One of the all time greats and a New York legend who played his college ball at NYU before joining the Staten Island Stapletons (where he was a thorn in the side of the Giants) in the NFL and then many years as a Giant back and kicking specialist (wrapped around a brief excursion to the New York Yankees of the 2nd AFL).
He was a true triple threat player who could run, catch and kick. Strong played a solid brand of defense and was the offensive catalyst the lead the Giants famous 4th quarter comeback against the 13-0 Chicago Bears in the 1934 NFL championship Game, also known as "The Sneakers Game".
NYG 100 Ken Strong - (
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At the time his position was called "backer up" which would evolve into what we know as a linebacker today. That evolution occurred in the early-mid 1950s with Bill Willis, George Connor, Joe Schmidt and Sam Huff. In the 1930s the backers up played much closer to the LOS, as their job was pretty much run support.
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What position did he play on defense? Must have been DB or LB, no?
At the time his position was called "backer up" which would evolve into what we know as a linebacker today. That evolution occurred in the early-mid 1950s with Bill Willis, George Connor, Joe Schmidt and Sam Huff. In the 1930s the backers up played much closer to the LOS, as their job was pretty much run support.
And it's very overlooked today, but everyone played defense and special teams. Nobody left the field during changes of possession unless they were injured or near the end of a quarter and the coaches wanted to give a couple of guys a breather. Free substitution was experimented with during the war years in the 1940s and didn't become permanent until 1949.