John Hlay
Encyclopedia
John Hlay is a former college football
running back
. He was a fullback
and linebacker
for the Ohio State University
Buckeyes
from 1950 to 1952.
. He was heavily recruited by colleges, and narrowly chose Ohio State over Purdue University
after Ohio State head coach
Wes Fesler
played on Hlay's state loyalties.
Woody Hayes
benched him for the first three games of the 1951 season. When Hlay returned to the field in the fourth game of the season it was as a defensive replacement, playing exclusively as linebacker. Hlay returned to the offensive backfield in his senior year, in part due to the support of backfield coach Doyt Perry
.
As a senior Hlay led the Buckeyes in rushing, despite a backfield loaded with such talent as freshman Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, sophomore Bobby Watkins, and senior Fred Bruney
. Hlay's highest single-game rushing total was a 135 yard performance in a 21-14 loss to Purdue
on October 4, 1952.
in the 1953 NFL Draft
. He was drafted in the 16th round as the 187th overall selection (comparable to the sixth round in the modern 32-team draft). Hlay deferred reporting to Green Bay in 1953, but arrived the following year. The Green Bay staff had intended to play Hlay at linebacker, but filled that need in the 1954 draft with Art Hunter
out of Notre Dame University. Green Bay traded Hlay to the New York Giants
, but an ankle injury prevented him from joining the team.
and bar-owner, and an NFL
career in that era would have meant a reduction in pay. Over his career, Hlay owned three different bars. He also worked in remodelling.
His daughter Jill Hlay was a world-class swimmer, winning a bronze medal
in the 100 meter backstroke
at the 1971 Pan Am Games. Jill's son Matt Voelker is currently a freestyle swimmer
on the Ohio State University swimming team.
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...
running back
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...
. He was a 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...
and linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
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
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
from 1950 to 1952.
High school
Hlay was an All-State football player at Niles McKinley High SchoolNiles McKinley High School
Niles McKinley High School is a four-year public high school in Niles, Ohio.As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 932 students and 46.0 classroom teachers Niles McKinley High School is a four-year public high school in Niles, Ohio.As of the 2005-06 school year, the school...
. He was heavily recruited by colleges, and narrowly chose Ohio State over Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
after Ohio State 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...
Wes Fesler
Wes Fesler
Wesley Eugene "Wes" Fesler was an American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach of football and basketball. He was three-sport athlete at Ohio State University and a consensus first-team selection to the College Football All-America Team three straight years...
played on Hlay's state loyalties.
College
As a sophomore Hlay lettered as a backup fullback and linebacker on the 1950 Ohio State team. He suffered academic setbacks prior to his junior year, and incoming head coachHead 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...
Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
benched him for the first three games of the 1951 season. When Hlay returned to the field in the fourth game of the season it was as a defensive replacement, playing exclusively as linebacker. Hlay returned to the offensive backfield in his senior year, in part due to the support of backfield coach Doyt Perry
Doyt Perry
-External links:* , WBGU-PBS documentary...
.
As a senior Hlay led the Buckeyes in rushing, despite a backfield loaded with such talent as freshman Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, sophomore Bobby Watkins, and senior Fred Bruney
Fred Bruney
Fred K. Bruney is a former college and professional American football defensive back.Bruney played halfback on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for the Ohio State University Buckeyes from 1950 to 1952. He scored six touchdowns for the Buckeyes in the 1952 season, but he was...
. Hlay's highest single-game rushing total was a 135 yard performance in a 21-14 loss to Purdue
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
on October 4, 1952.
Professional
Hlay was selected by the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in the 1953 NFL Draft
1953 NFL Draft
The 1953 National Football League Draft was held on January 22, 1953.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
. He was drafted in the 16th round as the 187th overall selection (comparable to the sixth round in the modern 32-team draft). Hlay deferred reporting to Green Bay in 1953, but arrived the following year. The Green Bay staff had intended to play Hlay at linebacker, but filled that need in the 1954 draft with Art Hunter
Art Hunter
Arthur Hunter is a former American football tackle who played twelve seasons in the National Football League, mainly for the Los Angeles Rams.-NFL career:...
out of Notre Dame University. Green Bay traded Hlay to the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but an ankle injury prevented him from joining the team.
After football
Hlay decided against trying out with the Giants in 1955. By that time he had become a restaurateurRestaurateur
A restaurateur is a person who opens and runs restaurants professionally. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who owns a restaurant, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of the restaurant business.-Etymology:The word...
and bar-owner, and an NFL
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...
career in that era would have meant a reduction in pay. Over his career, Hlay owned three different bars. He also worked in remodelling.
His daughter Jill Hlay was a world-class swimmer, winning a bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
in the 100 meter backstroke
Backstroke
The backstroke, also sometimes called the back crawl, is one of the four swimming styles regulated by FINA, and the only regulated style swum on the back. This has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of swimmers not being able to see where they are going. It is also the only...
at the 1971 Pan Am Games. Jill's son Matt Voelker is currently a freestyle swimmer
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
on the Ohio State University swimming team.
Trivia
- Despite being the leading rusher and starting every game in 1952, the Ohio State media guide mistakenly states that Hlay lettered only in 1950 and 1951.