May 27, 1868 - Chicago, Illinois - Knowlton Ames was the Princeton University fullback from 1886 to 1889 was born. Ames’ collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1969.
Painting is part of the U.S Library of Congress collection and was creditted to H.G. Laskey circa 1902 and is titled Princeton H G Laskey
May 27, 1903 - Walt Kiesling was an NFL & Pro Football Hall of Fame Offensive Guard and Tackle who played for the Duluth Eskimos, Pottsville Maroons, Chicago Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was an All-Pro once in his career, won an NFL title and is on the All-1920's Hall of Fame team. He spent a total of 36 years in the NFL as a player, coach and an aide. Kiesling spent 7 years as the head coach of the Pirates/Steelers organization in two different stints working for the late Art Rooney in the late 30's and mid 50's. He led the Steelers to their first winning season in 1942 and served as the coach of the war time combined team of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia aptly called the "Steagles".
May 27, 1904 - New Orleans, Louisiana - Lester Lautenschlaeger was a quarterback from Tulane University from 1922 through the 1925 season that was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975 per the NFF. He also is recognized in the Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. The 1925 season was a special one for the Tulane eleven as they registered a 9-0-1 record,, the lone blemish came on a 6-6 tie against Mississippi. At the season opener against Louisiana College, Lautenschlaeger scored four touchdowns as the Wave rolled to a 77-0 victory. Lester was the Tulane Green Wave's first All-American in 1925. Mr. Lautenschaeger went on to serve as an assistant coach at Tulane then as a Louisiana State Representative after graduation.
May 27, 1954 - Jackson, Mississippi - Jackie Slater was an NFL Hall of Fame Offensive Tackle for the Rams. Slater graduated from Jackson State University where he played football with Walter Payton. He was a third round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1976. During his illustrious career Jackie was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times and his jersey number "78" was retired by the Rams organization, for whom he played for for 20 seasons both in LA and St. Louis. One of his pro football claims to fame was that he blocked for seven different 1000 yard rushers during his time in the NFL. Jackie Slater was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the 2001 class.
May 27, 1960 - Caldwell, Idaho - Boise State defensive tackle from 1978 to 1981, Randy Trautman was born. The Football Foundation.org website says Randy walked onto the football team as a defensive tackle, becoming a dominant force at the position after arriving at the school on a wrestling scholarship. All he did was earn Division I-AA All-American status in 1980 and 1981 from both the American Football Coaches Association and the Associated Press, and he was named the 1981 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He really helped his team to propel to new heights. The 1980 team won the Division I-AA national championship, beating Grambling State 14-9 and Eastern Kentucky 31-29 in the playoffs. The 1981 team won its first playoff game over Jackson State 19-7, but they lost in the semifinals to Eastern Kentucky 24-17. Trautman was named Player of the Game against Eastern Kentucky.
Randy Trautman received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
May 27, 1974 - Fort Walton Beach, Florida - Danny Wuerffel the Florida quarterback of 1993 through 1996 arrived into the world. The NFF tells us that Danny was the first player in history to win the Heisman as well as the NFF’s William V. Campbell Trophy. Wuerffel dominated the college football landscape both athletically and academically during his senior season. He earned the hardware too as Wuerffel was a two-time First-Team All-American, claimed the 1996 Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Unitas Golden Arm and the Sammy Baugh Trophy. Besides those he was also a two-time SEC Player of the Year and First-Team All-SEC selection! Dan also led the Gators to the 1996 National Championship. Wuerffel finished his career with nearly 11,000 passing yards and 33 school records, taking Florida to bowl games in each of his four seasons under coach Steve Spurrier who was himself the very first Heisman winner at QB for the Gators. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Danny Wuerffel into their legendary museum in 2013.
