Wayne Millner

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Wayne Millner
Date of birth January 31, 1913
Place of birth Roxbury, MA
Date of death November 19, 1976
Position(s) Wide Receiver
College Notre Dame
NFL Draft 1936 / Round 8/Pick 65
Statistics
Team(s)
1936-1941
1945		 Washington Redskins
College Hall-of-Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1968

Wayne Millner (January 31, 1913 - November 19, 1976) was an football player who was known for his clutch play as a receiver and defensive end for both the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and for the National Football League's Washington Redskins.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Millner grew up in Salem, Massachusetts and made his mark at the local high school when he earned All-State honors in football during each of his four seasons of play. As a starter at end for the University of Notre Dame from 1933 through 1935, Millner figured in one of college football's most dramatic plays as a senior when he caught a touchdown pass from Bill Shakespeare in the closing seconds to beat Ohio State University, 18-13.

[edit] National Football League career

The Boston Redskins of the NFL signed Millner in 1936, with head coach Ray Flaherty seeing him as a major component to winning a league championship. After losing to the Green Bay Packers in the title game that year, the franchise moved to Washington in 1937 and defeated the Chicago Bears 28-21 to win the title. Millner played a big role in the victory, catching touchdown passes of 55 and 78 yards from Sammy Baugh, who considered him his favorite receiver.

[edit] Navy

Millner entered the Navy in 1942, and after three years away, returned to the Redskins for one final season in 1945. During his 7 years, he caught 124 passes for 1,578 yards, a 12.7 average, and 12 touchdowns.

[edit] Coaching career

After having served as a player-coach in 1945, Millner became a full-time assistant for the team the following year, spending three seasons in that role. In 1949, he moved to the All-America Football Conference as a Chicago Hornets assistant, then spent the next year in the same role with the original Baltimore Colts.

In 1951, he was hired as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles under Bo McMillin, but when McMillin was diagnosed with stomach cancer, Millner was elevated to head coach. He spent just one year in that role before resigning prior to the start of the 1952 NFL season, citing health problems. However, just 17 days after his decision, he accepted an assistant coaching position with the Redskins.

Millner stayed as an assistant until 1957, when he accepted an assistant coaching position at Hardin-Simmons University, working under his old cohort, Baugh. After just one season, Millner resigned the post and worked as a car salesman until returning to the Redskins as a scout in 1963, the same year he suffered his first heart attack.

[edit] Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 1968, Millner was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming only the third Notre Dame player (to that point) to earn the honor. A touching moment took place during the induction ceremonies, when the large crowd there to cheer for former teammate Cliff Battles, also chose to give Millner a huge ovation. Millner had only been accompanied by his wife, Sara.

[edit] Returning as a coach

Millner returned to coaching one final time when he served one year as an assistant with the World Football League's Florida Blazers under former Redskin Jack Pardee in 1974. Originally, the team was scheduled to begin play as the Virginia Ambassadors before financial considerations forced the move.

[edit] Death

Millner died of a heart attack in 1976, with the entire Redskins organization attending his funeral.


[edit] External links


Philadelphia Eagles Head Coaches
Wray • Bell • Neale • McMillin • Millner • Trimble • Devore • Shaw • Skorich • Kuharich • Williams • Khayat • McCormack • Vermeil • Campbell • Ryan • Kotite • Rhodes • Reid
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