Walter Richmond Heap Jr. (September 18, 1921 – May 20, 1989) was an American football player who played at the quarterback position on both offense and defensive. He played college football for Texas and professional football for the Los Angeles Dons.
 Walt Heap, 1946 | |||||
| No. 73 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Quarterback | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | September 18, 1921 Taylor, Texas | ||||
| Died: | May 20, 1989 (aged 67) Dallas, Texas | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Taylor (TX) | ||||
| College: | Texas | ||||
| NFL draft: | 1947 / round: 2 / pick: 13 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Early years
editHeap was born in 1921 in Taylor, Texas. He attended and played football at Taylor High School.[1]
Military and college football
editHe played college football for the University of Texas Longhorns in 1940, 1941, and 1946.[1]
His career was interrupted by service in the amphibious force of the United States Coast Guard during World War II. He served on LSTs in eight amphibious invasions in the Pacific theater of operations. Based on his outstanding battle record, he was chosen as a special honor guard for President Harry S. Truman at his June 1945 speech before the United Nations in San Francisco.[2][3]
Professional football
editHeap was selected by the Boston Yanks in the second round (13th overall pick) of the 1947 NFL draft and by the Los Angeles Dons in the 10th round (77th overall pick) of the 1947 AAFC Draft. He played with the Dons during their 1947 and 1948 seasons.[4][1][5]
Family and later years
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Walt Heap". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Former Longhorn Heap Helped Guard President". The Austin American. June 27, 1945. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Walter Heap Jr. Again In Position He Knows Best – Football Halfback, Revealed In News-story Sent Home by Lt. McConchie". The Taylor Daily Press. November 28, 1944. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Walt Heap States". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Top O' The Morn". The Austin American. December 15, 1948. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.