Friday, April 22. 1955 University Daily Kansan
Page 7
7 KU Football Greats Now In Pro Competition
By JOHN McMILLION
Seven former Kansas football players are currently under contract to various clubs in the American and Canadian pro football leagues. Five of these men are currently playing and two are in the service.
Probably the outstanding performer among the Kansas alumni playing in the American professional circuits is Mike McCormack, defensive middle guard for Paul Brown's Cleveland Browns. McCormack was outstanding in last year's play and was to a great extent responsible for the Brown's amazing comeback after a weak start.
"I consider Mike to be one of the best football players to come into our organization in many years," Brown commented. He also said that Mike could play either middle guard, offensive tackle, or line-backer.
In the final game of the season, the Brown's stunning 56 to 10 upset of the Detroit Lions, McCormack pulled one of his most spectacular plays. The Lion's Bobby Layne faded back to pass but McCormack broke through the line and stole the ball from Lyme to set up one of the Brown's touchdowns.
McCormack played at Kansas in 1948, 1949, and 1950 and was co-captain along with John Amberg in 1950. During his three year career at KU he was selected for All-Big Seven honors twice and named on several All-American teams. After graduation he joined the now defunct New York Yanks and had a good season with a losing ball club.
He was then drafted into the Army and was an All-Service All-American selection while playing tackle for Fort Leonard Wood. He was second in the total number of votes cast. Only Ollie Matson of the Chicago Cardinals finished ahead of him. Upon his return from service Mike played for the Dallas Texans and then for the
eight, which he returned for 80 yards. He also had a 24.4 yard average per pass completed to him for the highest average in the league and was on the receiving end of the longest pass play of the season, which was completed for a total of 105 yards. (Canadian fields are 110 yards long.)
At Montreal Patterson was an outstanding end, Coach Pehead Walker of the Alouettes was quoted last season as saying that Hal was the best player in Canada. Patterson played at end on offense and was a defensive back. He made six touchdowns in six games at end but was sidelined in the twelfth game of a fourteen game season with a broken ankle.
George Kennard, who played for Kansas in 1550 and 1551, holds the distinction of being one of the smallest guards in pro football. In 1522 and 1533 he was known as the best 205 pound guard in the National Football league. He is now a husky 215.
Baltimore Colts, coming to the Brown's in 1953 along with Tom Catlin, formerly of Oklahoma, and three other players. The Brown's gave up ten men in the deal.
year against Detroit when the 49'ers beat the Lions 37 to 31 with Hantia playing middle guard.
Patterson had the highest average in the league in kickoff returns with a 34.1 average and was second in pass interception with
According to publicity director Bob Dalley of the Giants, George. who was All Big Seven in 1951 is always tabbed as a third string guard at the start of the season but always ends up on the first squad. It is tabbed as a hard worker and is used on offense, kickoffs, kickoff receiving, and for field goal attempts.
Oliver Spencer, who was starting offensive tackle for the World Champion Detroit Lions, is now in the Army but is expected to rejoin the Lions in 1956. According
the Canadian and American circuits since leaving Kansas. At KU he was a member of the Orange Bowl squad of Jan. 1st, 1948. He was an All-Conference performer at Kansas, lettering in 1941, 1946, and 1947.
Bob Hantla, who is currently in school, is the property of the San Francisco 49ers and enjoyed a fine season last year. Hantla was a two-time All-Big Seven guard in 1952 and 1953. Bob also played an outstanding game in the 1953 All-Star game in Chicago. Bob had his best afternoon with the pros last
The other former KU footballer playing in the Canadian league is Hal Paterson of the Montreal Alouettes. Patterson played at Kansas in 1952 and 1953 after transferring from Garden City junior college. He was All-Conference in basketball while at Kansas.
In addition to all these records Hal ran the only kickoff return that went for a touchdown. It was a 90-yard return and also established the record for the longest return of the season.
BOB HANTLA
to the Lions' publicity director, Bud Erickson, the Detroit club ranked 3rd in rushing statistics with Ollie in the line but dropped to 6th after his departure. Spencer was All-Big Seven at KU in 1951 and 1952 and was an All-American in 1952.
The other former KU pro player now in the Army is George Mrkonic, who was with the Jayhawks in 1950, 1951, and 1952. In 1953 he was the third draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles and played defensive guard and tackle for the Eagles that year. After one year's play he was drawn into the Army but will return to the Eagles when he is discharged.
Two former Kansans are playing in the Canadian professional league and one, Red Ettinger, has been playing pro ball in both the American and Canadian loops since 1948. Ettinger played for the New York Giants from 1948 to 1950 before jumping to the Canadian league.
Since joining the Canadian league Red has played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats under the coaching of Carl Voyles, former head coach at Auburn. Ettinger has been a stand-out performer for the pros in both
THE KANSAN
BRUNSWICK BILLIARDS welcomes you to THE KANSAS RELAYS BRUNSWICK BILLIARDS 714 Mass.
DINING GUIDE
For Hamburgers or Steaks... Dining or Dancing... you'll find it in the Dining Guide
Granada Coffee shop
Blue Mill Cafe
1022 Mass. Phone 3349 Open 24 Hours a day—Closed Sunday.
6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Monday-Saturday 1009 Mass.Phone 409 for reservations
The Castle Tea Room
1307 Mass.
Phone 149 for reservations
Chris's Cafe
832 Mass. Closed Sunday Italian Spaghetti and meatballs Delicious home made pies
H. B. Dairyland
The Chuck Wagon
South of Lawrence on Highway 59 Home of Cooked Foods and Bar-B-Q
College Inn Cafe
838 1/2 Mass. Phone 3038 Breakfast Served 24 Hours.
2245 Ohio Open Evenings
Hundley's Cafe
Steak sandwich—3 decker, potato salad or chips week days 6:30 to 7:30. 14th & Tenn.
Deluxe Cafe
Jim's Drive In
Air Conditioned for Your Comfort 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Open Sunday
732 N. 2nd—North of Underpass Car service, breakfast all hours Open till 1 a.m.
Kirby's Lunch
616 Mass. 24 Hours
Dinner, Breakfast anytime. Short Orders
23rd & La. Call for reservations 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tues. thru Sat. Open Sunday
Dine-A-Mite Inn
Old Mission Inn
1904 Mass. Phone 2040 The Best Hamburgers In Town.
Dinner Bell Cafe
912 Mass. Open Sundays
Open 6 a.m.----7:30 p.m.
Rock Chalk Cafe
10 a.m.—12 p.m. Mon. thru Sat.
Sunday 4 p.m. to midnight
Special Club Sandwich—whole meal.
The Stable
1401 W. 7th. Ph.3080 Dining and Dancing.
Gemmell's Cafe
717 Mass. Phone 2072 Always Ready to Serve Good Food.