Red Grange

The Galloping Ghost who saved the NFL

Harold Edward "Red" Grange (June 13, 1903 – January 28, 1991), nicknamed "the Galloping Ghost" and "the Wheaton Iceman", was an American college and professional football halfback who played for Illinois, the Chicago Bears and the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the NFL. Grange became a nationally known celebrity in the 1920s and is often cited as one of the most iconic athletes of all time.

Quick Facts

Position

Halfback

Born

13 June 1903

Birthplace

Forksville, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Died

28 January 1991

Place of death

Lake Wales, Florida, U.S.

High school

Wheaton (Wheaton, Illinois)

College

Illinois (1923–1925)

Former teams

Chicago Bears (1925)
New York Yankees (1926–1927)
Chicago Bears (1929, 1934)

Lore & Background

Grange played college football for Illinois, was a three-time consensus All-American, and led his team to a national championship in 1923. He was the only unanimous All-American in 1924, the first player to receive that honor. He also won the first Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as Big Ten MVP. After his final college game in 1925, he joined the Bears and embarked on a barnstorming tour. He suffered a serious knee injury in 1927 that prevented him from playing the following season, but he returned to the Bears in 1929. He played both offense and defense, caught the controversial game-winning touchdown in the 1932 NFL Playoff Game, and made the game-winning tackle in the 1933 NFL Championship Game. He remained with Chicago until 1934, then became a backfield coach for three seasons. He is a charter member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

Reader's Guide

Grange was a two-way halfback during the NFL's one-platoon era. He played for the Bears from 1925 until 1934, missing the 1928 season due to a knee injury. He also played for the New York Yankees in 1926 after forming the American Football League with agent C. C. Pyle. The league lasted one year, and the Yankees were assimilated into the NFL.

Did You Know?

Grange was nicknamed "the Galloping Ghost" by Chicago sportswriter Warren Brown.
He ran the 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds in high school.
He scored five touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass in the 1924 game against Michigan.