Weldon Humble

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Weldon Humble (April 24, 1921 - April 14, 1998) was an American football offensive linemen who was named to the College Football Hall of Fame, in addition to receiving a distinguished military honor. He was born Nixon, TX and attended Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, Texas.

His football career began at Rice University in 1940, where he earned All-Southwest Conference honors in 1942. A year later, he was a star player for one season on the undefeated 1943-1944 football team for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then called the Southwestern Louisiana Institute. His college years were interrupted when he served in the U.S. Marines during World War II. When he returned to Rice in 1946, he lettered in football and track and field, became a consensus first-team All-American guard while a captain of the Southwest Conference co-champion team, and led Rice to victory over Tennessee in the 1947 Orange Bowl game.

Joining the AAFC later in 1947, Humble played on four title teams for the Cleveland Browns. In 1948 he played in a professional All-Star game in Los Angeles. In the middle of his professional football career, Humble was recalled in 1950 to serve active duty during the Korean War. He returned from the war to play the one season for the Dallas Texans (NFL) in 1952.

After his career on the football field ended, he became vice-president of a large office supply firm. He maintained an affiliation with his Texas alma mater, serving as head of the Rice Quarterback Club. He also became chairman of the selection board for the Bluebonnet Bowl.

[edit] Awards and honors

Awarded the Bronze Star Medal for combat service in Okinawa and Saipan during World War II.
Named to the College Football Hall of Fame (1961).
Named to the 50th anniversary All-Time Southwest Conference team (for the years of 1919-1968).
Named to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (1969).
Named to the South Texas Football Hall of Fame (1969).
Named to the Rice University Athletics Hall of Fame (1970).
One of a few Rice Owls to be named George Martin Award MVP winner twice, in 1942 and 1946 (before and after his wartime duty}.