Friedman, Benny, 1905-1982

Benjamin "Benny" Friedman (1905-1982) was a high school, college, and professional football player, coach, and athletic administrator. One of six children of immigrant parents, he was raised in Glenville, a predominantly Jewish neighborhood on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. As Glenville High School's star quarterback, he led his team to the City Football Championship and the National High School Championship in 1922. He entered the University of Michigan in 1923, became the starting quarterback in his sophomore season, and earned a reputation as the greatest passer of his day in college football. He was named an All-American in 1925 and 1926. In 1927, he joined the struggling professional National Football League, playing with the Cleveland Indians, the Detroit Wolverines, the New York Giants, and the Brooklyn Dodgers, whom he also coached. He made every All-Pro team of the era and revolutionized the game with his passing. He was backfield coach at Yale University in 1930. From 1934 to 1941 he coached football at City College of New York. After World War II, he became the football coach and athletic director at Brandeis University until they discontinued the sport in 1963. In 1951, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in its charter class. He began a football camp for young quarterbacks in Oxford, Maine in 1964. In 2005, Benny Friedman was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame.

From the description of Benny Friedman papers, 1920-2005. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 758986346

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