Steve Lach defines the grit and versatility of a classic triple-threat football icon from the 1940s.
Football Bio
August 6, 1920 – Legendary Duke Football player Steve Lach was born. He entered the College Football Hall of Fame in a selection class of 1980.
Mr. Lach was a first-round draft pick of the Chicago Cardinals in the 1942 NFL Draft, and he was sworn into the Navy at the same time.
Due to contractual obligations with a military football team, he was unable to play as a college All-Star in the 1943 edition of the College All-Star game against the champion Washington Redskins team.
During the 1943 season, he played for the Navy’s Great Lakes Blue Jackets, and after his obligation to serve in the Navy expired, he played for the AAF’s New York Yankees and later returned to play in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Steve Lach leaves an enduring legacy on the gridiron, transitioning seamlessly from a dominant collegiate star to a dedicated serviceman and professional athlete. He represents the ultimate grit and sacrifice of his era, securing his eternal place in both Duke history and the College Football Hall of Fame. [National Football Foundation]
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1980.
- First-Team All-American: 1941.
- First-Team All-Southern Conference (SoCon): Selected consecutively in 1940 and 1941.
- NFL First-Round Draft Pick: Selected 4th overall by the Chicago Cardinals in the 1942 NFL Draft.
- Rose Bowl Participant: Starred as the offensive engine for the Duke Blue Devils in the 1942 Rose Bowl.
- Duke Athletics Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1980.
- Blair County Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1988.
