Grenville Archer Lansdell, Jr. (July 16, 1918 – May 14, 1984)[4] was an American football halfback who played for the National Football League (NFL)'s New York Giants during the 1940 season.
 Lansdell in 1938 as a USC player | |||||||
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| Position: | Halfback | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | July 16, 1918 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada[1] | ||||||
| Died: | May 14, 1984 (aged 65) Long Beach, California, U.S.[2] | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| College: | USC | ||||||
| NFL draft: | 1940 / round: 1 / pick: 10 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Prior to his NFL career, Lansdell played college football at the University of Southern California (USC), filling multiple roles. His official position in college was quarterback, but he served as a running back, while also throwing passes and punting. The Daily Pilot described Lansdell as "one of the last of the truly great all-around triple-threat stars in college football history".[5] In addition, Lansdell was a punt returner and played safety on defense.[5] Offensively, he led USC in passing yards from 1937 to 1939, and in rushing yards in 1938 and 1939; USC reached the Rose Bowl in both seasons.[6] The 1939 Trojans were recognized as national champions by the Dickinson System.[7]
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Lansdell appeared in USC's season opener in 1937 against Pacific as a replacement for an injured player, throwing for two touchdowns; later in the year, he had 117 yards rushing in a 12–12 tie with Oregon State. His 1938 performances included a punt return for a touchdown against Ohio State, a touchdown in a USC win over third-ranked California, and another punt return touchdown in a loss to Washington. In 1939, he ran for 101 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 20–12 USC win over Notre Dame, and one week later threw a game-winning touchdown pass against Washington. In the 1940 Rose Bowl, which concluded the Trojans' 1939 season, Lansdell contributed 51 rushing yards in a 14–0 victory over Tennessee.[8]
In the 1940 NFL draft, the Giants chose Lansdell with the tenth overall pick.[9] He played one season for the team, appearing in two games and rushing for nine yards in seven attempts; he also completed two passes in three attempts.[2] Lansdell's football career was interrupted in 1941, when he joined the U.S. Army.[10] During World War II, Lansdell was a pilot with the Army Air Corps. Lansdell did not return to football following the war; instead, he piloted flights for Trans World Airlines for more than 30 years.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Grenny Lansdell". National Football League. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Grenny Lansdell". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
- ^ "Power and Speed Feature Associated Press All-Coast Gridiron Selection This Season". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. December 2, 1938. p. 14. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia Second Edition. New York City: Sterling Publishing. 2007. p. 410. ISBN 978-1-4027-5250-6.
- ^ a b Hall, John (December 9, 1999). "Grenny Lansdell (page 1)". Daily Pilot. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
- ^ a b Hall, John (December 9, 1999). "Grenny Lansdell (page 2)". Daily Pilot. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
- ^ Wharton, David (October 12, 2004). "After 65 Years, Their Thundering Is Heard". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- ^ Shmelter, Richard J. (2014). The USC Trojans Football Encyclopedia. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 38–42. ISBN 978-1-4766-1511-0.
- ^ "1940 NFL Draft". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "Grenny Lansdell to Carry a Rifle on Uncle Sam's Team". Berkeley Daily Gazette. United Press. January 28, 1941. p. 10. Retrieved October 26, 2011.