Bob Dove
Encyclopedia
Robert Leo Patrick "Grandpappy" Dove (February 21, 1921 – April 19, 2006) served as an All-America
end at the University of Notre Dame
and went on to play for eight seasons in the National Football League
. Following his retirement as a professional player, Dove embarked on a 37-year coaching career at the professional and collegiate levels. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
in 2002.
, United States
, a steel-production center located near the Pennsylvania border. Dove was a three-year starter at the city's South High School from 1936–38; and he was selected as an all-city player by the Youngstown Vindicator (the local daily paper) in his final year.
winner Angelo Bertelli
. Dove then became the first sophomore to start for the Notre Dame "Fighting Irish" in 11 seasons. He received the Knute Rockne
Memorial Trophy in 1942 as the top lineman in the country and also played in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game. During his three seasons as a starter, Dove helped the Irish to a 22-4-3 record, including an undefeated (8-0-1) campaign in the first season of legendary coach Frank Leahy
.
In 1948, Dove joined the NFL's Chicago Cardinals
, where he played for five seasons. In 1953, he was traded to the Detroit Lions
and played on their 1953 and 1954 championship teams. He retired in 1955.
for seven seasons. He joined the Youngstown State University
staff in 1969, where he served as assistant under four coaches, including Jim Tressel
. In 1987, Dove was named coach emeritus and served in that position through the 1991 Division I-AA national championship season.
Following a long illness, Dove died in Canfield, Ohio
on April 19, 2006. His funeral was held at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Canfield.
of Miami and Hugh Green of Pittsburgh, and alongside Bubba Smith
of Michigan State.
Earlier, in 1975, Dove was one of 10 players inducted into the Citizens Savings Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. The other nine players were Ron Beagle
, Navy; Chuck Bednarik
, Pennsylvania: Carl Diehl, Dartmouth; Bill Fisher, Notre Dame; Leroy Keyes
, Purdue; Tommy Nobis
, Texas; Greg Pruitt
, Oklahoma; Joe Romig
, Colorado; and Charles "Bubba" Smith
, Michigan State.
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
end at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and went on to play for eight seasons in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Following his retirement as a professional player, Dove embarked on a 37-year coaching career at the professional and collegiate levels. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 2002.
Early years
Dove was born in Youngstown, OhioYoungstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, a steel-production center located near the Pennsylvania border. Dove was a three-year starter at the city's South High School from 1936–38; and he was selected as an all-city player by the Youngstown Vindicator (the local daily paper) in his final year.
College football and beyond
Dove went on to greater athletic feats at the University of Notre Dame, where he was a three-year starter at end from 1940-42. He was a consensus All-American in his final two seasons. As a freshman in 1939, he caught 15 passes for 87 yards from future Heisman TrophyHeisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Angelo Bertelli
Angelo Bertelli
Angelo Bortolo Bertelli was an American football player. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1943 playing as a quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.-Early life:...
. Dove then became the first sophomore to start for the Notre Dame "Fighting Irish" in 11 seasons. He received the Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne
Knute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
Memorial Trophy in 1942 as the top lineman in the country and also played in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game. During his three seasons as a starter, Dove helped the Irish to a 22-4-3 record, including an undefeated (8-0-1) campaign in the first season of legendary coach Frank Leahy
Frank Leahy
Francis William Leahy was an American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and professional sports executive...
.
In 1948, Dove joined the NFL's Chicago Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, where he played for five seasons. In 1953, he was traded to the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
and played on their 1953 and 1954 championship teams. He retired in 1955.
Coaching career
Dove was an assistant coach at the University of Detroit from 1955–57, and then became an assistant for the Lions in 1958-59, and for the Buffalo Bills in 1960-61. He was head coach at Hiram CollegeHiram College
Hiram College is a private liberal arts college located in Hiram, Ohio. Founded by Amos Sutton Hayden of the Disciples of Christ Church in 1850, the institution has, since its first days, been nonsectarian and coeducational, and throughout its existence Hiram College has sustained this egalitarian...
for seven seasons. He joined the Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
staff in 1969, where he served as assistant under four coaches, including Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
. In 1987, Dove was named coach emeritus and served in that position through the 1991 Division I-AA national championship season.
Following a long illness, Dove died in Canfield, Ohio
Canfield, Ohio
Canfield is an affluent suburban city located in Mahoning County, Ohio,[United States, at the intersection of U.S. Route 224 and State Route 46/U.S. Route 62, about ten miles southwest of Youngstown. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,374. It is part of the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman,...
on April 19, 2006. His funeral was held at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Canfield.
Legacy
Beyond his 2002 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, Dove was also a second-team selection on Street & Smith's All-Time Dream Team, which covered players from the first 50 years of its publication (1941–1990). Dove was chosen at defensive end on the second team, ranked behind Ted HendricksTed Hendricks
Theodore Paul Hendricks is a Hall of Fame former American football linebacker who logged 15 seasons for the Baltimore Colts , the Green Bay Packers and the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League...
of Miami and Hugh Green of Pittsburgh, and alongside Bubba Smith
Bubba Smith
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team...
of Michigan State.
Earlier, in 1975, Dove was one of 10 players inducted into the Citizens Savings Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. The other nine players were Ron Beagle
Ron Beagle
Ron Beagle is a former American football end. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.-See also:* 1954 College Football All-America Team...
, Navy; Chuck Bednarik
Chuck Bednarik
Charles Philip Bednarik is a former professional American football player, known as one of the most devastating tacklers in the history of football and the last two-way player in the National Football League...
, Pennsylvania: Carl Diehl, Dartmouth; Bill Fisher, Notre Dame; Leroy Keyes
Leroy Keyes
Marvin Leroy Keyes is a former American football running back and safety who played five seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue...
, Purdue; Tommy Nobis
Tommy Nobis
Thomas Henry Nobis, Jr. is a former American football player. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he was an all-state offensive end and middle linebacker...
, Texas; Greg Pruitt
Greg Pruitt
Gregory Donald Pruitt is a former American football running back in the NFL from 1973 through 1984. He was selected to five Pro Bowls, four as a member of the Cleveland Browns and one as a member of the Los Angeles Raiders, the last one as a kick returner...
, Oklahoma; Joe Romig
Joe Romig
Joe Romig was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984. Romig attended Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Colorado, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and was a Rhodes Scholar....
, Colorado; and Charles "Bubba" Smith
Bubba Smith
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team...
, Michigan State.