By Darin How do you become a Rose Bowl legend in two completely different roles? For Erny Pinckert, the answer was a rare combination of explosive speed and selfless power. As the centerpiece of Coach Howard Jones’ legendary USC “Thundering Herd” backfield, Pinckert was the man who could dismantle an opponent with a 30-yard sprint or a devastating block. From his highlight-reel touchdowns against Tulane to his air-raid dominance against Pitt, Pinckert was the engine behind the Trojans’ first era of national glory. This is the story of the Hall of Fame halfback who defined the grit and glamour of Southern Cal football.
Unknown author – Los Angeles Daily News
Football Bio
May 1, 1908 – Medford, Wisconsin – Erny Pinkert, the flashy halfback of Southern Cal teams of 1929 to 1931, arrived in this life.
Erny had a skill set that few players in his era had: the ability to bust off a long run at any moment, catch passes, and produce powerful blocks. Trojan Coach Howard Jones featured these talents in a couple of USC Rose Bowl victories.
According to the NFF, the first of the big bowl wins came at the end of the 1929 season. The Trojans were playing Tulane when Pinckert hauled in a couple of double reverses, breaking them for touchdown runs of 30 and 27 yards in a 21-12 USC victory.
Two years later, Pinckert was being used primarily as a blocking back, and the Trojans had ripped off nine straight victories after a season-opening loss to St. Mary’s. Then came the Rose Bowl and a date with the Pitt Panthers. Unexpectedly, Jones went to a passing game with quarterback Russ Saunders looking to Pinckert with regular success.
The result was a 47-14 Trojan rout of the Panthers. Pinkert earned All-America honors after the 1930 and 1931 seasons. Erny Pinkert’s collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1957.
Conclusion
Erny Pinckert was the ultimate “Swiss Army Knife” for Howard Jones. Whether he was a scoring machine or a lead blocker for other stars, his presence on the field guaranteed Trojan success. By the time he left Los Angeles, he had secured two Rose Bowl titles and helped deliver USC its first consensus National Championship in 1931. His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1957—one of the earliest for a Trojan—solidified his place as a pioneer of West Coast dominance. To this day, his performances in the “Granddaddy of Them All” remain the standard for big-game poise and versatility.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1957.
- National Champion: 1931 (Member of USC’s first consensus title team).
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1930, 1931.
- 2× Rose Bowl Champion: 1930 (def. Tulane), 1932 (def. Pitt).
- Rose Bowl MVP Honors: Unofficially recognized as a standout in both the 1930 and 1932 games.
- Versatility Milestone: Successfully transitioned from primary ball-carrier to one of the nation’s best blocking backs while maintaining All-American status.
- Pro Career: Played professionally for the Washington Redskins (Boston Braves/Redskins era) and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
- NFL All-Pro: Recognized as a top professional back in the early 1930s.