Ralph Heywood

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Ralph Heywood
Huntington Park, CA)
College:USC
Position:End, defensive end
NFL draft:1944 / Round: 3 / Pick: 19
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:
84
Receiving yards:1192
Touchdowns:13
Military career
Allegiance
United States of America
Service/branchUSMC seal U.S. Marine Corps
Years of service1941–1946, 1952-1974
RankColonel Colonel
Unit USS Iowa
Commands held 26th Marines Regiment
Battles/wars
Player stats at NFL.com

Ralph Alvin Heywood (September 11, 1921 – April 10, 2007) was an American American football player. He played college football at University of Southern California (USC) and professionally in the National Football League (NFL) and the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). He, along with Harry Marker, are the only NFL players to serve in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.[1]

Biography

Born in

punter in 1943,[2] despite playing in only 5 games that season.[3] Heywood initially enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 to fight in World War II. He entered the V-12 program, which was initiated to meet the increased need for Navy and Marine Corps officers, allowed him to stay in school while learning the military basics. The program allowed officer candidates to attend civilian schools while in an enlisted status in the Navy or Marine Corps. However, he was shipped off to the USS Iowa, before he had a chance to graduate.[4] In prior years, he led the Trojans in receiving yards in 1942 and 1943, and had the school's first-ever 100-yard receiving game when he gained 101 yards on 4 receptions versus St. Mary's Pre-Flight in 1943. He also led USC in punting in 1941 and 1942.[3]

After his initial discharge from the Marines following World War II, Heywood completed his degree in

New York Bulldogs in 1949.[1]

In 1952, during the Korean War, he returned to active duty. He later commanded the

Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos.[4]

On April 10, 2007, Heywood died in Bandera, Texas, while laying in the arms of his wife, Suzie, as she softly sang to him.[2] During a ceremony on January 25, 2013, he was inducted into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c Horrigan, Joe (November 11, 2015). "NFL Veterans". Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  2. ^ a b c Begley, Bill (April 17, 2007). "Wife there until end for Ralph Heywood, former football and military hero". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
  3. ^ a b c "Ralph Heywood, 1943 All-American End, Dies". University of Southern California. April 27, 2007. Archived from the original on February 9, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Joyner, James (August 10, 2004). "Three-Time War Vet, Former Player, Delivers NFL Game Ball". Outside the Beltway.
  5. ^ Ferreira, Trenise (May 27, 2012). "Reign of Troy salutes Trojan veterans: Ralph Heywood (1921–2007)". Reign of Troy. Fansided. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  6. ^ MacCormack, Zeke (August 7, 2012). "Marine Corps posthumously honors Hill Country athlete". San Antonio Express-News.

External links

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