By Darin Discover the powerful story of Jack Cloud, the dominant William & Mary fullback praised by legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice as potentially “the closest thing to Jim Thorpe.” His record-setting scoring and All-America honors solidified his place as one of the greatest college football players of his era.
Football Bio
January 1, 1925 – Britton, Oklahoma – The Fullback from William and Mary, Jack Cloud, was born. Jack set the scoring record of 102 points in one season at William and Mary in 1947, according to the NFF. The New York Sun named him All-America in 1947, and the Newspaper Enterprise Association picked him in 1948 for the honor. Grantland Rice wrote, “Jack Cloud may be the closest thing to Jim Thorpe.” The National Football Foundation selected Jack Cloud to enter the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Conclusion Jack Cloud’s career at William & Mary was a testament to raw athleticism and scoring efficiency. His ability to dominate the field earned him national recognition and the highest praise from contemporary sports journalists. His 1990 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame ensures his legacy as a collegiate football icon endures, marking him as one of the most important fullbacks in the sport’s history.
Verified Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Scoring Record: Set the William & Mary single-season scoring record with 102 points (1947).
- All-America Honors (1947): Named All-America by The New York Sun.
- All-America Honors (1948): Selected All-America by the Newspaper Enterprise Association.
- Praise from Grantland Rice: Referred to by Rice as possibly “the closest thing to Jim Thorpe.”
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1990 by the National Football Foundation (NFF).
