George Cafego (August 29, 1915 – February 9, 1998) was a college, and professional American football player and coach. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Born in rural Whipple, West Virginia, Cafego attended Oak Hill High School in nearby Oak Hill, West Virginia. He went to the University of Tennessee as a halfback under coach Robert Neyland. While there, he compiled 2,139 total yards and two All-American team selecti...
more
George Cafego (August 29, 1915 – February 9, 1998) was a college, and professional American football player and coach. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Born in rural Whipple, West Virginia, Cafego attended Oak Hill High School in nearby Oak Hill, West Virginia. He went to the University of Tennessee as a halfback under coach Robert Neyland. While there, he compiled 2,139 total yards and two All-American team selections. He was also a finalist for the Heisman Memorial Trophy. In addition to running and passing the ball, Cafego also served as punter and kickoff returner, excelling at both. At Tennessee his nickname was "Bad News".
Cafego was drafted as a number one overall pick in 1940 by the Brooklyn Dodgers. After playing one season, his career was interrupted by a brief stint of Army service in World War II. Returning to the Dodgers in 1943, he was traded to the Washington Redskins after five unspectacular games. For the 1944 and 1945 seasons, Cafego...
less
