Clyde Scott dominates both the gridiron and the track with world-class speed that leaves defenders and fellow Olympians in the dust. From his early days starring at the Naval Academy and Arkansas to his championship runs in the NFL, the “Smackover” speedster proves that elite track athleticism translates perfectly to football glory. Discover the story of the man whose number 12 remains one of only two jerseys ever retired by the Razorbacks.
Football Bio
August 29, 1924 – Clyde Scott, a former U.S. Naval Academy and University of Arkansas fullback, was born.
Clyde entered the College Football Hall of Fame’s 1971 induction class.
Scott was a speedster, and he showed it at the 1948 Olympics in London, where he brought home a silver medal in the 110-meter hurdles.
He was the eighth player selected in the 1948 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and later played for the Detroit Lions.
Clyde played on two NFL championship teams, the 1949 Eagles and the 52 Lions.
The University of Arkansas retired his jersey number 12 as one of only two numbers ever retired by the Razorbacks. [National Football Foundation]
Clyde Scott cements his legacy as one of the most uniquely gifted pure athletes in American sports history. By seamlessly combining Olympic-caliber speed with backfield power, he carries his teams to championships at the highest professional level. He stands today as an eternal Arkansas icon, ensuring that no Razorback will ever wear the number 12 again.
The Summer of Speed—Clyde Scott’s 1948 Double Play
“Picture this: you get selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, but before you can report to training camp, you have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to compete in the Olympic Games. In the summer of 1948, Arkansas legend Clyde Scott turned this impossible scenario into a reality.”
The Fact:
“Months after wrapping up his brilliant career for the Razorbacks, Scott heard his name called 8th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1948 NFL Draft. But professional football had to wait. Scott was a world-class hurdler and had qualified to represent the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. He didn’t just show up to participate; he secured the silver medal in the 110-meter hurdles, missing out on gold by mere fractions of a second to fellow American William Porter.”
The Twist:
“What makes this dual achievement even more staggering is the era in which he did it. There were no private jets or million-dollar multi-sport training facilities. Scott traveled to London by ship with the rest of the U.S. Olympic team. Immediately after standing on the Olympic podium in August, he returned to the States, strapped on a leather helmet, and joined the Eagles. He seamlessly transitioned from world-class amateur track athlete to NFL rookie.”
“Clyde Scott stands as a testament to the raw, unspecialized athleticism of the golden era of sports, going on to win an NFL Championship with the Eagles just a year later
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1971.
- Olympic Silver Medalist: Won silver in the 110-meter hurdles at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.
- 2× NFL Champion: Won titles with the Philadelphia Eagles (1949) and the Detroit Lions (1952).
- NFL First Round Pick: Selected 8th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1948 NFL Draft.
- Retired Jersey: His #12 is retired by the Arkansas Razorbacks (one of only two retired numbers in program history, alongside Brandon Burlsworth’s #77).
- Consensus All-American: 1948 season with the Razorbacks.
- Southwest Conference Player of the Year: 1948.
- Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1959.
Celebrate Football History With Your Collection
"Heads up: A few links in this description are affiliate links. That means if you click through and grab something, I might get a small cut that helps keep the lights on here—at zero additional cost to you!"
- Billy Ray Smith Jr.: The Razorbacks and Chargers Legend
- Wayne Harris: The “Thumper” Who Defined Arkansas Grit
- Loyd Phillips: The Outland Trophy Anchor of the Razorbacks’ Golden Era
- Wear Schoonover: The First All-American of the Southwest Conference
- The Razorback Anchor: The Iron-Man Legacy of Ronnie Caveness
