Rookie of the Year: Alan Ameche, 1955

Fullback, Baltimore Colts

Age: 22

College: Wisconsin

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 217

Prelude:

“The Horse” rushed for 3212 yards with a 4.8-yard average in college while also playing linebacker on defense in his junior and senior years. He capped his last season by winning the 1954 Heisman Trophy and was taken by the Colts in the first round of the 1955 NFL draft (third overall). Ameche moved directly into the starting lineup and made an immediate impression by running for a 79-yard touchdown on his first regular season carry.

1955 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 213 [1]
Most attempts, game - 22 (for 117 yds.) vs. Green Bay 1029, (for 73 yds.) vs. LA Rams 11/20 

Yards – 961 [1]

Most yards, game – 194 yards (on 21 carries) vs. Chi. Bears 9/25

Average gain – 4.5 [8, tied with Howie Ferguson & Joe Perry]

TDs – 9 [1]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 27      

Yards – 141

Average gain – 5.2

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 4

Yards – 60

Average per return – 15.0

TDs – 0

All-Purpose yards – 1162 [3]

Scoring

TDs – 9 [1, tied with Harlon Hill]

Points – 54 [10, tied with Harlon Hill]

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: UPI, Sporting News

1^st team All-NFL: AP, UPI, NY Daily News, Sporting News

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

Pro Bowl

Colts went 5-6-1 to finish fourth in the NFL Western Conference.

Aftermath:

Ameche followed up with 858 rushing yards in 1956, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and caught 26 passes as he again was chosen for the Pro Bowl. Adding to his effectiveness as a runner between the tackles was the improvement in his blocking, which was a concern during his rookie year. He was a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first four years as well as the key to Baltimore’s ground game as the club steadily improved. Ameche ran for 791 yards in 1958 and scored the winning touchdown in overtime against the Giants to win the NFL title. He began to show wear during the 1960 season, and an Achilles injury ended his career. Overall, he rushed for 4045 yards on 964 carries (4.2 avg.) and caught 101 passes for 733 yards, scoring a total of 44 TDs.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

[Updated 2/21/17