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Dropping Back In NFL History: The NFL's Olympians

Non-track Olympic athletes who played in the NFL:

Dudley DeGroot–Head Coach (Redskins/AAFC Los Angeles Dons) 1944-1947
                               1924 Paris Olympics; Men’s Rugby–Gold Medal
DeGroot coached the Washington Redskins to the NFL Championship Game in 1945, losing to the Cleveland Rams 15-14.

John Spellman–Wingback/Right End (Providence Steam Roller/Boston Braves) 1925–1932
                              1924 Paris Olympics; Freestyle Wrestling, Light Heavyweight–Gold Medal

Jim Bausch–Back (Chicago Cardinals/Cincinnati Reds) 1933
                         1932 Los Angeles Olympics; Decathlon–Gold Medal

Jack Riley–Right Tackle (Boston Redskins) 1933
                      1932 Los Angeles Olympics; Freestyle Wrestling, Heavyweight–Silver Medal

Glenn Morris–End (Lions) 1940
                          1936 Berlin Olympics; Decathlon–Gold Medal

Sam Francis–Fullback (Bears/Brooklyn Dodgers/Pittsburgh Pirates) 1937–1940
                          1936 Berlin Olympics; Shot Put–4th place
 
Jack Torrance–Tackle (Bears) 1939–1940
                              1936 Berlin Olympics; Shot Put–5th place

Gene Vidal–Fullback (Washington Senators) 1921
                      1920 Antwerp Olympics; Decathlon–7th Place
Gene's real claim to fame is that he is the father of author Gore Vidal.

Clyde “Smackover” Scott–Running Back (Eagles/Lions) 1949–1952
                                                  1948 London Olympics; 110 meter hurdles–Bronze Medal

Milt Campbell–Kick Returner (Browns) 1957
                           1952 Helsinki Olympics; Decathlon–Silver Medal
                           1956 Melbourne Olympics; Decathlon–Gold Medal

Jim Hines–Wide Receiver (Dolphins/Chiefs) 1969–1970
                     1968 Mexico City Olympics; 100 meter dash–Gold Medal

Tommie Smith – Wide Receiver (Bengals) 1969
                               1968 Mexico City Olympics; 200 meter dash–Gold Medal

Herschel Walker–Running Back (Cowboys/Vikings/Eagles/Giants) 1986–1997
                                 1998 Nagano Olympics; 4-Man Bobsled

Events This Week:

August 16, 1965 – The American Football League awards its first expansion franchise to the city of Miami.

Birthdays of Note:
August 13, 1941–Chris Hanburger; Linebacker (Redskins) 1965–1978; 4 time First-Team All-Pro;
                                                                  9 time Pro Bowler; Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011

August 14, 1916–Wellington Mara; co-owner of the New York Giants until his death in 2005

August 14, 1958–Mike Mayock; Defensive Back (Giants) 1982–1983
                                                            Draft guru on the NFL Network and NFL.com

August 15, 1945–Gene Upshaw; Guard (Raiders) 1967–1981; 5 time First-Team All-Pro; 7 time Pro Bowler;
                                                             Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987

August 15, 1961–Gary Kubiak; Quarterback (Broncos) 1983–1991
                                                        Head Coach (Texans) 2006–Present; 1 Division Championship;
                                                     47-49 Lifetime Record

August 16, 1930–Frank Gifford; Halfback/Flanker (Giants) 1952–1964; 4 time First-Team All-Pro;
                                                           8 time Pro Bowler; Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977

August 19, 1958–Anthony Munoz; Left Tackle (Bengals) 1980–1992; 9 time First-Team All-Pro; 11 time Pro Bowler;
                                                          Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998

Read more:  Bob Hayes, Dallas Cowboys, Dropping Back In NFL History, Football Adderly to Zimmerman (A to Z), James Jett, Jim Thorpe, Los Angeles Rams, NFL, Ollie Matson, Olympic Games, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Renaldo Nehemiah, Ron Brown, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Cardinals, Tom Pollin, Willie Gault

Visit ColdHardFootballFacts.com for more NFL articles

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By Tom Pollin
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