Nelson, David M., 1920-1991

Renowned football rules authority and former University of Delaware coach and administrator, David Moir Nelson was born April 29, 1920, in Detroit, Michigan. From 1935 to 1938 Nelson attended Northwestern High School in Detroit, where he was a three-sport athlete, playing basketball, baseball, and football.

In 1938 Nelson accomplished a boyhood goal by enrolling at the University of Michigan. An outstanding student and athlete, the 5’-7” and 155-pound Nelson played halfback in the same Michigan backfield as tailback Tom Harmon, quarterback Forest Evashevski, and fullback Bob Westfall. Coached by the legendary Fritz Crisler, Nelson led the team in rushing during his senior year, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.

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