Harry Newman: Michigan Halfback & Hall of Fame Legend

Harry Newman electrified the gridiron for the Michigan Wolverines, capturing the prestigious precursor to the Heisman Trophy before blazing a trail in the early days of professional football.

Football Bio

September 5, 1909 – Harry Newman, a University of Michigan halfback, was born.

The legendary rusher was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the 1975 enshrinement ceremonies.

In 1932, he was the recipient of the Douglas Fairbanks Trophy as the Outstanding Player of the Year, very prestigious indeed, as the Fairbanks Award was the predecessor of the Heisman Trophy, which would come out a few years later.

Newman played as a pro for the New York Giants from 1933 through 1935 and went on to the Brooklyn-Rochester Tigers in 1936 and 1937.

Because Harry Newman played in the classic single-wing formation at Michigan and later with the Giants, he wasn’t just a rusher—he was the focal point of the entire offense. The “halfback” in that era functioned much like today’s quarterback. In fact, Newman’s passing was so revolutionary for the early NFL that his 11 passing touchdowns in 1933 stood as a remarkable feat in an era completely dominated by the run!

Harry Newman cemented his legacy as a pioneering force in both the collegiate and professional ranks. His remarkable dual-threat abilities and early passing innovations established a standard of excellence that still echoes through gridiron history today. [National Football Foundation]

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
• Inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
• Recipient of the Douglas Fairbanks Trophy (predecessor to the Heisman Trophy) as the Outstanding College Football Player of the Year in 1932.
• Won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player in 1932.
• Unanimous First-Team All-American in 1932.
• Led the Michigan Wolverines to an undefeated season and a National Championship in 1932.
• Earned First-Team All-Pro honors with the New York Giants in 1933.
• Led the NFL in both passing yards (973) and passing touchdowns (11) during his 1933 rookie season.
• Helped lead the New York Giants to the historic 1934 NFL Championship.

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