By Darin Herman Wedemeyer shatters defensive lines and captures the imagination of football fans with his electric, elusive running style. As the centerpiece of the St. Mary’s Gaels during the mid-1940s, Wedemeyer transformed a small California college into a national powerhouse. St. Mary’s outdrew the biggest programs in the country. From his masterful performance against USC to his historic finish in the Heisman Trophy race, the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” remains one of the most versatile and exciting triple-threat weapons to ever grace the gridiron.
Football Bio
May 20, 1924 – Hilo, Hawaii – The Saint Mary’s halfback who played in 1943 and again in 1945 through the 1947 season, Herman Wedemeyer, was born.
Growing up in beautiful Hawaii, Herman attended college on the mainland at St. Mary’s in Moraga, California, before leaving briefly to serve in the Merchant Marines during WWII. When he returned to St. Mary’s in 1945, the school had an enrollment of 142 men. Of those, 41 were trying out for the football team.
The team was coached by Jimmie Phelan and received much attention after winning their first seven games in 1942, according to the NFF. This exciting squad drew big crowds – 80,000 against California at Berkeley; 60,000 against Nevada at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco; 86,000 against Southern California at Los Angeles. Wedemeyer, nicknamed “Squirmin’ Herman,” was the star attraction.
Other Nicknames for Herman
He was also fondly referenced in the press as ‘The Flyin’ Hawaiian,’ ‘The Hawaiian Centipede,’ and ‘The Hula-Hipped Hawaiian’ because of his elusive moves on the field, according to the American Football Database. Herman played a big part in a 20-13 victory over California as he gained 202 yards on kick returns and threw two touchdown passes. Additionally, Wedemeyer spearheaded a 26-0 victory over Southern California, too.
The Gaels lost in the eighth week of the season to UCLA and in the Sugar Bowl to Oklahoma A&M. St. Mary’s finished ranked seventh in the nation in the final Associated Press poll. Wedemeyer was a unanimous All-America, third in the nation in total offense, fourth in passing, fourth in punting, and fourth in the Heisman vote. Squirmin’ Herman had his longest runs in college recorded in 1946. The runs were 73 yards against Santa Clara and 70 against California.
His longest pass play was 85 yards against Fordham in 1946. Wedemeyer also excelled in baseball, golf, and boxing. Herman Wedemeyer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979 following a vote by the National Football Foundation. His life after college is intriguing as well. Herman played two years of professional football. Wedemeyer was a first-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference in 1948. Despite leading the AAFC in punt return yardage that year, he was waived by the Dons.
He was then signed by the AAFC Baltimore Colts, with whom he played in 1949 before retiring from professional football. Herman then became an actor in Hollywood. He is best known for his role as Detective Duke Lukela on the hit series Hawaii Five-0.
Conclusion
Herman Wedemeyer cements his status as a sports icon by excelling as a multi-sport athlete and a pioneer for Hawaiian players on the mainland. He inspires a generation of fans through his breathtaking returns and precision passing, leading the Gaels to a top-ten national ranking and a Sugar Bowl appearance. By transitioning from a first-round professional draft pick to a beloved television star on Hawaii Five-O, Wedemeyer proves that his charisma and talent are as limitless as his yardage. He stands eternally in the College Football Hall of Fame as the definitive “Flyin’ Hawaiian.”
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1979.
- Unanimous First-Team All-American: 1945.
- Heisman Trophy Finalist: Finished 4th in the 1945 voting.
- Sugar Bowl Participant: Led St. Mary’s against Oklahoma A&M (1946).
- AAFC First Round Draft Pick: 1st overall selection by the Los Angeles Dons (1948).
- AAFC Punt Return Leader: Led the league in return yardage in 1948.
- St. Mary’s Athletic Hall of Fame: Charter member.
- National Ranking: Led St. Mary’s to a #7 finish in the 1945 AP Poll.
- Triple-Threat Production: Ranked 3rd nationally in total offense and 4th in passing and punting (1945).