Harold 'Red' Grange

Biography

Red Grange was a standout football player at Wheaton High School before attending the University of Illinois in 1922. He played football there from 1923 to 1925 and was named an All-American halfback every season. He became a national hero in 1924, when he delivered one of the most astonishing single-day performances by an athlete in sports history. In the first quarter against a highly ranked Michigan squad, Grange ran for 95, 67, 56, and 44 yard touchdowns. In the second half, he scored a fifth touchdown and threw a touchdown pass in Illinois' 39-14 triumph. Grange was dubbed the "Galloping Ghost" because to his incredible speed and elusive running style. The following year, Grange delivered another remarkable performance in the East, prompting several sportswriters to question both his abilities and the quality of Midwest football. He led Illinois to a 24-2 victory over Pennsylvania, scoring three touchdowns and amassing 363 yards. Grange pulled out of college after his final game in 1925 to sign a professional deal with the National Football League's Chicago Bears. Despite significant controversy surrounding his choice to leave school and become a professional player, Grange drew large audiences to the Bears' final games of the NFL season and on a lengthy barnstorming tour. He illustrated the potential for the rise of professional football, which was not well-liked by many sports enthusiasts at the time. In 1926, Grange played for the New York Yankees in the American Football League, which he and his agent, Charles C. Pyle, established. The league dissolved after a single season, and the Yankees joined the NFL in 1927. Grange had a significant knee injury early in the season and missed the entire 1928 season before returning to play with the Chicago Bears. After his injuries, Grange was no longer the explosive runner he once was, but he remained a top rusher in the NFL for several seasons and was an effective defensive back. Following his retirement from football, Grange became the first well-known athlete to become a successful radio and television commentator, with a 25-year run. Grange was a founding member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.