Clyde LeForce
Encyclopedia
Clyde J. LeForce, Jr. was an American football
quarterback
in the National Football League
. He played college football
for the University of Tulsa
.
as a quarterback in 1942, 1943 and, after a hiatus to serve in the United States Navy
during World War II
, 1946. In 1943, he led the team in scoring (59 points), rushing (290 yards), passing (557 yards), punting (908 yards), and punt returns (154 yards). In 1946, he was named an All-Missouri Valley Conference
player. LeForce was inducted into the Tulsa Hurricane Hall of Fame in 1986.
in the 19th round of the 1945 NFL Draft
(194th overall). However, he returned to Tulsa for his final year of college eligibility before he entered the NFL. In 1947, he went to play for the Lions where he remained for all three years of his professional playing career.
In 1947, he played nine games including two starts
. He completed 94 passes on 175 attempts for 1,384 yards and 13 touchdown
s and 20 interceptions
. LeForce also compiled 143 rushing yards and three defensive interceptions.
In 1948, LeForce played in twelve games including two starts, where he recorded 50 completions on 101 attempts for 912 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He rushed for 86 yards and one rushing touchdown and compiled 122 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. He also recorded one defensive interception.
In 1949, he played in eleven games including one start. He completed 53 of 112 attempts for 665 yards, three touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He rushed for 58 yards and one touchdown.
LeForce died on June 9, 2006.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
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...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
.
College career
LeForce attended the University of Tulsa, where he played footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
as a quarterback in 1942, 1943 and, after a hiatus to serve in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 1946. In 1943, he led the team in scoring (59 points), rushing (290 yards), passing (557 yards), punting (908 yards), and punt returns (154 yards). In 1946, he was named an All-Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
player. LeForce was inducted into the Tulsa Hurricane Hall of Fame in 1986.
Professional football career
LeForce was selected by the Detroit LionsDetroit 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...
in the 19th round of the 1945 NFL Draft
1945 NFL Draft
The 1945 National Football League Draft was held on April 8, 1945. It was the last draft held in Chicago; later in the year the league moved its offices to Philadelphia.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
(194th overall). However, he returned to Tulsa for his final year of college eligibility before he entered the NFL. In 1947, he went to play for the Lions where he remained for all three years of his professional playing career.
In 1947, he played nine games including two starts
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
. He completed 94 passes on 175 attempts for 1,384 yards and 13 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s and 20 interceptions
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
. LeForce also compiled 143 rushing yards and three defensive interceptions.
In 1948, LeForce played in twelve games including two starts, where he recorded 50 completions on 101 attempts for 912 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He rushed for 86 yards and one rushing touchdown and compiled 122 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. He also recorded one defensive interception.
In 1949, he played in eleven games including one start. He completed 53 of 112 attempts for 665 yards, three touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He rushed for 58 yards and one touchdown.
LeForce died on June 9, 2006.