Ray Evans dominated the college football landscape as a phenomenal two-way star for the Kansas Jayhawks, setting national records on both sides of the ball before answering the call to serve his country during World War II.
Football Bio
September 22, 1922 – Ray Evans was a University of Kansas halfback who played for the Jayhawks in the 1940s.
Ray was a phenomenal two-way player. In 1942, he led the nation in passing and also in interceptions!
That season, he became only the second player in college history to complete more than 100 passes (101), and his 10 interceptions on defense were the envy of all of the defensive backs in the country.
Evans played for the Jayhawks in 1941 and 1942, then left the team to serve in the U.S. Air Force during World War II for three years.
He returned to the Kansas team in 1946 to resume his pre-war success, leading the team in rushing, passing, and total offense.
His final season with the team in 1947 was special for Kansas as the team went 8-0-2 and earned the right to play Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Unfortunately for the Jayhawks, the Yellow Jackets narrowly defeated them 20-14.
A super athlete, Ray was also an excellent basketball player for the Jayhawks. The University of Kansas retired Evan’s jersey number 42, as well as his basketball number 15.
After college, Evans played in the NFL for the 1948 Pittsburgh Steelers. The National Football Foundation inducted the great player into its College Football Hall of Fame in 1964.
Ray Evans secured his legacy as one of the most versatile athletes in University of Kansas history. He conquered the highest levels of collegiate competition in both football and basketball, forever cementing his iconic status in Lawrence.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Played halfback in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1948.
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1964.
- Named a Consensus First-team All-American in 1947.
- Led the NCAA in both passing yards (1,117) and interceptions (10) during the historic 1942 season.
- Earned two All-Big Six Conference selections (1942, 1947).
- Led the Kansas Jayhawks to an 8-0-2 regular-season record and an Orange Bowl appearance in 1947.
- Achieved the incredibly rare distinction of having both his football number (42) and basketball number (15) retired by the University of Kansas.
