With Travis Hunter, a two-way player (wide receiver and cornerback) currently electrifying the Colorado Buffalo to a quick start in the collegiate football ranks, its time to revisit the last great two-players of the NFL.
My criteria for this conversation excludes players whose second position was kicker. Lou Groza, the offensive tackle of the Cleveland Browns from 1946 -1959 and from 1961-1967 is excluded. Known as “The Toe,” Groza predates the soccer-style field goal kickers of today. Groza went to 9 Pro Bowls. Also, not part of this story is Bobby Layne, a quarterback often associated with the Detroit Lions. Layne, a member of the 1950s All-Decade team, was also a kicker. Troy Bown, a cornerback for the New England Patriots, with limited wider receiver play for coach Bill Belichick does not count either.
In the early days of professional football, it was common for players to play both on offense and defense. Part of this was based on need, rather than excellence by any particular player. Until the late 1940s the NFL roster was only 33-35 players. As of 1960, the roster size was 38 players.
Two-way player Chuck Bednarik
Charles Philip “Chuck”Bednarik is erroneously considered the last of the two-way NFL players. Bednarik, initially just an offensive center, also played the 1960 season at linebacker, replacing the injured Bob Pellegrini. The hard-nosed WWII veteran’s hit on Frank Gifford during the Philadelphia Eagles is part of his enduring reputation. The play New York Giants game ended Gifford’s career. Bednarik and the Eagles went on to defeat the Green Bay Packers on December 26th, 1960 at Franklin Field to win the NFL championship. Bednarik retired after the game.
The roster size of each NFL football team continued to increase. In the 1960s and 1970s, rosters rose to 47 players. In 1993, the NFL expanded active game-day rosters to 53 players, allowing for greater specialization on kick coverage as well as on offense and defense.
As Travis Hunter progresses through his college career, only time will tell if he will see significant play at both cornerback and wide receiver in the NFL ranks. Until then, we turn to Les Richter, the last great two-way player. Richter played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1954 to 1962. The Hall of Famer player played both linebacker and offensive guard. And yes, he too was a kicker.
Barry Schustermann
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