Hall of Famer; 6-foot, 2-inches - 220 lbs. Ollie Matson was a fleet-footed, much-heralded halfback for the Chicago Cardinals throughout the 1950s. An All-American at the University of San Francisco and a 1952 Olympic bronze medal winner in track, (400-meters). In 14 NFL seasons, Matson never had the supporting players to back up his outstanding abilities, the combined record of the four teams he played with was a poor 58-117-5, and only twice did they finish over .500. None-the-less, Ollie Matson career record was brilliant. He gained 12,844 yards on rushing, receiving and returns, scored 40 rushing touchdowns and 23 on receptions, and 9 on kick returns. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972, in his first year of eligibility. footballhistorian.com

Gino Marchetti
Defensive End; Dallas Texans 1952; Baltimore Colts 1953-1964, 1966 - Attended San Francisco University 1950-51

Gino Marchetti was selected for 11 consecutive Pro Bowl games and named all-pro seven times. The 6'4", 245 lbs., defensive end joined the Baltimore Colts in 1953, during the team's first season as a pro-football franchise and he helped led them to the championship. He quickly became a fearsome pass rusher and an outstanding all-around defender. In 1969, he was ranked by a panel of sports' writers and coaches as the best defensive end in NFL's history. Gino Marchetti was elected to Football's Hall of Fame in 1972, his first year of eligibility.

Famous Football Players

Andy Robustelli
Pass-Rushing Defensive End; Los Angeles Rams 1952-1955; New York Giants 1956-1964 - Born: Stamford, Connecticut 12/6/1925

Andy Robustelli was a Los Angeles Rams' 19th round draft pick in 1951 after attending Arnold College. The 6 ft, 230 lbs., pass-rushing defensive end was named all-pro seven times, twice with the Rams and five times for the New York Giants in a career that spanned 14 years. Robustelli utilized his quickness and football intelligence to maneuver around the opponents line and sack the opposing quarterbacks. In 1962, while playing for the Giants, he was voted the NFL Player of the Year by the Maxwell Club of Philadelphia. Andy Robustelli was elected to Football's Hall of Fame in 1971, only seven years after he retired from playing.

Don Maynard
Pass Receiver, New York Giants 1958; Canadian Football League 1959; New York Jets 1960-1972; St Louis Cardinals 1973; Attended Texas Western College

One of the finest pass receivers in pro football history, Don Maynard caught a record 633 passes in his 15-year pro career. He played one season with the N.Y. Giants, one in Canada before returning to New York where he starred with the Titans/Jets in the new AFL. Playing wide-receiver, he caught 72 passes in his first year with the Titans and when he retired held the record for the most 100-yard receiving games (50). Maynard was the first player to collect 10,000 yards in pass receptions with one team. Voted to the Hall of Fame in 1987, Don Maynard gained 11,834 yards on 633 receptions and scored 88 career touchdowns.

Copyright 2007 footballhistorian.com

Spotlight on All-Pro Performers - 1936

Watching teams move effectively up-and-down the field all season long, pro football's head coaches did not hesitate to name their 1936 All-Pro selections. All-Pro teams are the best tools that historians can use for getting reliable information about the best pro ballers in the distant past. The NFL archives carries a list of All-Pro linemen during early football history, which takes the place of statistics because no records of sacks nor solo or part tackles were kept in this era. Starting in 1932, the NFL All-Pros were chosen by teams' head coaches. The coaches' poll called the Official team or OFF lasted through 1939. The United Press selections were Started in 1931 and were selected in tandem with OFF. The UP is the longest continuos poll and is still being used to elevate today's players. A few of the All-Pros selected in 1936... remember players played both offense and defense during this time frame. Players' Bios: * Mel Hein, Center/Linebacker New York Giants - one of the top linesmen in pro football history, he was selected All-Pro for eight consecutive seasons - 1933-1940. 'Quick as a Cat' he deserves favorable comparison to any linebacker in modern time... an endless hustler, Hein was the heart-and-soul of the New York Giants throughout his brilliant 15-year Hall of Fame Career - all with the Giants, 1931-1945. * George 'Ox' Emerson, Guard Detroit Lions - one of the strongest men to ever anchor the offense line, the 5-ft, 11-inch, 203-pounder won All-Pro honors six straight years - 1932-1937. Born in Douglas, Texas, Ox Emerson was a standout star at Texas University prior to debuting in the NFL with the old Portsmouth Spartans in 1931. An All-Pro in his second season, he was traded to the Detroit Lions in 1934 where he was an All-Pro until his final NFL season (1938) with the old Brooklyn team of the NFL. * Earl 'Dutch' Clark, Quarterback Detroit Lions - an instant success both as a quarterback and defensive halfback, he captured the attention of football fans throughout the nation with his brilliant rookie season. An All-Pro in his first season, 1932 and picked from 1934-1937, Dutch Clark went on to a resounding Hall of Fame career and is generally ranked as one of the best players in the history of pro football. * Albert 'Turk' Edwards, Tackle Boston Redskins - a stalwart on both offense and defense he was rated All-Pro every season from 1932-1937 and again in 1939. An unmovable offensive blocking tackle he was 'Power in the Trenches' in his nine year Hall of Fame career, spanning 1932-1940 - all with the Boston/Washington Redskins. Footballhistorian.com - NFL Football History

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