George Trafton
Encyclopedia
George Edward Trafton was an American football
player. He played as a center for the Decatur Staleys (now known as the Chicago Bears
) of the National Football League
from 1920
to 1921
and 1923–1932. He is credited as being the first center to snap the ball with one hand. Trafton was inducted into the American Pro Football Hall of Fame
in 1964
.
Trafton's football skills first came to notice when he played at Oak Park River Forest High School, then named Oak Park High, in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park
. Afterwards, he attended the University of Notre Dame
for one year.
On December 18, 1929, Trafton took part in a boxing match against Chicago White Sox
player Art Shires
. Trafton won by decision after five rounds. He fought three more bouts in early 1930 before meeting future world champion Primo Carnera
in Kansas City on March 26, 1930. Trafton was knocked out by Carnera in the first round of their fight. In the aftermath of the fight, Trafton was suspended indefinitely by the Missouri Boxing Commission for failing to provide more resistance in the 54 second bout.
Trafton later became the head coach
of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
of the Western Interprovincial Football Union from 1951 to 1953.
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...
player. He played as a center for the Decatur Staleys (now known as 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...
) of 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...
from 1920
1920 NFL season
The 1920 APFA season was the inaugural regular season of the National Football League which was called the American Professional Football Association in 1920 and 1921...
to 1921
1921 NFL season
The 1921 APFA season was the 2nd regular season of the National Football League, which was then called the American Professional Football Association....
and 1923–1932. He is credited as being the first center to snap the ball with one hand. Trafton was inducted into the American Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in 1964
1964 NFL season
The 1964 NFL season was the 45th regular season of the National Football League. Before the season started, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle reinstated Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras, who had been suspended for the 1963 season due to...
.
Trafton's football skills first came to notice when he played at Oak Park River Forest High School, then named Oak Park High, in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park
Oak Park, Illinois
Oak Park, Illinois is a suburb bordering the west side of the city of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is the twenty-fifth largest municipality in Illinois. Oak Park has easy access to downtown Chicago due to public transportation such as the Chicago 'L' Blue and Green lines,...
. Afterwards, he attended 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...
for one year.
On December 18, 1929, Trafton took part in a boxing match against Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
player Art Shires
Art Shires
Charles Arthur Shires was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators and Boston Braves...
. Trafton won by decision after five rounds. He fought three more bouts in early 1930 before meeting future world champion Primo Carnera
Primo Carnera
Primo Carnera was an Italian boxer, nicknamed the Ambling Alp, who became the world heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
in Kansas City on March 26, 1930. Trafton was knocked out by Carnera in the first round of their fight. In the aftermath of the fight, Trafton was suspended indefinitely by the Missouri Boxing Commission for failing to provide more resistance in the 54 second bout.
Trafton later became the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
of the Western Interprovincial Football Union from 1951 to 1953.
External links
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile