Hall of Fame College Football Player. He was the recipient of the Heisman Trophy in 1951. Born Richard William Kazmaier, Jr., he became enthralled with sports at an early age and during his high school years, he lettered in basketball, baseball and track in addition to football. Sought after and offered scholarships by many schools, he chose Princeton. Under Tigers' coach Charlie Caldwell, Kazmaier flourished as a key component of the single-wing offense and by the time of his graduation, he held the school's record for a 1,950 career rushing yards (at the halfback position) and was ranked second with 2,404 passing yards. In addition to the Heisman Trophy, he received the Maxwell Award, was named Player of the Year by the United Press and was named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. He was featured on the cover of Time Magazine. Selected by the Chicago Bears, he decided to forgo a professional career in football and went onto attain a degree in Business Administrations from the Harvard School of Business. Additionally, he served three years with the United States Navy and upon his discharge, he became a successful businessman as well as serving as director of numerous organizations. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and in 2008, Princeton University retired his uniform number 42. He died of complications from heart and lung disease.
Hall of Fame College Football Player. He was the recipient of the Heisman Trophy in 1951. Born Richard William Kazmaier, Jr., he became enthralled with sports at an early age and during his high school years, he lettered in basketball, baseball and track in addition to football. Sought after and offered scholarships by many schools, he chose Princeton. Under Tigers' coach Charlie Caldwell, Kazmaier flourished as a key component of the single-wing offense and by the time of his graduation, he held the school's record for a 1,950 career rushing yards (at the halfback position) and was ranked second with 2,404 passing yards. In addition to the Heisman Trophy, he received the Maxwell Award, was named Player of the Year by the United Press and was named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. He was featured on the cover of Time Magazine. Selected by the Chicago Bears, he decided to forgo a professional career in football and went onto attain a degree in Business Administrations from the Harvard School of Business. Additionally, he served three years with the United States Navy and upon his discharge, he became a successful businessman as well as serving as director of numerous organizations. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and in 2008, Princeton University retired his uniform number 42. He died of complications from heart and lung disease.
Bio by: C.S.
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