Lloyd Yoder anchors the Carnegie Tech defensive line as “The Plaid Bull,” dominating the early era of college football and leading his team to one of the sport’s greatest upsets.
Football Bio
July 13, 1903 – Salem, Ohio – One of Carnegie Techโs tackles from 1923 through the 1926 season, Lloyd Yoder claimed his date of birth.
The National Football Foundation celebrates this great player with a nice biographical sketch noting that Carnegie Tech, now called Carnegie Mellon, was a big-time football power when Lloyd Yoder played. Carnegie Tech played juggernauts of the era such as Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Penn State, and West Virginia.
โThe Plaid Bull,โ as Yoder was called, lettered four times on the gridiron at Carnegie and had a record of 21-11-2 in his time playing, which included three victories in four starts against powerful cross-town rival Pittsburgh.
During the 1926 season, Yoder and company pulled off one of the biggest college upsets in early football when they knocked off Notre Dame 19-0, helping to secure the Plaid Bull as an All-America selection that season!
Lloyd Yoderโs collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1982.
Lloyd proudly served in World War II as a lieutenant commander in the Navy. Drawing on his fine education and life lessons later in life, Yoder worked for NBC for 40 years, managing stations in San Francisco, Denver, Cleveland, and Chicago, and serving as vice president. This man had football in his blood as he later worked 25 years, from 1928 to 1952, as a football official.
Lloyd Yoder leaves an enduring legacy as an All-American tackle who propelled Carnegie Tech into the national spotlight. He proves his exceptional leadership skills both on the gridiron and beyond, seamlessly transitioning from college football glory to dedicated military service and a highly successful broadcasting career.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1982.
- First-Team All-American: 1926, becoming the first Carnegie Tech player to receive the prestigious honor.
- Team Captain: Elected captain of the Carnegie Tech football team in 1926.
- Historic Upset: Led the 1926 team to a legendary 19-0 shutout victory over an undefeated Notre Dame squad.
- East-West Shrine Game: Played in the all-star game twice, serving as the East team captain in 1926 and the West team captain in 1927.
- Rivalry Dominance: Achieved a 21-11-2 overall record during his college career, including three victories in four matchups against cross-town rival Pittsburgh.
- Officiating and Professional Career: Served as a football official for 25 years (1928-1952) and spent 40 years as an executive with NBC.