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Tom Harmon

Halfback

Inducted 1954

Date of Birth

9/28/1919

Birthplace

Rensselaer, IN

School

University of Michigan (1938-1940)

Bio

Tom Harmon of Michigan reeled off a succession of big plays in his career. In 1939, he went 95 yards with an intercepted pass against Iowa, scored on Pennsylvania with runs of 65 and 35 yards, and made all his team's points in a 27-7 victory over Yale. He opened the 1940 season on his 21st birthday at California and scored on runs of 94, 86, 70 and 65 yards. Tom's last college game was in Michigan's 40-0 victory at Ohio State. He ran for three touchdowns, passed for two, kicked four extra points, returned three kickoffs for 81 yards, intercepted three passes and punted three times for an average of 50 yards. The home crowd at Ohio State gave him a standing ovation. Tom led the nation in scoring in 1939 and 1940, was a consensus then unanimous All-America in those years. Tom also led the nation in all-purpose yards as well in those seasons. "Ole 98" won the Heisman Trophy in 1940 after finishing second the previous year. In World War II, he joined the Army Air Corps, was shot down twice, received the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Tom played with the Los Angeles Rams 1946-1947, then became a nationally acclaimed broadcaster. His son Mark became a famed actor.