Professional Football Player. He gained fame for his talents as an American football player. After graduating from high school, he was recruited by the University of Georgia in 1939. In 1941, his junior year, he played almost the entire season with a broken jaw and still set SEC records for rushing and total offense. He led the Georgia Bulldogs to the Southeastern Conference and Rose Bowl titles and set SEC records for passing and total offense. At Georgia he was a two-time All-American, received the Walter Camp Award and Heisman Trophy in 1942. He was the first player taken in the 1943 NFL draft. He was a halfback for the Detroit Lions in 1943 and 1944. He led the league in punting in 1943. He was an All Pro in 1943 and 1944 and the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1944. He got the nickname "Flatfoot" after being discharged from basic training in the Marine Corps in 1943 because of flat feet. After serving a year in the military, he signed with the New York Yankees of the All America Football Conference. A knee injury suffered in a game playing on the Second Air Force Superbombers team in 1945 diminished his talents. He played with New York in 1946 and started the 1947 season with the Yankees, but was traded to the Baltimore Colts. He retired after the season ended. He owned a beer and wine distribution business in Athens, Georgia, the hometown of the bulldogs. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 and Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1967.
Professional Football Player. He gained fame for his talents as an American football player. After graduating from high school, he was recruited by the University of Georgia in 1939. In 1941, his junior year, he played almost the entire season with a broken jaw and still set SEC records for rushing and total offense. He led the Georgia Bulldogs to the Southeastern Conference and Rose Bowl titles and set SEC records for passing and total offense. At Georgia he was a two-time All-American, received the Walter Camp Award and Heisman Trophy in 1942. He was the first player taken in the 1943 NFL draft. He was a halfback for the Detroit Lions in 1943 and 1944. He led the league in punting in 1943. He was an All Pro in 1943 and 1944 and the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1944. He got the nickname "Flatfoot" after being discharged from basic training in the Marine Corps in 1943 because of flat feet. After serving a year in the military, he signed with the New York Yankees of the All America Football Conference. A knee injury suffered in a game playing on the Second Air Force Superbombers team in 1945 diminished his talents. He played with New York in 1946 and started the 1947 season with the Yankees, but was traded to the Baltimore Colts. He retired after the season ended. He owned a beer and wine distribution business in Athens, Georgia, the hometown of the bulldogs. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 and Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1967.
Bio by: Mel Bashore
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