unnecessary roughness.
Ed Bock
Ed Bock
Ed Bock is one of five 1938 A.P. All-Americans who signed a news article in my collection reporting their selection (see the news article on the Al Wolff entry in the tackle category). The others who signed it include Parker Hall, Al Wolff, John Pingel, and Marshall Goldberg. Of Bock, the sports writer said, "Bock has been a standout in the Iowa State forewall for three seasons. He has started and played most of every game the Cyclones have contested in that time. Observers rate him among the best guards ever found in the Big Six. A durable, 200-pounder, Bock still is fast enough to play halfback."
Augie Bossu (1916-2008)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-03-16-at-6-21-55-am.png?1615898246)
Guard—(Notre Dame, 1938) Coach—Fort Monmouth Signalmen 1942
Lew Bostick (1916-1999)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-02-at-5-57-22-pm.png?1612313906)
Guard—(Alabama) Cleveland Rams 1939
Ray "Muscles" Bray (1917-1993)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2020-12-29-at-11-40-20-am.png?1612541793)
Defensive Guard/Offensive Guard—(Western Michigan) Del Monte Pre-Flight Navyators 1943, North Carolina Pre-flight Cloudbusters 1944; Chicago Bears 1939-42,1946-51, Green Bay Packers 1952 [All-American (AP Service) 1943, All-Pro 1948-49]
In a preseason game with the Bears, Bray was wearing a face mask and I wasn't. After he hit me, he came down on me with that mask and split my nose open. I was on the ground and couldn't do much, so I kicked him in the balls. Bert Bell fined me $250 and my wife gave him hell. She told him that he had cost her a new coat.
Bucko Kilroy
Bucko Kilroy
Garland "Gob" Buckeye (1897-1975)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-5-41-25-am.png?1612356131)
Guard/Center—Chicago Tigers 1920, Chicago Cardinals 1920-24, Chicago Bulls (AFL) 1926 [he was also an MLB pitcher with Washington Senators (1918), Cleveland Indians (1925-28), and New York Giants (1928)]
Harry Buffington (1919-2003)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-5-55-13-am.png?1612357064)
Guard/Linebacker/Blocking Back—(Oklahoma A&M) Maxwell Field Marauders 1944, Pearl Harbor Army Air Forces Hawaiian Flyers 1945; New York Giants 1942, Brooklyn Dodgers (AAFC) 1946-48
John Canella (1908-1996)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-05-at-5-52-36-pm.png?1612572851)
Guard/Center/Linebacker/Tackle—(Fordham) New York Giants 1933-34, Brooklyn Dodgers 1934
Jake Colhouer (1922-1998)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-6-05-22-am.png?1612541801)
Guard—(Oklahoma A&M) Chicago Cardinals 1946-48, New York Giants 1949
If you didn’t go along with Jake he might pop you right in the mouth.
Bob Fenimore, on Colhouer's leadership skills at the 1945 Cotton Bowl
Bob Fenimore, on Colhouer's leadership skills at the 1945 Cotton Bowl
Bill "Spot" Collins (1922-1996)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-6-16-51-am.png?1612358259)
Guard—(Southwestern/Texas) Camp Lejeune Marines 1944; Boston Yanks 1947
He wasn't a big fella, but he had a big heart. He was a quality person and a great American.
Keifer Marshall
Keifer Marshall
Ernie "Rick" Concannon (1909-1986)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-16-at-8-39-46-am.png?1613490992)
Guard/Tackle—(NYU) Staten Island Stapletons 1932, Boston Redskins 1934-36, New York Yankees (AFL) 1936, Boston Shamrocks (AFL) 1937, Bristol West Ends (Independent Semi-pro) 1937-38, Boston Shamrocks (Independent) 1938
If you see a better looking tackle anywhere than Ernest Concannon you have seen an All America tackle. That Concannon is a sweet tackle.
Walter Trumbull, 1930
Walter Trumbull, 1930
Tom "T.J." Corbo (1918-2000)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-6-12-23-am.png?1612541808)
Guard/Linebacker—(Duquesne) Cleveland Rams 1944
Bill "The Baby-Faced Assassin" Corbus (1911-1998)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-6-20-41-am.png?1612541819)
Guard—(Stanford) [All-American 1932-33, College Football Hall of Fame 1957]
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/corbus3_orig.jpeg)
Bill Corbus autographed the copy of this 1932 Christy Walsh All-American selection news article. Walsh wrote, "Weighing 188 pounds, Corbus is so built as to convey the impression of a heavier man and once under pressure in a football game, the impression is accentuated and justified. Playing against Pittsburgh in a strange and adverse climate, Corbus made half of Stanford's tackles and was consistently good in every game this year. He is a fine interferer, a power on defense and played throughout all important games without respite. The leadership and integrity that made Corbus president of the Stanford student body characterize his conduct on the football field."
Al "Dictator" Couppee (1920-1998)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-11-at-1-52-29-pm.png?1610398404)
Guard/Fullback—(Iowa) Iowa Pre-flight Seahawks 1942, Georgia Pre-flight Skycrackers 1944, Bainbridge Naval Training Center Commodores 1945; Washington Redskins 1945-47
He was tough, and cocky. He kind of had a chip on his shoulder if someone didn't agree with his line of thought.
Erwin Prasse
Erwin Prasse
Bill Cregar (1925-2019)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-21-at-5-01-52-pm.png?1613952173)
Guard/Linebacker—(Holy Cross) Pittsburgh Steelers 1947-48
Bernie Crimmins (1919-1993)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-6-25-02-am.png?1612358797)
Guard/Linebacker—(Notre Dame) El Toro Marine Corps Air Station Flying Marines 1945, Green Bay Packers 1945; Coach—Indiana University 1952-56
Dick “Bernie” Crowl (1908-1998)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-31-at-7-02-16-am.png?1612101816)
Guard/Center—(Rutgers) Brooklyn Dodgers 1930
He is a remarkable player.
Harry J. Rockafeller, Rutgers coach
Harry J. Rockafeller, Rutgers coach
Hal Dean (1922-2011)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-7-03-12-am.png?1613311436)
Guard/Linebacker—(Ohio State) Fort Bragg 3rd Field Artillery Replacement Training Center Cannoneers 1943; Los Angeles Rams 1947-49
Bob Dobelstein (1922-2009)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-27-at-5-31-42-pm.png?1611793952)
Guard/Linebacker—(Tennessee) New York Giants 1946-48, Los Angeles Dons (AAFC) 1949, Paterson Panthers (AFL) 1949-50
I played in 3 bowl games at U.T. 1942—Sugar Bowl vs. Tulsa. 1944—Rose Bowl vs. USC, Captain. 1945—Shrine East-West game, Kezar Stadium, San Francisco . . . . Having been hearing impaired for most of my life, I did not serve in the arm[ed] forces.
Bob Dobelstein, note to Mel Bashore, 1992
Bob Dobelstein, note to Mel Bashore, 1992
Bill “Monk” Edwards (1920-2009)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-8-20-24-am.png?1613316161)
Guard/Tackle/Linebacker—(Baylor) New York Giants 1940-42,1946; Jacksonville Naval Air Station 1944 (Asst. Coach), Fort Benning Infantry Doughboys 1945
“Ox” Emerson (1907-1998)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2020-12-30-at-7-09-22-am.png?1612541829)
Guard/Linebacker/Center—(Texas) Portsmouth Spartans 1931-33, Detroit Lions 1934-37, Brooklyn Dodgers 1938 [All Pro 1932-36]
Lon Evans (1912-1992)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/screen-shot-2020-12-30-at-7-27-41-am_orig.png)
Guard/Tackle—(TCU) Green Bay Packers 1933-37 [All Pro 1936-37]
The Fort Worth native graduated from Texas Christian University, where he was an all-conference lineman for the Horned Frogs football team in the early 1930s. Evans' prowess attracted the attention of professional football scouts, and he played five seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Evans spent the off-seasons acting in bit parts in Hollywood movies, appearing in Mutiny on the Bounty and a smattering of other films. After retiring from football in 1938, Evans officiated games for the National Football League and worked in sales and manufacturing. In the late 1950s, he turned to politics, suffering his first and only defeat in a run for the Texas House of Representatives in 1958. His law enforcement career began shortly afterward, when he went to work as an investigator for the Tarrant County district attorney's office. In 1960, he was elected sheriff. He sent me a business card that he handed out when he was running for sheriff. On the back side of the card was the recipe for his "famous jailhouse chili." He held this office until his retirement in 1984.
Paul "Tiny" Evensen (1922-2002)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-03-19-at-12-57-48-pm.png?1616180314)
Guard—(Oregon State) Personnel Distribution Command Comets 1945, San Francisco 49ers (AAFC) 1948
Ralph Fife (1920-2000)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-13-at-10-08-25-am.png?1613236133)
Guard/Linebacker—(Pittsburgh) Chicago Cardinals 1942,1945, Pittsburgh Steelers 1946; Eastern Army All-Stars 1942 [All-American 1941]
Fife considered a forward pass a long fumble; he eschewed the pass completely. He was brought up under the Jock Sutherland style of football.
Vic Surma
Vic Surma
Pat "Peanut" Filley (1922-2000)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-6-39-28-am.png?1612359633)
Guard—(Notre Dame) [All-American 1943]
He was small as guards go but his biggest forte was his leadership—a real competitor who hated to lose. He played offense and defense equally well. He played with both knees heavily bandaged for support. He could pull well on off-tackle and end run plays and was a fine down-field blocker.
John Lujack
John Lujack
Jack Finlay (1921-2014)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-23-at-5-52-54-am.png?1614084843)
Offensive Guard/Linebacker—(UCLA) Los Angeles Rams 1947-51
Al Fiorentino (1917-2001)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-03-07-at-7-13-20-am.png?1615126469)
Guard/Linebacker—(Boston College) Washington Redskins 1943-44, Boston Yanks 1945
Bill Fivaz (1901-1994)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/screen-shot-2021-02-06-at-5-56-11-am_orig.png)
Guard/Center—(Syracuse) 1921-24
I went to Syracuse in 1921 and played end my freshman year, then in '22 and '23 played varsity running guard. In 1924 I played center.
William Fivaz
William Fivaz
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/fivaz38_orig.jpeg)
When I first began writing to players for their autographs, I used Roger Treat's The Encyclopedia of Football. In that book, Fivaz was listed as playing guard on the Rochester Jefferson and Milwaukee Badgers in 1925. On the strength of that documentation, I found out Dr. Fivaz's address and wrote to him. He wrote, "Some one must have used my name to play pro football." He didn't play pro ball; only played college football at Syracuse. None of the more recent pro football encyclopedias list a William Fivaz as playing pro ball.
Eddie "Seapig" Forrest (1921-2001)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-31-at-12-08-17-pm.png?1612120133)
Guard/Linebacker—(Santa Clara) San Francisco 49ers 1946-47
In 1944, Lambeau [of the Packers] got in touch with me again, but so did Tony Morabito. My dad negotiated with both of them. But Tony was a very kind and generous man, and I wanted to come back to San Francisco, come home. I was only 25, and not really cognizant that two teams wanted me. So there was nothing like a bidding war. I really didn't know what I wanted to do, but I was anxious to get back to civilian life, so joining the 49ers in a new league seemed ideal. Since there were no major-league pro teams here then, we were sort of quasi- or semi-celebrities. People knew us. Anybody in the Bay Area interested in sports knew about the 49ers in those days. "From the beginning, we got good crowds. We all lived in Park Merced. The wives knew each other and socialized together. It was a very happy existence. And the football was fun, too. Good players, hard-played games, interesting times. We flew all over the country to play and that was marvelous. In New York, we used to go to Toots Shor's restaurant and eat dinner for free. And it was quite a thrill to go into Cleveland and play Paul Brown, Mr. Football, and those great Browns teams, too — Otto Graham, Dante Lavelli, Mac Speedie, Marion Motley. I loved football, and I was never sorry I was a 49er. I'll tell you, those first 49ers were some of the nicest guys in the world. We were like a family.
Eddie Forrest
Eddie Forrest
Aldo Forte (1918-2007)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2020-12-30-at-8-28-06-am.png?1612541842)
Guard/Tackle—(Montana) Santa Ana Army Air Base Flyers (PCFL) 1942, Fleet City Bluejackets 1945; Chicago Bears 1939-42, Los Angeles Wildcats (AFL) 1944, Detroit Lions 1946, Green Bay Packers 1947
Danny Fortmann (1916-1995)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2020-12-30-at-10-38-41-am.png?1609349952)
Guard/Linebacker—(Colgate) Chicago Bears 1936-43 [College Football Hall of Fame 1978, All NFL 1938-43, Pro Football Hall of Fame 1965]
In 1936, the first year they had the draft, all the names were put on a blackboard. If a man's name wasn't on that blackboard, you couldn't pick him. So there was always a big scramble for free agents. We came into the session with about 14 names, and when we got down to our last selection there were two names left on the board. One of them was Danny Fortmann, a guard from Colgate. I said to myself, "Fortmann, that sounds like a nice name, and Colgate is certainly a fine school. I'll take him." He became a Hall of Famer.
George Halas
George Halas
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/screen-shot-2021-01-10-at-5-07-47-am_orig.png)
On October 16, 1940, Fortmann signed his name on a World War II draft registration card, the signature portion shown here. He listed his employer as the Chicago Bears Football Club. This is an authentic signature from his football-playing days. The formation of the capital letter "F" is similar to my 8x10 (above left), except the starting stroke of the "F" on my 8x10 goes from down to up, whereas the 1940 authentic signature curls from up to down. Unfortunately, this calls into question the authenticity of the autograph on the 3x5 card that I purchased in 2015 (above right).
"He was the best player I ever coached," Colgate coach Andy Kerr said of Daniel J. Fortmann. "He blocked with the sureness of a chopping axe. With his keen sense of play development, he always seemed to turn up where he could be most effective," Kerr remarked. Fortmann joined the Colgate team as a 17-year-old sophomore whose goal was to become a doctor. During his junior and senior years Colgate played remarkable football and Andy Kerr attributed much of his success to Dan Fortmann. "A key block by Danny made possible our first touchdown against Holy Cross in 1934 on an 85-yard punt return, and started us on the way to a spectacular victory," Kerr proclaimed. "Against undefeated Syracuse that season, Danny turned the tide by leading three stone-wall stands within our five-yard line. Again his blocking set up the punt return that clinched the victory." Andy Kerr's team was as good as he claimed, losing only to Ohio State in 1934. Fortmann was practically ignored by the pros, who considered the 6-foot, 200 pounder too small. The Chicago Bears chose him in the final round of the draft and paid him $110 a game. He earned All-Pro honors six times in eight years. A Phi Beta Kappa student, Fortmann attained his goal of becoming a physician. He became one of the nation's leading surgeons.
Ray Frankowski (1919-2001)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-5-03-52-pm.png?1612397079)
Guard—(Washington) Green Bay Packers 1945, Los Angeles Dons (AAFC) 1946-48 [All-American 1941]
Julius "Julie" Franks (1922-2008)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-8-29-26-am.png?1613316736)
Guard—(Michigan) [All-American 1942]
I had pretty good technique, but technique doesn't help you when the guy you are going against weighs 100 pounds more than you do [he weighed 183]. We had to be complete players. Today everybody specializes. But back then you went both ways, you had to know everything about the game. Society was different. You couldn't have beer in the dorms, and coaches were a lot more strict about training habits. In fact, you couldn't buy hard liquor over the counter at all in Grand Rapids. And girls had dorm hours. They had to be in by 11. I think there were only two other blacks in the Big Ten at the time. But I never had a bit of trouble. I stayed in every hotel the team stayed in. I benefitted from what happened to Willis Ward a few years earlier. [A few years earlier, Michigan played Georgia in Ann Arbor, and the visitors refused to play if the Wolverines used Ward. Michigan kept him out of the game, which created an uproar.] After that, the regents voted that everybody plays, no matter what. So we didn't play any southern schools. I had to have all kinds of jobs to get through school. During my freshman year, I cleaned the stadium on Sunday's. I worked at the Student Union for 2½ hours every day for my meals, and I worked 20 hours a month cleaning up the student rec center. I had to work at the post office every Christmas, and during the summers I worked at camps, and eventually for Ford Motor Company. It was a lot of work, but the nice thing was that back then you could usually make enough money in the summer to pay for your tuition.
Julius Franks
Julius Franks
Roy “Rosy” Gagnon (1913- 2000)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2020-12-30-at-10-55-05-am.png?1612541857)
Guard —(Oregon) Detroit Lions 1935
Bob "Little Flower" Gaudio (1925-2003)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/screen-shot-2020-12-30-at-11-17-32-am_orig.png)
Offensive Guard/Linebacker/Defensive Guard—(Ohio State) Keesler Field Fliers 1945; Cleveland Browns (AAFC/NFL) 1947-49,1951
Frank Gaziano (1917-2010)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-8-39-33-am.png?1613317218)
Guard—(Holy Cross) Fourth Air Force 1943, Boston Yanks 1944 [All Service Team 1943]
Byron Gentry (1913-1992)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-03-06-at-9-11-05-am.png?1615047417)
Guard—(USC) Los Angeles Bulldogs (AFL) 1937, Pittsburgh Pirates 1937-39, Hollywood Bears (PCFL) 1941-42,1945-46, March Field Fliers 1942 [All-Pro 1938]
Mario "Yo-Yo" Giannelli (1920-2003)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-5-17-00-pm.png?1612397987)
Defensive Guard/Offensive Guard—(Boston College) Philadelphia Eagles 1948-51
The Eagles got draft rights to me, and I signed with them right after the 1947 season for $6,000. That was pretty good money.
Mario Giannelli
Mario Giannelli
George Gibson (1905-2004)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-5-29-51-pm.png?1612398790)
Guard/Player-Coach—(Minnesota) Frankford Yellowjackets 1930, Minneapolis Redjackets 1930 [All-American 1928]
I am entitled to several records which have never been mentioned by the present day announcers. These are as follows:
1. I played on two National Football League teams simultaneously, the Minneapolis Red Jackets and the Frankford Yellowjackets.
2. I coached two National Football League teams simultaneously, the Minneapolis Red Jackets and the Frankford Yellowjackets.
3. I played on two National League teams that went broke the same season.
4. I coached two National football teams that went broke the same season.
George R. Gibson
1. I played on two National Football League teams simultaneously, the Minneapolis Red Jackets and the Frankford Yellowjackets.
2. I coached two National Football League teams simultaneously, the Minneapolis Red Jackets and the Frankford Yellowjackets.
3. I played on two National League teams that went broke the same season.
4. I coached two National football teams that went broke the same season.
George R. Gibson
Bill Gray (1922-2011)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-13-at-4-54-14-pm.png?1613260492)
Guard—(Oregon State/USC) Camp Lejeune Marines 1944, Fleet Marine Force Pacific 1945; Washington Redskins 1947-48
Jack Green (1924-1981)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-08-at-8-05-02-am.png?1612541869)
Guard—(Tulane/Army) Coach—Vanderbilt 1963-66 [All-American 1944-45, College Football Hall of Fame 1989]
John Green, a native of Shelbyville, Kentucky, started his college playing career as a letterman for Tulane in 1942. He was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy and played there 1943-1945. Green stood 5-11, weighed 190-pounds and was one of the finest guards ever to play for Army. He was named to Collier's All-America team in 1944 and was a consensus All-America selection in 1945. The 1944-1945 Army teams were undefeated and two-time national champions, and Green was captain of the 1945 team. He was also on the wrestling team. Green served as assistant Army coach under Earl Blaik in 1946, then completed a five year tour of duty and retired from the Army with the rank of captain. He went into coaching for a 14-year period. This included four years as head coach at Vanderbilt 1963-1966 and service as assistant coach at Tulane, Florida, Kansas and Baylor. He went into business in Nashville, Tennessee.
Garland Gregory (1919-2011)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-8-43-22-am.png?1613317485)
Guard/Linebacker—(Louisiana Tech) Fourth Air Force Fliers 1943-45; Hollywood Bears (PCFL) 1945; San Francisco 49ers (AAFC) 1946-47 [Little All-American 1941]
Visco "Bosco" Grgich (1923- 2005)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-06-at-7-17-15-am.png?1612621075)
Offensive Guard/Linebacker/Defensive Guard/Offensive Tackle/Defensive Tackle—(Santa Clara) Second Air Force Superbombers 1944, Fourth Air Force Fliers 1945; San Francisco 49ers (AAFC/NFL) 1946-52
We had this tradition before every home game where I would hit the cement wall three times with each forearm, then knock down the locker-room door. The door was plywood.
Visco Grgich
Visco Grgich
George Groves (1921-2011)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-1-35-50-pm.png?1613335016)
Guard/Linebacker—(Marquette) Buffalo Bills (AAFC) 1947, Baltimore Colts (AAFC) 1948
Pete "Toe" Gudauskas (1916-2003)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-30-at-11-02-32-am.png?1612541875)
Guard/Linebacker/Kicker—(Murray State) Cleveland Rams 1940, Cincinnati Bengals (AFL) 1941, Chicago Bears 1943-45 [Little All-American 1937-39]
The biggest thing about kicking in those days was the weather conditions we played in. I remember times I had mud hanging on my shoes and I wondered if I'd ever be able to lift the ball off the ground.
Pete Gudauskas, the first player to use a square-toed shoe for placekicking
Pete Gudauskas, the first player to use a square-toed shoe for placekicking
Al Gutknecht (1917-1996)
Guard/Linebacker—(Niagara) Brooklyn Dodgers 1943, Cleveland Rams 1944
Bill Hachten (1924-2018)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-03-19-at-1-19-10-pm.png?1616181878)
Guard/Linebacker—(California/Stanford) El Toro Marine Corps Air Station Flying Marines 1945, New York Giants 1947
Herman Hickman (1911-1958)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-10-at-8-21-35-am.png?1610292173)
Guard—(Tennessee) Brooklyn Dodgers 1932-34; Coach—Yale 1948-51 [All-American 1931, All-Pro 1933; College Football Hall of Fame 1959]
Herman Hickman is the greatest guard football has ever known.
Bob Neyland
Bob Neyland
Herman Hickman was one of the greatest linemen to play the game, often mentioned with Yale's legendary Pudge Heffelfinger whenever all-time guards are discussed. Hickman was a 205-pound 17-year-old when he first reported to Tennessee. It was not long before he built himself to 225 pounds, never losing the quickness and mobility which had become his trademark. He could out-run all but a couple of the fastest backs on the Volunteer squad and he used his strength to roll through the scrimmage line like a cannonball. During Hickman's three varsity seasons, the Volunteers were 27-1-2. Following graduation, Hickman played three All-Pro seasons with the Brooklyn football Dodgers. He then tried a career as a professional wrestler, known around the circuit as "The Tennessee Terror." But football was Hickman's first love, and he soon entered coaching and eventually became the head coach at Yale. Immensely popular in the New Haven, area, Hickman broke into television and became a well-known personality, heralded as the "Poet Laureate of the Little Smokies." He was a staff writer in the early years of Sports Illustrated.
Luke Higgins (1921-1991)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-27-at-7-06-32-pm.png?1612541884)
Guard—(Notre Dame) Baltimore Colts (AAFC) 1947
Bob “Hub” Hoel (1913-2001)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-30-at-6-34-01-am.png?1612013687)
Guard—(Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh Pirates 1935, Chicago Gunners (Independent) 1936, Chicago Cardinals 1937-38, Edmonton Eskimos (Western Interprovincial Rugby Football Union) 1939
Frank "Nordy" Hoffmann (1909 -1996)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-5-47-40-pm.png?1612541890)
Guard—(Notre Dame) [All-American 1931, College Football Hall of Fame 1978]
Lin Houston (1921-1995)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-01-at-1-53-50-pm.png?1612541896)
Offensive Guard/Defensive Guard—(Ohio State) Fort Bragg 3rd Field Artillery Replacement Training Center Cannoneers 1943 (player-coach); Cleveland Browns (AAFC/NFL) 1946-53
In this letter, Houston recounts his memories as player/coach
of a 1943 service football team and World War II.
of a 1943 service football team and World War II.
Weldon Humble (1921-1998)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-01-at-2-00-20-pm.png?1612541902)
Offensive Guard/Linebacker—(Rice) Cleveland Browns (AAFC/NFL) 1947-50, Dallas Texans 1952 [All-American 1946, College Football Hall of Fame 1961]
Rice's Jess Neely considered Weldon Humble the finest interior lineman he had ever coached, calling him "an exceptional athlete, fine competitor and a genuine leader." No one could dispute Neely's evaluation, for Humble was a unique athlete, indeed. He lettered in football, basketball, track and swimming at Breckenridge High School in San Antonio, Texas, before moving on to Rice. There, Weldon was the aggressive heart in the Rice front wall, leading his team to an 8-0 victory over Tennessee in the 1947 Orange Bowl game. The bowl victory gave Rice a final 9-2 record that season and earned Humble a litany of accolades. He was a consensus All- America choice. Like most athletes of his time, Weldon was required to suspend his career for military service during World War II. He played one season at Southwestern Louisiana then entered active military duty. He rose to the rank of U.S. Marine Captain and later served in the Korean War. Humble later played eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns before entering business in Houston. He became vice-president of a large office supply firm and maintained his affiliation with his alma mater, serving as head of the Rice Quarterback Club. He also became chairman of the selection board for the Bluebonnet Bowl. His years at Rice were 1941, 1942, 1946.
Ted James (1906-1999)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-06-at-5-45-17-am.png?1609937365)
Guard/Center—(Nebraska) Frankford Yellowjackets 1929
Bob Jeffries (1919-2007)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-5-55-39-pm.png?1612400287)
Guard—(Missouri) Brooklyn Dodgers 1942 [All American 1941]
Art “The Artful Dodger” Jocher (1915-1997)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-29-at-6-04-18-pm.png?1612541911)
Guard/Linebacker—(Manhattan) Brooklyn Dodgers 1940,1942, Paterson Panthers (AA) 1941, Paterson Panthers (AFL) 1946
I was rookie lineman of the year 1940, runner-up to Clyde Bulldog Turner.
Art Jocher, note to Mel Bashore, 1993
Art Jocher, note to Mel Bashore, 1993
Ellis "Bones" Jones (1921-2002)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-03-at-6-17-20-pm.png?1612401522)
Guard—(San Angelo JC/Tulsa) Boston Yanks 1945
I didn't know what two arms meant [he lost his right arm at age eleven]. I guess I wasn't smart enough to feel sorry for myself. I either made them run over me or I shot through them.
Ellis Jones
Ellis Jones
Cy Kasper (1896-1991)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-05-at-9-01-45-am.png?1612541041)
Guard—(Notre Dame) Rochester Jeffersons 1923; Coach—Alfred 1923-24, South Dakota State 1928-33
I was on Notre Dame squad with [George] Gipp in 1919 and 1920. I was no herald player. Seems my two years [WWI] in France slowed me up.
T. C. Kasper, note to Mel Bashore
T. C. Kasper, note to Mel Bashore
Nick Kerasiotis (1918-2002)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-29-at-5-36-33-pm.png?1611967043)
Guard/Linebacker—(St. Ambrose) Iowa Pre-flight Seahawks 1943; Columbus Bullies (AFL) 1941, Chicago Bears 1942,1945; Akron Bears (AFL) 1946, Bloomfield Cardinals (AFL) 1947 [Little All-American 1939-40, 2nd Team Service All-American 1943, AFL All-League Team 1946-47]
He was a very intelligent man who did a lot of reading and traveled all over the world as treasurer for the WBA and the World Boxing Organization.
Sean Curtin
Sean Curtin
Francis "Bucko" Kilroy (1921-2007)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-16-at-11-39-48-am.png?1613500842)
Defensive Guard/Offensive Tackle/Defensive Tackle/Offensive Guard—(Temple) Phil-Pit Steagles 1943, Philadelphia Eagles 1944-55
Ed King (1925-2006)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-5-45-36-am.png?1612541921)
Offensive Guard/Defensive End/Defensive Guard—(Boston College) Buffalo Bills (AAFC) 1948-49, Baltimore Colts 1950
Joe "Doc" Kopcha (1905-1986)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-31-at-5-52-32-am.png?1612097602)
Guard/Tackle—(Tennessee-Chattanooga) Memphis Tigers (Independent) 1929, Chicago Bears 1929-35, Detroit Lions 1936 [All-Pro 1933-35, Indiana Football Hall of Fame 1977]
Zvonimir Kvaternik (1911-1994)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-5-55-21-am.png?1612541928)
Guard—(Kansas) Pittsburgh Pirates 1934
Hubbard "Red" Law (1921-1995)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-06-at-5-58-38-am.png?1612541933)
Guard/Linebacker—(Sam Houston State) Greensboro Army Air Base Tech-Hawks 1943; Pittsburgh Steelers 1942,1945; McKeesport Ironmen (semi-pro) 1946-47 [Little All-American 1941]
Milton "Red" Leathers (1909-2000)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-06-at-6-05-56-am.png?1612541938)
Guard—(Georgia) Philadelphia Eagles 1933
Ed Lechner (1919-2015)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-23-at-11-18-47-am.png?1614104401)
Guard/Tackle—(Minnesota) New York Giants 1942
Jim Lecture (1924-1999)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-5-59-34-am.png?1612541945)
Guard—(Washington, Mo./Northwestern) Buffalo Bisons (AAFC) 1946
Tony Leon (1917-2002)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-1-47-05-pm.png?1613335697)
Guard/Linebacker—(Alabama) Washington Redskins 1943, Brooklyn Tigers 1944, Boston Yanks 1945-46
I was 4F for a heart condition and I lied to play football, saying I had a perforated eardrum.
Tony Leon, note to Mel Bashore, 1994
Tony Leon, note to Mel Bashore, 1994
Leonard "Butch" Levy (1921-1999)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-6-25-42-am.png?1612445182)
Guard/Tackle—(Minnesota) Great Lakes Naval Training Station Bluejackets 1942; Cleveland Rams 1945, Los Angeles Rams 1946, Los Angeles Dons (AAFC) 1947-48
Virgil "Joe" Lindahl (1919-2008)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-24-at-6-46-55-am.png?1614174539)
Guard/Linebacker/Offensive End—(Wayne State) Ellington Field Fliers 1944, New York Giants 1945
[With the Giants, I only played] 6 games, had a shoulder problem.
Joe Lindahl, note to Mel Bashore
Joe Lindahl, note to Mel Bashore
Augie Lio (1918-1989)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-29-at-7-03-18-am.png?1611929043)
Guard/Linebacker—(Georgetown) Detroit Lions 1941-43, Boston Yanks 1944-45, Philadelphia Eagles 1946, Baltimore Colts (AAFC) 1947, Paterson Panthers (AFL) 1948-49
Jim Logan (1916-2004)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-6-41-01-am.png?1612446127)
Guard—(Indiana) Chicago Bears 1943
I was drafted by the New York Giants, but had to decline because I was still going to school. I ended up in Chicago in 1943 taking an internship at Augustana Hospital. That summer I happened to notice in the sports page an article stating that the Chicago Bears were having some difficulty in recruiting a team for the coming season. I called the Bear's stockholder responsible for recruiting and scheduled an appointment with him at his office in the Wrigley Building. I was pleased to sign as a guard for the coming season. The season went very well. . . .
Jim Logan, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore
Jim Logan, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore
Joe Lokanc (1917-2009)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-1-55-01-pm.png?1613336153)
Guard/Linebacker—(Northwestern) Chicago Cardinals 1941; Bainbridge Naval Training Station Commodores 1943
I played on college all star team in 1941 against the Chicago Bears.
Joseph A. Lokanc, note to Mel Bashore, July 29, 1992
Joseph A. Lokanc, note to Mel Bashore, July 29, 1992
Bob McDonough (1919-2011)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-03-19-at-1-29-44-pm.png?1616182922)
Guard—(Duke) Philadelphia Eagles 1946
Bob “The Bull” Maddock (1923-2003)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-6-49-03-am.png?1612446709)
Guard/Linebacker—(Notre Dame) Chicago Cardinals 1942,1946
John "Hog Jaw" Magee (1923-1991)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-7-04-44-am.png?1612447787)
Offensive Guard/Defensive Guard/Linebacker—(Rice) Southwestern Louisiana Institute Marines 1943, Fleet Marine Force Pacific 1945; Philadelphia Eagles 1948-55
Vic "Sub Marino" Marino (1918-2006)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-29-at-6-44-49-pm.png?1611971140)
Guard—(Ohio State) Great Lakes Naval Training Station Bluejackets 1942; Boston Bears (AFL) 1940, New York Americans (AFL) 1941, Oakland Giants (PCFL) 1945, Baltimore Colts 1946, Akron Bears (AFL) 1946
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/vicmarbi060.jpeg?1612122609)
It has been my experience that the university that draws the greatest football collecting interest is Ohio State. Over the years, Ohio State collectors have contacted me to ask if I would be willing to sell or trade some of my Ohio State football autographs. At one time, I had three Marino-signed items in my collection. Marino sent me these items in 1994. In 2015, I traded my only Marino 3x5 autograph to a collector for a 1945 Fleet City Bluejackets vs. Fort Warren Broncos game program. The collector had purchased the program in an auction from the Perry Schwartz estate. I was pleased to make the trade because the football program contained over a dozen signatures, including Buddy Young. I sold an 8.5x11 questionnaire that Marino had printed answers for me in Dec. 1994 for $150 to an Ohio State collector in 2020. The above 5x8 handwritten note mirrored the answers that Marino wrote in Dec. 1994. It is the only Marino-signed item that I still have in my collection.
Vic Markov (1916-1998)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-06-at-11-36-06-am.png?1612636616)
Guard/Tackle—(Washington) Cleveland Rams 1938; Western Army All-Stars 1942 [All-American (Grantland Rice) 1937, College Football Hall of Fame 1976]
Bert Milling (1921-2013)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/milling67.jpeg?1617482420)
Guard—(Richmond) Richmond Arrows (Dixie League) 1941, Philadelphia Eagles 1942
John Kellison [Philadelphia Eagles assistant coach] reached me by phone and asked if I would like to play with the Eagles since they had been hit so hard by the Army draft. I told him I had already enlisted in the Air Force subject to call but he said that would be fine. I could just play until being called at the huge sum of $225 per game. I, of course, accepted (after calling home to obtain Mother's permission) and was not called up for service until the next January after the season ended.
Bert Milling, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, Feb. 10, 2001
Bert Milling, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, Feb. 10, 2001
I wrote an article about Milling's playing days with the Richmond Arrows and Philadelphia Eagles. You can read it in "'This Young Kid from Down South': Bert Milling," Coffin Corner 24, no. 2 (2002): 17-18.
Ray "Piano Legs" Monaco (1918- 2002)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-29-at-5-46-20-pm.png?1612541959)
Guard/Linebacker—(Holy Cross) Churchill Pros (AA) 1941, Providence Steamroller (AA) 1941, Washington Redskins 1944, Cleveland Rams 1945, Wilmington Clippers (AFL) 1946
Clarence "Biggie" Munn (1908-1975)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-08-at-7-54-37-am.png?1610117744)
Guard/Fullback—(Minnesota) All-American 1930-31; Head Coach—Albright 1935-36, Syracuse 1946, Michigan State 1947-53 [AFCA Coach of the Year 1952, College Football Hall of Fame 1959]
Clarence Munn was a football man - captain of the Minnesota Gophers in 1931, and later, one of Michigan State's most celebrated coaches. At Minnesota, Munn was an All- American who played both guard and fullback. He weighed 215 pounds and stood just under 6-feet tall. In truth, he appeared to be anything but a sprinter, yet he could run the 100 yard dash in 10.0 seconds. Munn was lauded as a punishing lineman with the breakaway burst of a dash champion. He was also a leading punter and a tough ball carrying machine, piling up incredible yardage during his career in a Gopher uniform. After graduation, Munn entered the coaching profession and over a period of 22 years, his tours of duty included stops at Albright, Syracuse and Michigan State. As head coach at MSU from 1947 to 1953, Munn led the Spartans to an impressive 54-9-2 record. His 1951 and 1952 Green and White teams were unbeaten and earned him the highest accolades, including the American Football Coaches Association's Coach of the Year honors in 1952. A year later, Munn ended his coaching career in order to become MSU's Athletic Director. His given name was Clarence; everybody knew him by his nickname, "Biggie."
George "Moose" Musso (1910-2000)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/muss5978.jpeg?1609953316)
Guard/Tackle—(Millikin) Chicago Bears 1933-44 [Pro Football Hall of Fame 1982]
George was about 260 pounds and as strong as they come. I was about 50 pounds lighter than him. I was centering to the tailback on the single wing, who was about four yards behind me. Centering that way, I had to keep my head down, looking back at the tailback. Well, the first time George lined up opposite me and I snapped the ball, he popped me one right in the face. We didn't have faceguards, of course, and I said to him after the play that he'd better never do that to me again. Coming from me, about 200 or 210 pounds, it didn't make that much of an impression on big George. On the next play, he let me have it again. So, on the following play, I was ready. I snapped the ball with one hand this time and at the exact same time delivered one heck of an uppercut with the other hand and got George square in the face. He really felt it, I could tell. He shook it off in a dazed kind of way and then smiled and said something like that was a helluva good shot. He never tried it on me again, and we became good friends. George was not a dirty player, and I never heard of him doing that kind of thing to anybody later. He was just massive and strong.
Mel Hein
Mel Hein
Don "Red" Nelson (1915-1996)
Guard—(Iowa) Brooklyn Dodgers 1937
Carl Nery (1917-2007)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-7-38-00-am.png?1612449524)
Guard—(Duquesne) Pittsburgh Steelers 1940-41
Ham Nichols (1924-2013)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-03-19-at-1-45-48-pm.png?1616183343)
Offensive Guard/Linebacker—(Rice) Chicago Cardinals 1947-49, Green Bay Packers 1951
Leo Nobile (1922-2006)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-7-41-54-am.png?1612449761)
Guard/Linebacker—(Penn State) Washington Redskins 1947, Pittsburgh Steelers 1948-49
Garver Oxley (1919-1997)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/oxley37.jpeg?1614176932)
Guard—(Findlay) Eastern Flying Training Command Eagles 1945-46
I was with Detroit Lions long enough to get a clean jockstrap. I received pay for my rookie tryout . . . .during these years we did not have face masks. As a result many of players lost teeth . . . .When we played a game (not practices), we had a special manager who had an empty cigar box and stood in the entrance to the locker room. As each player came in and had a bridge, plate, etc., he would deposit it in the box. Upon leaving, this same manager would stand at the door with the box. As each player with missing teeth would exit he would "root" through the cigar box and retrieve his teeth.
Garver Oxley
Garver Oxley
Rupert Pate (1917-2014)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-30-at-6-21-17-am.png?1612012917)
Guard—(Wake Forest) Chicago Cardinals 1940, New York Americans (AFL) 1941, Philadelphia Eagles 1942
Endicott "Chub" Peabody (1920-1997)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-04-at-7-52-30-am.png?1612541977)
Guard—(Harvard) [Knute Rockne Award 1941, All-American 1941, College Football Hall of Fame 1973; governor of Massachusetts, campaigned for 1972 Democratic nomination for Vice President, insisting that the party, not the President, should choose the nation’s second-in-command]
He was a 190-pound package of unmodified murder, the most savage blocker and tackler in the Ivy League. Harvard men don't usually turn professional, but Peabody could probably get a job with any team in the National league.
Jack Guenther (1941)
Jack Guenther (1941)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/chubpea.jpeg?1612450661)
The Midshipmen of Navy, unbeaten and heavily favored, entered Harvard stadium one October afternoon in 1941 and were about to be submarined by a Crimson guard of Massachusetts background. Endicott Peabody II, a 181- pound time bomb in the Harvard line, unleashed a surprise attack that foiled the Midshipman attack at every corner. Peabody forced one fumble and recovered another, sinking a pair of Navy scoring threats. It was one of his finest games as the two teams battled bitterly to a scoreless tie. Harvard was only a slightly better than average team at 12-8-4 during Peabody's three-year career. Harvard was 5-2-1 during Peabody's final campaign, the best Crimson mark during his tenure, and he earned unanimous All-America laurels. Endicott Peabody was governor of Massachusetts 1963-65.
Steve "Rock" Petro (1914-1994)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-05-at-9-08-01-am.png?1612541985)
Guard/Linebacker—(Pittsburgh) Brooklyn Dodgers 1940-41; Western Army All Stars 1942
Rocco "Rocky" Pirro (1916-1995)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-05-at-9-14-52-am.png?1612541730)
Guard/Blocking Back/Linebacker/Defensive Back/Halfback—(Catholic) Pittsburgh Steelers 1940-41, Worcester Panthers (American Association) 1942, Fleet City Bluejackets 1945, Buffalo Bisons (AAFC) 1946, Buffalo Bills (AAFC) 1947-49
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/editor/pirro897.jpeg?1614107602)
The answers on the questionnaire that I mailed to Rocco in 1992 were typed by his wife, as Rocco had Parkinson's Disease. Nonetheless, he was able to sign a 3x5 card for me. In a letter dated June 22, 1992, his wife, Ida, wrote, "He has been a patient at the Van Duyn Home and Hospital in Syracuse, NY for the past two years. He suffers from Parkinson's Disease. He shakes a lot but can still write his name."
Pat Preston (1921-2002)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-07-at-5-36-22-am.png?1612541992)
Guard/Linebacker—(Wake Forest/Duke) Chicago Bears 1946-50 [All-American 1943]
Bill Radovich (1915-2002)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-05-at-9-24-11-am.png?1612542314)
Guard—(USC) Detroit Lions 1938-41,1945, Great Lakes NTS Bluejackets 1942, Los Angeles Dons (AAFC) 1946-47, Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) 1949 [All-Service 1942, All- Pro 1945-46]
The little creep said I'd either play in Detroit or I wouldn't play anywhere. He also told me if I tried to play in the [All-America Football Conference], he would put me on a blacklist for five years. It took a lot of guts to take on the NFL back then. There was no union, no players` association, no legal fund. And we didn`t make very much money. It cost me a lot, but I knew I was right.
Bill Radovich, referring to Lion’s owner Fred Madel, Jr.
Bill Radovich, referring to Lion’s owner Fred Madel, Jr.
Radovich brought a lawsuit against the NFL in 1949. It was finally decided in Radovich's favor by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1957. It was the first time anyone had successfully sued the NFL. Rather than take the NFL to trial, Radovich received a settlement out of court for $42,500.
Knox "Bulldog" Ramsey (1926-2005)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-05-at-3-11-51-pm.png?1612563144)
Offensive Guard/Linebacker/Defensive Guard—(William & Mary) Los Angeles Dons (AAFC) 1948-49, Chicago Cardinals 1950-51, Philadelphia Eagles 1952, Washington Redskins 1952-53
We stayed in the best hotels and traveled 1st class. Of course we flew by prop planes and sometimes the team & equipment weighed more than they were supposed to. . .
Knox Ramsey, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, Nov. 6, 1989
Knox Ramsey, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, Nov. 6, 1989
Steve Reid (1914-2009)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-2-00-47-pm.png?1613336493)
Guard—(Northwestern) [All-American 1936, College Football Hall of Fame 1985]
I was drafted by Brooklyn Dodgers but I told the Coach Potsy Clark that I was interested in going to medical school . . .
Steve Reid, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, 1990
Steve Reid, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, 1990
Floyd "Scrappy" Rhea (1920-2010)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-2-36-08-pm.png?1613338652)
Guard/Linebacker—(Fullerton JC/Oregon) Chicago Cardinals 1943, Brooklyn Tigers 1944, Boston Yanks 1945, Hawaiian Warriors (PCFL) 1946-47, Detroit Lions 1947
Ray Richeson (1923-2003)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-05-at-3-16-37-pm.png?1612563434)
Guard—(Alabama) Personnel Distribution Command Comets 1945; Chicago Hornets (AAFC) 1949
Lyle Rockenbach (1915-2005)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/editor/screen-shot-2021-02-05-at-3-23-12-pm.png?1612563821)
Guard—(Michigan State) Detroit Lions 1943; Bainbridge Naval Air Station Commodores 1944
Aaron Rosenberg (1912-1979)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/screen-shot-2021-01-07-at-8-29-35-am_orig.png)
Guard—(USC) [All-American 1932-33, College Football Hall of Fame 1966]
Aaron Rosenberg prided himself in his "needle work." A master at taunting enemy linemen, the 6-0, 210-pound Southern California guard could back up his words. He was a vicious blocker and tackler, an All-America in 1932 and 1933. Stanford's Bob "Horse" Reynolds remembered him well: "He was a real talker, a whale of a holler guy, and he could live up to all that talk." Another Stanford All-American, Bobby Grayson, agreed. "He was an exciting athlete", Grayson said of Rosenberg. "He was the true motivating influence in that USC line. We had a tremendous amount of respect for him." Grayson recalled one of Rosenberg's best efforts, "He really gave it to us good when we lined up for the first time in that 1933 game, when the Trojans boasted a 27-game winning string. Though we won, 13-7, Rosenberg let us know we'd been in the football game." Rosenberg was a great motion picture director and producer, also. His finest film efforts included the box office hits, "The Glenn Miller Story" and "The Benny Goodman Story," as well as "Mutiny on the Bounty." It is obvious that Rosenberg knew the combinations which made things happen, whether it was a finely-executed block on the gridiron or an artfully directed masterpiece on the silver screen.
Ed Royston (1923-2011)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-2-26-03-pm.png?1613338033)
Guard—(Wake Forest) Sampson Naval Training Station Bluejackets 1943; New York Giants 1948-50
Joe Ruetz (1917-2003)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-12-at-5-20-04-pm.png?1613175654)
Guard/Linebacker—(Notre Dame) St. Mary's Pre-Flight Air Devils 1942, El Toro Marines Flying Marines 1944; Chicago Rockets (AAFC) 1946,1948
Joe was one of the sharpest coaches I've ever known. He was a great teacher.
Dutch Fehring, on Ruetz as assistant coach at Stanford
Dutch Fehring, on Ruetz as assistant coach at Stanford
An avid hiker and mountain climber, he went on a solo backpacking trip to Utah in the first week of December, 1941, got caught in severe blizzards and had to hike 12 days through deep snow before returning to safety — and learning of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Herb St. John (1926-2011)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-2-04-57-pm.png?1613336734)
Guard—(Georgia) Brooklyn Dodgers (AAFC) 1948, Chicago Hornets (AAFC) 1949
Ted Schmitt (1916-2001)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-2-47-13-pm.png?1613339326)
Guard/Center/Linebacker—(Pittsburgh) Philadelphia Eagles 1938-40
He liked to eat. One of his favorite dishes was chocolate cake with ketchup. Anytime anyone had a get-together, Ted would say, “Where's the ketchup?” He'd put ketchup on that cake like it was a hamburger.
Francis “Angel” Nath
Francis “Angel” Nath
Roy Scholl (1904-1993)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-2-59-46-pm.png?1613340670)
Guard—(Lehigh) 1924-27
Ed Sharkey (1927-2015)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-18-at-2-31-09-pm.png?1613683903)
Offensive Guard/Linebacker/Offensive Tackle/Defensive Guard—(Duke/Nevada-Reno) New York Yankees (AAFC) 1947-49, New York Yanks 1950, Cleveland Browns 1952, Baltimore Colts 1953, Philadelphia Eagles 1954-55, San Francisco 49ers 1955-56, B.C. Lions (CFL) 1957-58
Joe Signaigo (1923-2007)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-3-14-15-pm.png?1613340936)
Offensive Guard/Defensive Guard—(Notre Dame) Camp Lejeune Marines 1944, Pacific Fleet Marine Force 1945; New York Yankees (AAFC) 1948, Brooklyn-New York Yankees (AAFC) 1949, New York Yanks 1950 [All Pro 1949-50]
Jim "Happy" Sivell (1914-1997)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-3-28-09-pm.png?1613341762)
Guard—(Auburn) Brooklyn Dodgers 1938-42, Brooklyn Tigers 1944, New York Giants 1944-45, Miami Seahawks 1946
Brooklyn was a wonderful sporting town. Win or lose, they were out hollering as loud as ever. Last coach was Dr. John Bain Sutherland, a wonderful man and coach. I have him as one of the best ever. No team would ever beat him often.
James "Happy" Sivell, note on 3x5 card sent to Mel Bashore
James "Happy" Sivell, note on 3x5 card sent to Mel Bashore
Steve Slivinski (1917-2008)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-3-34-11-pm.png?1613342105)
Guard/Linebacker—(Washington) Washington Redskins 1939-43, Seattle Bombers (PCFL) 1944; Coach—Tacoma Indians (PCFL) 1946 [PCFL All League 1944]
He was a really good lineman.
Sammy Baugh
Sammy Baugh
Inwood "Putter" Smith (1915-1995)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-30-at-12-50-49-pm.png?1612036812)
Guard/Tackle—(Ohio State) Cincinnati Bengals (AFL) 1937,1940 [Walter Camp-Grantland Rice All-American 1935, All-American 1936]
Upon graduation from Ohio State University in the spring of 1937 I was drafted to the "to be" Cleveland Rams . . . who commenced playing in the NFL that fall, but had not then be[en] publicly announced as the "new team." The commissioner of the NFL at that time was Joe Carr, who had his offices in Columbus, Ohio; and it was Mr. Carr who made the draft selections (10) for the "yet to be announced" Cleveland Rams. He drafted me, I believe, because of my Ohio State background in the belief that it would be helpful to the new team located in Ohio; and did so despite the fact that I had confidentially advised him in advance that I would not play professional football . . . which I stuck to . . . .I negotiated with the Rams to the point of reaching agreement that I would play a defensive cornerback position primarily, but in the end I decided to continue with building up a career in business.
Inwood Smith, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, Sep. 3, 1992
Inwood Smith, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, Sep. 3, 1992
See my article entitled "'I Did Not Play': Team Roster Errors in Pro Football" regarding Inwood Smith not playing pro football in PFRA's Coffin Corner 14, no. 6 (December 1992): 7, 16.
Al "Gunga" Sparlis (1920-2005)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-3-39-51-pm.png?1613342735)
Guard/Linebacker—(UCLA) Green Bay Packers 1946 [All-American 1945, College Football Hall of Fame 1983]
I didn't dare look to the sideline for fear that they'd replace me. Jeez, you'd die on the field before you'd let them take you out. Now, you see these guys signaling to come out all the time. Maybe they're smarter than we were. All I know is that going out back then was like surrendering in war.
Al Sparlis
Al Sparlis
Max John Starcevich (1911-1990)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-3-49-08-pm.png?1613342978)
Guard—(Washington) [All-American 1936, College Football Hall of Fame 1990]
Starcevich is a terrific blocker and deadly tackler . . . on offense they just can't get big Max out of the way.
Christy Walsh
Christy Walsh
Roy Stuart (1920-2013)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-03-19-at-1-59-55-pm.png?1616184210)
Guard/Linebacker—(Tulsa) Cleveland Rams 1942, Detroit Lions 1943, Norman Navy Zoomers 1944, Buffalo Bisons (AAFC) 1946
Damon "Greek" Tassos (1923-2001)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-3-52-32-pm.png?1613343185)
Guard/Linebacker—(Texas A&M) Detroit Lions 1945-46, Green Bay Packers 1947-49
He was a character, an overachiever. Just a fun-loving guy. Nothing wrong with his character, he was just a happy-go-lucky, fun guy.
Bill Kelley
Bill Kelley
Wilfred Thorpe (1917-1998)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/edited/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-4-03-31-pm.png?1613343853)
Guard/Linebacker/Defensive End—(Arkansas) Cleveland Rams 1941, Bainbridge Naval Training Station Commodores 1944, Camp Peary Pirates 1944
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/thorpew97.jpeg?1614171073)
Thorpe appended this note on the back of the questionnaire that I mailed to him in 1993. He sent me much useful information including photos of the 1944 Camp Peary team. I was also able to send him Barney McGarry's address. One of the gratifying things I enjoyed was helping old teammates to get in touch with one another.
Pete Tinsley (1913-1995)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-4-06-51-pm.png?1613344063)
Guard/Linebacker—(Georgia) Green Bay Packers 1938-45
I was only making $100 a game.
Pete Tinsley
Pete Tinsley
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/tinslypet97_orig.jpeg)
I mailed this questionnaire to Tinsley on July 12, 1994. In addition to responding to the questions, he signed a 3x5 card (shown on top of questionnaire) and wrote the hard-hitting players he faced on the back of the questionnaire.They included such players as Bulldog Turner, Mel Hein, Charles Brock, Carl Mulleneaux, and Rattlesnake Matthews. On the back side of the 3x5 card shown, he has signed just his name without all the bio information shown on the card here. I'm not sure why he listed himself as being inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1994. That is a puzzle.
George "Cud" Tobin (1921-1999)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-27-at-6-54-15-pm.png?1611798890)
Guard/Linebacker—(Notre Dame) Iowa Pre-flight Seahawks 1943, New York Giants 1947
Charles Tollefson (1917-1989)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-4-13-11-pm.png?1613344463)
Guard—(Iowa) Green Bay Packers 1944-46
Nick Toth (1916-2010)
Guard—(Canisius) Buffalo Tigers (AFL) 1941
I recall Johnny Blood. He played two games with the Buffalo Tigers. As a matter of fact, I recall specifically him telling us to give him five seconds to hold the guys if he had to. He threw two long bombs for touchdown and we won the game. I don't recall whether it was against the Cincinnati Bengals or Columbus Bullies. I distinctly recall smelling Johnny Blood's alcoholic breath at the time. He sure knew how to drink. . . . I am not related to Zollie Toth.
Nick Toth, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore
Nick Toth, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore
Ed "U-Lee" Ulinski (1919-2006)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-11-at-7-29-18-pm.png?1610418604)
Guard—(Marshall) Second Air Force Superbombers 1944, Fourth Air Force Fliers 1945; Cleveland Browns (AAFC) 1946-49 [Little All-American 1940]
I thought if you gave me an equal opportunity to make the team I could, and I did. I was with a good coach, Paul Brown. There was no horse playing with him. I thought I would have a better chance with the Browns because everybody was starting from scratch. Also, the money was better. The Browns offered me $3,500. The Lions wanted to give me $125 a game.
Ed Ulinski, on his offers to play with the Browns and Lions
Ed Ulinski, on his offers to play with the Browns and Lions
Frank Umont (1918-1991)
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![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-11-at-7-32-38-pm.png?1610418988)
Guard/Tackle—New York Giants 1943-45; Jersey City Giants (AFL) 1946-47
Umont was an American League umpire for 20 years. Umont, who retired after the 1973 season, worked four World Series, four All-Star Games, and an AL Championship series. But his use of eyeglasses late in his career was more widely known than his work and made him an object of ridicule from bench jockeys and fans. Before becoming an umpire, Umont was a 220-pound tackle for the NFL's New York Giants from 1943 to '45. He did not go to college.
John "Jac" Weller (1913-1994)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-5-21-13-pm.png?1613348530)
Guard—(Princeton) [All-American 1935, College Football Hall of Fame 1957]
I never played pro ball because I was never offered enough . . . .Bert Bell and Lud Wray came to see My Little Wife and me every week in the latter part of the summer of 1936, but they could offer only peanuts, much less than an assistant coach made at Princeton . . . .Now MLW and I are real glad we didn't [play pro ball].
"Jac" Weller, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, Sep. 27, 1990
"Jac" Weller, excerpt of letter to Mel Bashore, Sep. 27, 1990
Dick "Bus" Werder (1922-2002)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-5-26-49-pm.png?1613348865)
Guard—(Georgetown) Army Air Force Training Command Skymasters 1945; New York Yankees (AAFC) 1948 [All Catholic All-America 1947]
Arthur "Tarzan" White (1915-1996)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-5-32-27-pm.png?1613349195)
Guard—(Alabama) New York Giants 1937-39,1945, Chicago Cardinals 1940-41; Eastern Army All-Stars 1942, Chatham Army Air Field Blockbusters 1944 (Player-Coach), First Air Force Aces 1945
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/tarzas33_orig.jpeg)
I obtained this 1981 Tarzan White autograph (and original envelope) and two other 3x5s from dealer Bill Butts in 2010 for $25. Bill Butts bought the collection of Rich Laade, my former collecting mentor, after Rich passed away in 1994. I sold several autographs from my collection to a collector interested in Auburn players to fund the purchase of this card.
Bill "The Cat" Willis (1921-2007)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-01-11-at-8-20-27-pm.png?1610421668)
Defensive Guard/Offensive Guard—(Ohio State) Cleveland Browns (AAFC/NFL) 1946-53 [College Football Hall of Fame 1971, Pro Football Hall of Fame 1977]
Actually, the first guy that ever convinced me that I couldn't handle anybody I ever met was Bill Willis, who played on Cleveland, and I was on my way down [physically] then. They called him The Cat. He was skinny and he didn't look like he should be playing middle guard, but he would jump right over you. Now he might not enjoy my saying this, him being colored and maybe taking it the wrong way, but I'll tell you—the only way I could block him was I'd squat, and when he tried to jump over me, I'd come up and catch him. Every time, my nose would be right in his armpit—and later I'd tell my wife, "Goddamn, Gladys, that man perspires. I can't stand it." But that guy was a football player, and don't think he wasn't. Oh, he was a war-horse, that Willis.
Bulldog Turner
Bulldog Turner
Len Younce (1917-2000)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-5-39-12-pm.png?1613349617)
Guard/Linebacker—(Oregon State) New York Giants 1941,1943-44,1946-48, Portland Boilermakers (Northwest War Industries League) 1942 [All NWIL League 1942, All Pro 1944]
Gust Zarnas (1913-2000)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-5-44-39-pm.png?1613349938)
Guard—(Ohio State) Chicago Bears 1938, Brooklyn Dodgers 1939, Green Bay Packers 1939-40, Great Lakes Naval Training Station Commandos 1942, United States Submarine Base (CT) Raiders 1945 (Asst. Coach) [All-American 1937, College Football Hall of Fame 1975]
He was a powerful right guard whose unique style of line play has confounded opposition linemen throughout the 1937 season.
Christy Walsh
Christy Walsh
Tony Zuzzio (1916-2002)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/2/135250581/published/screen-shot-2021-02-14-at-5-50-00-pm.png?1613350250)
Guard—(Muhlenberg) Third Air Force Gremlins 1944; Paterson Panthers (AA) 1941, Newark Bears (AA) 1941, Detroit Lions 1942