Bill Willis was one of the first black men to play professional football, joining the Cleveland Browns in 1946. In his eight years in pro football, he was chosen as an All-Star middle guard seven times. Willis is often referred to as the quickest defender in the 5-2 defense of the 1940's and one of football's all-time great pass rushers. Willis played on the powerful Ohio State National Championship Team of 1942, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
Playing offense and defense during football's non-platoon era, Pete Pihos was a big-name All-Pro tight end on offense and an excellent, hard-tackling defense end. Pihos was an All-Pro in 1948-49, 1952, and again in 1953 to 1955, when he led the NFL in receiving all three years. In 1953, he caught 63 passes, good for 1,049 yards. Pihos, a strong offensive blocker was one of the last players to play a full 60 minute game. He was a very physical, bulldozing tight end and in nine seasons, all with the Eagles, Pihos caught 373 passes, 5,619 yards, good for 61 touchdowns. A member of the Hall of Fame, he averaged 15.1 yards per/carry. Famous Football Players
Elroy 'Crazy Legs' Hirsch played nine years in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and was one of the top big-play receivers in NFL history. 'Crazy Legs' Hirsch was one of the first ends moved out wide and made a flanker. In 1951, he had one of the most spectacular season's of any pass catcher in history, with 9 of his 17 touchdown passes caught going for over 44 yards - 44, 47, 53, 70, 72, 79, 81 and 91 yards. That season Hirsch caught 66 passes good for 1,495 yards and averaged 22.7 yards/per catch. Crazy Legs Hirsch picked up his nickname because his muscular legs seemed to gyrate in six directions at once when he was running with the football. In nine NFL seasons, Elroy 'Crazy Legs' Hirsch caught 343 passes, 6,299 yards including 53 Touchdowns. Famous Football Players
Member of Professional Football's Hall of Fame
Hugh McElhenny was a two time All-American running back at the University of Washington, setting a Pacific Coast League record by rushing for 2,449 yards in three seasons.
As a running back for the San Francisco Giants, the 6'1, 198 lbs. MCElhenny, scored 60 touchdowns with combined yardage totals of 11,369, including 5,281, 38 TDs rushing. A multifaceted player, McElhenny carried the football, caught passes, and returned kickoffs and punts. In his first year with the Giants, he was voted Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year. Ranked by many historians as the greatest open field runner pro football has ever seen.
