Thurman McGraw the Legendary Lion

July 17, 1927 - Garden City, Kansas - Thurman "Fum" McGraw was a tackle from Colorado State, which at the time was known as Colorado A&M, who was selected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

Fum was a former boxer and wrestler, and these sports gave him unique footwork and arm strength that made it a real challenge for opposing defenders to get by. Before he attended Colorado State, though, he served a tour of duty with the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, according to the National Football Foundation.

The first couple of seasons for McGraw at Colorado State were brutal at best. Still, things turned for the better in 1948 as everything came together for the squad, as the Rams posted surprising upsets over rivals Utah State, Wyoming, Brigham Young, and arch rival Colorado. The 1949 campaign, McGraw's last as a four-year letterman, was even better for the Rams as they logged an impressive 9-1-0 record marred only by a loss to Wyoming. Mr.

McGraw joined the Detroit Lions after graduation and he won the Rookie of the Year award and All-Pro honors.