George Cafego

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George Cafego
Date of birth	August 29, 1915
Place of birth	Whipple, WV
Date of death	February 9, 1998
Position(s)	Halfback
College	Tennessee
NFL Draft	1940 / Round 1/ Pick 1
Statistics	DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1940, 1943 1943 1944-1945	Brooklyn Dodgers Washington Redskins Boston Yanks
College Hall-of-Fame

George Cafego (August 29, 1915 - February 9, 1998) was a star college, and professional football player and coach. Cafego earned the nickname "Bad News" for his extraordinary play on the field. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

[edit] High school and collegiate career

Born in rural Whipple, West Virginia, Cafego attended Oak Hill High School in nearby Scarboro. He went to the University of Tennessee as a halfback under coach Robert Neyland. While there, he compiled 2,139 total yards and two All-American team selections. In addition to running and passing the ball, Cafego also served as punter and kick returner, excelling at both.

[edit] Professional career

Cafego was drafted as a number one overall pick in 1940 by the Brooklyn Dodgers of the NFL. After playing one season, his career was interrupted by a brief stint of Army service in World War II. Returning to the Dodgers in 1943, he was traded to the Washington Redskins after five unspectacular games. For the 1944 and 1945 seasons, Cafego played for the Boston Yanks before retiring.

[edit] Coaching career

After his playing days were over, Cafego served as an assistant coach at Wyoming, Furman, Arkansas, and 30 years at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee. He retired from coaching following the 1984 season.

Cafego died in Knoxville, Tennessee at the age of 82 and was buried in Fayette County, West Virginia.

National Football League number one overall Draft picks

Berwanger • Francis • C. Davis • Aldrich • Cafego • Harmon • Dudley • Sinkwich • Bertelli • Trippi • Dancewicz • Fenimore • Gilmer • Bednarik • Hart • Rote • Wade • Babcock • Garrett • Shaw • Glick • Hornung • Hill • Duncan • Cannon • Mason • E. Davis • Baker • Parks • Frederickson • Nobis • Bu. Smith • Yary • Bradshaw • Plunkett • Patulski • Matuszak • Jones • Bartkowski • Selmon • Bell • Campbell • Cousineau • B. Sims • Rogers • K. Sims • Elway • Fryar • Br. Smith • Jackson • Testaverde • Bruce • Aikman • George • Maryland • Emtman • Bledsoe • Wilkinson • Carter • Johnson • Pace • P. Manning • Couch • Brown • Vick • Carr • Palmer • E. Manning • A. Smith • Williams