Grange, Red (1903-1991), was one of the greatest running backs in football history. He won all-American honors in 1923, 1924, and 1925 while playing for the University of Illinois. His speed and elusive running style earned him the nickname “the Galloping Ghost.” Grange’s most spectacular performance came against the University of Michigan in 1924, when he scored five touchdowns, four on long runs during the first 12 minutes of the game.
In 1925, Grange joined the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He traveled coast to coast with the team as it played a series of specially arranged games. These games drew huge crowds, who came mainly to see Grange, and played an important part in the growth of professional football. Grange played with the New York Yankees football team in 1926 and 1927 and again with the Bears from 1929 to 1934. From 1947 to 1963, he was a sports commentator on radio and television. He became one of the first members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 (see Pro Football Hall of Fame ). Harold Edward Grange was born on June 13, 1903, in Forksville, Pennsylvania, and raised in Wheaton, Illinois. He died on Jan. 28, 1991.
See also Football (The rise of professional football) .
