In a previous article I took a look at some of the historical football players that came out of the Derby City including Abraham “Honest Abe” Addams and Chase Boldt. Today, I continue that look, dusting off the local sports history books.
Bernard “Bernie” Crimmins played his high school football at St.X before going to historical football powerhouse, Notre Dame. A strong offensive linemen Crimmins talents leant themselves so well to the new sport that he went pro in 1945 donning the jersey of the Green Bay Packers. While with the Pack Crimmins was coached by football legend Earl “Curly” Lambeau who had founded the team just years prior to Crimmins’ arrival.
Meanwhile, another lineman Fred Davis was already making a name for himself in the pros, initially with the University of Alabama, Davis went on to the Washington Redskins 1941; where he played until 1946 when he was traded to the Chicago Bears, where he stayed until 1951.
Another local athlete in the league in the 1940’s was quarterback Frederick “Fred” Enke, this Louisville native played his college pigskin at the University of Arizona prior to arriving in Detroit to play with the Lions in 1948. He stayed in Michigan until 1952 when he moved to play with the Philadelphia Eagles. After only a season though Enke made his way to play with the Baltimore Colts where he closed out his NFL career, officially retiring in 1954.
Years prior to that though, Salem Ford proved his own football chops playing the positions of quarterback and halfback. Ford first came to local attention while playing for his high school alma mater, Male. Following his time as a Bulldog he became a Cardinal playing with the University of Louisville. A Louisville athlete through nearly his entire career, Ford played with the NFL’s Louisville Brecks in 1922.
I still got some pages to turn in the history book; I’ll continue this series in my next Sports legend segment.
Image courtesy of http://legendsrevealed.com/
Outside Information from Database Football
