"Crazylegs"

Elroy Leon "Crazylegs" Hirsch, born on June 17, 1923, in Wausau, Wisconsin, was a dynamic and versatile football player whose electrifying runs and acrobatic catches made him one of the sport's earliest true superstars. His unique running style earned him his iconic nickname, and his transition from halfback to wide receiver revolutionized the offensive game.

✦ College Career

Hirsch began his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin in 1941, primarily as a halfback. After one season, he transferred to the University of Michigan in 1943 as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program. At Michigan, he continued to showcase his incredible versatility, excelling as a halfback, defensive back, and even a punter. He earned All-American honors in 1943, demonstrating his prowess in all three phases of the game. Due to his military service, he also played for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station team in 1944.

✦ Road to the Pro Game

Upon completing his service, Hirsch embarked on his professional football journey. He was a first-round draft pick (5th overall) in the 1945 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Rams (who would soon move to Los Angeles) and also a first-round pick (9th overall) in the 1945 AAFC Draft by the Chicago Rockets. Hirsch chose to begin his career in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) with the Rockets, playing there from 1946 to 1948. When the AAFC folded and several teams merged into the NFL, Hirsch joined the Los Angeles Rams in 1949, where he would play out the remainder of his illustrious career.

✦ Football Legacy

Elroy Hirsch's most profound legacy stems from his time with the Los Angeles Rams (1949-1957) and his revolutionary shift to playing full-time wide receiver. Though he had been a phenomenal halfback, the Rams' coaching staff moved him to end, where his speed, agility, and incredible hands made him virtually unstoppable. In 1951, he had a career year, catching 66 passes for an astounding 1,495 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, setting single-season records that stood for decades. This performance was instrumental in leading the Rams to the 1951 NFL Championship.

His "Crazylegs" running style, characterized by a seemingly uncontrolled but devastatingly effective burst of speed and agility, made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for defenders. Hirsch was a pioneer of the modern passing game, demonstrating how a receiver could dominate an offense. He retired after the 1957 season due to injuries. Post-playing career, he served as the General Manager of the Rams and later as the Athletic Director for the University of Wisconsin, further cementing his influence on the sport. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

✦ Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame: Class of 1968

✦ College Football Hall of Fame: Class of 1974

✦ NFL Champion: 1951 (Los Angeles Rams)

✦ Pro Bowl: 3x (1951, 1952, 1953)

✦ First-Team All-Pro: 3x (1951, 1952, 1953)

✦ NFL Receiving Yards Leader: 1951 (1,495 yards)

✦ NFL Receiving Touchdowns Leader: 1951 (17 TDs)

✦ NFL 1950s All-Decade Team

✦ No. 40 jersey retired by the Los Angeles Rams

✦ NFL/AAFC Career Stats (12 seasons):

✦ Games Played: 127

✦ Receiving Yards: 6,702

✦ Receiving Touchdowns: 60

✦ Rushing Yards: 961

✦ Rushing Touchdowns: 12

✦ Total Touchdowns: 77