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'''Harry Vincent Gilmer Jr''' (born [[April 14]], [[1926]] in [[Birmingham]]; died [[August 20]], [[2016]] in St Louis, Missouri) was an All-American and All-[[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] [[Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]] football star and National Football League halfback/quarterback.
'''Harry Vincent Gilmer Jr''' (born [[April 14]], [[1926]] in [[Birmingham]]; died [[August 20]], [[2016]] in St Louis, Missouri) was an All-American and All-[[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] [[Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]] football star and National Football League halfback/quarterback.


Gilmer grew up in Birmingham and played for the [[Woodlawn High School]] Colonels. Experienced in playing neighborhood games against older and taller boys, he utilized a "jump pass" technique in high school and college. He was recruited to the Crimson Tide by coach [[ ]] and played left halfback in the Tide's "box formation" from [[1944]] to [[1947]], splitting time as a passer, punter and kick returner. He was named the Southeastern Conference's "Player of the Year" for the [[1945 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|1945 season]], in which he accounted for 1,457 yards of offense, and was the Most Valuable Player in the Tide's 34-14 victory over Southern California in the 1946 Rose Bowl. He finished his Alabama career with 2,894 passing yards, 1,673 rushing yards, and 40 touchdowns. He also averaged 36.4 yards per punt, 28.7 yards per kickoff return and 13.5 yards per punt return.
Gilmer grew up in Birmingham and played for the [[Woodlawn High School]] Colonels. Experienced in playing neighborhood games against older and taller boys, he utilized a "jump pass" technique in high school and college. He was recruited to the Crimson Tide by coach [[Frank W. Thomas]] and played left halfback in the Tide's "box formation" from [[1944]] to [[1947]], splitting time as a passer, punter and kick returner. He was named the Southeastern Conference's "Player of the Year" for the [[1945 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|1945 season]], in which he accounted for 1,457 yards of offense, and was the Most Valuable Player in the Tide's 34-14 victory over Southern California in the 1946 Rose Bowl. He finished his Alabama career with 2,894 passing yards, 1,673 rushing yards, and 40 touchdowns. He also averaged 36.4 yards per punt, 28.7 yards per kickoff return and 13.5 yards per punt return.


Gilmer was selected by the Washington Redskins with the first overall pick in the [[1948]] NFL draft. He remained with Washinton through [[1954]] and made the Pro Bowl team in [[1950]] and [[1952]]. He was traded to the Detroit Lions for Bert Zagers and Bob Trout. After two more seasons, Gilmer retired from the league and began coaching. He left the NFL with 3,786 passing yards, 923 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns and 45 interceptions.
Gilmer was selected by the Washington Redskins with the first overall pick in the [[1948]] NFL draft. He remained with Washinton through [[1954]] and made the Pro Bowl team in [[1950]] and [[1952]]. He was traded to the Detroit Lions for Bert Zagers and Bob Trout. After two more seasons, Gilmer retired from the league and began coaching. He left the NFL with 3,786 passing yards, 923 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns and 45 interceptions.

Revision as of 15:01, 22 August 2016

Harry Vincent Gilmer Jr (born April 14, 1926 in Birmingham; died August 20, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri) was an All-American and All-SEC Alabama football star and National Football League halfback/quarterback.

Gilmer grew up in Birmingham and played for the Woodlawn High School Colonels. Experienced in playing neighborhood games against older and taller boys, he utilized a "jump pass" technique in high school and college. He was recruited to the Crimson Tide by coach Frank W. Thomas and played left halfback in the Tide's "box formation" from 1944 to 1947, splitting time as a passer, punter and kick returner. He was named the Southeastern Conference's "Player of the Year" for the 1945 season, in which he accounted for 1,457 yards of offense, and was the Most Valuable Player in the Tide's 34-14 victory over Southern California in the 1946 Rose Bowl. He finished his Alabama career with 2,894 passing yards, 1,673 rushing yards, and 40 touchdowns. He also averaged 36.4 yards per punt, 28.7 yards per kickoff return and 13.5 yards per punt return.

Gilmer was selected by the Washington Redskins with the first overall pick in the 1948 NFL draft. He remained with Washinton through 1954 and made the Pro Bowl team in 1950 and 1952. He was traded to the Detroit Lions for Bert Zagers and Bob Trout. After two more seasons, Gilmer retired from the league and began coaching. He left the NFL with 3,786 passing yards, 923 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns and 45 interceptions.

He was named head coach of the Lions in 1965. His tenure ended after the 1966 season and he retired to a farm near St Louis, Missouri where he continued to work as a scout for the Cardinals until the team moved to Arizona in 1987. He died at home in August 2016.

Gilmer was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1973, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

References

  • Groom, Winston (2000) The Crimson Tide: An Illustrated History. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press ISBN 0817310517
  • Hurt, Cecil (August 20, 2016) "Harry Gilmer was a Tide superstar." The Tuscaloosa News
  • "Harry Gilmer" (August 21, 2016) Wikipedia - accessed August 22, 2016

External links

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