By Darin 
Born: November 26, 1892, White Earth, Minnesota
Joe Guyon, a member of the Chippewa Tribe, was one of football’s most versatile and underappreciated stars during the transition from the amateur era to the modern professional game. His dual success in both college and the NFL, often alongside the legendary Jim Thorpe, cemented his place as a pioneer.
College Career
Guyon’s college career was marked by excellence at two storied institutions under two iconic coaches. He first attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School (1912–1913), where he played under Pop Warner and alongside Jim Thorpe. At Carlisle, he showed his versatility, playing both tackle and halfback. In his second season, he earned Second-team All-American honors (1913) as a halfback from Walter Camp. After a break to regain eligibility, Guyon enrolled at Georgia Tech (1917–1918), playing under John Heisman. As a halfback for the Yellow Jackets, he was instrumental in leading the 1917 team to a National Championship. The 1917 season was particularly explosive, highlighted by a game against Vanderbilt where Guyon rushed 12 times for a stunning 344 yards. He again earned Second-team All-American honors in 1917 and became a Consensus All-American tackle in 1918, solidifying his status as a rare talent recognized at two different positions.
Road to the Pro Game
Guyon’s professional career began in 1919 with the Canton Bulldogs, a year before the formal establishment of the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the NFL. For several seasons, he was reunited with his former Carlisle teammate, Jim Thorpe, as they barnstormed across the early football landscape. As franchises frequently shifted, Guyon played for multiple teams, including the Washington Senators (1921), Cleveland Indians (1921), and the Oorang Indians (1922–1923). The Oorang Indians team, composed entirely of Native American players and coached by Thorpe, remains one of the most unique franchises in league history. He continued his journey with the Rock Island Independents (1924) and the Kansas City Cowboys (1925).
Football Legacy
Guyon’s final professional season proved to be his most notable and served as a capstone to his career. In 1927, playing for the New York Giants, he helped lead the team to the NFL Championship. Away from Thorpe’s significant shadow, Guyon, playing primarily as a running back/halfback, delivered a career-defining season, showcasing his all-around abilities in running, blocking, passing, and punting. His quiet contribution to the early league, combined with his college achievements, eventually led to him being recognized as one of the game’s founders.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
- Accolades & Awards:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1966)
- College Football Hall of Fame (1971)
- NFL Champion (1927, New York Giants)
- Consensus All-American (1918)
- 2× Second-team All-American (1913, 1917)
- All-1920s Team (Pro Football Hall of Fame)
- Second-team All-Pro (1920)
- National Champion (1917, Georgia Tech)
- Career Stats (NFL/APFA, 7 Seasons, 46 Games):
- Total Touchdowns: 10 (7 Rushing, 1 Receiving, 2 Interception Returns)
- Career Total Points: 73
Big Thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com