Professional Football Pioneer. During his four-year college career at Yale University, he was a guard on the first ever All-American team in 1889, and named to the team again in 1890 and 1891. There were no limits on eligibility at that time and a campaign was led to get him to play a fifth season but he chose to play for the Chicago Pro Athletic Association instead. On November 12, 1892, Heffelfinger played a game for the Duquesne Athletic Club of Pittsburgh and was paid $500. This was the first time a player was known to be given money to play a game. He forced a fumble, picked up the ball, and ran 35 yards for the only touchdown as Duquesne beat the Allegheny Athletic Association. Thus pro football made its debut, athletic clubs began sponsored football team competition for profit, with he and other AAA players, receiving $50 to $500 a game. In 1893, he coached the University of California and launched a business career. He wrote and published an annual booklet, " Pudge Heffelfinger's Football Facts." In 1916, at age 49, he scrimmaged against the Yale varsity and in 1920, at age 53, he played 50 minutes for the East All-Stars against the Ohio State All-Stars at Columbus, Ohio. In 1930, age 63, he made his final appearance in a football uniform in an all-star game at Minneapolis. He also produced the first sports quiz show on radio and the first spy show, "Secret Agent K-7." He was inducted as a charter member of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and recognition in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1963.
Professional Football Pioneer. During his four-year college career at Yale University, he was a guard on the first ever All-American team in 1889, and named to the team again in 1890 and 1891. There were no limits on eligibility at that time and a campaign was led to get him to play a fifth season but he chose to play for the Chicago Pro Athletic Association instead. On November 12, 1892, Heffelfinger played a game for the Duquesne Athletic Club of Pittsburgh and was paid $500. This was the first time a player was known to be given money to play a game. He forced a fumble, picked up the ball, and ran 35 yards for the only touchdown as Duquesne beat the Allegheny Athletic Association. Thus pro football made its debut, athletic clubs began sponsored football team competition for profit, with he and other AAA players, receiving $50 to $500 a game. In 1893, he coached the University of California and launched a business career. He wrote and published an annual booklet, " Pudge Heffelfinger's Football Facts." In 1916, at age 49, he scrimmaged against the Yale varsity and in 1920, at age 53, he played 50 minutes for the East All-Stars against the Ohio State All-Stars at Columbus, Ohio. In 1930, age 63, he made his final appearance in a football uniform in an all-star game at Minneapolis. He also produced the first sports quiz show on radio and the first spy show, "Secret Agent K-7." He was inducted as a charter member of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and recognition in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1963.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Gravesite Details
h/o Grace Harriet Pierce Heffelfinger.
Family Members
Siblings
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Records on Ancestry
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