A Hall of Fame wide receiver and return specialist who played for the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Rockets, known for his speed and agility on the field. He was a key player in the Rams' 1951 NFL Championship win.
Elroy Leon "Crazylegs" Hirsch was a force to be reckoned with on the football field, known for his unorthodox running style that earned him the nickname "Crazylegs." He was an American professional football player, sport executive, and actor, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
Hirsch was born on June 17, 1923, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to German-Norwegian parents, Otto and Mayme Hirsch. He was a star football player at Wausau High School, also excelling in baseball and basketball.
Hirsch enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in 1941 and played on the school's freshman football team. As a sophomore, he starred as a halfback for the 1942 Wisconsin Badgers, helping lead the team to a No. 3 ranking in the final AP Poll. He later transferred to the University of Michigan, where he played for the Wolverines in 1943 and helped them achieve a No. 3 ranking as well.
Hirsch served in the United States Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946 before starting his professional football career in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) with the Chicago Rockets from 1946 to 1948. He then moved to the National Football League (NFL) to play for the Los Angeles Rams from 1949 to 1957.
During the 1951 season, Hirsch's exceptional performance helped lead the Rams to the NFL championship. He broke multiple records, including 1,495 receiving yards, an average of 124.6 receiving yards per game (still the third-highest season average in NFL history), and 17 touchdown receptions.
Hirsch ventured into acting, appearing in several films and television shows in the 1950s. He later transitioned to a career in sports management, serving as the general manager for the Los Angeles Rams from 1960 to 1969 and as the athletic director for the University of Wisconsin from 1969 to 1987.
Hirsch's impressive career and contributions to the sport earned him numerous accolades, including being named to the all-time All-Pro Team in 1968 and the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. He passed away on January 28, 2004, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest football players of his era.
Born in 1921
Quarterback and coach who led the Cleveland Browns to ten championship games, winning four NFL titles and setting numerous passing records. Known for his exceptional leadership and clutch performances.
Born in 1920
A trailblazing running back and coach who broke racial barriers in the NFL, earning four Pro Bowl selections and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Born in 1924
Legendary kicker and coach who set numerous NFL records for field goals and scoring, earning four NFL championships and nine Pro Bowl appearances.
Born in 1921
A pioneering African American football player and coach who broke racial barriers in the NFL, known for his exceptional defensive line play and innovative coaching techniques.
94 Years Old
Legendary coach who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl championships, revolutionizing the game with his "Steel Curtain" defense.
Born in 1908
Legendary football coach and founder of the Cincinnati Bengals, known for his innovative tactics and pioneering spirit in the sport.
