Carl Etelman (1900–1963)

Football back and coach of the high school team for 18 years

What is Carl Etelman (1900–1963) known for?

Carl Edward Etelman was a distinguished American football player and coach, born on April 1, 1900, in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. During his high school years at Fairhaven High School and Academy, he led as the team captain and achieved notable success with his remarkable passing and running skills.

After graduating high school in 1920, Etelman attended Tufts University, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. His exceptional skills as a quarterback were recognized in a 1922 article in The Boston Globe, which praised him as a dependable general who could be trusted to manage the team effectively and make substantial gains himself.

Following college, Etelman continued his football career playing semi-professionally with the independent St Alphonsus Athletic Association. He also played professionally in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) for teams such as the Boston Bulldogs and Providence Steam Roller, and later returned to the semi-professional arena with the Fitton Athletic Club.

During his playing career, he played a total of one game in the NFL according to NFL records and Pro Football Reference.

After retiring from active play, Etelman devoted himself to coaching and left a notable legacy at Whitman High School in Massachusetts, coaching the football team for 18 years. He also shared his expertise and experience coaching the semi-professional Old Town team of Abington for two years. Carl Etelman passed away on December 18, 1963, in Boston, Massachusetts, leaving behind an impactful legacy in both amateur and professional football.