Pete Elliott

September 29, 1926 – Pete Elliott was a quarterback from the University of Michigan who played from 1945 to 1948.

The National Football Foundation informs us on its website that Pete played halfback during his freshman season and even tossed a few passes that year. As a sophomore, he was moved to the quarterback position, which involved blocking in the Wolverine single-wing offensive system.  On defense, he played halfback, and in 1948, he was named an All-American at that position. Pete was a great athlete, as he lettered 12 times at Michigan, four times each in the sports of football, golf, and basketball.

The University presented him with the Big Ten Medal, which is awarded to the student considered the top in both athletics and academia. Pete was selected to enter the College Football Hall of Fame at the 1994 induction ceremonies.

After graduation, Elliott went into coaching and served in the head position at Nebraska, California, Illinois, and Miami, Florida. Pete Elliott eventually became the executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Elliott brood was indeed a football family. Pete’s father, Dr. Norman Elliott, played ball at Illinois Wesleyan; his brother, Bump, starred at both Purdue and Michigan and is also in the College Football Hall of Fame; and Pete’s boys, Dave and Bruce, played for the Wolverines. Many of the family members also entered coaching after their playing days, as Dr. Norman, Pete, Bump, and Dave all held positions on college football coaching staffs.