|
Benny is considered by many football experts to be the greatest player who isn’t in The Pro Football Hall of Fame. Footballs’ first great passer, he revolutionized both the college and pro game. A two-time All-American quarterback and halfback at Michigan, class of 1927, Benny’s achievement and popularity are credited with the initial need for Michigan Stadium, the largest stadium in the country (seating over 100,000).
After graduating in 1927, Benny took his talents to the NFL. Called the best quarterback he ever played against by the great Red Grange, Benny dominated the pro ranks and to this day, is the only player ever to lead the NFL in both rushing and passing for the entire season in 1928. In the early years of the NFL, pro football in New York struggled, but Benny is credited with keeping pro football alive in New York.
Benny’s coach at Michigan, Fielding Yost, said of him, “In Benny Friedman, I have one of the greatest passers and smartest quarterbacks in history…it’s like having a coach on the field when Benny is out there calling signals.”
In 1928, The N.Y Giants bought the entire Detroit franchise just to get Benny. Benny remained with the Giants for three seasons, and in 1932, Benny moved to The Brooklyn Dodgers as head coach and quarterback. After retiring in 1934, Benny became the head coach at CCNY, a position he held until 1941. In 1949, he became the athletic director at Bandeis, and also served as head coach from 1951 – 1959. He was Athletic Director until 1963.
|
