Highlighted Year: Rex Grossman, 1948

Fullback/Linebacker/Placekicker, Baltimore Colts

Age: 24

1^st season in pro football

College: Indiana

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 215

Prelude:

Grossman’s college years, which started in 1942, were interrupted by three years of military service in World War II, after which he returned to play fullback, linebacker and kicker in 1946 and quarterback in ‘47. He chose to give up his final year of eligibility and turned pro. The Philadelphia Eagles picked him in the 29^th round of the NFL draft, but he signed with the Colts of the AAFC.

1948 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 10 [1]

Most field goals, game – 2 at New York 9/16, at Los Angeles 10/15

Field goal attempts – 18 [2]

Field goal percentage – 55.6 [1]

PATs – 43 [3]

PAT attempts – 43 [3]

Longest field goal – 51 yards vs. New York 9/5

Rushing

Attempts – 8

Yards – -3

Average gain – -0.4

TDs – 0

Interceptions
Interceptions – 2

Int. return yards – 13

Int. TDs – 0

Scoring

Field Goals – 10

PATs – 43

Points – 73 [6]

Postseason: 1 G (AAFC Eastern Division Playoff at Buffalo)

Field goals – 1

Field goal attempts – 2

PATs – 2

PAT attempts – 2

Longest field goal – 16 yards

Colts went 7-7 to tie for first in the AAFC Eastern Division while leading the league in passing yards (2899) and field goals (10). Lost Divisional playoff to Buffalo Bills (28-17).

Aftermath:

Grossman followed up in 1949 by hitting on six of 11 field goal attempts as well as all 19 tries for extra point and also punted 28 times for a 38.8-yard average. He moved on to the NFL along with the Colts in ’50 and was dealt to Detroit during the season. Traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1951, he chose to retire instead. Overall, Grossman kicked 16 field goals in 32 attempts plus 78 extra points, for a total of 126 points. He was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. His grandson of the same name has played quarterback in the NFL, primarily with the Bears and Redskins.

--

Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970