Eric Red Tipton

Born April 20, 1915, in Petersburg, Virginia, was Duke University’s standout halfback of the 1936 to the 1938 seasons, Eric “The Red” Tipton. Tipton was good at many things on the gridiron but his punting skills may be at the forefront. The FootballFoundation.org bio on Tipton tells of a game against the University of Pittsburgh in 1938 Coach Clarke Shaughnessy describes it as one of his top twelve moments witnessed on the field of play. Shaughnessy described it vividly, writing: "Tipton was a one-man show. The game was played on ice and snow at Durham, North Carolina; before a record crowd, and I doubt that anybody ever kicked a ball more skillfully or consistently than the grim, square-jawed Tipton that afternoon. Seven of his punts left Pitt within its own 10-yard line, while another seven stopped dead or went out of bounds inside the 20. Final score: Duke 7, Pitt 0." Tipton was brilliant at other phases of the game as well and helped Duke achieve a record of 25-4 during his time with the team. That 1938 squad though was special as they fought through a brilliant 9-0 run to get invited to play Southern Cal in the 1939 Rose Bowl. Duke played a tremendous game against the Trojans and lost it in a heart breaker in the waning seconds by the score of 7-3. That USC, TD with about a minute left to play were the first points scored upon Duke all season! The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Eric Tipton into their legendary museum in 1965. Red, who became a heck of baseball and football coach, also played Major League Baseball – in the top half in seasons (7) for over 500 MLB games played.

Dive into the gridiron greats with this collection of articles exploring the lives and legacies of American college football Hall of Fame players. Each piece delves into the on-field heroics that secured their place in history, from jaw-dropping touchdowns to strategic brilliance. But these articles go beyond the stats, uncovering the personal stories that shaped these legends. You'll discover their journeys from high school prospects to national stars, the challenges they overcame, and the impact they left on the game they loved. Whether you're a die-hard fan or simply appreciate sporting excellence, this collection offers a captivating look at the men who forever changed the landscape of college football.

The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and interactive attraction devoted to college football. The National Football Foundation members select historic players, coaches, and contributors who rose above their peers in collegiate gridiron history to their College Football Hall of Fame. We are happy to help this legendary museum celebrate the stars and innivators of the gridiron with these individual tributes.