A quick open-field ball carrier, the popular Steve Juzwik was regarded as one of the fastest offensive and defensive backs in the 1940s.
Born in Gary, Indiana, the muscular 5-ft, 8-inch, 185-pounder Juzwik starred at Notre Dame before joining the Washington Redskins in 1942, when he set a record for the longest KO/Punt return in NFL history - 101 yards.
After amassing two touchdowns in his first two NFL games and averaging 5.0 yards per/carry, including a 39-yard scamper for a TD, he proudly left for military service and returned four year later with the Buffalo Bills of the All-American Conference.
In 1946, his first season back, he scored three touchdowns on 71 carries, including a 68-yard run, gained 455 yards for an outstanding 6.4 average per/carry.
After he retired in 1948, the well-liked, easy-going Steve Juzwik coached at Weber High School (Gordon Tech) in Chicago, Illinois... thanks for the memories coach... John R. Balazs administrator@footballhistorian.com
An all-around athlete at West Virginia/Carnegie-Mellon, Merlyn Condit was rightly nicknamed 'Merlyn the Magician' for his ability to maneuvered, seemingly like magic, thru opposing defensive lines.
In his third year in the NFL, 1942, he was second in the league in rushing with 647 yards on just 129 carries, while averaging an outstanding 5.0 yards per/attempt, scored 3 TD, including a 63-yard run.
Merl Condit 6-year career stats: 54 Games, 421 Attempts, 1,713 yards, 4.1 yards average, 11 TD, with 10 Interceptions and 1TD... Passing - completed 10-of-48 attempts, 152 yards, 1 TD... footballhistorian.com - Football History - All Rights Reserved
Wilson 'Bud' Schwenk had an outstanding rookie season with the Chicago Cardinals in 1942, when he led the NFL in passing attempts with 295, and completed 126 for 1,350 yards and six touchdowns.
He returned after the War, at age 27, and played one season as backup quarterback to Hall of Famer Otto Graham with the Cleveland Browns of the All-American Conference. Traded to the Baltimore Colts in 1947, Schwenk led the league in completions with 168 and led in passes attempted with 327, a 51.4 completion average and tossed for a resounding total of 2,236 yards and 13 touchdowns. Bud Schwenk career stats: completed 315-of-662 passes, a 47.6 Pct, 3,914 yards, 23 TD, 50 INT, a 46.5 rating... footballhistorian.com - The Keeper of Football History
