Bobby Grayson
Fullback | |
Class | 1936 |
---|---|
Personal information | |
Born: | Portland, Oregon, U.S. | December 8, 1914
Died: | September 22, 1981 Bellevue, Washington, U.S. | (aged 66)
Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
Career history | |
College |
|
High school | Jefferson (OR) |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
College Football Hall of Fame (1955) |
Robert Harry Grayson[1] (December 8, 1914 – September 22, 1981) was an American football player. He was a two-time consensus All-American player who led the Stanford University football team to three consecutive Rose Bowl Games from 1933 to 1935.
At Stanford, Grayson played for the varsity football team in the 1933, 1934 and 1935 seasons. He was recruited to Stanford by Coach
Early life
Born in
College career
Grayson's 1932 freshman team also included
In the 1934 Rose Bowl, Grayson rushed for 152 yards, a Rose Bowl record. Ernie Nevers said Grayson was "the best back I've ever seen."[4] Grayson set numerous Stanford records.[2] He set the record for most interceptions in a single game with four (two of which he returned for touchdowns) in a 1934 game against the University of Washington.[2][4] His career total of 1,547 rushing yards in 405 carries established a Stanford record that stood for 20 years.[6] A historical account of Grayson's accomplishments published by the LA84 Foundation notes:
Bobby Grayson had the looks of a matinee idol; and he remains as one of the most publicized players in Pacific Coast football history. A member of the legendary 'Vow Boys' of Stanford, Grayson starred from 1933–1935 in an era that is regarded as the greatest in the school's gridiron history. A workhorse ball carrier from the fullback spot, Grayson combined speed and power in piling up the school's career reusing record that stood for nearly two decades. Grayson used sprinter-class speed in sweeping the ends, and his swivel-hipped moves eluded tacklers in the open field.; while he was as adept at battering up the middle and punishing opposing defensive lines.[6]
Sportswriter Grantland Rice wrote of Grayson:
Here is a big, fast back who can run an end, hit a line, kick, pass, block and handle any assignment given him.[2]
Grayson was the 21st player drafted in the
Military service
Grayson served as commanding officer of the minesweeper USS Loyalty in the Pacific during World War II.[citation needed]
Legacy
Grayson died of a heart ailment in 1981 at age 66 in Bellevue, Washington.[3] He was survived by his wife, Sue Grayson, and a son, Dan Grayson.[2]
In 2003, the Oakland Tribune ranked Grayson as one of Stanford's top ten players of all time, ranking him at number five behind Ernie Nevers, Jim Plunkett, Frankie Albert, and John Elway.[8]
References
- ^ "Draft Registration Card". Selective Service System. October 1940. Retrieved July 23, 2023 – via fold3.com.
- ^ a b c d "Bobby Grayson, Led Stanford In 3 Rose Bowl Appearances". The New York Times. 1981-09-23.
- ^ a b "Bobby Grayson's gone". The Register-Guard. September 22, 1981. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Bobby Grayson". College Football Hall of Fame.
- ^ "Sport: Football". Time. 1933-11-20. Archived from the original on November 22, 2010.
- ^ a b "Bobby Grayson Vs. Washington" (PDF). LA 84 Foundation.
- ^ "1936 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- ^ "Stanford's top 10 players". Oakland Tribune. 2003-11-22. [dead link]