Jack Shapiro
Encyclopedia
Jack Emanuel "Soapy" Shapiro (March 22, 1907 – February 5, 2001) was a professional football
player who played in one game with the Staten Island Stapletons
of the National Football League
in 1929
. Shapiro is most famous for being the shortest player in NFL history at 5'0½". His true nickname was "Soupy" not "Soapy" simply because he liked eating soup (the nickname was given by his family). He was featured on the special, NFL Films Presents: One-game Wonders
.
in 1907. His parents immigrated to the United States
with their four boys and three girls, as well as their niece. Jack was the only one of his family to be born in America. His father and two of his brothers did odd jobs for a living, resulting in earnings of $9.00 a week. His family was of Jewish descent. His father was against Jack playing sports because two of his brothers had broken their legs playing football and soccer. In order to play, Jack forged his father's signature on the injury release form.
Shapiro attended Evander Child High School in the Bronx. While in high school, he was a starter on the football team for three straight years. However during the last game in his senior year, he was injured and was forced out of the of the game. His playing weight in high school was 85 pounds.
while attending New York University
. He played fullback
for the Violets in 1927 when the team posted a 7-1-2 record while outscoring their opponents by 345-65. He joined the NYU team his freshman year as a "walk on". However by his sophomore year, he was given a full scholarship and was awarded a varsity letterman that season.
Afterwards Shapiro moonlighted as a professional football player for a team in Meridian, Connecticut. The team was sponsored by the Sons of Italy. There Jack was paid $50 plus transportation lodging, and meal costs. To keep his identity a secret, so that he could keep his amateur status, Shapiro played under the assumed name of "Murphy".
In 1995, the National Football League Alumni
awarded him the Norm Van Brocklin
Award for Outstanding Achievement.
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 who played in one game with the Staten Island Stapletons
Staten Island Stapletons
The Staten Island Stapletons also known as the Staten Island Stapes were a professional American football team founded in 1915 that played in the National Football League from 1929 to 1930. The team was based in the Stapleton section of Staten Island. Under the shortened nickname the "Stapes"...
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...
in 1929
1929 NFL season
The 1929 NFL season was the 10th regular season of the National Football League. The league increased back to 12 teams with the addition of Orange Tornadoes and Minneapolis Red Jackets and the re-entry of the Buffalo Bisons...
. Shapiro is most famous for being the shortest player in NFL history at 5'0½". His true nickname was "Soupy" not "Soapy" simply because he liked eating soup (the nickname was given by his family). He was featured on the special, NFL Films Presents: One-game Wonders
NFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
.
Early life
Shapiro was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1907. His parents immigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with their four boys and three girls, as well as their niece. Jack was the only one of his family to be born in America. His father and two of his brothers did odd jobs for a living, resulting in earnings of $9.00 a week. His family was of Jewish descent. His father was against Jack playing sports because two of his brothers had broken their legs playing football and soccer. In order to play, Jack forged his father's signature on the injury release form.
Shapiro attended Evander Child High School in the Bronx. While in high school, he was a starter on the football team for three straight years. However during the last game in his senior year, he was injured and was forced out of the of the game. His playing weight in high school was 85 pounds.
College career
Prior to joining the Stapletons, Shapiro played college 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...
while attending New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. He played fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
for the Violets in 1927 when the team posted a 7-1-2 record while outscoring their opponents by 345-65. He joined the NYU team his freshman year as a "walk on". However by his sophomore year, he was given a full scholarship and was awarded a varsity letterman that season.
Afterwards Shapiro moonlighted as a professional football player for a team in Meridian, Connecticut. The team was sponsored by the Sons of Italy. There Jack was paid $50 plus transportation lodging, and meal costs. To keep his identity a secret, so that he could keep his amateur status, Shapiro played under the assumed name of "Murphy".
NFL
In 1929, Shapiro played in one NFL game with Staten Island. As the shortest player in the history of the NFL, Shapiro played as a blocking back in the Stapletons' 34-0 victory over the Minneapolis Red Jackets. However Shapiro later stated that he was on the Stapletons roster for five games, playing in two regular-season games and one exhibition game. The regular-season games were late in the season against the Minneapolis Red Jackets and Orange Tornadoes.Recognition
Shapiro received recognition in the Guinness Book of Records as being the shortest player on record in NFL. history in 1999.In 1995, the National Football League Alumni
National Football League Alumni
The NFL Alumni is a 501 charity that is composed of former NFL players and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in hands-on service to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth." The NFL Alumni advances its motto...
awarded him the Norm Van Brocklin
Norm Van Brocklin
Norman Mack "Norm" Van Brocklin , nicknamed "The Dutchman", was an American football player and coach. He was also a first rate punter in college and in the NFL...
Award for Outstanding Achievement.