By Darin From blocking punts in the final minute to save a season at Notre Dame to hauling in record-breaking touchdowns in the NFL Championship, Wayne “Double L” Millner was the ultimate big-game player. A dual Hall of Famer who defined the end position in the 1930s, Millner’s knack for late-game heroics made him a legend in both South Bend and Washington D.C. Discover the story of the man who became the premier pass-catcher of professional football’s formative years.
Football Bio
January 31, 1913 – Roxbury, Massachusetts – Wayne Millner, the legendary end from the University of Notre Dame, was born. According to the National Football Foundation’s bio on him, “Double L” Millner was a hero in two spectacular Fighting Irish wins during a dismal season otherwise in South Bend in 1933.
Notre Dame had won only two of its first eight games and was scheduled against the unbeaten Army team. With one minute to play, Notre Dame trailed the Cadets by 6. With his legendary teammate, Moose Krause, leading the way for him, Millner blocked an Army punt and recovered it for a touchdown. Notre Dame won 13-12 on the last-minute heroics!
Another story had Millner catching a late touchdown pass from QB Bill Shakespeare with 32 seconds left to lift the Irish to an 18-13 victory over Ohio State in a battle of unbeatens. He earned All-American honors in two seasons. The National Football Foundation selected Wayne Millner in 1990 to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
As a Pro
After college, Millner joined the Boston Redskins and played 11 seasons for them, his service interrupted briefly by military duty during the war. When he retired, he was the top pass catcher in Redskins history. Probably his highlight game was in the 1937 NFL Championship game, where he caught TD passes of 55 and 78 yards. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Wayne Millner in 1968.
Conclusion
Wayne Millner’s career serves as a masterclass in performing under pressure. Whether it was a blocked punt at the goal line or a 78-yard strike in a title game, Millner consistently delivered when the stakes were highest. His legacy as the Washington Redskins’ first great receiving threat and his status as a charter-era hero for the Fighting Irish ensure his place among the most clutch players in football history.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1968.
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1990.
- NFL Champion: 1937 (Washington Redskins).
- 1937 NFL Championship Performance: Caught touchdown passes of 55 and 78 yards.
- Collegiate All-American: Two-time selection at Notre Dame.
- Washington Redskins Record: Retired as the franchise’s all-time leading pass catcher.
- Pro Career Longevity: Played 11 seasons (interrupted by WWII military service).
- Notre Dame Heroics: Recorded game-winning scores against Army (1933) and Ohio State (1935).
