The Galloping Ghost

The legendary Harold 'Red' Grange is credited with having been the stimulus that boosted the National Football League into a recognized professional entity. A stunning record with the University of Illinois, Grange is well-noted for the 1924 game against the University of Michigan when he scored four touchdowns, three within the first twelve minutes of the game, and ran for 402 yards on 21 carries. People packed the stadiums to watch the "Galloping Ghost," whose 20 collegiate games boasted stats that of his 31 touchdowns, 16 were from at least 20 yards, and nine more from beyond the 50 yard line! He ran 388 times for a total of2,071 yards, caught 14 passes for 253 yards, and he completed 40 of 82 passes for 575 yards. Red Grange caught the attention of George Halas, owner-coach and player for the Chicago Bears, who quickly signed Grange just after the 1925 close of the U of I season hoping that Grange's crowd-pleasing stats would give the Bears and all of pro football a "gate attraction." Without delay, Red was suited up in a No. 77 Bears' uniform for the 1925 Thanksgiving Day, intra-city game against the Chicago Cardinals at Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field). Ticket sales soared to 36,000, giving rise to the credibility to "pay for play" professional sports. Red Grange was named All American three times during his halfback days at U of I, and is also amongst the National Football Hall of Famers.