Football

1980

Aug 31

Terry Baker – Football

(born May 5, 1941) From the heart of Portland to the Willamette Valley and onto national success at the highest level, Terry Baker remains the state’s most decorated player for having won the Heisman Trophy while at Oregon State. And, he played basketball, too. Born in 1941 in Minnesota, Baker played football, basketball and baseball..Read More

Aug 31

George Shaw – Football

(Jul. 25, 1933 – Jan. 3, 1998) George Shaw reached the heights of high school, college and pro football at a time when the pro game was quickly developing in the national spotlight. Shaw quarterbacked Grant High to state titles in 1949 and 1950 – each season ending with an unbeaten record, then headed to..Read More

Aug 31

Norman “Red” Franklin – Football

(Dec. 13, 1911 – May 16, 1947) Norman ‘Red’ Franklin was an All-American at Oregon State, who played three seasons in the NFL before retiring. Born in Rhode Island in 1911, he found his way to Corvallis and played running back from 1932-34. In 1933, Franklin had 94-yard kickoff returns in two games and was..Read More

Aug 31

Sam Baker – Football

(Nov. 12, 1930 – Jun 5, 2007) Sam Baker played his way into the state’s memory as a halfback at Oregon State and then place-kicker in the National Football League. Born in 1930, Baker grew up in Corvallis and had a standout athletic career at the school, helping the Spartans win the 1948 state championship..Read More

Aug 31

John Beckett – Football

John “Jack” Beckett (January 5, 1892 – July 26, 1981) was an American football offensive tackle who played for the University of Oregon and Mare Island. Born in rural northeastern Oregon, Beckett attended Eugene High School in Eugene before enrolling at the University of Oregon. University of Oregon Although primarily used as an offensive tackle,..Read More

Aug 31

Len Younce – Football

(Jan. 8, 1917 – Mar. 26, 2000) Len Younce earned his spot in the state’s sports memory as a scrappy lineman who helped Oregon State to its first bowl game and then reached the NFL. Born in Dayton in 1917, Younce graduated from Portland’s Roosevelt High and enrolled at Oregon State, where he played three..Read More

Aug 31

George Christensen – Football

(Dec. 13, 1909 – Jul. 1, 1968) George Christensen carried the University of Oregon’s name into the National Football League during the early years of the league as a lineman before becoming a successful businessman. Born in Pendleton in 1909, Christensen played at Oregon from 1928-30 and was a Pacific Coast Conference all-star as a..Read More

Aug 31

John Kitzmiller – Football

(Nov. 25, 1904 – Apr. 26, 1986) Pennsylvanian, John Kitzmiller had his heart set on a football career at West Point and was particularly impressed with Army coach John McEwan. Just when Kitzmiller was about to enter West Point, McEwan was lured to the head coaching position at Oregon. Without hesitation, Kitzmiller followed him and..Read More

Aug 31

Jake Leicht – Football

(Aug. 2, 1919 – May 18, 1992) Jake Leicht is one of the football program’s stars of the 1940s, who didn’t start his career in Eugene until age 26. Born in North Dakota in 1919, Leicht reached the Ducks in 1945 as a 60-minute player, starring as a halfback, kick returner and defensive back. In..Read More

Aug 30

Mike Mikulak – Football

(Dec. 2, 1912 – Jun. 4, 1999) “Iron Mike” played only three seasons for the University of Oregon football team, but left a lasting impression enough to warrant Hall of Fame status. Mikulak grew up in Minnesota, and moved to Eugene to play for the Ducks in 1931-33. He started at fullback in ‘32 and..Read More