By Darin 
November 1, 1911 – Oswego, Illinois – Slade Cutter, a tackle for the Navy Midshipmen, was born on this day. Slade in high school didn’t set out to play football. In fact, he was a musician and played the flute. It wasn’t until he entered Severn Preparatory School in Maryland that the football coach there, a guy by the name of Paul Brown — yes, that Paul Brown — asked him to try out for the team. The National Football Foundation bio on Cutter goes on to say how he made the Severn team and then later became an All-American with the Naval Academy team.
Cutter also won two letters in lacrosse and three in boxing and was the collegiate heavyweight boxing champion. During World War II, Slade commanded a submarine, the USS Seahorse, and he and his crew sank 19 Japanese ships. In 1957, Cutter was quoted as saying, “There is a grapevine in the ranks of all the services. The men make it their business to find out who their officers are.
There is a special respect for those who would carry the ball on a football field, throw a wicked block, or make a dead-stop tackle.” Slade Cutter was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967.
Football Accolades and Accomplishments
- Recruitment by Paul Brown: Cutter’s football career began after being recruited by the iconic coach Paul Brown while attending Severn Preparatory School.
- All-American Tackle: He achieved All-American status as a tackle for the Navy Midshipmen.
- Multi-Sport Athlete: Cutter earned two letters in lacrosse and three in boxing while at the Naval Academy.
- Collegiate Champion: He was the collegiate heavyweight boxing champion.
- Military Hero: During World War II, Cutter commanded the submarine USS Seahorse, credited with sinking 19 Japanese ships.
- Hall of Fame: Slade Cutter was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967.