Born: Benjamin Friedman - March 18, 1905 - Cleveland Browns
Died: November 23, 1982 at New York, NY
Drafted: Benny Friedman played in the NFL prior to the advent of the NFL Draft.
Years Played: 1927-1934
Position Played: Quarterback
Played For: Cleveland Bulldogs 1927, Detroit Wolverines 1928, New York Giants 1929-1931, Brooklyn Dodgers 1932-1934
High School: East Tech (Cleveland, OH)
College: Michigan
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: 2005
Other Members of the Class of 2005: Dan Marino, Fritz Pollard, Steve Young
Uniform Number:
No. 1 (New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers), No. 6 (Cleveland Bulldogs), No. 21 (Detroit Wolverines), No. 17 and 26 (Dodgers)
No. 1 (New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers), No. 6 (Cleveland Bulldogs), No. 21 (Detroit Wolverines), No. 17 and 26 (Dodgers)
Notoriety:
Benny Friedman is widely regarded as the first great passer and was one of the first marquee players in NFL history. In 1928, he led the league in both rushing touchdowns and touchdown passes; a feat that has never been matched.
Benny Friedman is widely regarded as the first great passer and was one of the first marquee players in NFL history. In 1928, he led the league in both rushing touchdowns and touchdown passes; a feat that has never been matched.
Career Highlights:
- Two-time All-America quarterback (Michigan)
- Named All-NFL four times. (1927-1930)
- Threw a league-record 11 touchdown passes as a rookie. (1927)
- First player to throw 20 touchdown passes in one season. (1929)
- First player to throw four touchdown passes in one game. (1929)
- Led the league in touchdown passes four consecutive seasons. (1927-1930)
- Set a career record with 66 touchdown passes.
- Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (2005)
