by Jim Ridgeway

George McAfee takes a handoff from Sid Luckman (1947).

Ironton, a small city in Southern Ohio, is known throughout the state for its high school football program. Coach Bob Lutz, head coach at Ironton High School since 1972, has won more football games than any coach in Ohio high school history. Ironton High School has been a regular in the state football playoffs since the tournament’s inception in 1972, with the school winning state titles in 1979 and 1989.

Long before the hiring of Bob Lutz and the outstanding title teams of 1979 and 1989, Ironton High School fielded what might have been the greatest gridiron squad in school history. This nearly-forgotten Tiger squad was coached by a man who would become an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns, general manager of the Buffalo Bills and the second director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The squad featured three brothers, two of which would become NFL players, in its starting eleven. One of the brothers would earn All-Ohio, All-American and All-Pro honors before his enshrinement in Canton, Ohio.

This story is a tribute to the greatest player in Ironton High School football history, his family, his high school coach and the 1935 Ironton High School gridiron squad. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the undefeated and untied Ironton High School football team featuring three players with the last name of McAfee. It was Ironton High School’s first perfect football season, and the school would not see another such gridiron season until 1978.

Ironton was an industrial boomtown in the 1920s. Before the decade ended, the city’s population exceeded 16,000. The arrival of one couple from Kentucky proved pivotal to the growth of Ironton football.

Clarence Potter McAfee, from the McAfee family out of Pineville, Kentucky, married Mary Lida Archer on March 6, 1900 in Danville, Kentucky. The couple called Danville home until they moved to Ironton in 1921. Mr. McAfee joined the staff of the nearby Russell (KY) YMCA in 1922 and served as that organization’s assistant secretary.

Opening in 1922, the historic Ironton-Russell Bridge was the first highway bridge to span the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Wheeling, WV. The area was so prosperous that construction was locally funded. Bridge was privately operated and tolls were charged to compensate investors. A wooden bridge deck handled traffic for many years. The McAfee family lived in Ironton, Ohio (right side of photo). C.P. McAfee worked at the YMCA in Russell, KY (left side of photo). (Photo by Jim Ridgeway) Clarence and Mary McAfee were parents to twelve children. The McAfee’s first child, Dorothy May, was followed by the birth of James Paul, Clarence Shannon, Perna Buckner, Elbert Archer, John Nichols, William Marion, Mary Ella, Clellan Bertram, George Anderson, Wesley Taylor and Jack Allen.

(L) The house where George McAfee was reared as it looks today. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway) (R) C.P. McAfee worked at the Russell YMCA. By 1927, it had become Kentucky’s largest railroad YMCA serving railroad workers and the general community. A larger facility was constructed in 1948 at a cost in excess of $1,000,000 to replace the Victorian structure. The Russell YMCA ceased operations in 1989.

George McAfee grew up in a two-story house located just blocks from Ironton’s Beechwood Stadium (now called Tanks Memorial Stadium) and was attracted to the sounds of football. Besides watching high school football games, McAfee could also catch a glimpse of the Ironton Tanks playing professional football.

At a McAfee family reunion held in 1978 at Brooksville, Florida, George McAfee told Jim Selman of the Tampa Tribune Times his earliest memory of watching professional football as a child growing up in Ironton. Without money for admission, George McAfee and his father climbed a tree to watch the Ironton Tanks in action. Cold weather eventually forced George’s father to head for the comfort of home, but George stayed to watch the game and became a huge fan of the hometown Tanks.

Beechwood Stadium now called Tanks Memorial Stadium, as it looked in 1928.

When asked in 2003 about the Ironton Tanks, McAfee responded, “They were a great football team. I had to sneak over the fence to see them play.”

Glenn Presnell, a former All-American at Nebraska, was the Tanks star player. Behind the play of Presnell, the Ironton Tanks defeated three NFL teams in 1930. Presnell was George McAfee’s childhood hero, and later in life the two men became close friends.

In a 1984 interview with Bob Barnett and Bob Carroll, George McAfee was candid with his opinion on his childhood football hero that went on to become an All-Pro in the NFL.

“I still can’t understand why Glenn Presnell is not in the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame.”

Glenn Presnell, science teacher at Ironton High School in 1928 and gridiron player for the Ironton Tanks. Presnell was George McAfee’s childhood football hero.

George McAfee also had his older brother, John, to look up to. John McAfee was a star athlete at Ironton High School. John McAfee announced on December 1, 1930 he was going to Notre Dame to play for Knute Rockne. Just days later, rumors hit the press about Rockne planning to retire from Notre Dame. When Rockne officially retired in February of 1931, John changed his mind and joined the football team at Ohio State University for the 1931 season. John McAfee lettered in football for the Buckeyes in 1933 and 1934.

George McAfee entered Ironton High School in 1932. The 1936 Ironton High yearbook listed McAfee as a participant in basketball (2, 3, 4), football (2, 3, 4), track (2, 3, 4), and baseball (3). George was also a member of the ‘I’ lettermen club (2, 3, 4).

Ironton High School had an indoor swimming pool. George McAfee signed up for interclass swimming his junior year. It was great preparation for George’s future military service.

George McAfee was a popular student at Ironton High School. The student body elected George president of the junior class. The 1936 Ironton High School yearbook recorded why the junior class picked George.

“When with all the trials and tribulations as a junior we needed a man with broad shoulders, so we elected no other than our football hero, George McAfee as president.”

As a junior, George McAfee quarterbacked the football team. George’s brothers, Clellan and Wes, also lettered in 1934.

At the Ironton football banquet held on December 13, 1934, the team’s center, Chester Spicer, was named Most Valuable Player. Coach Dick Gallagher announced that the team’s choice for 1935 captain was George McAfee. According to the Ironton Tribune reporter, the announcement drew a “rousing cheer by teammates.”

George McAfee’s older brother, John, was a virtual Mr. Ironton High School. He was an outstanding athlete and a popular student. He served as junior class president. By the time George entered Ironton High School, John was arguably the greatest and most famous athlete in school history. John excelled in football and baseball at Ohio State University.

George McAfee’s junior year saw Ironton High School defeat the most glamorized basketball squad in the state. George and his younger brother, Wes, played key roles in possibly the greatest upset in Ironton basketball history.

This photo depicts the 1935 - 1936 Ironton High basketball squad. George McAfee was known for his proficiency with the hook shot.

The legendary Waterloo Wonders won Ohio Class B (small school division) state titles in 1934 and 1935. The Wonders played nearly 100 games in those two seasons. Despite taking on schools much larger and playing most of its games on the road, the Wonders lost only three games in that two-season stretch. The Wonders were so talented that Adolph Rupp expressed interest in recruiting the whole Waterloo team to the University of Kentucky.

The Waterloo Wonders have a floodwall mural in Ironton honoring their basketball achievements. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

The Tigers played the Wonders twice during the 1934 – 1935 basketball season. On February 2, 1935, more than 700 fans filled the Ironton High gym for the first meeting between the schools.

Ironton lost to Waterloo by the score of 28 to 25. George McAfee scored four points for the Tigers. Wes McAfee added another two points.

The score was tied at 25 with three minutes to go before Waterloo edged ahead. Coach Magellan Hairston, Waterloo head coach, praised the Tigers on the effort. The Ironton Tribune quoted Hairston as calling Ironton the “fightingest team I ever saw.”

The Wonders entered the game on February 21, 1935 with only two losses in 87 contests. Over 1,200 fans packed the Ironton High gymnasium to see the famed Waterloo Wonders in action. After filling all the seats, fans lined the court two-deep on the sidelines and five-to-ten deep on the end lines. At that point in time, it was the largest crowd to ever see an Ironton High basketball game. The gate was in the $500 range which was equally divided by the two Lawrence County schools.

George and Wes McAfee started for Ironton. George played the entire game at one forward spot. Wes played guard until removed on fouls late in the game.

Ironton got off to a strong start in the game and held a 6 to 3 edge after one period of play. The Wonders outscored Ironton 6 to 2 in the next period and went to the intermission with a 9 to 8 edge.

Over 1,200 fans filled this small basketball gym in 1935 to watch the Ironton Tigers defeat the visiting Waterloo Wonders. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway) The third period of play saw Waterloo on top by a score of 17 to 14. A bucket by George McAfee tied the score at 18 to 18 in the final period. Ironton went on to win by a score of 23 to 18.

After the game, Ironton fans swarmed the court and lifted Coach Dick Gallagher and the players on top of their shoulders. Ironton became just the third team in two years to down Waterloo.

The front page of the Ironton News on February 22, 1935 proclaimed, “Tigers sensational in 23 to 18 victory over renowned basketball foe.” Coach Dick Gallagher told the Ironton News after the win, “I’m happy, mighty happy, and I’m mighty proud of the boys. I’ve waited a long time for this, and now for the boys to spring it as Waterloo was riding high, surely realized my fondest dreams.”

Coach Magellan Hairston refused to discuss the game with the reporter from the Ironton News. Hairston only said, “You saw it out there.” Hairston objected to the way the game was called by referee, Eddie Blickle. A reporter for the Ironton Tribune overheard Hairston arguing with Blickle after the game. Hairston told Blickle that the “game was entirely too rough” and “more like football.” Blickle yelled back, “Your boys were missing lots of their shots.”

While many Ironton fans continued to celebrate the win, other fans reportedly argued out the game results with fisticuffs over on the corner of 6th Street and Oak.

The Box Score Ironton ------FG FT TP PF Henry (F) ------1 1 3 2 G. McAfee (F) ------1 1 3 0 Rice (C) ------5 0 10 3 Triplett (G) ------2 1 5 2 W. McAfee (G) ------0 2 2 4 Grounds (G) ------0 0 0 0 ______TOTALS 9 5 23 11

Waterloo ------FG FT TP PF W. Roberts (F) ------1 0 2 1 Drummond (F) ------0 3 3 1 O. Roberts (C) ------2 2 6 1 McMahon (G) ------2 3 7 2 Griffith (G) ------0 0 0 0 Brumfield (G) ------0 0 0 0 Wiseman (G) ------0 0 0 3 ______TOTALS 5 8 18 8

SCORE BY PERIODS Ironton ------6 2 6 9 ------23 Waterloo ------3 6 8 1 ------18 Referee, Eddie Blickle (Ohio Wesleyan)

During the summer of 1935, George McAfee and his brothers played fast-pitch softball. The city championship game was played the evening of August 28, 1935 at Beechwood. The game featured teams sponsored by Mearan’s and Lavendar Grocers. John McAfee played first base for Mearan’s. Wes McAfee played centerfield for Lavendar. George McAfee was the Lavendar first baseman.

It was a memorable contest with Mearan’s winning by the score of 6 to 4. The leading hitters for each team were John McAfee and George McAfee. John McAfee went 2 for 4 with a homerun. George McAfee was 3 for 4 with a homerun.

Nearly daily during the fall of 1935, the front page of the Ironton Tribune featured news about the Italians attacking the villages of Ethiopia with tanks. It was a prelude to World War II.

Back home in Ironton, city council protested the decision to switch the location of the new county hospital away from the originally proposed Cronacher Hill site. Instead of using the free property on the hill, the hospital committee selected a site near South 9th Street and Kemp.

In the middle of the Great Depression, the school board was asking voters to support a bond levy to replace two elementary buildings over fifty years old. The district called West Ironton and Campbell dangerous fire traps. West Ironton School still had outside toilets.

Memorial Hall hosted the 44th gathering of Civil War veterans. The Underselling Store at 2nd Street and Center was selling ladies silk dresses starting at $1.98 and men’s sweaters for 98 cents. Bartram’s Barber Shop offered haircuts for 25 cents. South Side Theater featured “Nell Gwyn” with Anna Neagle and Cedric Hardwicke. On the local political front, Dustin ‘Ducky’ Corn was running for city council.

The 1935 Ironton gridiron season started on September 2. Players reported to the stadium at 8:30 a.m. in order to be issued equipment. After practice opened, the Tigers practiced twice daily until school started on September 9. The morning session focused on the fundamentals of football. Offense tactics were taught in the afternoon practice.

Ironton High School.

George McAfee recalled that 1935 Tiger gridiron squad in a 2003 interview.

“We had a good football team. We really did. I lived over on 9th Street, not too far from the high school.” The Fighting Tigers coach was 1927 Ironton High alumnus, Dick Gallagher. Dick was a star in football, basketball and baseball for the Fighting Tigers. Dick’s athleticism earned him a scholarship to Kentucky Wesleyan where he excelled in football for three years.

After college, Gallagher coached at Pedro High. Pedro was a small high school just a few miles north of Ironton. Gallagher quickly proved his coaching abilities by directing Pedro to two perfect seasons.

Dick Gallagher, head football coach at Ironton High.

Gallagher’s success at Pedro caught the attention of his alma mater. In 1933, Gallagher was named head football coach of the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

Harold Spears, a former Lawrence County judge and a 1937 graduate of Ironton High School, lauded Coach Dick Gallagher.

“Dick was a very good coach. He got along with everybody. I don’t remember him saying a bad word about anybody.”

Coach Dick Gallagher traveled to Columbus in the summer of 1935 in order to study athletics under coaches such as Francis Schmidt of Ohio State. Schmidt accepted the head football position at Ohio State in 1934 and directed the squad to a 7 – 1 record. Schmidt was noted for directing a razzle-dazzle, high-scoring offense. Schmidt’s teams were also known for trick plays featuring multiple laterals.

Gallagher incorporated some of Schmidt’s gadgetry into the Tiger offense. The Ironton Tribune reported seeing the Tiger backs practicing plays with forward and lateral passes, with as many as three or four passes to a play.

While some high schools utilized the short punt formation glorified by Fielding Yost at Michigan, the 1935 Ironton Tigers employed the double wing back popularized by Pop Warner as its basic formation.

Sereno Shafer, assistant football coach at Ironton High. Shafer was a line coach at Marshall College (now Marshall University) before joining the Ironton High staff.

Prior to the Fighting Tigers opener, the team held a Wednesday night practice under the lights. The fans that turned out to get a sneak preview of the 1935 Tigers were impressed with Coach Gallagher’s squad.

Harold Spears was a junior at Ironton High School in 1935. Spears probably saw every Ironton game during that memorable gridiron season.

“Everybody was excited about the Tigers. They blocked and tackled well. They were a very successful team.” The final touches of the new football season involved cleaning the stadium thoroughly and repairing damaged stadium flooring. According to the Ironton Tribune, the playing field at Beechwood was in excellent shape, and sported a full crop of grass for the 8 p.m. season kickoff against Glouster from Athens County.

After losing its opener to Marietta, Glouster traveled to Ironton to take on the Tigers. For the first time ever, Ironton football fans were ushered to their seats by local scout troops.

Fans arriving early were treated to a preliminary tag game between West Ironton and Lawrence Street. West Ironton defeated its grade school rival as the crowd of 1,500 filled the stadium for the main event.

The Tigers destroyed the visitors by a score of 40 – 0. After scoring only 7 points in the first quarter, Ironton put twenty points on the board in the second quarter. The game was so one-sided that Coach Gallagher played his entire team.

Ironton scored late in the first quarter on a short run by Collins. The second quarter saw touchdowns by Clyde Butler, John Shaffer and Hobe Royal. Royal’s touchdown came off a nice pass by George McAfee. The Tigers held a comfortable 27 to 0 advantage at halftime.

The second half saw Glouster trying to throw the football against the Tigers. George McAfee quickly picked off a pass and took it back for a touchdown. In the final quarter, Charles Harrell intercepted a Glouster pass for the Tiger’s final touchdown.

Pictured are three members of Ironton's starting eleven in 1935. After the Tigers first win of the season, the school board approved the construction of a seven-man charging sled at a cost not to exceed ten dollars. Harold Shafer, an Ironton High faculty member, built the sled for the Tigers gridiron squad.

The school district also announced that arrangements were made by the Parent Teacher Associations of the various elementary schools to provide jerseys in the colors of each elementary with numbers and the school name placed on the jerseys. It was hoped that the grade school kids would receive their jerseys at the Russell game.

Russell made the short trip across the Ohio River for an 8:30 p.m. contest at Beechwood Stadium. A preliminary touch-football game between two Ironton grade schools resulted in Campbell defeating Kingsbury 18 to 0.

Garland Collins got the scoring started for Ironton with a one-yard touchdown run. The Tigers second score came on a beautiful off- tackle run by Hobe Royal. George McAfee’s kick made the score 13 to 0 at the end of one quarter. Collins bulled in from three yards to give the Tigers a 19 - 0 halftime advantage.

The third quarter featured a 19-yard touchdown pass from Collins to George McAfee. Later in the quarter, Ironton blocked a punt and Clellan McAfee recovered it on the Russell 19-yard line. Collins punched the football in from the nine-yard line for the score. George McAfee booted the point after, and Ironton led by the score of 33 to 0.

Coach Lloyd Patterson’ squad scored its only touchdown in the third quarter. Ironton got the points right back on the ensuing Russell kickoff. George McAfee caught the kickoff and waited for his interference to form as he raced 85 yards for a touchdown to give Ironton a 40 – 6 advantage after three quarters.

Taking a direct snap from center in the final period, Hobe Royal ran 29 yards for another Ironton touchdown. Russell crossed the bridge back to Kentucky with a 47 – 6 loss.

THE LINEUPS

Probable Starters

IRONTON RUSSELL

No. Wgt. No. Wgt. 30- Stanley Lynd 149 ENDS 75- Woodrow Anderson 132 28- John Shafer 151 89- Paul Estes 148

34- Charles Herrell 149 TACKLES 88- Alton Workman 153 33- Clellan McAfee 168 91- Ben Ramsey 180

22- Carl Rose 163 GUARDS 77- Dick Sweet 145 35- Richard Pleasant 148 76- George Hoflich 148

23- W. McAfee 140 CENTERS 85- Herman Bess 145

26- Glen Barber 125 HALFBACKS 86- Lyle Havens 144 25- Hobe Royal 132 78- Walter Ratliff 140

41- Garland Collins 166 FULLBACK 82- Bruce Stultz 152

13- “Lefty” McAfee 154 QUARTERBACK 70- Albert Miller 128

SUBSTITUTES

P W P W

24- Clyde Butler B 138 71- Bill Stringer B 132 27- Millard Tennant E 150 72- Paul Duncan B 140 29- Arno Keyes C 135 73- Jack Chattin G 145 32- Stanley Roseberry G 135 74- James Melvin C 128 36- Irvin Stern G 151 80- Willie McLaughlin E 153 37- Bob Henry E 125 81- Cara Brown T 173 38- Carl Terry B 184 83- Bill Franz B 150 39- John Hamilton B 152 84- R. L. Purcell T 155 40- Paul Grubb B 135 87- John Artis G 138 42- Charles Keyes T 195 79- Elwood Berkeley B 145 43- Ambrose Livesay T 178 90- Ralph Brown E 151

COACHES COACHES

Dick Gallagher, Head Coach: Ky. Wes. Lloyd Patterson, Head Coach: Union Sereno Shafer, Assistant: Ohio U.

OFFICIALS

Referee- Hol Slutz, Butler Umpire- Tom Dandelet, Valparaiso Head Linesman- Dr. L. A. Winters, Ohio W.

Game Time: 8:30 p.m., 12 min. quarters.

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Pictured are two members of Ironton's starting eleven in 1935. The Columbus East High Bengals traveled to Ironton for an 8 p.m. contest. Columbus East was city champions for three years and was expecting another such season.

Columbus East was paid $200 for making the trip down. The team was also provided lodging at the Marting in downtown Ironton. While Columbus writers were divided on which team would prevail, Frank Colley of the Columbus Dispatch gave the edge to East. Colley noted that McAfee was one of the best backs in Ohio football, and Royal was a back to watch.

Before a crowd of 2,500, Ironton handed Columbus East a 19 to 6 loss. Ironton utilized only eleven players in the game. The game was mostly played in East territory.

Wes McAfee intercepted a pass in the first quarter to end an East drive. In the second quarter, Hobe Royal drew first blood on a double reverse as he slid off tackle for nine yards and the game’s first touchdown. Ironton held a 6 to 0 lead at the half.

Pictured are three members of Ironton High's starting eleven in 1935.

“Hobe (Royal) was fast and speedy,” said Harold Spears.

Columbus East tied the game in the third quarter on a 70-yard run. Five Ironton tacklers had a shot at the East running back but missed. The extra point kick was blocked.

The game was tied going into the final quarter. The Tigers took a 12 - 6 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by Garland Collins.

Leading 12 – 6, the Ironton defense took over the game. The East quarterback was dumped for a 5-yard loss trying to avoid Wes McAfee and Stanley Lynd. Collins then picked off a pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. George McAfee booted the point after to give the Tigers a 19 – 6 lead.

The game ended with the Tigers on the East 25-yard line and threatening to tack on more points.

The Ironton Tribune reported that Ironton High accomplished “what some Columbus ‘downtown coaches’ said couldn’t be done.” After the win over Columbus East, the city got behind its team. Modern Food Market, located at 3rd Street and Adams, asked fans to stop by and check out a miniature model of Beechwood Stadium that the boys at the store constructed. The model depicted the field, stadium and light towers.

Ironton’s next contest was against Jackson at Beechwood Stadium. It was expected that Paul Grubb would start at quarterback as George McAfee was suffering from a Charlie horse. Unfortunately for Jackson, McAfee played and Jackson departed with a 46 – 0 loss.

Three members of Ironton's starting eleven in 1935 were named McAfee.

Ironton scored in the first two minutes of the game and never looked back. It took only six offensive plays for Glen Barber to score on a 4-yard run. George McAfee made the kick to make the score 7 – 0.

Ironton scored its third touchdown of the quarter when George McAfee connected with Stanley Lynd on a pass. After catching the pass, Lynd lateraled to Garland Collins for a 23-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 19 to 0 first quarter advantage.

George McAfee tossed a 46-yard touchdown pass to Clellan McAfee to start the second quarter. With the Tigers leading 25 – 0 in the second quarter, Coach Gallagher started making substitutions. Hobe Royal picked off a pass and returned it 40 yards for a third quarter touchdown. The Tigers held a 39 to 0 advantage entering the final quarter.

The highlight of the game was when Carl Rose shifted to a backfield position. Rose took the ball and ran over tackle for a 63-yard touchdown to close the scoring.

Following the Tigers big win against Jackson, the school board decided to spend $130 on equipment for a junior high team. The newly created squad was placed under the direction of former Tanks star, Harold Rolph.

It was thought that flag football for the grade school athletes and a junior high squad would pay future dividends for Ironton football.

The next game was against Wellston. T. Charlton ‘Shorty’ Davies, Wellston head coach and former Ironton Tanks legend, returned to his hometown to face his alma mater at Beechwood Stadium.

The business community showed its support by hanging Tiger flags in front of their stores. Prior to the game, students gathered at the high school and followed the band in a parade down Ironton streets.

The band played while the American flag and an orange and black flag representing Ironton High School were raised during the pre- game ceremony.

George McAfee and Hobe Royal had huge games in the Tigers 45 – 6 win. George McAfee scored the first Ironton touchdown with a 1-yard run. Royal later tossed a pass to McAfee for a touchdown of eleven yards. McAfee caught another pass from Royal and took it 22 yards for a score. McAfee also tossed a touchdown pass to Garland Collins for the Tigers final score.

On defense, Royal picked off a Wellston pass and took it 65 yards for a touchdown. McAfee also picked a pass off and took it back 32-yards to prevent a late final quarter score by Wellston.

‘Shorty’ Davies, Ironton Tanks.

Despite the passing of 75 years, Harold Spears easily recalled George McAfee’s playing days at Ironton High School.

“I remember George being able to run or throw. It was a fat football back then, and it was difficult to pass. Teams were penalized for two incomplete passes in a row.

George would often bring the ball back like he was going to pass it and then tuck and go. George also had a knack for finding the hole. He was a great open-field runner. I don’t remember him ever being hurt.”

Coach Gallagher substituted throughout the Wellston game as ‘Shorty’ Davies was on the other sideline.

In the sixth game of the year, the Tigers traveled to Dayton to play Dayton Steele. Blue Ribbon Bus, the company supplying bus service within the city limits, provided a bus for the 22 Tigers selected to make the trip. The team stayed at the Dayton YMCA. Ironton fans unable to make the trip had a chance to hear the game on 1310 radio. Marlowe Theatre and Grill sponsored the radio broadcast. Peter Burke and Charlie Krell were chosen to announce the game.

Ironton scored in the first quarter with a dazzling play. George McAfee passed to Stanley Lynd who lateraled the football to John Shafer. Shafer ran the football the final thirty yards for a touchdown.

Hobe Royal scored on a short touchdown run in the second quarter. Ironton built a 14 – 0 halftime lead.

Ironton played Steele even in the second half. George McAfee connected with Royal on a seven-yard touchdown pass in the third period. Dayton responded with its own third quarter touchdown. An interception by Garland Collins in the final quarter preserved the Tigers 20 – 6 road win which impressed the Dayton sports writers.

As usual, the biggest game on Ironton’s schedule was against nearby Portsmouth. Ironton High priced box seats for the big game at 65 cents. Regular seats and the bleachers sold for 50 cents. The game was sold out a week in advance.

Ironton brought in extra bleachers from Armco Field in Kentucky to accommodate the overflow crowd. Nick McMahon was placed in charge of erecting the extra 900 seats. Seating on the visiting side of the field now stretched from 25-yard to 25-yard line.

Since 1917, Ironton had won only four times and tied twice against the rival Portsmouth squad. Tiger fans were convinced that this was their year. Word on the street had Ironton fans interested in seeing the sold-out game offering up to $2 for good seats.

The Tigers wanted revenge for the 14 – 7 loss the previous year. The game was tied until Portsmouth scored a touchdown with less than one minute to play. The 1934 contest ended with George McAfee tossing an interception on the game’s final play.

Other than Wellston, every team Ironton faced had players outweighing Ironton’s starters. Columbus East and Jackson were roughly 15 pounds bigger per man. Portsmouth had a 10 pound weight advantage per man.

This newspaper clipping from 1935 is courtesy of Mark Childers.

A preview of the game published by the Portsmouth Daily Times emphasized that George McAfee must be stopped for Portsmouth to have a chance to win. The newspaper writer eloquently described what it was like for a coach to have a George McAfee on his team. “George (Lefty) McAfee is the answer to a coach’s prayer and does everything a football player should do in a perfect way and at the right time.”

At the close of the school day, Coach Dick Gallagher elected to keep the Ironton players together at the high school until game time. A ‘training table’ was set up in the Ironton cafeteria where an evening meal was served to the team. The coaches also used the extra time to review plays and game assignments.

Over 5,200 fans packed Beechwood to see the two rivals in action. It was the largest crowd at that time to ever see a football game at the complex.

This 1935 newspaper clipping is courtesy of Mark Childers. The game was such a heated rivalry that even the bands got into the battle. Portsmouth fielded what many considered the best band in the state. Portsmouth’s band hogged the field at halftime and even pushed Ironton’s band off the field while it was playing the alma mater. It was also reported that the Portsmouth drum major got in a shot on the Ironton drum major.

As for the game, Portsmouth never made a serious scoring threat all evening. Portsmouth only crossed midfield twice with the farthest advancement to the Ironton 45-yard line.

The game was a scoreless tie at the half. In the third period, George McAfee threw a bullet pass to Hobe Royal who took the football to the Portsmouth 19-yard line. Glen Barber scored on a five-yard touchdown run. Garland Collins kicked the extra point to make it 7 – 0 in favor of Ironton.

The final quarter was all Ironton. Collins punched it in from one-yard out for another Tiger touchdown. Carl Rose picked off a Portsmouth pass and took it fifty yards for another touchdown to give the Tigers a 21 to 0 victory.

Ironton’s cannon, a gift from Washington D.C. officials, boomed continuously in salute to the victorious Tigers.

A correspondent for the Portsmouth Times described the scene after the Tigers win.

“Following the victory over their feudal foes, players, students and fans plunged into an exultant celebration that lasted far late into the night and exceeded any staged here since peace was declared following World War way back in 1918.

Coach Dicky Gallagher used his material to good advantage. Smart, aggressive quarterbacking, savage offensive play by the backfield and line, and valiant defensive work by the entire Ironton team characterized the battle as the Trojans fought back gamely but futilely to stem the inevitable tide of defeat.

Coach Gallagher used only his 11 ‘iron men’ in the game and the light, shifty backs and hard-charging forward wall employed the Trojans pet type of attack, power plays to defeat the Trojans.

Well, the better team won.”

The reporter for the Portsmouth newspaper called Gallagher’s 1935 Tigers the “best team in Ironton High School history.”

Middleport, winners of 27 football games in a row, brought a strong team into Beechwood Stadium. The Yellow Jackets had not yielded a touchdown all season.

George McAfee opened the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Garland Collins booted the extra point to give the Tigers a 7 to 0 advantage. The Tigers scored again in the final quarter on a 4-yard run by Collins. George McAfee picked off his second Middleport pass of the night to seal the Tigers 13 to 0 win over the visitors from Meigs County.

Ironton’s final game was against the Newark Wildcats. The Licking County squad had a 7 – 2 record behind its 209-pound fullback, Jabbo Giles.

A scribe at the Newark Advocate wrote, “Ironton, according to Assistant Coach Hanshue, has everything. A running attack that sweeps all before it, hard plunging, plenty of drive, good defense, and a great passer and kicker in quarterback ‘Lefty’McAfee.”

It was senior night at Ironton High. The seniors were honored by the school, and every senior football player saw action against Newark.

These songs and cheers helped the 1935 Tigers go undefeated. The highlight of the pre-game festivities was the burning of the promissory note against the stadium. The promissory note had been standing against the school system since it took over the stadium from the Tanks stadium committee. The school once owed $3,000 on the promissory note. Gate revenue generated by the play of George McAfee and the 1935 Tigers provided the final $2,000 to wipe away the debt. The school also recognized the original stockholders in the stadium.

Hobe Royal found the goal line on a 10-yard run in the first quarter. The Tigers led 6 – 0 at the half.

The opening kickoff of the second half was one of the most exciting plays in the entire game. After fumbling the kickoff, Garland Collins tossed a lateral the width of the field to George McAfee. McAfee caught the football and advanced the ball out to the 25-yard line.

Harold Spears vividly recalled that exciting play.

“On a kickoff return, Collins fielded the ball on the far side of the field while George was stationed near the covered stadium. Collins then lateraled the ball across the field to George for a dandy play.”

Later in the third quarter, Newark punted from its own 7-yard line. Ironton blocked the punt, and Dick Pleasant jumped on the football. The next play saw Collins run the ball in for a touchdown. George McAfee booted the extra point.

Carl Rose intercepted a Newark pass in the final quarter to give the Tigers a 13 to 0 win.

A reporter at the Newark Advocate provided a brunt description of the game. “Newark presented but few threats during the game and was never within striking distance of the Tigers’ goal.”

Coach Dick Gallagher had considered earlier in the season adding a tenth game to the schedule against a county all-star team. However, most fans and sportswriters wanted to see Ironton take on the powerful team from nearby Ashland, Kentucky.

Both Ashland and Ironton had open dates on November 23. Both schools had football squads that had not tasted defeat in 1935.

Pete Minego, a writer for the Portsmouth Times, picked Ironton to defeat Ashland if the two schools ever met on the field.

Several weeks before Ironton‘s football season was completed, Coach Dick Gallagher spoke with Ashland head coach, Fayne Grone, about adding the football game to the 1935 schedule.

A gridiron clash between Ironton and Ashland would put hundreds of dollars into the athletic treasuries of the two schools. Sadly, the two schools had not played each other in years due to the Kentucky rule against colored athletes. The long-standing rule of not playing against Negro athletes remained a stumbling block. Gallagher stated that he was unwilling to abide by that rule. When Grone replied that he felt it was unwise to break this rule, all talk of a game between Ironton and Ashland ceased.

Coach Sereno Schafer, Coach Dick Gallagher and John Shafer go over a few things. The 1935 season marked the third time in five seasons that a team coached by Dick Gallagher had unbeaten teams. Pete Minego of the Portsmouth Times wrote his opinion regarding Portsmouth High’s arch rival.

“We’ve said it the last two years almost weekly that this Gallagher boy is a bunch of dynamite when it comes to coaching a football team and we don’t mean maybe. They may beat his elevens once in a while, but not consistently. And maybe you don’t think Ironton fans aren’t appreciating his good work.

We attended two games in Ironton and there is more honest-to-goodness enthusiasm there now than in the heyday of the famous Tanks. And while on this Lawrence County dissertation we’ll be awfully disappointed if Lefty McAfee isn’t placed at quarterback on the All High team in Ohio. He has earned it by a wide margin.”

The mythical Ohio high school football championship saw nine teams with perfect records eyeing the title. However, only six of these schools played heavy schedules. Sandusky, Massillon, Miamisburg, Hamilton, Steubenville and Ironton were in this group.

A newspaper report out of Columbus, Ohio stated that no Ohio grid championship would be awarded in 1935. Each of the undefeated high school squads was very good, but no team was clearly the best.

Reasonably thinking, Ironton was entitled to at least a share of the state championship. Ironton had defeated some outstanding football programs in strong fashion. On the season, Ironton scored 264 points and allowed its opponents only 24 points.

The 1936 yearbook for Ironton High School recorded a nice tribute to the 1935 squad.

“This year’s football team is undoubtedly the finest team that ever came from Ironton High School. They realized that this year was the time to ‘shoot the works’ so to speak. The team was composed of fast, smart, football-loving boys who opened the season with two objectives in mind; viz, beat Portsmouth and have an undefeated team. To say that the boys secured their objectives would be putting it mildly. They rode roughshod over all opposition. Every team they played fell before them by margins ranging from 13 to 45 points. We all know and agree that the boys rightfully earned the title of state champions!”

On December 5, the undefeated 1935 football team took its final curtain call at the team banquet. A great ovation from the 125 or more fans in attendance awaited the squad.

The high school cafeteria was properly decorated to host the event. Orange and black streamers dangling from the ceiling made a wall between the dining room and cafeteria. The pillars in the room featured huge pictures of Tigers with the school colors as background. School flags, recently offered to businesses to display during games, served as part of the decorations.

Ironton High School

Mr. C.P. McAfee, father of three members of the gridiron squad, opened the banquet by delivering the invocation. A dinner consisting of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and corn, celery, olives, fruit cocktail, rolls and coffee was served to the team and its supporters. Desert included orange-colored, brick ice cream with black football centers and cakes featuring orange icing with a black ‘I’. The meal was served by the home economics students of Ironton High.

Dick Gallagher, head coach, was the first speaker on the program. Coach Gallagher praised the boys for their loyalty to their coaches and captains. After presenting certificates of varsity letters, Gallagher joked that the blocks and tackles made this year would not count on next year’s work. Gallagher asked all the players that did not earn letters to stand. The audience recognized the substitutes with a big hand. Gallagher presented gold footballs to the eleven boys that participated in the game against rival Portsmouth. George McAfee, Wes McAfee, Clellan McAfee, Richard Pleasant, Carl Rose, Charles Herrell, Stanley Lynd, John Shafer, Hobe Royal, Glen Barber and Garland Collins received small gold footballs.

The captain of the 1935 squad, George McAfee, was introduced. McAfee had the honor of announcing the players’ choice for 1936 team captain. Before announcing the selection, McAfee thanked his teammates for their assistance and cooperation the past season. McAfee then announced that John Shafer would serve as the next captain of the Tigers. On behalf of the 1935 squad, McAfee presented the football used in the Tigers win against Portsmouth to Shafer.

Ironton lettermen selected a team most valuable man. Enoch ‘Red’ Allen, president of the Ironton High alumni, announced that there was a tie in the vote. Quarterback George ‘Lefty’ McAfee and fullback Garland Collins each earned a loving cup courtesy of the alumni.

Don Peden, head coach of Ohio University, was the principal speaker on the night. Peden stated that the friendships one makes while on the team is one of the most valuable things players get out of football, and that those friendships last forever. Peden emphasized that a boy failing to learn the lesson of cooperation on the football field will never learn it.

Coach Don Peden, Ohio University.

With the graduation of George McAfee, the quarterback duties for the 1936 season were turned over to Wes ‘Dubby’ McAfee.

Harold Spears graduated with Wes McAfee and recalled him being a talented and unselfish member of the 1935 football squad.

Hobe Royal (HB), Wes McAfee (QB), Carl Terry (FB) and Glenn Barber (HB) were starters in the 1936 Ironton backfield.

“Wes McAfee was a really good athlete and football player. He was somewhat in the shadow of George. He was willing to play center even though he was capable of playing in the backfield.”

Harold Spears photographed in 2009 (Photo by Jim Ridgeway) and 1937. Harold was a close friend with George McAfee.

George McAfee was also a key member of Coach Gallagher’s track team. At the district track meet held on May 16, 1936, McAfee was the shining star of the Ironton track team. He scored 24 of Ironton’s 57 points as the Tigers tied Portsmouth for second place behind the district champions from Marietta.

George McAfee placed first in four events and set two district records. He won the 120-yard high hurdles with a time of 16.1 seconds. His time was six tenths of a second faster than the previous district record.

George McAfee set another district record when he won the 200-yard low hurdles with a time of 22.8 seconds.

The pole vault was won by George McAfee. George cleared 10 feet and nine inches.

After clearing 5 feet and 8.25 inches, George McAfee won the high jump. George had gone higher earlier in the year (6 feet and 1 inch against Portsmouth at Beechwood Stadium, nearly breaking a state record), but he did not attempt so at the district due to a heel injury he sustained in the hurdle race.

Representing the senior class, George McAfee dominated an inter-class track meet at Ironton High School.

George ‘Lefty’ McAfee was listed as a star to watch at the state track championship in 1936.

By the end of his senior year, George McAfee had gathered media attention throughout Ohio. Bill Saypp, a Lima News sportswriter, wrote this about George McAfee in his column on May 28, 1936. The writer erroneously reported McAfee as a Portsmouth athlete.

George McAfee and Clellan McAfee were listed in the church bulletin at First Baptist Church in Ironton as 1936 high school graduates. Prior to the district meet at Athens, Coach Gallagher promised George McAfee that he would take him to Columbus, Ohio on May 23 to see the Big Ten track meet if George placed first in four events at the district. McAfee did just that and earned his trip to Columbus to see the Big Ten’s finest.

The Class A (big school division) state track meet was held in Columbus on May 30, 1936. George McAfee had a chance to showcase his athletic abilities against Ohio’s finest athletes from schools much larger than Ironton.

George McAfee placed second in the 120-yard high hurdles. McAfee also placed second in the 200-yard low hurdles. He was leading in both races until he tightened up and tipped a couple of hurdles.

George McAfee was also a member of the Ironton medley relay team. Carl Terry ran the 220, McAfee the 220, Hobe Royal the 440 and Charles Banks the 880. With a time of 3:34.3, Ironton won its heat. However, the Tigers finished third in the medley relay. The winning time was 3:31.

In the high jump, George McAfee finished tied for fifth place.

“George McAfee was a great athlete,” said Harold Spears. “You name it; he could do it.”

(left) George McAfee, 1936 Ironton High yearbook photo. (right) McAfee was offered a pro baseball tryout with the Reds in March 1936.

The 1936 yearbook at Ironton High School predicted the future for the members of the senior class. The yearbook recorded that “Lefty will be an internationally known football coach.” The yearbook staff was not far off with that prediction.

The United Press released the second-annual, All-Ohio football team on December 11, 1935. George McAfee was a 1935 second-team selection by a poll of coaches and sportswriters in the principal cities of the state.

Paul Brown, Massillon football coach and president of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association, released the OHSFCA 1935 All-Ohio football team on August 22, 1936. This story, which was printed in the Steubenville Herald Star on that date, listed Ironton’s George McAfee as the starting quarterback on the coaches’ All-Ohio football squad.

A January 13, 1947 article by Luther Emory of the Evening Independent described how the 1935 All-Ohio football team was actually selected and how George McAfee’s selection to the squad was viewed at the time.

The United Press carried a recruiting wrap-up article in September 1936 calling George McAfee, “the most coveted schoolboy athlete in the state.” College coaches had their eyes on the All-Ohio quarterback from Ironton. On February 15, 1936, George McAfee was one of thirty- one high school football stars that toured the Ohio State campus, attended a banquet in their honor, watched the wrestling match between Illinois and Ohio State, took a dip in the Buckeye swimming pool in the afternoon, had dinner at various fraternity houses and saw the basketball game between Indiana and Ohio State. Most of the boys, including George, indicated that they planned to play for Ohio State next season.

George McAfee recalled in a 2003 interview his recruitment by college football programs.

“Of course, you know I was going to Ohio State because my brother, John, went there. There was a fellow over in Ashland, Kentucky who was going to Duke. It was through him that they invited me down. I just liked what I saw. I came back and called them up in Columbus and told them that I changed my mind. They wanted me to come up there, so I did. But they couldn't change my mind.”

George McAfee toured the Duke University campus before committing to play football for the Blue Devils.

George McAfee played freshman football at Duke University in 1936. McAfee helped the freshman squad to an undefeated season while winning the North Carolina Big Five freshman football championship. As a member of the freshman team, McAfee exhibited his big-play abilities on the gridiron. Against North Carolina State, George McAfee ripped off a 65-yard run. McAfee returned a kick 68 yards for a touchdown against Davidson. McAfee tossed two touchdown passes in the Davidson game and also caught a 63-yard touchdown pass. A shoulder injury in late October sidelined McAfee for the rest of the season.

Starting with the 1937 football season, George McAfee helped the Blue Devils football team go 24–4-1 over a three-season stretch. George lettered all three seasons while helping Duke University win two Southern Conference championships (1938 and1939).

George McAfee, Duke University (1937).

Wes McAfee was a freshman at Duke University in 1937. Wes earned his numerals on the freshman football team. In a frosh game at High Point, Wes McAfee returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown to help Duke defeat Davidson 7 to 0.

George McAfee (22) and his 1937 Duke University gridiron teammates.

The sixth game of the Blue Devils’1937 football season was pivotal in George McAfee’s gridiron career. Duke University was over- powering and destroying Washington and Lee. The one-sided contest allowed younger players to see considerable action for Duke University. A talented sophomore back exploded onto the national football scene that day when he captured the attention of the newswire reporter covering the game.

“Coach Wade Wallace used three squads with equal effectiveness in registering the Blue Devils’ fifth victory of the season and uncovered a dazzling, sophomore ball-carrier in George McAfee of Ironton, Ohio.

McAfee, a long striding youngster with the grace and drive of a trotter, gathered in a punt late in the fourth period and streaked 88 yards for a touchdown through the entire W & L team in the most spectacular play of the game.”

George McAfee, Duke University (1937).

George McAfee, Duke University.

Russell Rogers, a sportswriter for the newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina, was impressed by George McAfee’s efforts in a 10 – 0 loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers in the final game of the 1937 regular season.

“The big thrill of the afternoon was provided by George McAfee, sophomore substitute for Hackney. Late in the first half McAfee took one of Patrick’s long high punts on the Duke 25 and returning 58 yards on the play. McAfee came down the field near the right side line, side-stepped two or three tacklers, cut right and cut left, jumped completely over one tackler’s head and finally was tackled on the Pitt 15-yard line.”

George McAfee (22) sitting on the Duke bench next to Coach Wade Wallace (1937). McAfee, a sophomore, was a 1937 letterman at Duke.

George McAfee, a physical education major, was a popular member of the Duke University campus. Always humble, he often laughed off his athletic feats. Blessed with good looks, a handsome smile and wavy, blond hair, McAfee was tagged with the ‘Gorgeous George’ nickname. After graduating from Ironton High School in 1937, Wesley McAfee joined his older brother at Duke. Wesley was a three-year letterman for the Blue Devils. Many of George’s spectacular open-field plays came off passes from Wesley.

Wes McAfee (left) and George McAfee (right) were on the football team at Duke University in 1938.

As a junior at Duke University, George McAfee played with the famous ‘Iron Dukes’. The 1938 football team defeated all nine of its regular season opponents by shutout. The team earned a berth in the 1939 Rose Bowl against the Trojans from Southern California.

The team and boosters departed from Durham, North Carolina to the Rose Bowl on the Seaboard Railway. George and Wesley were two of the 35 football players on the four-day trip to the West Coast.

The chartered train, nicknamed the ‘Blue Devil Special’, offered a dinner on December 20, 1938. For just $1.50, a passenger on the train could enjoy filet mignon, cream of tomato soup, string beans, snowflake potatoes, fruit salad with heart of lettuce, French rolls and butter, vanilla ice cream and sweet milk.

On December 21, 1938, the train stopped at Stuttgart, Arkansas. The team worked out at a local high school field. More than 1,500 spectators watched the practice session.

During another train stop, the McAfee brothers had a chance to see the Grand Canyon and even kick a few footballs into it. When the train finally reached California, the boys from Ironton met movie stars during a tour of MGM Studios.

The McAfee brothers and their Duke University teammates left the friendly confines of their home stadium for the Rose Bowl.

Duke University football program honoring the Iron Dukes. The Christmas edition of the 1938 Ironton Tribune featured a lengthy story titled, “Ironton’s All-American Family: McAfee Sport Drama Drawing to a Close”. Jack McAfee, a senior at Ironton High, was the last of eight athletic brothers to dress for the Ironton football team.

Clarence P. McAfee, the father of this famous group of young men, played football at Centre before leaving school early. His sons certainly inherited a love for the game of football. Two of the sons of Clarence and Mary McAfee, George and Wesley, were getting ready to play in the 1939 Rose Bowl.

Paul, the oldest of the McAfee boys, did not play football. However, Paul enjoyed watching football. Paul and his wife purchased tickets to watch his brothers play in the Rose Bowl. Paul was a practicing physician in Portsmouth, Ohio in 1938.

Shannon McAfee starred at end for the Tigers in the early 1920s. Shannon and his wife resided in Portsmouth, Ohio where he was employed by the Norfolk and Western railroad. Shannon was the proud father of two children.

Elbert ‘Spurnie’ McAfee played on the line for the Tigers in the late 1920s. A knee injury forced him to give up football. Elbert lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma and worked for J.J. Newberry Company. Elbert was married with two children. John McAfee played both on the line and in the backfield for the Tigers before graduating in 1931. John lettered in football at Ohio State where he graduated with a degree in education. John played baseball for the Buckeyes and was named as the All Western Conference (now called the Big Ten Conference) starting first baseman in 1934. During the summer of 1936, John served as director of Ironton’s brand new WPA municipal pool constructed at a cost of $50,000. John was married and in his third season of high school coaching at Dayton, Kentucky. John also played football for the Cincinnati Bengals of the AFL in 1937 at a salary of $50 per contest. John was a left-handed passing, right halfback.

John McAfee managed the new Ironton pool which was adjacent to the high school football stadium where he once starred.

(L) John McAfee (R) John McAfee caught a long touchdown pass to help Ohio State defeat the University of Chicago in 1934. French Lane, a writer at the Chicago Tribune, noted McAfee was an Ironton, Ohio boy.

Bill McAfee, or Willie as he was often called, starred on the line for the Tigers in the early 1930s. Bill resided with his wife and three daughters in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Bill was employed by Spur Gasoline.

Clellan McAfee played on the line for the undefeated 1935 Tigers. Clellan was studying aeronautical engineering at Angola, Indiana. As a sophomore, George McAfee shined as a member of the 1937 Duke University football squad. McAfee was the sensation of spring football practice in 1938. However, a pre-season surgery in July to remove a wart from the bottom of his left foot was not as successful as expected. McAfee ended up with an infection that required hospitalization in September, and the foot problem sidelined George for most of the 1938 football season. McAfee did not see action until the North Carolina game on October 29.

George McAfee passed up a year of eligibility when he played in the North Carolina game. Duke only had Syracuse, North Carolina State and Pitt left on the regular-season schedule. McAfee had not even scrimmaged prior to the North Carolina game due to his foot.

In top condition or not, McAfee’s presence was needed on the field. McAfee caught a long pass in the North Carolina game to help Duke win by a score of 14 to 0. In a November 11, 1938 story, sportswriter Jeff Moshier called George McAfee “the team’s most spectacular back, a speed merchant with loose hips.”

Wes ‘Dubby’ McAfee, a triple-threat on the gridiron, had a fine sophomore season for the Blue Devils. Wes scored Duke’s only touchdown in the 6 to 0 victory over Georgia Tech.

Jack McAfee started at end for the Tigers in 1938. McAfee was out for basketball and reportedly doing a good job at guard.

Clarence and Mary McAfee also had three daughters. Mrs. H. O. Whitaker lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. Perna was married to Charles H. Gustin and living in Ironton. Mary McAfee was a junior at the Baptist Missionary Training School in Chicago, Illinois.

There was also great speculation that Christmas whether or not Dick Gallagher would take a college coaching job. Duke Ridgley, a writer for a Huntington, West Virginia newspaper, commented on the relationship between the McAfees and Gallagher.

“I can’t figure out whether Dick Gallagher made the McAfees famous or the McAfees made Gallagher famous.”

Coach Wade Wallace was without the services of George McAfee for most of the 1938 season. Late in the season, McAfee saw limited backfield action. Still bothered by the foot injury, McAfee rushed the ball 17 times for just 22 yards.

At the 1939 Rose Bowl, George McAfee was not in Coach Wade’s starting backfield as his foot was still not 100 percent healthy. George McAfee did see considerable action in the game as did his brother, Wes. The McAfee brothers played on offense, defense and special teams.

The Rose Bowl was a defensive struggle. The Blue Devils and Trojans played a scoreless first half. One of the few big offensive plays in the first half for Duke was a nice run by Wes McAfee that ended the second quarter.

George McAfee, Duke University.

Late in the third quarter, George McAfee returned a punt 26 yards to the Trojan 49- yard line. Two plays later, George McAfee caught a pass and took the ball 24 yards to the Trojan 25-yard line. The drive stalled and Duke settled for a field goal. The kick was good, and Duke had a 3 to 0 lead with almost a full quarter to play.

Duke’s defense was handling the Trojans and appeared headed for another shutout. After a fumbled punt by Bob Spangler in the final quarter gave Southern California the ball just ten yards from a winning touchdown, the Duke defense held and forced the Trojans into a field goal attempt that missed its mark.

With two minutes to play in the game, USC inserted its fourth-string quarterback. Doyle Nave completed four passes in a row. The final pass from Nave produced a touchdown to put the Trojans in front by the score of 7 to 3 with a minute to play.

“I was sitting on the bench, out most of the season with a wart on my foot, and by leaning forward I could barely see the corner of the end zone where the pass went,” recalled George McAfee in 1961. “But Coach Wallace Wade sitting on the other side of me would not bend forward. All he said was, softly, ‘Did he catch it?’”

The final play of the game saw George McAfee catch a pass and hunt for the goal line. McAfee took the ball 17 yards to the Trojan 40- yard line before he was finally brought down.

In the loss before the largest crowd (93,000) in Rose Bowl history, George McAfee caught three passes for a total of 45 yards. Wes McAfee rushed the ball twice for a total of 18 yards.

Dr. Paul McAfee, Shannon McAfee and their spouses were part of a record gate ($310,000- with Duke University receiving $110,000) for the Pasadena contest. After returning home to Portsmouth, Ohio, Dr. McAfee provided the Portsmouth Times with his thoughts on the Rose Bowl. “It was a swell game and we enjoyed every moment of it. Of course we had a thrill in seeing my brothers, George and Wesley, perform in the game. Southern California had too many good substitutes for Duke. That tells the story. Duke was out on its feet after making the goal-line stand in the final quarter.”

George McAfee burst onto the national scene with his tremendous football season in 1939. Writers below the Mason-Dixon Line nicknamed McAfee the ‘Ironton Irritator’. McAfee led the Duke University football team in scoring, rushing, receiving, kickoff returns, punt returns, interceptions and punting.

In late September of 1939, Eddie Brietz commented about the elusive McAfee in his sports roundup column.

“You’ll have to put a cowbell on George McAfee, the Duke star, to keep up with him.”

Duke football was so good that Coach Wade was on the cover of Time Magazine on October 25, 1937.

Top: George McAfee (22) and Wes McAfee (10) pose with other members of the 1939 Duke University gridiron squad. Bottom: George McAfee, Duke University.

After his 1939 Colgate team was thrashed 37 to 0 by Duke University, Coach Andy Kerr praised George McAfee’s talents.

“George McAfee is unquestionably a great running back. Anyone who saw him as a sophomore, when he flashed into prominence, would have been pardoned for thinking he couldn’t have been much more shifty, but that’s just because they haven’t seen him in action this year. He’s the dangerous threat in the field, and when he gets his hands on the ball, my advice is for everyone on the other side to hold his breath and say a little prayer.”

George McAfee had a huge game against Syracuse University in 1939. The headline in the Chicago Tribune read, “Brothers Star as Duke Whips Syracuse”. Before 23,000 fans on a warm October afternoon, McAfee scored three touchdowns in Duke’s decisive 33 to 6 homecoming win. McAfee’s first touchdown came on a 46-yard pass from Wes McAfee. His second score came on a 59-yard lateral pass from Roger Robinson. A 28-yard run off right end produced McAfee’s final touchdown on the day.

The 1940 Chanticleer, Duke University’s yearbook, stated George McAfee played less than half the game against Syracuse. The yearbook gave George great credit for the win.

“Again it was the great George McAfee and his flying feet that carried the big blue to glory.”

Wes McAfee eludes Syracuse tacklers as the brothers from Ironton lead Duke University to victory.

George McAfee launches a left-footed punt deep into Wake Forest territory.

George McAfee was an outstanding pass receiver for the Blue Devils with many of the passes coming from the hand of his younger brother, Wes. The News and Courier out of Charleston, South Carolina reported George McAfee’s humorous take on why the McAfee-to-McAfee passing combination was so successful.

Wes McAfee (L) and George McAfee (R), Duke University 1939.

“Wes just knows where I am. We’ve been playing together long enough and when Wes was playing center at Ironton High he had to throw the ball at me from between his legs. Now that he’s a halfback he says passing to me is much easier.”

Wes McAfee, Duke University 1940. Behind the play of the boys from Ironton, Ohio, Duke University defeated North Carolina State 28 to 0 before a Raleigh crowd of 10,000. It was the final game of the 1939 football season, and the last time the two brothers lined up in the same backfield for Duke University. George McAfee ran 27 yards for one touchdown while his younger brother smashed in from 3 yards out for another touchdown.

Bobby Dodd, backfield coach at Georgia Tech, was interviewed by Jack Bell in December of 1939. Dodd, a former star quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers, praised Duke’s McAfee boys.

“Those two McAfee boys are poison. I never saw two fellows who could do everything well, as they do. And they can run- oh, how they can go. One of ‘em gets back deep; the other on the wing. Then they start goin’, and they might go wide, or cut back, or hammer in there, or pass! I tell you, they’ll drive you crazy.”

Wes McAfee, Duke University (1939).

George McAfee, Duke University (1939).

C.P. McAfee (2nd from right), father of George and Wes McAfee, was a proud member and vice-president of the Duke Dads’ Club. The annual meeting in 1939 took place following the Duke-Wake Forest football game. The evening banquet was attended by 500 fathers and sons.

George McAfee put up some incredible numbers for Duke University in 1939. McAfee carried the ball 98 times for 629 yards (an average of 6.2 yards per carry). McAfee completed 9 of 15 passes for 138 yards. He punted 40 times and averaged 38.2 yards per kick. He returned 37 punts for a total of 365 yards. McAfee scored 42 points for Duke on seven touchdowns. He returned 5 kickoffs for 111 yards (an average of 22.2 yards per return). He intercepted 3 passes and tallied 52 return yards. He caught 10 passes for 229 yards. Twenty-three times McAfee got loose during the season for gains of twenty yards or more.

Following the 1939 football season, George McAfee was named All-American by the New York Sun. His hometown also made the New York newspaper.

One of the nation’s elite triple-threats, George McAfee was named team MVP, all-Southern Conference and All-American while leading Duke University to an 8 - 1 record. George McAfee and teammate Willard Perdue were selected to play in the 15th annual East-West Shrine game on New Year’s Day. San Francisco, California hosted the charitable event for children.

The 1940 directory of senior boys at Duke University listed George McAfee from Ironton, Ohio.

George McAfee was a multi-sport athlete at Duke University. In the spring of his senior year, he played centerfield for the Duke University baseball team. The letterman batted .353 while helping his team to a 16 – 7 record. McAfee was one of five regular starters to bat over .300 for the Blue Devils in 1940.

McAfee faced numerous left-handed pitchers in 1940 as Duke had a predominance of left-handed hitters in its starting lineup. Yet, the left-hitting McAfee had some great games. On April 13, 1940, George McAfee had four hits in a 17 to 3 loss to Wake Forest.

George McAfee swings and connects during a Duke University baseball game. McAfee typically batted in the number-two spot in the lineup.

Davidson visited Durham on April 20 and was slaughtered by the score of 24 to 2. George McAfee led the Duke attack with four hits. In a May 13th game in Raleigh, McAfee walloped a long homerun to help Duke defeat North Carolina State 5 to 4.

George McAfee, Duke University.

George McAfee was also a sprinter and long jumper on the Duke University track team. The track letterman’s best time in the 100- yard dash was 9.7 seconds.

At the prestigious Florida AAU track event, McAfee collaborated with three teammates to help Duke win the 400-meter relay. Duke scored 78 points while its closest competitor, the Florida Gators, managed only 46 points.

George McAfee won the Southern Conference’s 100-yard dash championship in the spring of 1938 with a time of 9.9 seconds. McAfee tied for high-scorer honors at the track championship with a second-place finish in the 220-yard dash and a fourth-place finish in the broad jump (21’and 7.5”).

McAfee’s speed in the 100-yard dash was pretty amazing for a student on a football scholarship. Jesse Owens, the famed track athlete from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, tied the world record for the 100- yard dash in 1933 with a time of 9.4 seconds. That time remained the world record until 1948.

George (left) and Wes (right) McAfee were members of the Order of Tombs, the only honorary athletic organization at Duke University.

George McAfee and Wes McAfee were stars on and off the field while students at Duke University. The actions by the McAfee brothers in March of 1940 epitomized the best in college athletics. When the two brothers heard a woman from Ironton was a patient at the Duke University hospital, George and Wes stopped by and donated their blood.

George and Wes stopped by Duke University Hospital to donate blood for a patient from Ironton. George McAfee was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the second pick in the first round of the 1940 NFL draft. Pete Minego of the Portsmouth Times reported McAfee was demanding $300 a game from the Eagles and was “worth every penny of it.”

George McAfee recalled in a 2003 interview his good fortune following draft day. “I was drafted by Philadelphia and traded to the Bears. That was, I guess, the best thing that ever happened to me because I really enjoyed it. A great coach (George Halas) and we (Chicago Bears) had some good players then.”

The price to acquire McAfee was high. Chicago shipped three Bears regulars, Russell Thompson, Dick Bassi and Les McDonald, reserve Milton Trost and an unannounced sum of cash to Philadelphia in exchange for the rights to McAfee and Joe Mihal. A few sports writers questioned whether McAfee was worth so many players.

George Halas was not the only coach that had fallen in love with George McAfee’s skills on a football field. Jock Sutherland, head coach of the Brooklyn Dodgers football club, told Al Abrams of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 1941 that the Dodgers also tried to acquire McAfee from the Philadelphia Eagles.

“When I first took the job with the Dodgers, I told Dan Topping there was one player I wanted above all others- George McAfee. I had watched him and marveled at him when Pitt played Duke. Dan tried but George Halas beat us to the punch.”

George McAfee played minor league baseball in the summer. George Cafego, a star running back for the University of Tennessee and the first player drafted in the 1940 NFL draft, joined McAfee on the roster of the Blackstone, Virginia baseball club

Drafting George McAfee proved much easier than signing him. On August 14, 1940, a story was printed in the Lumberton, NC newspaper, the Robesonian. The newspaper reported McAfee was in town for the past two days with a tobacco transportation company. McAfee had consumed a bad sandwich and was ordered by his physician to remain in bed at the Hotel Lorraine.

The reporter with the Robesonian interviewed McAfee at his hotel. McAfee told the reporter that he was “through with football.” “I have a good connection with this company (Transport Corporation of Virginia) and I don’t plan to do any more footballing,” McAfee said. While admitting the Bears offered him a tempting football contract, McAfee seemed content to remain with the transportation company.

The reporter also asked McAfee about taking a coaching job. “No, I’m not interested in it either,” McAfee responded. “In that game you either do or don’t.”

The Bears must have upped the ante to finally lure George McAfee to the Bears training camp. George was one of eleven rookies on the Bears opening-day roster in 1940. In 1944, McAfee recalled the impact of the Bears rookie class for a reporter with the University of Virginia student newspaper.

“All of the rookies were good, and six were in the starting lineup when the season opened. I was one of the six.”

Prior to the start of the 1940 NFL season, the backfield coach of the Bears, Harold ‘Red’ Grange, offered his opinion on the Bears’ prized rookie. “McAfee is one of the finest backs I have ever seen. He’s got everything and I don’t see how he can miss being a sensation during the coming season. He runs with such ease and such high knee action that he gives no indication of his tremendous speed, unless you note the manner in which he separates himself from players who try to catch him. It is positively distressing to see defensive backs try and keep up with him when he goes out for a pass.

It will surprise me if he isn’t ranked with Don Hutson of the Green Bay Packers as the greatest pass receiver in the league before the coming season is over. In addition, he is a terrific blocker and tackler, and how he can pass. He passes left- handed and punts with his left foot. You just can’t build a defense for a man like that.”

George McAfee quickly answered his critics and proved Red Grange correct. With under a minute to play in an exhibition game at Ebbets Field, McAfee took a punt 75 yards for a touchdown to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers 14 to 9. McAfee’s play only improved in his first regular season game against the Green Bay Packers.

Jack Overmyer of the News-Sentinel out of Rochester, Indiana described McAfee’s performance against the Packers in his sports column.

“The Green Bay Packers lost some of the punch that made them 1939 professional champions and let the Chicago Bears give them the worst trouncing in the two team’s 43-game series. The final count was Chicago 41, Green Bay 10. The outstanding star of yesterday’s game was George McAfee, a newcomer from Duke University, who ran one kickoff back 90 yards for a touchdown, scored another and passed for another. He was all over the field defensively and got off several brilliant punts.”

The Milwaukee Journal’s Oliver E. Kuechle described McAfee’s long kickoff run against the Green Bay Packers.

“The kickoff went to McAfee, and on one of the greatest runs this field has ever seen, he outran and out-feinted the whole Packer team 90 yards across the goal. You had to see this to appreciate it. The guy was terrific. He jumped and hopped to avoid tacklers, all while under a tremendous head of steam, bobbing in and out among them like a guy possessed. On Green Bay’s 25-yard line, he finally reached the clear and the rest of the way was a romp.”

Before the Bears kicked the extra point, George McAfee was taken out of the game by Coach Halas. As McAfee ran to the sideline, the crowd in Green Bay stood and gave McAfee a great ovation for his terrific kick return.

George McAfee returns a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown against the Packers in 1940.

Kuechle praised McAfee’s masterpiece against the Packers. “McAfee, one of the greatest youngest backs ever to bob up in the National league, did things in this rout a whole backfield ordinarily does. With catlike quickness and amazing speed, he ran a kickoff back 90 yards for one touchdown, danced over tackle for 12 yards and another touchdown, passed 7 yards to Ken Kavanaugh for a third touchdown and sent several of the greatest punts City stadium has ever seen towering down the field. Until Green Bay’s collapse in the third quarter, he was the one man that who set the Bears apart in what in other ways up to this time had been a fairly even game.”

Henry J. McCormick, sports editor at the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison, wrote a lengthy editorial praising McAfee’s performance against the Green Bay Packers. He wrote that the Packer’s troubles can be summed up with the words George McAfee. McCormick called McAfee a “five-star attraction” who “stopped the show” in front of 22,557 fans at Green Bay.

While George McAfee was taking the NFL by storm in 1940, his younger brother was getting national ink at the collegiate level.

The gridiron exploits of George McAfee resulted in the Chicago Tribune printing a portrait of the entire football-loving clan on September 29, 1940. After the Bears defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers on October 20, 1940, Lou Niss of the Brooklyn Eagle praised the rookie back from Ironton.

“In George McAfee, first-year man out of Duke, they have the best back in the league. McAfee is a great kicker and passer, and a marvelous runner. His terrific speed is ideal for Chicago’s quick-opening plays.”

Fast and elusive in the open field, George McAfee’s game-changing abilities added a dynamic and electrifying element to the Bears offensive attack. George was nicknamed ‘One-Play McAfee’ for his ability to score from any spot on the field in just one play.

George McAfee was a NFL pioneer in the use of low-cut shoes. McAfee preferred track-like shoes over the traditional high-top shoes worn by most of the NFL.

“(Coach) Halas gave all his backs and ends football oxfords (introduced in 1940) to wear,” McAfee said. “I use regulation shoes all week in practice and when I get those oxfords on each Sunday they feel lighter than nothing at all. All I say then is, ‘feet get movin’.”

This is a pair of McAfee's famous shoes. The shoes can be seen by visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

In a 2003 phone interview, McAfee described why he preferred low-cut shoes.

“They were a little lighter than those high tops; gives you a little more flexibility and lets you run a little faster (McAfee laughing).” The Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73 - 0 to win the 1940 NFL championship. George McAfee scored a touchdown on an interception return.

In a 1944 interview conducted by a reporter for student newspaper at the University of Virginia, McAfee described the thrill of winning the NFL title in 1940.

“That game was outstanding,” stated McAfee, “simply because three weeks before we had been beaten by the same team, 7 – 3.”

George McAfee (5) leaps over Bulldog Turner (66) on a seven-yard run during the 1940 NFL title game. McAfee was a versatile player for the Bears. At six foot and 177 pounds, McAfee was featured as a rusher, receiver, punter, defensive back, punt returner, kickoff returner and occasional passer.

Clarke Hinkle, a star running back for the Green Bay Packers and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, commented in Richard Whittingham’s 1984 book, What A Game They Played, on McAfee’s playing abilities.

“George McAfee was the most dazzling runner I ever saw.” Hinkle added, “He was a helluva runner; he could jump sideways as fast as he was going forward. He was also a very good defensive back. I had head-on collisions with him and he jolted me pretty good.”

The Bears had another terrific regular season in 1941. The Bears and Packers were tied for the best record in the Western Conference with one week remaining in the regular season. Only the lowly Chicago Cardinals stood in the way of the Bears forcing a playoff game with the Packers.

The Cardinals gave the Bears a great game. The Bears trailed the Cardinals 24 to 21in the fourth quarter. However, the Bears scored twice to in the final period to win 34 to 21. George McAfee caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Sid Luckman and later scored on a 69-yard run to cap a huge come-from-behind win.

The Bears and Packers tied for best record during the regular season in the Western Division of the National Football League in 1941. The only blemish on the Bears’ record during the regular season was a 16 to 14 loss to the Packers.

George McAfee carried the football 13 times for 127 yards to lead the Bears to a 33 to 14 playoff win over Green Bay. The Bears put 24 points on the scoreboard in the second quarter to secure the playoff win and advance to the championship game.

The Bears hosted the New York Giants for the National Football League title on December 21, 1941. George McAfee rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown to help the Bears rout the Giants 37 to 9. Each member of the Bears pocketed $430.94 for their efforts in the title game. Each Giant earned $288.70.

George McAfee had an incredible NFL season in 1941as the ‘Monsters of the Midway’ won another NFL title. McAfee scored a league-high 12 touchdowns. McAfee rushed for 474 yards, averaged 7.3 yards per carry, caught 7 passes for 144 yards, scored 72 points, intercepted 6 passes, set club records with a 95-yard kickoff return and 75-yard punt return and was named first team all-league.

McAfee’s12 touchdowns happened in every way possible. He scored five touchdowns by rushing, three touchdowns on pass receptions, returned a kickoff for a touchdown, returned a punt for a touchdown, took an interception back for a touchdown and scooped up a blocked kick and returned it for a touchdown.

The accolades flowed for McAfee after that fantastic season. Red Grange, legendary running back from the early days of pro football, called the explosive McAfee “the most dangerous man in the game with the football in his hands.” Coach Clark Shaughnessy called George McAfee the “greatest all-around halfback of all time.” Coach Greasy Neale of the Philadelphia Eagles, said, “George McAfee is the greatest plunging and quick-opening back I have ever seen.” Neale, head coach of the Ironton Tanks in 1930, added, “George McAfee is changing the face of football.” Coach Curly Lambeau stated that McAfee was “the most talented back the Packers ever faced.”

In December of 1941, Coach George Halas told sportswriter James A Burchard how good of a back he had in George McAfee.

George McAfee, Chicago Bears 1941.

“If I played George McAfee his full time of 30 minutes a game instead of just a few minutes, he’d set so many professional football records on yards gained, touchdowns and pass interceptions nobody would ever catch him. He’s the best back in pro football.” Halas added, “Speed, elusiveness and drive are McAfee’s main assets.” Paddy Driscoll, former pro star and backfield coach for the Bears, told Burchard what he felt made McAfee special.

“Best timing and coordination I’ve ever seen. In fact, he’s got such tremendous speed he can play safety and still cross the line of scrimmage to make a tackle. Never saw it done before. Yes, McAfee can run the hundred in 9.8 in football togs.”

Hunk Anderson, an assistant football coach with the Bears and a former head coach at Notre Dame, provided his opinion for Burchard. Anderson, a star lineman at Notre Dame and later in professional football, compared McAfee to his legendary high school and college teammate.

“McAfee is greater than George Gipp in my opinion,” said Hunk. “Speed gives him the edge.”

Pete Bausch, a center for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941 after leaving the Bears, gave Burchard his opinion on McAfee’s football abilities.

“McAfee is head and shoulders above any back today in professional football. He’s the perfectly conditioned athlete, which is the secret of any football star.”

While the Bears had just retained its NFL title, the win over the New Giants was overshadowed by a call to arms following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7. A breakup of the nearly invincible Bears, what almost every NFL club had cried for the past two seasons, was imminent. Sixteen players, nearly half of the club’s 33-man roster, indicated shortly after the game that they would not be with the Bears next season.

George McAfee, Chicago Bears.

George McAfee received great praise from the writer of this November 1941 syndicated column. Following the NFL championship win, George McAfee travelled to Durham, North Carolina. Duke University was practicing for its appearance in the Rose Bowl game against Oregon State. Because of World War II, the Rose Bowl game was moved to Durham. McAfee worked out with the Duke team and helped the Duke defense prepare for Oregon State’s southpaw quarterback.

George McAfee was likely the best triple- threat southpaw in the country. During practice, McAfee frequently broke into the Duke secondary and proved impossible to catch.

A person actually asked George McAfee if he was in town to help Duke University get ready to face Oregon State’s lefty quarterback.

“Now what put that in your head? (Grinned George) I’m just here to keep in shape for our game against the pro All-Stars on Sunday.”

The Bears, champions of the NFL in 1941, played a NFL all-star team with Don Hutson and Sammy Baugh on its roster. Played on a snow-covered field at the Polo Grounds in New York, the Bears won the January 4, 1942 contest by a score of 35 to 24.

George McAfee accounted for two touchdowns in the first half against the finest team the NFL could muster. McAfee scored on a 4- yard run in the second quarter. Later in the second quarter, McAfee picked up a punt, pivoted his way past five defenders and dashed the remaining distance for a 68-yard touchdown return.

Jack Guenthe, a United Press correspondent, described McAfee’s great punt return.

“The second period was ten minutes old when McAfee- all-league halfback and perhaps one of the most remarkable runners in pro annals- produced the game’s thriller with a 68-yard run-back of a punt for a touchdown.

Art Jones of the Stars punted low but long. The tacklers were on top of McAfee as he fielded the ball on the bounce and darted through their outstretched arms. He was off like a swallow. In no more than seven seconds he had reversed his field twice without breaking stride and was over the goal line in pay dirt.”

Sid Feder of the Associated Press had a more animated description of McAfee’s punt return.

“Most spectacular of their scores was a 68-yard punt return by George McAfee, on a run during which he spun and slipped away from five straight tacklers like a piece of soap on the bathroom floor.”

Unlike many all-star games of today, this game was a highly physical contest. The Bears won that aspect of the game, too. Don Hutson and Frank Filchok were sent out of the game with broken ribs. Sammy Baugh received a four-stitch cut on his face.

Prior to World War II, the greatest player in professional football still lived in Ironton with his parents during the offseason. George McAfee was voted Ironton’s Most Outstanding Citizen of 1942. On January 26, 1942, Mr. A.J. Sexton, president of the Jaycees, presented a gold medal, the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing McAfee as the outstanding Ironton resident. His father, C.P. McAfee, joined 34 members of the Ironton Junior Chamber of Commerce at the Hotel Marting for the ceremony honoring his son. The dinner menu included steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, hot biscuits and pie. McAfee was recognized by the club for the great publicity brought to Ironton by his football exploits.

Rather than being a ceremony with George McAfee at the center, World War II dominated the event. The affair opened with an invocation, and the group singing God Bless America. Defense stamps were sold at the event. The speaker of the evening, Rev. E.C. Traylor of Central Christian Church, gave a patriotic address with liberty as the theme.

McAfee gratefully accepted the award and stated he was proud to have been selected by the club. McAfee also told the club he doubted another football player in the United States had ever received such award. With military service on the horizon, McAfee concluded his short speech by saying, “I hope I am lucky with Uncle Sam as I have been in my football playing.”

George McAfee was a unanimous selection to the NFL All-Pro squad in 1941. “Being picked on the pro all-league team was a huge thrill, and I feel greatly honored to have been chosen,” said McAfee to Pete Minego of the Portsmouth Times in March 1942.

Like so many men of his generation, George McAfee did not wait for the draft to call him to military service during World War II. At the peak of his NFL playing career, McAfee volunteered for action. On March 14, 1942, just one day after celebrating his 24th birthday, George McAfee traveled from his Ironton home to sign up at the nearby Portsmouth Recruiting Station. The swimming class at Ironton High School came in handy as McAfee enlisted in the U.S. Navy and received a commission as a naval officer. World War II took George McAfee out of professional football for three complete seasons and all but three games of another season. When asked by Pete Minego of the Portsmouth Times whether he preferred to fight Japanese or Germans, McAfee responded, “I don’t care particularly. I’ll take ‘em as they come.” McAfee also explained his selection of the navy. “Two of my Chicago Bears teammates, Joe Maniaci and George Corbett, enlisted in the same service. “I’m sure I’ll like it.”

As for sports during the war, McAfee offered his opinion. “We should keep all branches of sport going. The public needs outlets like sports to keep their minds relieved at times,” said McAfee.

McAfee also provided Minego with insight into his head coach. “He’s the easiest man to get along with I ever saw, except when it comes to signing a contract,” said McAfee about George Halas. “He’s a friend to the boys. So is Wallace Wade, my coach at Duke, but he’s a different type of man. They’re both grand personalities.”

“Our playing lives are a matter of but a few years, and we have to make the most of them for that short time,” said McAfee as he prepared to depart for military service. “We stay in shape, and Halas hasn’t much of a discipline problem,” added McAfee.

Minego fluently described the talent McAfee brought to the game of football. “One of his chief assets is his uncanny ability to elude burly tacklers bearing down on him. He knows how to weave, sidestep, slow down and then quicken his pace once he fights his way into the open.”

“He is one of those players whose every effort on a gridiron is executed with consummate skill,” added Minego. “It just comes natural for Lefty to outsmart and outrun his opponents.”

Minego praised George McAfee by calling him “Ironton’s No. 1 citizen”. As the top citizen from Ironton, McAfee was prepared to give his all for his country as a member of the U.S. Navy in order to help his new team win a world war.

The loss of George McAfee to military service had a huge impact on the Bears. Following the Bears loss in the 1942 playoffs to the Redskins, George Halas told Joe Williams, a renowned sportswriter, how good of a player the Bears had in McAfee.

“You can’t lose a breakaway runner like George McAfee and not miss him. A McAfee comes along once in a generation. In my book he was the best ball-carrier I ever saw.”

George McAfee’s first stop was the U.S. Navy base at Norfolk, Virginia. McAfee was later assigned to Jacksonville, Florida. McAfee got a chance in the summer of 1942 to play baseball for the Jacksonville Naval Air Station team.

March 15, 1945 newspaper article documented the NFL’s attrition to military service during World War II. Lt. George ‘Moose’ Earnshaw, a former major league pitcher with over 1,000 strikeouts and three 20-win seasons to his credit, was McAfee’s baseball coach. By June 8, McAfee had played in twelve games with a .375 batting average and had stolen eleven bases. Earnshaw told the press that McAfee was a natural player and even if he couldn’t hit, he could bunt .300 with his speed. McAfee finished his baseball stint in Jacksonville with a team-high average of .370.

George McAfee played football for Jacksonville Naval Air Station in the fall of 1942. On September 19, McAfee helped Naval Air Station defeat the University of Florida by a score of 20 to 7. With the game tied at 7 points each, McAfee slashed off right tackle, swivel-hipped his way into the clear and sprinted 45 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. McAfee later tossed a touchdown pass of 15 yards to complete the scoring.

On November 28, George McAfee found himself in the dubious position of playing against Duke University when the Naval Air Station Fliers hosted his alma mater. Nine members of the Duke University squad played with McAfee while he was in college. McAfee was instrumental in both touchdown drives for the Fliers. McAfee tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to complete the Fliers 13 to 0 win over Duke University.

George McAfee played no football in 1943. He was assigned by the Navy in June to an instructor position at the University of Michigan.

George McAfee was assigned in 1944 to the Navy program at the University of Virginia. Lenny Goodman, a reporter with the student newspaper at the University of Virginia, interviewed George McAfee in August of 1944. Goodman asked McAfee what he saw as the greatest difference between the college and professional games.

“The biggest difference is the experience, but contrary to public opinion, the boys in the professional league have plenty of spirit. They really are out there to win all the time, and they hit hard.”

Goodman also asked McAfee what his plans were after the war. McAfee told Goodman that he was undecided, but he probably would not resume his professional football career.

“After laying off three or four years, I doubt it would be advisable to start playing again,” said George McAfee.

The length of the war had George McAfee thinking about life beyond the football field. Plus, he had found the woman that he wanted to spend his life with. On May 13, 1945, Mr. and Mrs. H. Leroy Mencke of Baltimore, Maryland announced the engagement of their daughter, Jeanne Audrey Mencke, to George McAfee of the U.S. Navy. The couple was married on June 15, 1945. Lt. Dick Gallagher, McAfee’s old high school coach, filled the role of best man at the wedding.

Jeanne Mencke was a member of the 1944 senior class at William & Mary. George McAfee was ready to throw more than a football for his country.

While George and several of his brothers were serving their country during the last weeks of World War II, the front page of the Ironton Tribune detailed tragic news for the McAfee family. After appearing in normal health during the day, Mrs. Mary L. McAfee suffered a heart attack at midnight and passed away at 1:45 a.m. on July 16, 1945 at her home, 1110 South Ninth Street.

Mrs. McAfee was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ironton. The Ironton Tribune also noted that the athletic abilities of her sons had made the McAfee name widely known throughout the country.

At the time of Mrs. McAfee’s death, Lt. (J.G.) George McAfee was in the U.S. Navy and stationed at San Francisco awaiting shipment overseas. Lt. Clellan McAfee was in the U.S. Navy and stationed in the South Pacific. Lt. John McAfee was serving with the U.S. Coast Guard in New London, Connecticut. Captain Wesley McAfee was with the Army Air Corps in Burma. S 1-c Jack McAfee was in the U.S. Navy and stationed at Seattle, Washington. Dr. Paul McAfee was discharged from the U.S. Army’s medical corps on July 11 and was living in Portsmouth, Ohio. Shannon McAfee was also living in Portsmouth. Elbert McAfee was living in Tampa, Florida. William McAfee was living in East Lansing, Michigan. Mrs. Perna Gustin and Mrs. Dorothy Guethlein were living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Mary Smith was living in Lisbon, Ohio.

The decision by President Harry Truman to drop the atomic bombs in August of 1945 ended World War II. When George McAfee heard the good news, he was on a ship headed for Hawaii and the Pacific War.

Although the war was over, George McAfee was still in military uniform and playing football for the U.S. Navy. On October 27, 1945, McAfee was stationed in Hawaii and took part in the Navy Day football game at Furlong Field. Several NFL players took part in the game between Marine and Navy personnel. Late in the 1945 NFL season, George McAfee returned to the Chicago Bears. In his first NFL game in nearly four years, McAfee scored three touchdowns and gained 105 yards on just five carries as the Bears defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 28 to 7 before a Chicago crowd of 20,689. McAfee, who received his military discharge on Wednesday, ran 33 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the Sunday contest against the Steelers. McAfee took a pass from Sid Luckman 66 yards for another touchdown. His third score came on a two-yard plunge up the middle.

Following the 1945 football season, George Halas received a signature from George McAfee on a new, three-year contract. Halas was elated to retain the services of the ‘Ironton Flier’ and to prevent the new All-American Football Conference from adding the star to its fold.

“This move sews up the greatest halfback in the game for the Bears and the National Football League, for there are many imitations, and many seconds, but only one George McAfee.”

Bill Dudley, a star on the Pittsburg Steelers roster and a future member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, named McAfee as the best running he had ever seen when interviewed in February of 1946.

“All this talk about who is the faster, Glenn Davis or Buddy Young leaves me cold. Put Young, Davis and McAfee in football uniforms, give each a football, and McAfee will leave them.

What makes McAfee so great is not his speed, although that helps him plenty. Feinting is what he does best. We were playing the Chicago Bears last fall, and McAfee came through my side of the line on a counter-play. He was feinting and twisting and faking even before he got the ball. The guy feinted me right out of my jersey and went all the way for a touchdown.”

“I used to think Jim Thorpe was the greatest football player of all time, but George McAfee is better,” said George Halas in March of 1946.

Bob Zuppke was head football coach at Illinois University from 1913 to 1941 and an advisory coach for the Bears during the team’s training camp in 1946. He gave his opinion on George McAfee’s running ability to the media that August.

“There are just a few backs who ever held me in awe. One was my boy Red Grange. Jim Thorpe, Chic Harley, and Willie Heston were like that. And this boy George McAfee, he belongs right with that group. Those are the five greatest in my book.

McAfee- like Grange, Thorpe, Harley and Heston- sort of terrifies the opposition- makes the shivers run down your spine when he gets the ball.” The distance between Ironton and Chicago was not too great for those interested in seeing the hometown star perform on the gridiron. One such group made the long haul to Chicago to see the Bears play the Cardinals at Wrigley Field on December 12, 1948. Jack McAfee, George’s youngest brother, travelled to the Windy City accompanied by Jack Wolfe, Paul Anderson, Louis Sheridan, Dr. Vernon Wood, Nick McMahon and Harry Gallagher and became part of the stadium- record crowd of 51,283. The contingent from Ironton had the privilege of seeing George McAfee, recently voted most valuable player of the Bears for the 1948 season, recognized as part of the game’s festivities.

On hand to honor McAfee and present him with a new car was Wallace Wade. “George is the same unassuming, clean-cut kid he was at Duke,” Wade told the record crowd. “I have never seen a football player who could do everything as well on the field as McAfee.”

At the close of the 1948 season, George McAfee returned home to Ironton in order to visit his father. Driving his 1949 tan-colored Oldsmobile convertible presented to him at last game, McAfee stopped first in Portsmouth to visit his two brothers who lived there.

Red Grange told Edward Prell of the Chicago Tribune how he viewed George McAfee. “In my book there’s never been a greater broken-field runner,” said Grange. When you see him in slow-motion movies his maneuvers are incredible. He jumps every which way and every muscle seems to be going full blast, like the guy was on fire. He’s a master faker.”

Grange added, “I best remember a Bear film which shows George feinting around a tackler by hopping three times on his left foot. Then, without loss of balance or speed, he came down on his right foot and was gone.”

George McAfee, number five for the Chicago Bears, on a magazine cover in 1950. Shortly after the conclusion of the 1949 football season, George McAfee told a reporter with the Youngtown Vindicator his thoughts on returning for the 1950 football season.

“I love the game, and if conditions don’t change under the new National-American Football League (a reference to the recent merger of the remnants of the All-American Football Conference into the NFL), I’ll be there.”

Yet, George McAfee elected in January of 1949 to fulfill his high school yearbook prediction of coaching greatness. McAfee accepted a football coaching position at Wake Forest University.

After learning George McAfee entered the coaching ranks, Pete Minego of the Portsmouth Times provided an editorial about “Ironton’s No. 1 citizen”.

“We’d like to see Lefty, a fine kid, get the chance in the Tri-State area. In our humble opinion, he’ll turn out winning elevens, as he has the knowledge, backed by enthusiasm and a spirit to win.”

After working spring practice at Wake Forest University, McAfee elected to return to the Bears for the 1950 football season. It would be his final season as a professional football player.

At a 1978 gathering of George’s siblings at the home of his sister, Mary, in High Point, Florida, George told the Citrus-Hernando Times correspondent why he elected to retire from football at age 32.

“I thought I had enough while I was in one piece. Professional football is not an easy life. It’s a hard game with terrific risk involved.”

In his war-shortened, eight-year NFL career, George McAfee accumulated 5,313 all-purpose yards, rushed for 1,685 yards, scored 234 points, scored 39 touchdowns, caught 85 passes, intercepted 25 passes, led the league in fumbles recovered (1948), led the NFL in punt- return yardage with 417 yards on 30 chances (1948), and set a NFL record for career average on punt returns (12.78 yards on 112 punt returns) that was only recently broken.

Following McAfee’s retirement from professional football in 1950, George returned to the college town of Durham, North Carolina. George stayed close to football by joining his brother, Wes, as midget league coaches in 1951. With his brother Wes as partner, George McAfee founded the McAfee Oil Company in Durham. George eventually bought his brother out, and the Shell Oil distributorship operated until 1981when George retired and sold the company.

George’s father, Clarence P. McAfee, passed away on July 1, 1955 at the age of 76. Rev. Paul J. Christenson of First Baptist Church spoke at the funeral service. The retired C &O YMCA employee was buried in Woodland Cemetery beside Mary.

Constructed in 1854 and remodeled a time or two, the First Baptist Church had the McAfee family among its congregation. The South 5th Street church, photographed in 1953, survived several Ohio River floods. The aging structure was eventually demolished. A modern facility erected across the street now serves the church’s congragation.

George McAfee’s parents are buried in Woodland Cemetery. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

Jimmy Cannon, sports columnist, interviewed Sid Luckman in 1960. While Luckman was hesitant to name the greatest football player he ever saw, Cannon reported it was obviously Luckman’s teammate, George McAfee.

“He could punt, pass, run and block,” Luckman said. “Once he got by you, forget him. He scored.”

In 1961, the College Football Hall of Fame selected Duke’s George McAfee; Army’s famed Glenn ‘Mr. Outside’ Davis and eight other college football notables for induction. The featured speaker for the December 5th awards dinner in New York was President John F. Kennedy, a former Harvard junior varsity football player. President Kennedy shared the head table with those men inducted that evening by the College Football Hall of Fame.

The McAfee brothers were photographed on top of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City in 1961. The brothers were in town to watch George get inducted by the College Football Hall of Fame. Front Row (L to R) Dr. J. P. McAfee, Shannon McAfee, Elbert McAfee, George McAfee, John McAfee, Bill McAfee and Jack McAfee. Back Row: Wes McAfee and Clellan McAfee.

Despite being dispersed throughout the country, the McAfee family remained close. Every three years the siblings, their children and their children’s children would hold a reunion. The family held such a reunion in 1973 which the Cincinnati Enquirer covered. The reporter wrote, “There are more than 90 of them right now across the river having a party, an extraordinary party, like families used to have parties. It is now in its third day.”

The last member of the famous Ironton family, Jack, passed away on February 18, 2011.

The Ironton Tribune provided an update in 1961on Ironton’s ‘All-American family’.

George McAfee owned McAfee Oil Company products in Durham, North Carolina. George was married to the former Jeanne Mencke of Baltimore, Maryland. George and Jeanne were the proud parents of Cheryl, Mary Jeanne and George Jr.

George McAfee also had a weekend job as one of the NFL’s 44 game officials. After working high school and college football games for eight years, McAfee received his NFL appointment in 1959. McAfee, a 43-year old, was in his third-year as a NFL official.

George McAfee, NFL head linesman.

In 1961, Wes McAfee was working for East Coast Transport and was living in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Elbert McAfee was a buyer with J.J. Newberry Company in New York City. John McAfee, a former Buckeye letter winner, resided in Youngstown, Ohio. An outstanding football coach at Youngstown South High, John retired from coaching following the 1959 season. Mary Smith was living in Akron, Ohio. Clellan McAfee was a retired Navy commander living in Florida. Jack McAfee, Perna Gustin and Dorthy Wittacher were living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jack McAfee was working for a soap and cosmetics company in Cincinnati. Dr. J. Paul McAfee and Shannon McAfee were living in Portsmouth, Ohio. Shannon McAfee was working for the railroad. Bill McAfee was living in East Lansing, Michigan where he owned a steel company.

Wes McAfee, Duke University, makes a spectacular run against the Panthers of Pittsburgh in 1940. Wes was drafted by the NFL and played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941. After serving his country during WW II, Wes never returned to pro football.

George McAfee, 1962.

George McAfee was honored by what eventually became known as Ironton Sports Day. The Ironton Lions Club sponsored the event in 1963.

George McAfee was the fourth recipient of the annual honor. In 1960, the event honored football coach Gene Slaughter. The Ohio State University basketball team under Coach Fred Taylor, 1961 NCAA champions, was the next honoree. The 1962 honoree was McAfee’s old high school coach, Dick Gallagher.

Co-chairmen for the July 11, 1963 event honoring McAfee were Jimmy Heald and Paul Anderson, a McAfee classmate at Ironton High School. Dick Riley, Ken Gallant, Joe McCollister, Rick Caudill, Tommy Tomko, B.B. Crawford, George Brown, Hugh Mearan, Jim Mains, Bill Douglas, Don Crance, Denny Madden, Walter Thimmes and the Tiger Clan, Don Mayne, Bob Click, John Strait, Dick Smeltzer, Jim Gallagher, Don Boyer, Larry Handley and Ron Cox served on the committee that made the event a huge success. Ron Duff, Ironton Tribune sports editor, eloquently described the day in Ironton history set aside for George McAfee.

“One day is not a very long time to honor a man for a lifetime of achievement. Yet, one day is sufficient to say thank you for the greatness of being among the finest in one’s profession. Too much back slapping and too many plaudits can soon become cloying.

Everyone is proud because the ‘guy next door’ made it big among the all-time greats. It’s a matter of pride to honor one’s own. And that’s the way it should be. That’s why Ironton is honoring George McAfee.

Greatness and fame are attributes that only come to a few. That makes them something special. That’s why we recognize them as special people. That is the recognition we owe George McAfee- it is the same recognition we will be serving him tomorrow.”

George McAfee carries a white football used in NFL night games.

The event actually kicked off the evening of July 10, 1963 with an open house at the Ironton Elks Lodge in honor of McAfee and his family. The stag affair sponsored by B.P.O.E. 177 began at 7 p.m. and was scheduled to close at midnight. Matt Cloran and James Heald announced that guests would be treated to a smorgasbord supper.

All of George McAfee’s brothers attended the Ironton Elks Club event except one. Dr. Paul McAfee was absent because he was on call at a Portsmouth hospital.

It was an evening of great food and rekindled friendships. It was also a time to reminisce the undefeated and untied 1935 Fighting Tigers directed by All-Ohio quarterback, George McAfee. The Elks Club was full of football dignitaries, many with Ironton ties. Dick Gallagher, General Manager of the Buffalo Bills, was there to honor his former star quarterback. Another Irontonian in attendance was Gene Slaughter. Slaughter was head football coach at Capital University in 1963. The greatest player in Ironton Tanks history, Glenn Presnell, was there to pay homage to George McAfee. Dan Hill, an All-American at Duke, made the trip to honor his former teammate.

On Thursday, July 11, the event shifted to the Ironton Country Club. Charley Krell, a reporter with the Ashland Independent, described the day set aside for one of Ironton’s finest.

“In every community on the American scene there is a family or an individual who has stood out in achievement, be it athletic, intellectual or whatnot.

In Ironton, where fine athletes have been the tradition down through the years, one of the names is McAfee and the greatest of them all- George (Lefty) McAfee is being honored here today.”

The day started with an 8 a.m. tee time. George McAfee got his round started at 10:00 a.m. Refreshments were served to the foursomes as they tackled the nine-hole golf course.

Prior to McAfee’s round, George gave a brief interview to Charley Krell of the Ashland Independent.

“Probably the three most enjoyable occasions of my sports career,” McAfee told Krell, were “when we beat Portsmouth, 21to 0 in 1935, when I played in the Rose Bowl in 1939, even though we lost and when I scored a touchdown in the Chicago Bears 73 to 0 victory over the Washington Redskins in 1940. An odd thing about that game was the fact that 10 players scored the 11 touchdowns. My TD came on an interception, about 35 yards.”

After George McAfee finished his round, photographers gathered around and took photos of George McAfee sitting in his special golf cart. Stanley Lynd, a former teammate on the undefeated 1935 Ironton gridiron squad, had the privilege of posing with George McAfee in the decorated golf cart.

George McAfee is seated in his special golf cart at the Ironton Country Club with his nephew, Jimmy Whitaker of Cincinnati. Standing (L to R): Craig McAfee (Clellan's son) of Satellite Beach, FL, Jimmy Heald (event chairman), Dan Hill of Durham, NC, Willard 'Easy' Eaves of Ashland, KY and Elbert McAfee (George's brother) of Stamford, CT.

The last golf cart off the course was occupied by Gene James, Ironton Recreation Director, and John Brickles, athletic director at Miami of Ohio.

Following the links action, a buffet dinner was served at 6 p.m. The main program started at 8 p.m.

More than 300 guests were treated to an evening of laughs and testimonials to the greatness of George McAfee. Harold Rolph, a former member of the Ironton Tanks and a college football and basketball official when time permitted at his hospital executive position, had the privilege to introduce the visiting coaches and special guests. Media members introduced by Rolph included representatives from four newspapers, two radio stations and a TV station that were on hand to cover the event. Ironton city officials on hand were also introduced by Rolph.

Rolph’s list of guests from the collegiate sports world included Dave Reese (commissioner of the MAC), Ed Cameron (athletic director at Duke University), Bill Rohr (athletic director at Ohio University), John Brickles (athletic director at Miami of Ohio), Bill Hess (head football coach at Ohio University), Gene Slaughter (head football coach, Capital University) and Jim Snyder (head basketball coach, Ohio University), Whitney Wilson (athletic director at Marshall University), Ellis Johnson (basketball coach at Marshall University), Charlie Kautz (assistant football coach at Marshall University), Guy Penny (head football coach at Morehead State College), Carl Oakley (assistant football coach at Morehead State College), Glenn Presnell (football coach at Eastern Kentucky State College), Gene Slaughter (football coach at Capital University) and John Coffee (ticket director at University of Cincinnati).

Rolph also recognized Nick McMahon. McMahon helped recruit many football greats to Ironton to play for the Ironton Tanks. Hol Slutz, a former well-now official from Cincinnati, was introduced to the crowd.

George McAfee, Chicago Bears.

Willard ‘Easy’ Eaves was McAfee’s teammate at Duke University.

The program was then turned over to Willard ‘Easy’ Eaves, McAfee’s backfield teammate at Duke. Eaves, a former FBI agent, kept the program rolling and incorporated some humorous stories of his days playing football with McAfee at Duke.

Ashland’s Ralph Felty, All-American center Dan Hill and halfback Wes McAfee were introduced by Eaves. These men were all part of the great Duke teams that McAfee played on.

Telegrams were acknowledged from former football superstar Red Grange and Detroit Lions football staff members George Wilson, Ray ‘Scooter’ McClain and Al Forte. The McAfee family was introduced to the crowd- all twelve children of the late C.P. and Mary McAfee. Dr. J.P. McAfee and C.S. McAfee of Portsmouth, Ohio, E.A. McAfee of Stamford, Connecticut, Bill McAfee of East Lansing, Michigan, Clellan McAfee of Satellite Beach, Florida, Wesley McAfee of Goldsborough, North Carolina, Jack McAfee of Cincinnati, Ohio, John McAfee of Youngstown, Ohio, Mrs. Perna Gustin of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mrs. Dorothy Guethlen of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mrs. Mary Smith of Cleveland, Ohio were on hand for the great occasion.

Eight of the nine McAfee boys played football at Ironton High School and helped make the Tigers a challenging opponent. Carl Hess, sports editor for the Portsmouth Daily Times, wrote an article in November of 1939 expressing what a relief it was to see that Ironton had run out of McAfee brothers to send against the Portsmouth High squad.

“But now even Jack (McAfee) has been graduated and the current crop of McAfees has apparently been exhausted. There isn’t a single one on the Ironton roster, miracle of miracles.” Hess added, “Without a McAfee, the Ironton boys ought to be duck soup.”

Five of the McAfee boys played college football. Two of the McAfee boys made a name for themselves in the National Football League.

George played at Duke University and for the Chicago Bears. Wesley also played at Duke and later for the Philadelphia Eagles. John played at Ohio State and for the AFL’s Cincinnati Bengals. John also coached high school football for 25 years. Jack played for William and Mary. Clellan played at Tri-State College in Indiana.

Eaves then introduced the first speaker of the evening, Dick Gallagher. McAfee’s football coach at Ironton High recalled McAfee’s gridiron exploits as a Fighting Tiger. Among those in the audience representing the undefeated and untied state champion team of 1935 were Hobe Royal, Wes McAfee, Clellan McAfee, John Schafer, and Garland ‘Ma’ Collins.

George McAfee (L) and Hobe Royal (R), members of Ironton High's 'Wonder Backfield' of 1935, at Sports Day in 1963. Gallagher praised McAfee’s natural athletic talents and his fine attitude. He said that McAfee was truly an “All-American Boy.” Gallagher said he never saw a more dedicated team than the 1935 Ironton gridiron squad.

Ed Cameron and Dan Hill spoke next about McAfee’s days at Duke University. Cameron was McAfee’s backfield coach at Duke. Hill was an All-American teammate of McAfee.

Cameron read a telegram from Wallace Wade who was unable to attend due to illness. Wade referenced the 1939 Duke squad that lost only to Pittsburgh (14 – 13) and won the conference championship.

“This was one of the finest teams I’ve had. The outstanding boys on the team were the McAfee brothers, George and Wes, who played the halfbacks. It was a great all-around offensive team, built around the fleet-footed George McAfee. He was really a one-man offense and practically unstoppable. He was a great kicker, great runner, great passer and one of the best receivers I’ve ever seen. He was a terrific safety man and great on the reverse play from wingback or from deep punt.”

Dan Hill joked with the crowd about Eaves contribution to the Duke University football team.

“We had three great players on that (Duke Rose Bowl) team. (Eric) Tipton was a great passer, (George) McAfee was a great rusher and Eaves did all the talking.”

After the audience heard about McAfee’s days at Duke University, George ‘Papa Bear’ Halas walked to the podium. “We just couldn’t believe our eyes,” Halas said regarding the first time he and his assistant coaches saw McAfee in action for the Chicago Bears. In McAfee’s first play in training camp against a tight 6-2 defense, Halas witnessed the rookie explode through the line, side-step and run 60 yards for a touchdown. Halas stated that run by McAfee was the “turning point in the Bears’ victories for many years to come.”

Prior to the 1946 NFL title game with the New York Giants, George Halas talks strategy with his team. Front Row (L to R): George Wilson, George McAfee and Ray Bray. Second Row: Sid Luckman, George Halas, Hugh Gallarneau and Bulldog Turner. Top Row: Joe Stydahar and Bill Kolman.

George Halas called McAfee “a living legend.” “He could do everything,” Halas added. Halas boasted that McAfee was the “finest runner that professional football has ever seen.” Halas also commented on where McAfee ranked in Bears football history.

“Many times I have been pressured to pick an all-time, Bear all-star team. I never have, and I never will. But if I ever did, I’ll guarantee that there are three members of that team in the audience tonight.”

Halas told the crowd that he was referring to George McAfee, Sid Luckman and Joe Stydahar.

Halas credited McAfee with being the final ingredient that made the ‘T’ formation so successful for the Chicago Bears.

“We had great ends, great tackles, great guards, a great center, a great quarterback and a great fullback. Now we had the breakaway halfback we needed to make the ‘T’ work.”

(L to R) George Halas, Milfred Baum, George McAfee and Sid Luckman enjoy the fun at the 1963 Ironton Sports Day honoring George McAfee.

Chicago Bears greats and future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Sid Luckman and Joe Stydahar, provided some of the finest and most memorable comments about McAfee.

After testing his old throwing arm earlier in the day by tossing a photographer’s glider on the grounds of the Ironton Country Club, Sid Luckman took the podium to praise his former teammate.

Sid Luckman throws a glider out at the Ironton Country Club as Joe Stydahar looks on.

According to Luckman, McAfee played the game of football to win, and he played it fast, rough and hard. “I would look in amazement as to what he (McAfee) could do,” said Luckman.

Luckman commented, “If George McAfee had played the amount of time that modern players do, he would have been the greatest player of professional football. George McAfee is a symbol of what you would want an athlete to be. He is a symbol of what made the Bears great.”

Luckman added, “He (McAfee) is as great an athlete and as great a human being as I have ever known.” Luckman told the crowd that he never knew George McAfee to utter a swear word or break training rules in all the years they played football together.

Sid Luckman, Chicago Bears. Joe Stydahar, one of the best offensive tackles in NFL history, concurred with Luckman’s assessment of McAfee’s character. Stydahar told the crowd that he “never knew a finer gentleman” than George McAfee. Stydahar stated that McAfee was the greatest runner the game has ever seen.

Milfred Baum, a vice president with A&P in Chicago and founder of the George McAfee Fan Club, spoke briefly. Baum had put together a similar event in Chicago back in 1948 honoring McAfee. That event resulted in McAfee driving home a new 1949 car. Baum told the crowd that McAfee was the finest gentleman he has ever known from the world of athletics.

George McAfee, Chicago Bears.

The crowd at the Ironton Country Club finally heard from the honoree, George McAfee. It was not a lengthy or profound speech, but it was classic George.

“It is indeed a pleasure for me to see so many here tonight who helped me achieve the modest success I had in football,” McAfee said. McAfee stated that he was pleased that his family could share in this moment honoring him. In attendance were McAfee’s wife, two daughters and eleven brothers and sisters.

McAfee also praised his former coaches, Gallagher, Wade and Halas, for developing his football talents to the fullest. “I owe everything to them,” McAfee said.

McAfee concluded by saying, “Thank you. I’ll never forget this occasion. I really don’t deserve it, but I accept it humbly.”

A sport coat, a tape player with a tape of the day’s entire program, three pictures of McAfee depicting his playing days at Ironton High, Duke and Chicago Bears and a silver tray inscribed with “George McAfee Day” were presented to McAfee as mementos of this special day in his honor.

(L to R) George Halas, George McAfee, Dick Gallagher and Ed Cameron discuss old times at the 1963 Ironton Sports Day ceremony.

Fred Burns, a writer for Huntington’s (WV) Herald Dispatch, called the event honoring McAfee “a sports writer’s dream” and praised the committee for putting together an outstanding sports gala.

On March 23, 1966, news wires reported that George McAfee would become a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. McAfee, a unanimous selection to the four-year old shrine by the committee of 14 pro football writers, was still officiating NFL games when he got the good news.

George McAfee, Chicago Bears 1941.

A pair of McAfee’s famous, low-cut shoes was on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame when the facility opened in 1963. Now, McAfee’s name would forever be immortalized with the greatest names in the history of professional football.

Danny Fortmann, legendary Bears lineman and a 1965 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, called McAfee the greatest ball carrier that ever lived. McAfee was so fast on the field that Sid Luckman referred to him as “The Original Gone with the Wind”.

Maybe the top accolade bestowed on George McAfee came in a statement George Halas gave the media in 1965 when Gale Sayers exploded onto the NFL scene.

“The highest compliment you can pay any ball carrier is just compare him with McAfee.”

Arthur Daley, a Pulitzer-Prize winning columnist for the New York Times, described how challenging it was to get elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his columns on April 3, 1966 and September 21, 1966.

“The Valhalla at Canton is the most exclusive of all sports shrines. It has a membership of only 39. Eight were muscled past the portals this year by the demanding selection committee which fights harder to keep men out than to admit qualified candidates. They move so cautiously that they’ll never catch up with the enormous backlog.”

“Because this is the choosiest and most exclusive of all sports shrines, it automatically confers extra distinction on the comparative few who not only meet the highly critical standards of the election panel but can move them to unanimous approval.”

Arthur Daley described McAfee as a “paragon of perfection” in the eyes of the legendary Chicago coach. Daley also explained why McAfee passed the test for admission to the exclusive club in Canton. “McAfee was one of the fastest backs even to break into a broken field, a man of such breathtaking speed and skill that he is the paragon the experts used in seeking comparisons for Gale Sayers, the freshman sensation of the Bears last season.”

Glenn Presnell, George McAfee’s childhood football hero, was the Ironton Sports Day recipient on June 30, 1966. George McAfee spoke at the ceremony honoring the great running back of the Ironton Tanks, Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions. George McAfee’s brothers, John and Shannon, were also on hand for the annual festivity at the Ironton Country Club.

Presnell, a NFL all-Pro in the early 1930s and former head football coach at Nebraska, praised George McAfee in a 2002 interview.

“He (McAfee) was a great player; very hard to tackle; very elusive runner.”

On September 17, 1966, George McAfee joined pro football’s ultimate team when he and seven other NFL greats were enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Twenty-three members of the McAfee clan travelled to Canton, Ohio for the event.

When George McAfee had to select a presenter for the ceremony, he looked no further that his old high school coach and lifelong friend.

“Dick (Gallagher) was instrumental in George’s life,” said close friend, Harold Spears. Spears said the mentoring started back in high school when, “Gallagher worked with them and sort of took the McAfee boys under his wing.” After McAfee’s football playing days were over, Gallagher was still there to help. “Dick got him a job officiating,” said Spears.

After being introduced by Dick Gallagher, George McAfee spoke to the crowd.

“Thank you Dick (presenter Dick Gallagher), ladies and gentlemen. It's a real honor for me to be here today and to be inducted into this National Pro Football Hall of Fame and it's a real pleasure also to have Dick Gallagher, my former high school coach down at Ironton, Ohio, here today doing the honors for me. Dick gave me my initial start in football, back in 1933 in Ironton. It was also here that I had my first taste of pro football, watching the old Ironton Tanks play whom I'm sure many of you people here from Canton well remember.

Football has been very good to me and I could not accept this award without saying just a simple thank you to just a few of the people that has helped me so much. Following Dick Gallagher, of course, he said I went to Duke University where I played under Coach Wallace Wade and then on to the Chicago Bears where I had the good fortune of playing with Mr. George Halas, “Papa Bear” himself.

And there's also another group here that I want to say thank you to, and I really mean it when I say it is that wonderful family sitting out here. They gave me a lot of encouragement and help along the way and there was a few of them who made a few lasting impressions on me and if you don't believe it, I've got a scar here and a few back here. But if brothers Jack and John are out there, I left a few on them, too.

It's a real pleasure to be here and I want to thank everybody for being so wonderful to me and my family and I'll cherish this honor as long as I live. Thank you.”

Dick Gallagher (L) and George McAfee (R) hold McAfee's Pro Football Hall of Fame bust.

McAfee’s enshrinement in Canton deserved a day of recognition by his hometown. McAfee Day in Ironton was sponsored and planned by the Tiger Clan and the ladies of the Tiger Clan Auxiliary. Chet Spicer arranged the day’s events for the Tiger Clan.

McAfee Day began at 9:30 a.m. on October 7, 1966 with McAfee viewing the erection of street signs honoring him at the city entrances.

City officials pose with George McAfee in front of a sign honoring the hometown hero.

Street sign honoring George McAfee located at Hanging Rock entrance to Ironton as it looked in 2003. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

At 1:30 p.m., George McAfee was guest of honor at his alma mater. A banner above the high doors at Ironton High School welcomed McAfee home.

The student body, faculty and special guests gathered in the auditorium at Ironton High School to pay tribute the legendary star of the gridiron. On stage with McAfee were the school’s administration, current Ironton High coaches, Dick Gallagher, Chet Spicer and the student body president, Ralph Earhart.

In the audience were members of the 1935 Tiger football squad and the class of 1936. It was reported that Sheriff Carl Rose and Mrs. Martha Ann Cooper Hicks assertively applauded each speaker and every presentation made that day.

Chet Spicer, a former teammate of McAfee at Ironton High and MVP of the 1934 Fighting Tiger gridiron squad, spoke on behalf of the Ironton High class of 1936. Spicer proudly showed off a beautiful oil portrait of Lefty McAfee. The portrait was presented to the school for permanent display.

Oil painting depicting George McAfee was presented by the class of 1936 to Ironton High School. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

Dick Gallagher returned to Ironton High School to honor the great Fighting Tiger. Gallagher was at that time serving as the Buffalo Bills general manager. Gallagher presented the school with a plaque denoting some of McAfee’s remarkable achievements. The plaque was also destined for display at the school.

Gallagher emphasized to the student body that they were not simply honoring an outstanding local athlete, but “one of the greatest in history.”

Gallagher said the two attributes best demonstrated by George McAfee were his exacting self-discipline, described as “character plus,” and his facility for being most appreciative.

Principal James ‘Bear’ Mains read an Ironton Board of Education proclamation of George McAfee Day. Number 13, the number McAfee wore throughout his playing career at Ironton High, was retired and the jersey presented to the school. McAfee was the first Ironton High football player to have his jersey number retired by the school. Ralph Earhart, student body president at Ironton High, teamed with Principal James J. Mains to accept the jersey on behalf of the school from Bill Berry, a member of the 1966 Tiger football team.

McAfee’s jersey and oil portrait were to be put on prominent position in the school as permanent mementos of this great day.

George McAfee heard a standing ovation as he walked to the podium. McAfee readily admitted that there was a “lump in my throat, a tear in my eye and I can’t help it.”

McAfee then took the audience from his days at Ironton High School to his service as an NFL official. Names recalled included former Superintendent John Miller and Miss Rebecca Dana of the English department at Ironton High. McAfee also told about the Tigers training at Camp Oyo that Coach Gallagher arranged one year. McAfee recalled that the 1935 Ironton football team only had 13 players letter. The loss to the University of Southern California in the Rose Bowl was mentioned as his greatest disappointment. Playing for Coach Wade Wallace and Coach George Halas were described as great experiences.

McAfee gave the student body three rules for success on the gridiron. George told the students to be healthy, love to play the game and keep up your school work.

George McAfee presented the high school with a framed certificate of his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement.

George McAfee, Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Thanks to the generosity of George McAfee, the player’s copy of his Pro Football Hall of Fame bust is on display at Ironton High School. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

The audience roared with approval, and the roar got even louder when a stretcher was carried down to the front and dumped on the floor. The stretcher bore the title of ‘Kitty Litter’ in reference to the evening’s contest against the rival Tomcats from Ashland, Kentucky.

The 1966 – 1967 Owl, Ironton High School’s yearbook, recorded George McAfee’s appearance before the student body of his alma mater.

"Many students were inspired by Mr. McAfee's short speech. They found that Mr. McAfee is intelligent and humorous, as well as a great football player."

“McAfee addressing his alma mater was a huge thrill for all of us,” said Phil Staton, a freshman at Ironton High School in 1966.

Don Mayne, a writer with the Herald Dispatch, described the conclusion of the special assembly at the Ironton High School honoring George McAfee. “The school’s alma mater was never sung with any more meaning in a moving finale to a fine afternoon for Ironton High and George McAfee.

And before the cameras clicked and the autograph seekers crowded onto the stage, George McAfee had one thing left to do.

He wiped tears from his eyes.”

Following the assembly at Ironton High School, McAfee rode in a motorcade to the Marting House in downtown Ironton to meet the public.

Marting House, Ironton, Ohio George McAfee, Chicago Bears 1949.

At 5:30 p.m., McAfee returned to Ironton High School where he was guest of honor at a banquet held in the school cafeteria. The banquet was sponsored by the Tiger Clan. The meal was prepared and served by the women of the Tiger Clan Auxiliary. Dick Gallagher was among those in attendance.

Willard ‘Easy’ Eaves, a Duke teammate of McAfee, served as master of ceremonies. Eaves read a prepared text at the banquet.

In the text read by Eaves, Gallagher called McAfee an “unselfish, dedicated, all-around athlete who starred not only in football, but also in basketball, track and baseball.” Eaves stated that Halas ranked McAfee with such all-time Bears greats as Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski, Sid Luckman and Johnny Lujack.

Eaves also read a telegram of congratulations from Wallace Wade. Wade was McAfee’s coach at Duke. Wade called McAfee “the greatest kicker, passer, runner, receiver and safety man he ever coached.”

Eaves also commented on the athletic competition that took place between the McAfee brothers as children living in Ironton.

“He (George McAfee) first gained honors as all-Ninth Street between Walnut and Mulberry, and he never stopped.”

In 1966, George McAfee returned to the stadium where his playing career started. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

At 7:40 p.m., McAfee was honored on the same field where he helped lead the 1935 Fighting Tigers to an undefeated season and a share of the state title. A huge crowd was on hand to witness George McAfee’s return to Tanks Memorial Stadium.

Willard Eaves served as master of ceremonies. Special guests at the pre-game ceremony included the Ironton High class of 1936 and the 1935 Fighting Tiger gridiron squad. Eaves repeated the prepared text that he read at the banquet for the crowd gathered to watch the Ironton Fighting Tigers take on Ashland. McAfee’s Ironton High jersey was displayed for the crowd, and his jersey number was proclaimed retired by the high school.

Sheriff Carl Rose, a member of the 1935 Ironton High football team, displayed McAfee's jersey for the crowd.

A proclamation issued by city council was read before the start of the Ashland – Ironton gridiron clash by the city manager of Ironton, J. B. Skirvin.

RESOLUTION NO. 5231

TO PAY TRIBUTE TO GEORGE (LEFTY) MCAFEE

WHEREAS, the council of the City of Ironton, Ohio is cognizant of the success achieved by natives of this city in various fields of endeavor and in many locations in the country and of the desirability that the same is deserving of public recognition from time to time,

AND WHEREAS, George McAfee is a native son of the City of Ironton, Ohio, who has accomplished exceptional feats in athletics as an All-American football player at Duke University, as a member of the professional football team, Chicago Bears, recently being inducted into the Football Hall of Fame, and in other respects, all of which has brought great credit upon himself, his family and the City of Ironton,

AND WHEREAS, upon October 7, 1966, George McAfee will visit this City and be honored by the Ironton High School from which he graduated and should be honored by the entire City as well,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AND PROCLAIMED that October 7, 1966 be designated in the city as “GEORGE MCAFEE DAY”; that said day be set aside for the purpose of acknowledging and paying tribute to George “Lefty” McAfee, one of the nation’s football greats and one of Ironton’s favorite sons; that a copy of this Proclamation be presented to him by the City Manager and that it be spread upon the permanent records of this Body.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, this Resolution and Proclamation has been adopted by the Council of the City of Ironton, Ohio this 22 day of September, 1966.

ATTEST: Juanita L. Fayne Eugene Mooney

Clerk of City Council Chairman of City Council

The home football stands at Ironton much as it looked when McAfee played here. Basketball gym where Ironton defeated Waterloo Wonders is in the background. (Photos by Jim Ridgeway)

George McAfee addressed the Ashland - Ironton football crowd.

Skirvin had the pleasure of introducing George McAfee who spoke to a crowd excited to hear from their hometown hero. McAfee’s short speech was the culmination of a wonderful, welcome-home party for the most famous graduate of Ironton High School.

In January of 1967, George Halas named his all-time NFL backfield. McAfee joined Nagurski, Luckman and Steve Van Buren in Halas’ dream backfield.

“He was the first star to cut his shoes to ankle height, could sprint 9.7 for the 100 and had a lightning sidestep,” said the 71-year old Halas. “McAfee could score anytime from anywhere. He also was an excellent blocker, a deadly left-handed passer and hard- tackling defender, and boomed left-footed punts upwards of 70 yards.”

George McAfee was a visible and active member of the Durham and Duke University communities. As a member of the Durham Jaycees, McAfee helped bring the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears to Durham for a professional football game on September 6, 1952. On January 3, 1967, McAfee was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Durham City Council. George was also a member of the Durham Kiwanis Club, Durham Sports Club, Duke University Iron Dukes and a volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

In 1972, another quarterback from Ironton High School travelled to Durham to play for the Blue Devils. Hal Spears, maybe the best passing quarterback at Ironton High School since George McAfee, earned the starting job at Duke and passed for a career-best 1,132 yards in 1974.

Hal Spears

Hal Spears’ father, Harold, was thankful that his son had a mentor down in Durham.

“George (McAfee) used to help Hal when he went down to Duke. George took him aside and gave him tips.”

George McAfee was back in town the last week of June in 1975 to see his brother, John, recognized as the Ironton Sports Day honoree. George McAfee also presented awards at Sports Day to two former Ironton High athletes that were making names for themselves at the college level. Hal Spears had just been named a tri-captain for the Duke Blue Devils. Jimmy Payne, a Mississippi State wide receiver that played in the Sun Bowl against the University of South Carolina, was the first former Ironton High graduate to appear in a bowl game since George and Wes McAfee did so for the Blue Devils.

George McAfee (L) and John McAfee (R) in 1949.

John McAfee helped the Buckeyes defeat Michigan by the score of 34 to 0 in 1934. Floyd Stahl, John McAfee’s backfield coach at Ohio State, told the audience an interesting story about the bruising fullback from Ironton.

“Tippy Dyer, who was also in the backfield” related Stahl, “told John not to hurt that big blond Jerry Ford because we might need him for President someday”.

The guest speaker for the program was Dr. James R. Hull, a former Buckeye basketball star that became an orthodontist, praised John McAfee and McAfee’s parents.

“You never quit. You came to Ohio State just following the depression and, although the times were still hard, you never quit and your parents never quit. To this I say congratulations.”

The Sports Day program concluded with words from John McAfee.

“It’s been a long day, but a wonderful day for me. Ironton has changed since I left it years ago, but not the people. They don’t forget one of their own.”

George McAfee certainly never forgot his hometown. McAfee frequently returned home for the annual Ironton Sports Day and passed the street sign at the city limits honoring him.

“George always came back as much as he could,” said Harold Spears. When asked in a 2003 interview what he would like to say to the people back in Ironton, George McAfee responded, “Just say hello, and I would like to get back sometime.”

George McAfee (5), Chicago Bears.

Even after his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, George McAfee continued to receive awards and honors. McAfee was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1967. When the Duke Sports Hall of Fame named its inaugural class in 1975, George McAfee joined Eddie Cameron, Dan Hill, Ace Parker, Wallace Wade and Bill Werber in receiving that honor. McAfee was also named to the NFL’s 1940s All-decade team and the All-Time, Two-Way Team.

In 2010, Larry Phillips of the Mansfield News Journal selected an all-time, All-Ohio high school football team. The passing of time and a plethora of great players in Ohio high school football history did not cause an overlooking of Ohio’s 1935 gridiron star. Phillips named George McAfee to a defensive back spot on his first-team defense.

Design work was completed in 2006 for double-sided, full-color, metal signs honoring Ironton’s hometown heroes. The first sign constructed honored George McAfee. Bob Vaughn purchased and donated a sign honoring McAfee that is prominently displayed at the corner of 7th Street and Park Avenue in downtown Ironton.

This is a fairly recent photo of downtown Ironton. The hills in the background are on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. The street running towards Kentucky is Park Avenue. McAfee’s street sign is on the corner of 7th Street and Park Avenue. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

The late Bob Vaughn, a former city councilman and school board member, donated the McAfee sign on Park Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Ironton. Vaughn had the privilege to interview McAfee in 2003 for his personal Web site. County courthouse is on the right in this photo. (Photos by Jim Ridgeway)

The McAfee family was planning to bring George McAfee, the legendary Fighting Tiger, back to Ironton for a visit in the summer of 2009. Unfortunately, Ironton lost its most famous hometown hero on March 4, 2009. The Ironton Tribune headline on March 6, 2009 read, “Loss of a Legend”.

“He (George McAfee) was a great gentleman,” said Harold Spears. “We were great friends.”

“You would have never known he was a football star,” said Susan Griffin, who for years attended St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Durham with McAfee, to a reporter following his death. “He was the most unassuming, humble man imagined.”

Jim Walker, sports editor at the Ironton Tribune, eloquently described on March 9, 2009 the tight-knit relationship between George McAfee and his hometown.

“No matter where George McAfee lived, his heart was always in Ironton. And George McAfee can rest assured that he will always be in the hearts of Ironton.”

George McAfee has his bust in the gallery at the Pro Football Hal of Fame. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway) Interesting Notes

A. George McAfee, Wes McAfee, Danny Pride and Coy Bacon are the only former Ironton Tigers to play in the NFL. George McAfee, Wes McAfee and Ken Fritz are the only former Tigers selected in the NFL draft.

B. Dick Gallagher departed Ironton High to become an assistant football coach at William & Mary. Jack McAfee, George’s younger brother and a three-sport letterman at Ironton High, played college football at William & Mary with his old high school coach on the sideline.

C. In a 2000 edition of the Coffin Corner newsletter, former Chicago Bears quarterback Bob Snyder stated that George McAfee was the greatest running back that ever played in the NFL and elaborated on McAfee’s exploits. “McAfee only played thirty-one minutes a game and still had outstanding stats. He would be a star today!”

D. In an interview with NFL Dot Com, George McAfee recalled what he saw in his first training camp with the Chicago Bears. "I never saw so many big men in my life. I remember clearly, on one of the first scrimmage plays, that a rookie halfback was knocked cold trying to bring down Bill Osmanski. That play served as a valuable lesson for me. Whenever I ran with the ball, I had that picture in my mind of that back there on the ground, cold as a stone. I would run as fast as I could if there was any daylight."

E. The Ironton Memorial Day parade committee recognized George McAfee’s service to his country during WW II by naming a 2009 parade division after him. Dr. Dave Lucas of Ohio University had the honor of carrying the division marker the length of the parade route. 2009 Ironton Memorial Day parade. (Photos by Jim Ridgeway)

F. George McAfee graduated from Ironton High School in 1936. Only twenty-four Pro Football Hall of Fame members (twenty-one players and three coaches) attended an Ohio high school.

G. The Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame is full of coaches with a connection to Ironton. Dick Gallagher (former head football coach at Ironton High School) became a member in 1971. John McAfee (former head football coach at Youngstown South High School) was recognized in 1974. A backfield star for the Tigers and a 1944 graduate of Ironton High School, Gene Slaughter (former head football coach at Warren Harding High School) became a member in 1994. James Mains (former head football coach at Ironton High School) was accepted in 1995. Bob Lutz (current head football coach at Ironton High School) received the honor in 2003.

H. Dick Gallagher is not the only Ironton High graduate to coach a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in high school. Gene Slaughter coached Paul Warfield at Warren Harding High School. Warfield selected Slaughter to be his presenter at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.

I. Decades after his college playing career was over, George McAfee was still the consummate teammate. Around 2002, Duke University was planning to honor him at a football game. Mary Dinkins, Director of the Duke Varsity Club, recalled that event for an article written by Bryan Strickland of the Durham Herald-Sun. "I was getting the golf cart to take him to the field. I got back, and lo and behold, he had found about 10 of his teammates," Dinkins said. “He said, ‘If they’re going to introduce me, they’re going to introduce my teammates.’”

J. The Southern Conference featured Duke, Clemson, William & Mary, North Carolina, Virginia Military Institute, Richmond, Furman, Wake Forest, North Carolina State, Washington & Lee, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Davidson, Maryland and the Citadel during the 1939 Football season.

K. On January 26, 2013, George McAfee joined Coy Bacon, Ken Fritz, Bob Lutz and Mike Burcham as inaugural members of the Ironton High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

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In memory of George Anderson “Lefty” McAfee

March 13, 1918 – March 4, 2009

(Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

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George McAfee (L) and John McAfee (R) in 1961.

Special thanks to Judge Harold Spears and Phil Staton for their contributions to this article. Special thanks to George McAfee's daughter, Mary Jeanne, for her research assistance.

Article is an educational tribute to a hometown, sports legend. Written and researched by Jim Ridgeway. Research conducted at Briggs Public Library, Boyd County Public Library, Cabell County Public Library, Duke University Online Archives and other sources. The efforts of the staff at these libraries were greatly appreciated. Copyright Jim Ridgeway 2010, 2019. All rights reserved.

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Gorgeous George McAfee, the Ironton Irritator

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George ‘One-Play’ McAfee

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Copyright Jim Ridgeway 2010, 2019

All rights reserved.

Republication, reproduction and/or modification expressly prohibited without prior written consent of author.

Author’s Commentary

My first contact with the name McAfee came as it probably did for many Irontonians. The signs honoring George McAfee erected by the city were hard to miss. Just as city leaders back in 1966 intended, those street signs brought George McAfee’s name and greatest accomplishment to generations of Ironton youth too young to have seen McAfee play football.

Growing up in Ironton, I was fortunate to have a neighbor, Jack Monte, who played ball with the McAfee boys on the playgrounds of Ironton. Jack always described George McAfee as a great guy and a class act. Back in the late 1970s, Jack asked me to ride out to the Ironton Country Club with him. Jack said George McAfee was out at the golf course for Ironton Sports Day, and he would introduce me to McAfee. While I was just a teenager at the time, I still can’t believe I turned down a chance to meet the hometown legend.

When Ironton High’s gridiron squad made the state championship game in 1993, I toured the Pro Football Hall of Fame before the game. I remember seeing a small, temporary display recognizing McAfee as one of only two Hall of Fame members that worked as NFL officials. On my way out of the Hall, I found the gift shop offered plenty of signed items by Hall of Fame members. Despite an array of dazzling items in the display case, I only wanted a Goal Line Art card signed by George McAfee. In 2003, Bob Vaughn and I conducted a phone interview with George McAfee. The most memorable thing was the sound of McAfee’s voice. For a few moments, I actually thought we had the wrong man on the telephone. I expected to hear that hillbilly, ‘Arnton’ accent that most Irontonians never lose no matter how hard they try. Somehow, George had swapped his Ohio River accent for a North Carolinian drawl.

I wrote down a dozen questions for Bob Vaughn to ask George McAfee during our phone interview. We were interested in talking football, but McAfee was more interested in talking about Ironton. McAfee was eager to know what was going on back in his hometown.

When McAfee spoke of his playing days, there was no cockiness or arrogance in his voice. He was extremely humble and a true gentleman. When asked to name the best player in the NFL during his era, McAfee gave a very classy response.

“That would be hard to say. There are so many of them. I couldn't single out any single one. They were all pretty good or they wouldn't be playing up there.”

The other memorable thing about that phone conversation was McAfee’s incredible sense of humor. McAfee just loved to laugh. When McAfee was asked to name the hardest hitter that ever tackled him, George provided a memorable answer.

“Nobody tackled me. You know that.” (McAfee laughing)

George McAfee changed the game of football. McAfee was the Deion Sanders of his day, minus the gold chains and endless self- promotion. His breathtaking speed struck fear in opposing defenses and gave coaches migraines.

How would George McAfee fare in today’s NFL? There is no doubt in my mind McAfee’s speed, versatility and incredible return skills would make him a wealthy superstar. A modern weightlifting program would pack another twenty or thirty pounds on his 6-foot frame while keeping or even improving his impressive time in the 100-yard dash.

In 1968, Red Grange told Bob Bender of the St. Petersburg Times that the great players of the past would be just as good or even better if they played today. Grange emphasized how offensive stars during the two-way era of professional football would often be too worn out from playing defense to be at their fullest on offense. When asked to name his all-time backfield, Grange listed George McAfee and Cliff Battles at halfback, Bronko Nagurski at fullback and Sammy Baugh at quarterback. Grange added, “McAfee had all the moves and the speed of Gale Sayers…”

Like many, I was profoundly saddened to learn about George McAfee’s passing on March 4, 2009. McAfee’s obituary in the News & Observer expressed what George meant to his family and friends. “George was kind, quick witted and humble- he never spoke of his successes on the football field- and his warm sense of humor brought smiles to the faces of many. He loved spending time at the McAfee family cottage in Topsail, North Carolina, and he loved attending Duke athletic events. George stayed active throughout his life and never turned down the opportunity to take a walk. George cherished his loving family above all, and they will always cherish him.”

McAfee’s exceptional feats in athletics brought vast, national acclaim on his hometown and his alma mater, Ironton High School. As the most famous man in the history of Ironton, McAfee self-effacingly embraced the honor and served as a picture-perfect ambassador for the city.

It is my sincerest hope that this article provides proper tribute to my hometown sports hero and helps keep his gridiron legacy alive for future generations.

Jim Ridgeway 2010, 2019

Watch video highlights from George McAfee’s pro career courtesy of the Chicago Bears at the link below.

http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/videos/George-McAfee-highlights/5456C607-3246-47EF-BBEC-49DB858F8258

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About the Author

Mr. Ridgeway graduated from Ironton High School in 1981. An outstanding business student in college, his real passion was always history. In his spare time, he enjoys researching the history of his hometown and the development of professional football in Ironton, Portsmouth and Ashland. A member of the Portsmouth Spartans Historical Society, he appeared in Before the League, a TV documentary on early professional football that aired nationally in 2015.

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Ironton school system inherited a $3,000 debt against the stadium when the Ironton Tanks folded after the 1930 football season. Prior to the 1935 football season, the debt was still $2,000. Because of the great success of the 1935 Ironton football squad featuring George McAfee, gate receipts allowed the school district to burn the promissory note against the stadium before the season ended. (Photo by Jim Ridgeway)

------George Anderson McAfee

Fast Facts

Born: March 13, 1918

High School: Ironton High School (Class of 1936)

Football Letterman at Ironton: 1933, 1934 and 1935

First-team, 1935 All-Ohio QB (Ohio High School Football Coaches Association)

Second-team, 1935 All-Ohio HB (poll of newspaper reporters and football coaches in Ohio)

Named First-team DB on the 2010 All-time, All-Ohio football squad by Larry Phillips

Retired Ironton High School jersey number: 13 Ironton High School Athletic Hall of Fame: 2013 (inaugural class)

College: Duke University (1940)

Football Letterman at Duke: 1937, 1938 and 1939

Honors: First-Team All-Southern Conference (1939)

All-American teams in 1939: New York Sun (1st team), Associated Press (2nd team), United Press (2nd team), NEA Sports Syndicate (2nd team)

All-Star games: East-West Shrine game (January 1, 1940)

Duke Sports Hall of Fame: 1975 (inaugural class)

College Football Hall of Fame: 1961

Professional: Drafted in round one (second overall) of 1940 NFL draft by Philadelphia Eagles and traded to Chicago Bears

Height: 6'0” Weight: 177

Chicago Bears: 1940 - 1941 and 1945 – 1950

1940 All-NFL: New York News (2nd team)

1941 All-NFL: Official NFL Team (1st team), Associated Press (1st team), United Press (1st team), New York News (1st team), Chicago Herald Am. (1st team), Collyers Eye Mag. (1st team)

1948 All NFL: Chicago Herald Am. (1st team), United Press (2nd team), New York News (2nd team)

Other honors: NFL All-1940s All-Decade team and NFL All-Time Two-Way team

Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement: 1966 Retired Chicago Bears uniform number: 5

NFL Championships: 1940, 1941 and 1946

Career interceptions: 25

Punt Return Yards: Averaged 12.78 yards per return (NFL career record until recently)

100-yard dash: 9.7 seconds

Low-cut shoes: pioneered the use of

World War II: missed prime years serving in U.S. Navy

Nicknames: Lefty, Gorgeous George, Ironton Irritator, Ironton Flyer, Ironton Ironer and One Play

The Pro Football Hall of Fame was called “the million-dollar mansion for gridiron immortals.”

Coach George Halas, Johnny Lujac (32) and George McAfee celebrate a win over the Cardinals in 1949.

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Copyright Jim Ridgeway 2010, 2019. All rights reserved.

Republication, reproduction and/or modification expressly prohibited without prior written consent of author.