Red Grange

Red Grange (1903-1991), American football player, also known as the Galloping Ghost. Grange was a major college star and played an important role in attracting a wider audience for professional football during its early years.

Harold Edward Grange was born in Forksville, Pennsylvania, and moved to Wheaton, Illinois, as a child. A multisport star in high school, Grange attended the University of Illinois. During his notable college athletic career Grange was named to three All-American football teams, in 1923 and 1924 as a halfback and in 1925 as a quarterback. His nickname, the Galloping Ghost, came after he famously scored four touchdowns during the first 12 minutes of a 1924 game against a powerful Michigan squad.

After graduation Grange played professional football, which was not as popular as the college game at that time. Grange's college fame attracted the first large crowds to pro football and drew greater press coverage for the sport. He played both offense and defense, like many players of that era, but Grange was best known for his exciting runs as a halfback.

Grange played nine seasons of professional football, mostly for the Chicago Bears. After suffering a knee injury in 1927, he sat out all of the 1928 season. Grange returned the following year and led the Bears to National Football League (NFL) titles in 1932 and 1933. He is credited with saving the second championship with a touchdown-saving tackle late in the title game.

Grange retired after the 1934 season and later worked as a sports announcer. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.