George McAfee

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George McAfee
Date of birth: March 13, 1918 (1918-03-13) (age 90)
Place of birth: Corbin, Kentucky, United States
Career information
Position(s): Halfback
College: Duke
NFL Draft: 1940 / Round: 1 / Pick 2
Organizations
 As player:
1940-1941
1945-1950
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
Career highlights and Awards
Honors: NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
Retired #s: Chicago Bears #5
Stats at DatabaseFootball.com
College Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1966

George Anderson McAfee (born March 13, 1918) played college football at Duke University. He is a former running back who played for the Chicago Bears (1940-1941, 1945-1950). During his time playing football, he scored 234 points, gained 5,313 combined net yards, intercepted 25 passes in eight seasons, held the record for punt return average at 12.78 yards, and was the NFL punt return champion. Among some of his feats, he returned a punt for 75 yards to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers during his first exhibition game with the Bears, and ran back a kickoff for 93 yards and threw a touchdown pass to help the Bears win over their rival, the Green Bay Packers. He served in the Navy during World War II.

Nicknamed "one-play McAfee" he was known for explosive speed. 1941 was a banner year for McAfee. He lead the league with an eye-popping 7.3 rushing yards per carry while scoring a league high 12 touchdowns in an eleven game season. While his rushing yardage totals seem modest by today's standards he had to share the backfield with other outstanding running backs such as Hugh Gallarneau, Norm Standlee, and Bill Osmanski as well as hall of fame quarterback Sid Luckman. Versatility was the name of McAfee's game. In 1941 his 12 touchdown total consisted of 6 by rushing, 3 receiving, 1 by punt return, 1 by kickoff return, and 1 by interception return all while helping the Chicago Bears to their second straight NFL league championship over the New York Giants.

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