The Football Career of Jack McBride NYG-100 Part 5

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Jack McBride's football career, spanning the late 1920s and early 1930s, embodied the versatility that defined the early years of the NFL. He excelled at multiple positions, showcasing his athleticism and adaptability throughout his ten seasons in the league.

Born in 1901, McBride's collegiate career at Syracuse University established him as a scoring machine. During his senior year, he scored second in the nation, displaying his prowess as a runner, passer, and kicker. This versatility caught the attention of the New York Giants, who inked him just before the 1925 season.

McBride quickly became a fan favorite in New York. His ability to play halfback, fullback, and even quarterback gave the Giants offensive flexibility. He led the team in scoring in each of his first three seasons. McBride's play was integral in the Giants' 1927 title run. Our friend Michael Moram writes that the city newspapers crowned McBride the MVP of the League.

After playing again for New York in 1928, Jack signed on with the Providence Steamroller in 1929. A year later, he suited up for the Brooklyn Dodgers Football team and remained with that franchise for three seasons before returning to the Giants late to help them win the 1934 NFL Championship in the "Sneaker game."

After his playing days were done, McBride went into coaching, serving as the head man for the New York Yankees Football franchise in both the second and third editions of the American Football League. In 1940, the Yankees fired them just before their owner got into conflict with the league. A new owner took over the AFL teams, rebranded the squad as the New York Americans, and rehired McBride as the coach in 1941.

Jack McBride's legacy is that he remains a significant figure in Giants' history, one of the first players to showcase the versatility that would become crucial in the evolving game of football.