Our legendary player, Charlie Conerly, revolutionized the tailback position at Ole Miss with his prolific passing before guiding the New York Giants to a decade of dominance as their star quarterback. He was born on September 19, 1921.
Football Bio
Charlie Conerly, a former halfback from Mississippi. He was known as Chuck’n-Charlie, an active passer from the tailback position.
Charlie played in the 1942 season at Mississippi, then spent a few years serving in the U.S. Marines in the South Pacific during World War II.
Chuck returned to Ole Miss after the war and led the nation in pass completions with 133. Conerly threw 18 touchdown passes among those 133 completions and added nine more touchdowns for the Rebels.
The Helms Foundation selected Conerly as its Player of the Year, and voters chose him as a consensus All-American.
Conerly played 14 years with the New York Giants in the NFL as their quarterback and was voted the league’s MVP in 1959.
The College Football Hall of Fame inducted Charlie Conerly during the 1966 induction ceremonies. [National Football Foundation]
Charlie Conerly etched his name in football history as a trailblazing passer and resilient on-field leader. His remarkable journey from college standout and World War II hero to an NFL MVP cements his enduring legacy as a true gridiron great.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Honored in the New York Giants Ring of Honor.
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
- Won the NFL Championship with the New York Giants in 1956.
- Awarded the NFL Most Valuable Player (NEA) in 1959.
- Earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors in 1948.
- Selected to two Pro Bowls (1950, 1956).
- Named First-Team All-Pro three times (1948, 1957, 1959).
- Named a Consensus All-American in 1947.
- Awarded the Helms Foundation Player of the Year in 1947.
- Won the SEC Player of the Year in 1947.
- Led the NCAA in pass completions (133) in 1947.
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