Lynn Chandnois
Encyclopedia
Lynn Chandnois was a former standout professional American football
player who earned All-American honors for the Michigan State
Spartans in 1949, the NFL Player Of The Year award for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1952 and twice made it to the Pro Bowl
.
After both his parents died, Lynn, who was born in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, moved to Flint to live with an aunt and go to school.
At Flint Central High he earned All-State honors in both basketball and football. After graduating in 1944, he joined the United States Naval Air Corps
and served for two years.
Chandnois a 6 ft. 2 in. 195 lb half back
, defensive back
and kick returner
attended Michigan State University
and was a four-year football standout for the Spartans and also played basketball for one year. He ranks first in career pass interceptions (20) and interception return yardage (384) and was the team’s MVP in 1948 and an All-American in 1949. He was the State of Michigan’s Outstanding Amateur Athlete in 1950.
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
in the 1st round (8th overall) of the 1950 NFL Draft
. He played in 8 NFL seasons with the Steelers from 1950-1957.
Lynn died on April 19, 2011 in Flint, Michigan. He is survived by his wife Paulette, daughters Lynda Harris of Grand Blanc, MI and Suzanne Arnold of Prescott, AZ.
Only Gale Sayers
has a higher lifetime NFL Kick Off Return Average.
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 earned All-American honors for the Michigan State
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
Spartans in 1949, the NFL Player Of The Year award for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1952 and twice made it to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
.
After both his parents died, Lynn, who was born in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, moved to Flint to live with an aunt and go to school.
At Flint Central High he earned All-State honors in both basketball and football. After graduating in 1944, he joined the United States Naval Air Corps
United States Naval Air Corps
The United States Naval Air Corps was a term denoting the portion of the United States Navy made up of United States Naval Aviators. The term was especially in use before and during World War II....
and served for two years.
Chandnois a 6 ft. 2 in. 195 lb half 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...
, defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
and kick returner
Kick returner
In American and Canadian football, a kick returner is the player on special teams who is primarily responsible to catch kickoffs and attempts to return them in the opposite direction. If the ball is kicked into his own endzone, he must assess the situation on the field while the ball is in the...
attended Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
and was a four-year football standout for the Spartans and also played basketball for one year. He ranks first in career pass interceptions (20) and interception return yardage (384) and was the team’s MVP in 1948 and an All-American in 1949. He was the State of Michigan’s Outstanding Amateur Athlete in 1950.
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in the 1st round (8th overall) of the 1950 NFL Draft
1950 NFL Draft
The 1950 National Football League Draft was held on January 20–21, 1950.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
. He played in 8 NFL seasons with the Steelers from 1950-1957.
Lynn died on April 19, 2011 in Flint, Michigan. He is survived by his wife Paulette, daughters Lynda Harris of Grand Blanc, MI and Suzanne Arnold of Prescott, AZ.
Only Gale Sayers
Gale Sayers
Gale Eugene Sayers also known as "The Kansas Comet", is a former professional football player in the National Football League who spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears....
has a higher lifetime NFL Kick Off Return Average.