Steve Van Buren

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Steve Van Buren
No. 15     
Halfback
Personal information
Date of birth: December 28, 1920 (1920-12-28) (age 91)
Place of birth: La Ceiba, Honduras
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
College: Louisiana State
NFL Draft: 1944 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Debuted in 1944 for the Philadelphia Eagles
Last played in 1951 for the Philadelphia Eagles
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 1951
Rushing yards     5,860
Average     4.4
Rushing Touchdowns     69
Stats at NFL.com
Stats at pro-football-reference.com
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Stephen W. Van Buren (born December 28, 1920) is a former professional American football halfback who played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League from 1944–1951, and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Van Buren was born in La Ceiba, Honduras but, after he was orphaned as a boy, he was sent to live with relatives in New Orleans. From Easton High School in New Orleans, he received an athletic scholarship to Louisiana State University,[1] where he led the nation in points (110) and touchdowns (16) as a senior.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Philadelphia Eagles

A first-round draft pick in the 1944 NFL Draft, Van Buren ran for 444 yards in nine games during his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. He also led the league in returning punts as a rookie. The following season, Van Buren led the NFL in rushing for the first time. He would win three additional rushing crowns in 1947, 1948 and 1949, becoming the first running back in NFL history to achieve three consecutive rushing titles. Jim Brown (1957–1961, 1963–1965) twice, Earl Campbell (1978–1980), and Emmitt Smith (1991–1993) have since managed that feat. All four are in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.

[edit] 1948 NFL Championship game

Van Buren's signature game came on December 26, 1948. Playing in a blizzard for the NFL Championship against the Chicago Cardinals, Van Buren scored the only touchdown of the game to give the Eagles their first league title. They would win their second crown a year later against the Rams. In that game, Van Buren set a league record with 196 yards rushing.

The greatest irony was that Van Buren almost missed the game. Thinking the game wouldn't be played in the blizzard, he remained home until Eagles coach Earle "Greasy" Neale called him and told him the game was still on. He had to catch 3 trolleys and walk 12 blocks in order to make the game on time.

[edit] Retirement

After a knee injury before the 1952 season, Van Buren retired as the NFL record holder for career rushing yards (5860) and career rushing touchdowns (69). He broke Clarke Hinkle's record of 3860 yards on October 3, 1949 when he rushed for 135 yards on 33 attempts and scoring two touchdowns in a 22-14 win over the Detroit Lions. He also scored three times returning kickoffs, three times on receptions, and twice on punt returns for a total of 77 touchdowns. He was also the first running back to pass 1000 yards in a season twice. A fast, powerful back, he stood 6-1 and weighed 200 pounds, and could run the 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds.

[edit] Honors

[edit] Personal life

Van Buren currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Where Are They Now: RB Steve Van Buren". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. 23 February 2008. http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story-WhereAreTheyNow.asp?story_id=15134. Retrieved 25 November 2010. 
  2. ^ "STEVE VAN BUREN". Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=222. Retrieved 25 November 2010. 
  3. ^ Daily Philadelphian.com

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Clarke Hinkle		 NFL Career Rushing Yards Leader
1949 - 1958		 Succeeded by
Joe Perry
Founded in 1933 • Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Current League Affiliations
Offense: McNabb (QB) · Van Buren (RB) · Byars (FB) · Carmichael (WR) · McDonald (WR) · Pihos (TE) · Thomas (LT) · Key (LG) · Bednarik (C) · Andrews (RG) · Runyan (RT)
Defense: Simmons (DE) · White (DE) · J. Brown (DT) · Johnson (DT) · Bednarik (MLB) · Joyner (OLB) · Wojciechowicz (OLB) · Allen (CB) · Vincent (CB) · Waters (SS) · Dawkins (FS)
Special teams: T. Brown (KR) · Westbrook (PR) · Akers (PK) · Landeta (P) · Papale (ST)
Coach: Andy Reid
Chuck Bednarik (1967) | Bert Bell (1963) | Bob Brown (2004) | Richard Dent (2011) | Mike Ditka (1988) | Bill Hewitt (1971) | Sonny Jurgensen (1983) | James Lofton (2003) | | Ollie Matson (1972) | Tommy McDonald (1998) | Art Monk (2008) | Earle "Greasy" Neale (1969) | Pete Pihos (1970) | Jim Ringo (1981) | Norm Van Brocklin (1971) | Steve Van Buren (1965) | Reggie White (2006) | Alex Wojciechowicz (1968)
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