Leo Frank "Firpo" Draveling[1] (born June 23, 1907 – July 2, 1955)[2] was an American football player. He played for the Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1928–1930 and for the Cincinnati Reds of the NFL in 1933.
 | |
| Date of birth | June 23, 1907 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Port Huron, Michigan |
| Date of death | July 2, 1955 (aged 48) |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | End, Tackle |
| US college | Michigan |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1928–1930 | Michigan Wolverines |
| 1933 | Cincinnati Reds |
| Career stats | |
| |
Early years
editDraveling was born in Port Huron, Michigan in 1907. In 1925, he played on the Port Huron High School football team that was "undefeated and unscored upon."[3]
University of Michigan
editDraveling enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1927 and played football for the Wolverines football teams of 1928, 1929 and 1930. As a sophomore in 1928, Draveling started seven games as Michigan's right end.[4] Draveling played a key role in the 1928 Michigan-Ohio State game. He put the Wolverines in the lead 7-6 when he recovered a loose ball in the end zone. An Ohio State player allowed a punt to roll past him thinking it would reach the end zone for a touchback. The Ohio State player was blocked into the ball, and Draveling gained possession long enough for the officials to rule that he had scored a touchdown.[5]
In 1929, Draveling started eight games (seven at right end) for the Wolverines.[6] A newspaper feature story on the 1929 Wolverines said the following about Michigan's ends:
"One may search a long time before finding a pair of wingmen to match the ability of Captain Joe Truskowski of Detroit and Leo Draveling. They are six feet tall, weigh 200 pounds each, and play a smart game at the flanks. Each is a master at snagging passes. Truskowski also is a commendable ball-carrier, while Draveling is one of the team's best punters."[7]
As a senior in 1930, Michigan's coach Harry Kipke moved Draveling to the right tackle position.[8] Draveling was six feet, two inches tall, weighed 208 pounds at the start of the 1930 football season and was "looked upon as a likely all-American."[9] Due to injuries, Draveling started only four games for the undefeated (8-0-1) 1930 Michigan team that tied for the Big Ten Conference championship.[8] Despite limited playing time, Draveling was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten player by sports writer Hank Casserly,[10] and as a third-team All-Big Ten player by the United Press.[11]
Draveling also competed for Michigan as a collegiate wrestler in the heavyweight class. He participated in the second NCAA wrestling championship held at Columbus, Ohio in March 1929.[12] Draveling finished in top four in his weight class, losing a semi-final match to Fairall, Ohio State's best wrestler, in 8 minutes, 45 seconds.[13]
Professional football and later years
editAfter graduating from Michigan, Draveling played one year of professional football for the Cincinnati Reds; he played in nine NFL games for the Reds as a tackle.[14]
Draveling died in July 1955 at age 48.[15] In 2003, he was posthumously inducted into the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Leo Draveling profile". databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
- ^ Bentley Historical Library Necrology File.
- ^ a b Rick Jakacki (July 22, 2003). "'03 class covers major sports". The Times Herald (Port Huron, MI).
- ^ "1928 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- ^ Jack Park, The Official Ohio State Football Encyclopedia, p. 113
- ^ "1929 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- ^ "Kipke Grooms Strong Team At Michigan U.". Olean Times. October 18, 1929.
- ^ a b "1930 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- ^ "Michigan To Judge Team By Purdue Game". The Vidette-Messenger. September 24, 1930.
- ^ "Two Badgers on Casserly's Team: HERE IS AN ALL CONFERENCE TEAM WITHOUT A PEER!". The Capital Times. November 30, 1930.
- ^ "United Press All-Big Ten Selections". Oelwein Daily Register. November 24, 1930.
- ^ "2nd NCAA Wrestling Tournament" (PDF). wrestlingstats.com.
- ^ "BUCKEYE BRIEFS IN CONCISE FORM FROM OVER STATE: Twenty-Five Wrestlers for Finals in National Event at Ohio University". The Van Wert Daily Bulletin (INS wire service story). March 30, 1929.
- ^ "Leo Draveling profile". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
- ^ "Social Security Death Index". rootsweb.com.