Jack Crabtree (b. Nov. 19, 1935) is one of the least well-known quarterbacks from the University of Oregon, but led the team to one of its famed accomplishments – the 1958 Rose Bowl, where the Ducks nearly pulled off a huge upset. Crabtree grew up in Southern California and moved to Eugene from San Bernardino..Read More
(Aug. 3, 1956 – Nov. 13, 2013) With his eleven-year career in the NFL, Todd Christensen established himself as one of the most prolific tight ends in league history. At 6-3, 230 pounds, he was known as a sure-handed receiver with the ability to get open and make catches in heavy traffic. The Oregon Native..Read More
Don Durdan (Sep. 21, 1920 – Jun. 28, 1971) remains one of Oregon State’s most versatile and inspiring athletes, having played football, basketball and baseball despite usually being the shortest player on his team. Durdan grew up in Eureka, Calif., and was a member of the Eureka High “Wonder Team” that did not allow a..Read More
Joe Francis (Apr. 21, 1936 – Apr. 15, 2013) ran and passed Oregon State to the 1957 Rose Bowl and then played professionally in both the NFL and CFL. Francis grew up in Hawaii and was recruited to Corvallis by coach Kip Taylor. He remained at the school after Tommy Prothro became coach in 1955…Read More
Ross Carter (Mar. 10, 1914 – Jun. 19, 2002) earned a reputation as a fearsome lineman and masters athlete and was eventually voted into an athletic hall of fame four times. Born in Missouri, he grew up in Oregon and graduated from Lakeview High School. He attended Southern Oregon University and played football in 1932..Read More
(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
Brad Ecklund (May 9, 1922 – Feb. 6, 2010) played his way into Oregon lore as one of its most versatile athletes and characters, starring on the field, in the ring, on the sidelines and even on the silver screen. Born in Los Angeles, Ecklund graduated from Milwaukie High School as a star in football,..Read More
(Mar. 5, 1904 – Jun. 8, 1966) Jim Dixon was an All-American lineman during his career at Oregon State and then served as an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach long enough that the school named a building after him. Dixon played left tackle at OSU under coach Paul Schissler from 1924-26 and was..Read More
(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
(Feb. 26, 1926 – Jan. 28, 2011) Ken Carpenter had one of the more memorable pro careers of any Oregonian, playing in the NFL, the CFL and in the first year of the AFL. Born in Seaside in 1926, Carpenter grew to be 6-foot, 195 pounds and played running back from 1946-49 at Oregon State,..Read More