| Birth: | Jun. 13, 1903
Forksville
Sullivan County
Pennsylvania, USA | | Death: | Jan. 28, 1991
Lake Wales
Polk County
Florida, USA | 
Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. Nicknamed the "Galloping Ghost", he was considered by many as being the first true star player promoted by the National Football League. Born Harold Edward Grange, the son of a lumber camp worker, he was raised in Wheaton, Illinois following the death of his mother when he was the age of five. He began playing football while in high school and continued his athletics at the University of Illinois where he achieved legendary status. While at UI playing the halfback position, Grange put to use his blazing speed making it nearly impossible for opposing teams to contain him. He was capable of gaining chunks of yardage on the ground with every possession of the ball and in a game against Michigan he racked up over 400 yards. When Chicago Bears' owner George Halas sought an attraction to draw notice to his product, he didn't have to look far for the answer. The University of Illinois' Red Grange. He marked his league debut with the Bears against the hometown rival Cardinals on Thanksgiving Day 1925, and for the remainder of that season the Bears drew massive crowds to witness the greatness of Grange. His exhibitions generated interest in the NFL, thus creation the origins of its popularity. The 2008 motion picture "Leatherheads" was inspired by these events. The following year (1926), he was persuaded to join the AFL's New York Yankees and in 1927, he suffered a severe knee injury during a game (ironically against the Bears) in which he was forced to miss all of the 1928 season. In 1929, he rejoined the Bears with an added dimension as a defensive force and helped propel them to two consecutive league championships (1932 and 1933). He retired following the 1934 season after playing in 96 regular season games, while earning First-Team All-Pro honors twice (1930 and 1931). He went onto have a successful career in real estate and insurance, also serving as a motivational speaker. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and was a charter member of Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. Many believe there is little doubt that the National Football League would not have evolved into the successful entity it presently is without the contributions of Grange. (bio by: C.S.)
Search Amazon for Red Grange | | | Burial:
Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend. |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Oct 01, 2002
Find A Grave Memorial# 6814443 |
|
|
|
Added by:
Ron Moody
| | |
Added by:
Ron Moody
| | | Photos may be scaled.
Click on image for full size. | |
|
|
|
(4.2 after 70 votes)
