Try to say Bob Hoernschemeyer’s name three times fast?
Yes, we know that the first line isn’t relevant here, but what is pertinent is that Hoernschemeyer was an End in the late 40s and early 50s in every sense of the word. Beginning his professional career with the Chicago Rockets of the AAFC, Hoernschemeyer would do well in rushing and passing, finishing in the top ten in both categories in the first (and only) four years of the AAFC’s existence. That’s good, but what hurts Hoernschemeyer is that he played for the Chicago Rockets/Hornets and Brooklyn Dodgers, neither of which made it to the NFL when that league took over what was left of the AAFC, and yes, that matters in terms of legacy, especially when you consider that two of the teams that you played for in your prime have not existed in 70 Years!
After the merger of the AAFC and NFL, the Detroit Lions selected Hoernschemeyer in a special draft, where he became a key cog in their offense. He was a Pro Bowl Selection in both 1951 and 1952, and he would help them win back-to-back NFL Championships in 1952 and 1953. Injuries would force him to retire at age 30, but if the first half of his career gains the same respect that his second half did, he is a legitimate Pro Football Hall of Fame contender.
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