Ward Cuff

Last updated

Ward Cuff
Ward Cuff.jpg
No. 14, 21
Position: Halfback
Placekicker
Personal information
Born:(1913-08-12)August 12, 1913
Redwood Falls, Minnesota, U.S.
Died:December 24, 2002(2002-12-24) (aged 89)
Vallejo, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school: Redwood Falls
College: Marquette
NFL draft: 1937: 4th round, 34th pick
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:1,851
Rushing average:5.4
Receptions:106
Receiving yards:1,559
Total touchdowns:21
Interceptions:13
Field goals:43/98 (43.9%)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ward Lloyd Cuff (August 12, 1913 – December 24, 2002) was an American professional football player who was a halfback and placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers. He played college football at Marquette University and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1937 NFL draft. [1]

Contents

As a fullback at Marquette, Cuff played in the first Cotton Bowl game, in 1937, losing to TCU. He was also Marquette's heavyweight boxing champion and held the school record in the javelin throw. Cuff played for the Giants from 1937 to 1945, won the NFL championship in 1938, and became the team's career scoring leader with 319 points before being traded to the Cardinals. He played one season with the Cardinals and one with the Packers. He led the NFL in field goals made four times. After his NFL career, Cuff coached high school football in Green Bay, was an assistant coach for the Oregon State Beavers football team, and later worked for The Boeing Company. [2]

His number 14 was retired by the Giants, although owner Wellington Mara gave Y. A. Tittle permission to wear it during his time with the Giants from 1961 to 1964. It was retired again in honor of both players. [3]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the NFL Championship
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
1937 NYG 1194328.02511723.42
1938 NYG 111118382.10811414.31
1939 NYG 98231024.4010838.32
1940 NYG 8815865.711322016.91
1941 NYG 1110281575.601931716.72
1942 NYG 1110381895.001626716.72
1943 NYG 1010805236.537527.40
1944 NYG 109764255.601113512.32
1945 NYG 95482144.501217214.30
1946 CRD 10713786.0158216.41
1947 GNB 100177.00000.00
110873441,8515.471061,55914.713

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
1938 NYG 112-12-6.00000.00
1939 NYG 11372.30144.00
1941 NYG 11300.0024221.00
1943 NYG 119232.6024623.00
1944 NYG 1112554.6122512.50
5529732.51711716.70

References

  1. "1937 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  2. Goldstein, Richard (January 13, 2003). "Ward Cuff, 90, Ex-Giants Back Who Was an All-Pro in the 40s". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  3. "New York Giants Retired Jersey Numbers". Big Blue Interactive. September 20, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2016.