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229. William Heffelfinger

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229. William Heffelfinger

This is very tricky, or maybe it isn’t.  It just depends on what type of football historian you are.

A three-time All-American at Yale (1889-91), William Heffelfinger’s college squad only ever lost two games.  Heffelfinger was considered the star of that team, but in the 1890s, and for many decades after that, you went on with your life and stopped playing football.  That was not the case for Heffelfinger.

After Yale, Heffelfinger played in the Chicago Athletic Association.  Players there would get expenses covered (double expenses, specifically), and in a game in the Allegheny Athletic Association between Pittsburgh and the 3As, he was offered a significant amount of cash to play for Pittsburgh.  He did, making him the first “professional” football player ever.

Obviously, he was a really good player, but with what limited information we know about his post-Yale career, we wonder if the Hall will just consider him a footnote.

Regardless, he is a College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and if professionally, he is just a footnote, it is one hell of a great one!

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Tuesday, 01 January 1963
  • Position: Guard
  • Games Played: N/A
  • Notable Statistics: N/A
  • Major Accolades and Awards: N/A
  • Other Points of Note: None

Should William Heffelfinger be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 40%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 20%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 20%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 20%
Last modified on Wednesday, 29 March 2023 14:32
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