George Christensen (December 13, 1909 – July 1, 1968) was a two-way lineman for the University of Oregon football team and played in the early days of the National Football League. He was usually the biggest man on any team he played for.
Born in Pendleton in 1909, Christensen played at Oregon from 1928-30 and was a Pacific Coast Conference all-conference pick as a tackle his senior year. The Ducks were a combined 23-7 during his career. Christensen often played entire games as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He was the second player in Oregon history to earn 1st-team All-America honors and was selected by the Register-Guard newspaper as a member of the All-time Oregon team. George was also selected for the East-West Shrine All-Star game.
After graduation, he moved to the NFL, which was just in its first decade. Christensen played eight seasons for the Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions, who won the league title in 1935. George played 95 games in eight seasons, again on both offensive and defensive lines. His speed and agility complimented his six-foot two, 238-pound frame, earning him the nickname "Tarzan". Christensen was a six-time All-Pro and named to the NFL’s All-1930s team. The Lions set records for rushing yards on offense and scoring defense. Christensen was also one of the best punt blockers of the time.
George was a pro assistant for two seasons, then joined with a former teammate manufacturing diamond core bits for the mining industry.
Christensen was inducted into the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.