Hall of Fame
(Charter Member). Greatest NIU athlete during school's first 50 years. Known as the "Flyin' Finn." Loomed larger than life and 5-foot-6, 155-pound frame. DeKalb's own Babe Ruth or Jim Thorpe legend. Won school-record 17 varsity letters in five sports?football (4), basketball (4), baseball (4), track (4), and wrestling (1). First NFL roster player. First Chicago Tribune College All-Star Football Game participant. Named All-Century in two major sports (football and basketball). Played on Little 19 team champs in four sports. Three-sport captain. Clocked :09.8 in 100-yard dash. Signed free agent contract with NFL Detroit Lions whose coach (Potsy Clark) personally scouted him and drove to DeKalb (1936). Played with NFL Brooklyn Dodgers (1937) and Chicago Bears (1938). Participated in College All-Star Football Game at Soldier FIeld as Detroit rookie (9-2-36). Voted All-Little 19 Conference, league Player of Year, and team co-captain on 7-1-1 loop champ as senior on gridiron. Ranked No. 2 in nation in College Division scoring (101 points in 1935). Set NIU game (35 points vs. EIU in 1935), season (101), and career (204 in 1932-35) grid scoring marks. Recorded longest rush from scrimmage at NIU (99-yard TD vs. UW-Whitewater in 1934). Started on back-to-back loop kingpins that won 30 of 35 games on hardwood?including 15-2 HOF quintet that played Kansas and Pitt at NABC convention exhibitions (1933-34). Tied for first in long jump in track dual vs. Big Ten Chicago and Jay Berwanger (1935). Three-sport DeKalb High product (Deceased).
