Benny Friedman (1905-1982)

Benny Friedman, born on March 18, 1905, in Cleveland, Ohio, was a renowned American football player. A true trailblazer, he attended East Technical High School, before making his mark as a halfback and quarterback at the University of Michigan from 1924 to 1926.

At Michigan, Friedman's diverse skillset allowed him to excel in both offense and defense, handling kicking and return duties, and notably revolutionizing the passing game. His exceptional performance didn't go unnoticed as he notched the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference in 1926 and was named a consensus first-team All-American in both 1925 and 1926.

Post-college, Friedman's NFL career spread across eight seasons where he played for various premier teams such as the Cleveland Bulldogs (1927), Detroit Wolverines (1928), New York Giants (1929–1931), and Brooklyn Dodgers (1932–1934). Known as the leading passer of his era, he led the league in passing for four consecutive years (1927-1930) and was selected as the first-team All-NFL quarterback each of those years. He also showcased his leadership capabilities, serving as the head coach of the Giants in the last two games of the 1930 season (both victories) and the Dodgers during the 1932 season.

Later in his career, Friedman shifted his focus to coaching roles at City College of New York (1934-1941) and Brandeis University (1950-1959). At Brandeis, Friedman was also the first Athletic Director, holding the position from 1949 to 1963. His contribution extended beyond the sports field. He served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II, acting as deck officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La in the Pacific theater.

In acknowledgment of his spectacular contributions to football, Friedman was part of the inaugural class of inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951, and was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His lifetime achievements are remembered with awe and respect, and his legacy continues to inspire many in the world of American football.

For more information on his player stats during his NFL career, visit NFL.com and Pro Football Reference, and to more about his coaching career, see his profile on Pro Football Reference.