Marshall Goldberg, a two-time consensus All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist under Jock Sutherland at Pitt, became a national star when the Chicago Cardinals picked him in the 1939 NFL Draft's second round. As one of the earliest notable Jewish superstars in pro football, Goldberg's unique blend of backfield strength, return speed, and defensive savvy quickly boosted the team's competitiveness.
Goldberg had a low, powerful running style that made him effective between the tackles, combined with the quick acceleration of a track athlete. His versatility enabled him to play as a fullback, halfback, kick returner, and safety effortlessly. On defense, his quick decision-making and knack for turnovers made him a persistent threat to intercept passes from opponents, while his open-field tackling often stopped large plays in their tracks.
His multi-phase versatility peaked during the 1941 season. Goldberg delivered an impressive single-season performance, rushing for 427 yards, catching passes for 313 yards, and leading the NFL with 290 kickoff return yards. His total of 1,236 all-purpose yards topped the league, earning him a Pro Bowl spot and All-Pro honors. Not satisfied with offensive dominance alone, Goldberg also excelled on defense, tying for the league lead with 7 interceptions. He carried this exceptional energy into 1942, finishing fifth in all-purpose yards and continuing to excel in the secondary.
During his prime, Goldberg paused his football career to serve in the U.S. Navy for two years in the South Pacific during World War II. After returning to Chicago in 1946, he chose to play primarily as a safety to support the Cardinals' renowned "Dream Backfield,” which included Charley Trippi, Paul Christman, Elmer Angsman, and Pat Harder. His unselfish switch to safety became the defensive cornerstone of the memorable 1947 season, ending with a thrilling victory over the Philadelphia Eagles that secured the franchise's only NFL Championship to date.
Goldberg played one more season before calling it a career. He recorded 1,644 rushing yards, 775 receiving yards, 1,083 return yards, and 19 interceptions across 77 regular-season games. The Cardinals enshrined Goldberg into their Ring of Honor in 2006.