Grenny Lansdell
American football player (1918–1984)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grenville Archer Lansdell, Jr. (July 16, 1918 – May 14, 1984)[3] was an American football halfback who played for the National Football League (NFL)'s New York Giants during the 1940 season.
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Long Beach, California, U.S.[1]
Lansdell in 1938 as a USC player | |||||||
| No. 22 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Halfback | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | July 16, 1918 Great Barrington, Massachusetts | ||||||
| Died | May 14, 1984 (aged 65) Long Beach, California, U.S.[1] | ||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Pasadena (Pasadena, California, U.S.)[1] | ||||||
| College | USC | ||||||
| NFL draft | 1940: 1st round, 10th overall pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||
| 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".[4] In addition, Lansdell was a punt returner and played safety on defense.[4] 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.[5] The 1939 Trojans were recognized as national champions by the Dickinson System.[6]
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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.[7]
In the 1940 NFL draft, the Giants chose Lansdell with the tenth overall pick.[8] 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.[1] Lansdell's football career was interrupted in 1941, when he joined the U.S. Army.[9] 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.[5]