Don Heinrich mastered the quarterback position for the Washington Huskies, led the NCAA in passing twice, carved out a championship NFL career, and secured his spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Football Bio
Born on September 19, 1930, Don Heinrich was a quarterback at the University of Washington who played for the Huskies in 1949, 1950, and 1952.
An injury kept him out of the 1951 season. Heinrich led the nation in passing in 1950 and 1952, and voters named him an All-American in both seasons.
After school, Don served in the U.S. Army for almost two years before joining the New York Giants, where he played for six seasons.
He spent his last couple of years in the NFL on the rosters of the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders.
The National Football Foundation selected Don Heinrich for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Don Heinrich left a permanent mark on the gridiron, transforming the Washington offense and demonstrating immense resilience as he transitioned to the professional ranks. His precision passing and steady leadership solidify his legacy among football’s historic greats.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
- Two-time First-Team All-American (1950, 1952).
- Led the NCAA in pass completions in both 1950 (134 completions) and 1952 (137 completions).
- Finished 9th in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1952.
- Selected in the third round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
- Captured an NFL Championship with the New York Giants in 1956, often splitting quarterback duties with Charlie Conerly.
- Inducted into the University of Washington Husky Hall of Fame in 1981.
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