Don Scott (American football)
Encyclopedia
Donald E. Scott was a star of American football
. He was a two-time All-America
quarterback
at the Ohio State University
. He died on October 1, 1943 when his bomber crashed while he was training as a pilot
in England
during World War II
.
. As a sophomore Scott was a tackle on the offensive and defensive lines. He also punted and kicked extra points. As a junior and senior he was named the left halfback
in a single-wing
formation offense, making him the team's primary ball handler. He completed 58 percent of his passes (48 of 93) for 991 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 657 yards on 74 carries. He kicked 34 extra points.
In basketball, Scott twice helped lead the school team to the state semifinals.
selection for the Ohio State University
Buckeyes football
team. He was called the most versatile back in college football because he was a brilliant passer, blocker, and ball carrier. His head coach, Francis Schmidt, later said, "I can’t remember a back as dangerous in so many departments of play.”
Scott lettered for the Ohio State
Buckeyes football
team in 1938, 1939, and 1940. In 1938 he was a starting halfback. He became the Buckeyes' starting quarterback as a junior in 1939 and led the team to the Big Ten Conference
title. That year he received his first All-American selection. He returned as quarterback in his senior year and was again named as All American.
. He was selected by the Chicago Bears
. Scott decided to volunteer to fight in the war in Europe. Scott had participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program
, sponsored by the Civil Aeronautics Administration
, while at Ohio State. When he entered the United States Army Air Forces
it was as a commissioned pilot.
On October 1, 1943, Capt. Don Scott died when his bomber crashed while he was in training. The following month, Ohio State University
trustees named the school's new airport
after him.
Scott also played basketball for one season. The 1938-39 Ohio State team appeared in the first NCAA basketball tournament
, and advanced to the first NCAA championship game. Oregon beat the Buckeyes 46-33.
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...
. He was a two-time All-America
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...
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...
at the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. He died on October 1, 1943 when his bomber crashed while he was training as a pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
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...
.
High school star
In football, Scott was a two-time all-state selection at Canton McKinley High SchoolCanton McKinley High School
Canton McKinley Senior High School is a public high school in Canton, Stark County, Ohio, U.S. It is one of the largest and oldest high schools in Ohio.-Athletics:...
. As a sophomore Scott was a tackle on the offensive and defensive lines. He also punted and kicked extra points. As a junior and senior he was named the left halfback
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
in a single-wing
Single-wing
In American and Canadian football, a single-wing formation is any offensive formation having exactly one wingback and one tight end aligned together. The single-wing formation, created by Glenn "Pop" Warner, was a precursor to the modern spread or shotgun formation...
formation offense, making him the team's primary ball handler. He completed 58 percent of his passes (48 of 93) for 991 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 657 yards on 74 carries. He kicked 34 extra points.
In basketball, Scott twice helped lead the school team to the state semifinals.
Honors
- Following his death, Canton City School's track field was renamed Don Scott Field.
- Scott was a second-year inductee to the Stark County High School Football Hall of Fame.
College career
Scott was a two-time All-AmericaAll-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...
selection for the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
Buckeyes football
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
team. He was called the most versatile back in college football because he was a brilliant passer, blocker, and ball carrier. His head coach, Francis Schmidt, later said, "I can’t remember a back as dangerous in so many departments of play.”
Scott lettered for the Ohio State
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
Buckeyes football
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
team in 1938, 1939, and 1940. In 1938 he was a starting halfback. He became the Buckeyes' starting quarterback as a junior in 1939 and led the team to the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
title. That year he received his first All-American selection. He returned as quarterback in his senior year and was again named as All American.
Honors
- Scott was a 1988 inductee to the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of FameOhio State Varsity O Hall of FameThe Ohio State Varsity "O" Hall of Fame is the athletic hall of fame for The Ohio State University. Its purpose is to recognize individuals who have contributed to the honor and fame of the University in the field of athletics....
. - In 2000 Scott was one of five quarterbacks named to the Ohio State Football All-Century TeamOhio State Football All-Century TeamThe Ohio State Football All-Century Team was chosen in early 2000 by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. It was selected to honor the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes football players of the 20th century...
.
War and death
Scott was ninth overall selection in the 1941 NFL Draft1941 NFL Draft
The 1941 National Football League Draft was held on December 10, 1940.Despite having three picks in the first round, only Norm Standlee ever played for the Chicago Bears.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
. He was selected by the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Scott decided to volunteer to fight in the war in Europe. Scott had participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
, sponsored by the Civil Aeronautics Administration
Civil Aeronautics Administration
Civil Aeronautics Administration may refer to:*Civil Aeronautics Administration - a division of Ministry of Transportation and Communication, Executive Yuan, Republic of China...
, while at Ohio State. When he entered the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
it was as a commissioned pilot.
On October 1, 1943, Capt. Don Scott died when his bomber crashed while he was in training. The following month, Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
trustees named the school's new airport
Ohio State University Airport
Ohio State University Airport is a public airport located six miles northwest of the central business district of Columbus, a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. It is owned and operated by The Ohio State University in Columbus, not to be confused with Ohio University in Athens, which...
after him.
Honors
- The airport, like the Canton football field, is named Don Scott Field.
Scott also played basketball for one season. The 1938-39 Ohio State team appeared in the first NCAA basketball tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
, and advanced to the first NCAA championship game. Oregon beat the Buckeyes 46-33.