Lloyd Cardwell: Cardwell remembered by teammate
Lincoln Journal Star (NE) - Wednesday, November 12, 1997
Lloyd Cardwell died Monday at age 84 in Omaha. Don't remember Lloyd Cardwell? He was one of Nebraska's initial first-round draft picks in the NFL. He signed for $275 and made almost $2,000 a year after two all-pro seasons with the Detroit Lions. Remembering Cardwell is more of a tactile thing for some people. "If you were ever hit by Lloyd Cardwell, you'd remember him," said Lincoln native Bill Pfeiff, who played on the Nebraska football team with Cardwell. "I was a freshman and we went against the varsity. I had to try and tackle him. "If you could get a hold of him, which didn't happen often, then you got the hell beat out of you by his legs and arms. It was a beating nobody could forget. And he did it to everybody who ever tried to stop him." He picked up the nickname "Wild Hoss" as a high-school standout at Seward. He set state records in the long jump (22 feet, 6 inches), 220 (21.8 seconds), 220 low hurdles (25.9), 120 high hurdles (16.1) and javelin (160-1). But he was declared ineligible for the state track meet because he was too old. Some friends talked him into walking on at Nebraska with Coach Dana X. Bible's team in 1933. Of course, everybody was a walk-on, until the word got out that Minnesota and Pittsburgh were giving scholarships and winning national championships.
PUNISHING DEFENDER
Cardwell, at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, was bigger than most linemen of the day. But he played halfback and safety for the Huskers from 1934-36. He helped lead Nebraska to Big Six championships. "You know those Nebraska teams had Cardwell and Sam Francis in the backfield," Pfeiff said. "Cardwell would run all over the place, then they'd slam the middle with Francis. "Then, those guys on defense would just bust up offenses. Card- well played a kind of centerfield-safety. Whether somebody threw to the sideline or downfield, Cardwell would get there and just punish the guy." On his first play for Nebraska in 1934, Cardwell, a sophomore, re- turned a punt 75 yards for a touch- down against Wyoming. In 1936, Nebraska lost to national powerhouse Minnesota and to eventual national champion Pittsburgh, but blasted everybody else, including five shutouts, to finish ninth in the first-ever Associated Press poll. His last play for Nebraska was a 65-yard run off tackle in a 32-14 victory over Oregon State. In between his first and last game, he scored 120 points. It was Bible's last team and Card- well's last year as an amateur.
COACH AT OMAHA U.
Cardwell was named all-conference and Francis was All-American. Cardwell helped the Collegiate All- Stars beat the NFL champion Green Bay Packers. Francis and Cardwell played in the East-West Shrine Game, along with all-conference teammate and end Les McDonald. Then, Cardwell was drafted by the Detroit Lions, Francis by the Philadelphia Eagles and McDonald by the Chicago Bears. Cardwell signed with Detroit and was paid $375 a game. He later went on to coach football at Omaha University (now Nebraska-Omaha) and took the Omaha team to the Tangerine Bowl in 1955. He coached track at UNO for 20 years. "Lloyd Cardwell was a natural at football," Pfeiff said. "He was such a great track man and he was a big, strong guy as well. And he loved to hit." Pfeiff, a former coach and principal at Lincoln High, said he has never seen a better player. "I'll be 80 in a few months and my point of reference is different than younger people," Pfeiff said. "But Lloyd Cardwell was as good as there ever was. He played 60 minutes a game and he was a standout on almost every play. And he was as decent a human being as you'll ever meet. He made us freshmen feel like we were just as important as anybody else on the team. "It would be hard to find somebody better at just about anything."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) - Saturday, November 15, 1997
Lloyd Cardwell, 84, former Detroit Lions running back, Monday in Omaha, Neb. Mr. Cardwell played halfback and defensive back for Nebraska from 1934 to 1936, where he twice led the Huskers to Big Six championships. He was a first-round draft pick of the Lions in 1937, signing for $250. He was a two-time All-Pro selection during his seven years with Detroit.
Lincoln Journal Star (NE) - Wednesday, November 12, 1997
Lloyd Cardwell died Monday at age 84 in Omaha. Don't remember Lloyd Cardwell? He was one of Nebraska's initial first-round draft picks in the NFL. He signed for $275 and made almost $2,000 a year after two all-pro seasons with the Detroit Lions. Remembering Cardwell is more of a tactile thing for some people. "If you were ever hit by Lloyd Cardwell, you'd remember him," said Lincoln native Bill Pfeiff, who played on the Nebraska football team with Cardwell. "I was a freshman and we went against the varsity. I had to try and tackle him. "If you could get a hold of him, which didn't happen often, then you got the hell beat out of you by his legs and arms. It was a beating nobody could forget. And he did it to everybody who ever tried to stop him." He picked up the nickname "Wild Hoss" as a high-school standout at Seward. He set state records in the long jump (22 feet, 6 inches), 220 (21.8 seconds), 220 low hurdles (25.9), 120 high hurdles (16.1) and javelin (160-1). But he was declared ineligible for the state track meet because he was too old. Some friends talked him into walking on at Nebraska with Coach Dana X. Bible's team in 1933. Of course, everybody was a walk-on, until the word got out that Minnesota and Pittsburgh were giving scholarships and winning national championships.
PUNISHING DEFENDER
Cardwell, at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, was bigger than most linemen of the day. But he played halfback and safety for the Huskers from 1934-36. He helped lead Nebraska to Big Six championships. "You know those Nebraska teams had Cardwell and Sam Francis in the backfield," Pfeiff said. "Cardwell would run all over the place, then they'd slam the middle with Francis. "Then, those guys on defense would just bust up offenses. Card- well played a kind of centerfield-safety. Whether somebody threw to the sideline or downfield, Cardwell would get there and just punish the guy." On his first play for Nebraska in 1934, Cardwell, a sophomore, re- turned a punt 75 yards for a touch- down against Wyoming. In 1936, Nebraska lost to national powerhouse Minnesota and to eventual national champion Pittsburgh, but blasted everybody else, including five shutouts, to finish ninth in the first-ever Associated Press poll. His last play for Nebraska was a 65-yard run off tackle in a 32-14 victory over Oregon State. In between his first and last game, he scored 120 points. It was Bible's last team and Card- well's last year as an amateur.
COACH AT OMAHA U.
Cardwell was named all-conference and Francis was All-American. Cardwell helped the Collegiate All- Stars beat the NFL champion Green Bay Packers. Francis and Cardwell played in the East-West Shrine Game, along with all-conference teammate and end Les McDonald. Then, Cardwell was drafted by the Detroit Lions, Francis by the Philadelphia Eagles and McDonald by the Chicago Bears. Cardwell signed with Detroit and was paid $375 a game. He later went on to coach football at Omaha University (now Nebraska-Omaha) and took the Omaha team to the Tangerine Bowl in 1955. He coached track at UNO for 20 years. "Lloyd Cardwell was a natural at football," Pfeiff said. "He was such a great track man and he was a big, strong guy as well. And he loved to hit." Pfeiff, a former coach and principal at Lincoln High, said he has never seen a better player. "I'll be 80 in a few months and my point of reference is different than younger people," Pfeiff said. "But Lloyd Cardwell was as good as there ever was. He played 60 minutes a game and he was a standout on almost every play. And he was as decent a human being as you'll ever meet. He made us freshmen feel like we were just as important as anybody else on the team. "It would be hard to find somebody better at just about anything."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) - Saturday, November 15, 1997
Lloyd Cardwell, 84, former Detroit Lions running back, Monday in Omaha, Neb. Mr. Cardwell played halfback and defensive back for Nebraska from 1934 to 1936, where he twice led the Huskers to Big Six championships. He was a first-round draft pick of the Lions in 1937, signing for $250. He was a two-time All-Pro selection during his seven years with Detroit.
Lloyd Cardwell: Cardwell remembered by teammate
Lincoln Journal Star (NE) - Wednesday, November 12, 1997
Lloyd Cardwell died Monday at age 84 in Omaha. Don't remember Lloyd Cardwell? He was one of Nebraska's initial first-round draft picks in the NFL. He signed for $275 and made almost $2,000 a year after two all-pro seasons with the Detroit Lions. Remembering Cardwell is more of a tactile thing for some people. "If you were ever hit by Lloyd Cardwell, you'd remember him," said Lincoln native Bill Pfeiff, who played on the Nebraska football team with Cardwell. "I was a freshman and we went against the varsity. I had to try and tackle him. "If you could get a hold of him, which didn't happen often, then you got the hell beat out of you by his legs and arms. It was a beating nobody could forget. And he did it to everybody who ever tried to stop him." He picked up the nickname "Wild Hoss" as a high-school standout at Seward. He set state records in the long jump (22 feet, 6 inches), 220 (21.8 seconds), 220 low hurdles (25.9), 120 high hurdles (16.1) and javelin (160-1). But he was declared ineligible for the state track meet because he was too old. Some friends talked him into walking on at Nebraska with Coach Dana X. Bible's team in 1933. Of course, everybody was a walk-on, until the word got out that Minnesota and Pittsburgh were giving scholarships and winning national championships.
PUNISHING DEFENDER
Cardwell, at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, was bigger than most linemen of the day. But he played halfback and safety for the Huskers from 1934-36. He helped lead Nebraska to Big Six championships. "You know those Nebraska teams had Cardwell and Sam Francis in the backfield," Pfeiff said. "Cardwell would run all over the place, then they'd slam the middle with Francis. "Then, those guys on defense would just bust up offenses. Card- well played a kind of centerfield-safety. Whether somebody threw to the sideline or downfield, Cardwell would get there and just punish the guy." On his first play for Nebraska in 1934, Cardwell, a sophomore, re- turned a punt 75 yards for a touch- down against Wyoming. In 1936, Nebraska lost to national powerhouse Minnesota and to eventual national champion Pittsburgh, but blasted everybody else, including five shutouts, to finish ninth in the first-ever Associated Press poll. His last play for Nebraska was a 65-yard run off tackle in a 32-14 victory over Oregon State. In between his first and last game, he scored 120 points. It was Bible's last team and Card- well's last year as an amateur.
COACH AT OMAHA U.
Cardwell was named all-conference and Francis was All-American. Cardwell helped the Collegiate All- Stars beat the NFL champion Green Bay Packers. Francis and Cardwell played in the East-West Shrine Game, along with all-conference teammate and end Les McDonald. Then, Cardwell was drafted by the Detroit Lions, Francis by the Philadelphia Eagles and McDonald by the Chicago Bears. Cardwell signed with Detroit and was paid $375 a game. He later went on to coach football at Omaha University (now Nebraska-Omaha) and took the Omaha team to the Tangerine Bowl in 1955. He coached track at UNO for 20 years. "Lloyd Cardwell was a natural at football," Pfeiff said. "He was such a great track man and he was a big, strong guy as well. And he loved to hit." Pfeiff, a former coach and principal at Lincoln High, said he has never seen a better player. "I'll be 80 in a few months and my point of reference is different than younger people," Pfeiff said. "But Lloyd Cardwell was as good as there ever was. He played 60 minutes a game and he was a standout on almost every play. And he was as decent a human being as you'll ever meet. He made us freshmen feel like we were just as important as anybody else on the team. "It would be hard to find somebody better at just about anything."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) - Saturday, November 15, 1997
Lloyd Cardwell, 84, former Detroit Lions running back, Monday in Omaha, Neb. Mr. Cardwell played halfback and defensive back for Nebraska from 1934 to 1936, where he twice led the Huskers to Big Six championships. He was a first-round draft pick of the Lions in 1937, signing for $250. He was a two-time All-Pro selection during his seven years with Detroit.
Lincoln Journal Star (NE) - Wednesday, November 12, 1997
Lloyd Cardwell died Monday at age 84 in Omaha. Don't remember Lloyd Cardwell? He was one of Nebraska's initial first-round draft picks in the NFL. He signed for $275 and made almost $2,000 a year after two all-pro seasons with the Detroit Lions. Remembering Cardwell is more of a tactile thing for some people. "If you were ever hit by Lloyd Cardwell, you'd remember him," said Lincoln native Bill Pfeiff, who played on the Nebraska football team with Cardwell. "I was a freshman and we went against the varsity. I had to try and tackle him. "If you could get a hold of him, which didn't happen often, then you got the hell beat out of you by his legs and arms. It was a beating nobody could forget. And he did it to everybody who ever tried to stop him." He picked up the nickname "Wild Hoss" as a high-school standout at Seward. He set state records in the long jump (22 feet, 6 inches), 220 (21.8 seconds), 220 low hurdles (25.9), 120 high hurdles (16.1) and javelin (160-1). But he was declared ineligible for the state track meet because he was too old. Some friends talked him into walking on at Nebraska with Coach Dana X. Bible's team in 1933. Of course, everybody was a walk-on, until the word got out that Minnesota and Pittsburgh were giving scholarships and winning national championships.
PUNISHING DEFENDER
Cardwell, at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, was bigger than most linemen of the day. But he played halfback and safety for the Huskers from 1934-36. He helped lead Nebraska to Big Six championships. "You know those Nebraska teams had Cardwell and Sam Francis in the backfield," Pfeiff said. "Cardwell would run all over the place, then they'd slam the middle with Francis. "Then, those guys on defense would just bust up offenses. Card- well played a kind of centerfield-safety. Whether somebody threw to the sideline or downfield, Cardwell would get there and just punish the guy." On his first play for Nebraska in 1934, Cardwell, a sophomore, re- turned a punt 75 yards for a touch- down against Wyoming. In 1936, Nebraska lost to national powerhouse Minnesota and to eventual national champion Pittsburgh, but blasted everybody else, including five shutouts, to finish ninth in the first-ever Associated Press poll. His last play for Nebraska was a 65-yard run off tackle in a 32-14 victory over Oregon State. In between his first and last game, he scored 120 points. It was Bible's last team and Card- well's last year as an amateur.
COACH AT OMAHA U.
Cardwell was named all-conference and Francis was All-American. Cardwell helped the Collegiate All- Stars beat the NFL champion Green Bay Packers. Francis and Cardwell played in the East-West Shrine Game, along with all-conference teammate and end Les McDonald. Then, Cardwell was drafted by the Detroit Lions, Francis by the Philadelphia Eagles and McDonald by the Chicago Bears. Cardwell signed with Detroit and was paid $375 a game. He later went on to coach football at Omaha University (now Nebraska-Omaha) and took the Omaha team to the Tangerine Bowl in 1955. He coached track at UNO for 20 years. "Lloyd Cardwell was a natural at football," Pfeiff said. "He was such a great track man and he was a big, strong guy as well. And he loved to hit." Pfeiff, a former coach and principal at Lincoln High, said he has never seen a better player. "I'll be 80 in a few months and my point of reference is different than younger people," Pfeiff said. "But Lloyd Cardwell was as good as there ever was. He played 60 minutes a game and he was a standout on almost every play. And he was as decent a human being as you'll ever meet. He made us freshmen feel like we were just as important as anybody else on the team. "It would be hard to find somebody better at just about anything."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) - Saturday, November 15, 1997
Lloyd Cardwell, 84, former Detroit Lions running back, Monday in Omaha, Neb. Mr. Cardwell played halfback and defensive back for Nebraska from 1934 to 1936, where he twice led the Huskers to Big Six championships. He was a first-round draft pick of the Lions in 1937, signing for $250. He was a two-time All-Pro selection during his seven years with Detroit.
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