Jump to content

1951 All-Pro Team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1951 All-Pro Team consisted of American football players in the National Football League (NFL) chosen as best at their position for the 1951 NFL season. Several rival journalistic organizations named All-Pro teams in 1951, there was no official league honor by that designation.

Background

[edit]

The 1951 NFL All-Pro Team is something of a misnomer. This was not an official league-sponsored honor, nor was the team a single entity. In fact, several different rival journalistic institutions — all independent of the NFL — each named their own All-Pro Teams following the conclusion of play in the 1951 NFL season.

The first of the three most important 1951 All-Pro teams was announced on December 19 by the United Press (UP).[1] With the NFL's permanent adoption of the free substitution rule on January 23, 1950,[2] it was clear by this date to virtually all observers that "the days of the 30- and 60-minute player" were "apparently doomed."[3] Consequently full offensive and defensive units were named by the UP for the first time — a 22-man roster.[4]

Offensively, the UP followed the conventional lineup of the day, selecting two ends, two offensive tackles, two guards, a center, a quarterback, two halfbacks, and a fullback.

On the defensive side the UP selected two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, two middle guards, two linebackers, two defensive halfbacks, and one safety.[1]

First- and second-team squads were named for each of these positions.[1] No specialist players such as kickers, punters, or kick returners were named.

The rival Associated Press (AP), making its selections via a poll of "AP sportswriters in each city where the pros played," announced its elections early in January 1952.[3] The 1951 season similarly marked the first time that both offensive and defensive teams were named by the AP.[3] No "second team" was named, rather a more expansive "honorable mention" list was published.[3]

The third, and least prestigious, of the major All-Pro teams was chosen by the staff of the New York Daily News.[5]

Selections

[edit]

The All-Pro selections were dominated by players from the Cleveland Browns (nine first-team honorees including Otto Graham and Lou Groza), New York Giants (seven honorees including Emlen Tunnell), Los Angeles Rams (six first-team honorees including Elroy Hirsch), and Detroit Lions (four first-team honorees including Doak Walker).

Consensus first-team All-Pros (13) marked with bold type.

Offensive selections
Position Player Team Selector(s)
Quarterback Otto Graham Cleveland Browns AP-1, UP-1, NYDN-1
Quarterback Bob Waterfield Los Angeles Rams UP-2, NYDN-2
Halfback Doak Walker Detroit Lions AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
Halfback Dub Jones Cleveland Browns AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
Halfback Joe Geri Pittsburgh Steelers UP-2, NYDN-1
Fullback Dan Towler Los Angeles Rams UP-1, NYDN-1
Fullback Eddie Price New York Giants AP, UP-2
Fullback John "Kayo" Dottley Chicago Bears UP-2
End Elroy Hirsch Los Angeles Rams AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
End Dante Lavelli Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1
End Leon Hart Detroit Lions AP, UP-1 [def. end]
Tackle George Connor Chicago Bears AP, UP-1 [def. tackle], NYDN-1
Tackle Tex Coulter New York Giants UP-1, NYDN-1
Tackle Lou Groza Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1
Tackle Leo Nomellini San Francisco 49ers AP
Guard Lou Creekmur Detroit Lions AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
Guard Dick Barwegen Chicago Bears AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
Center Frank Gatski Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1
Center Vic Lindskog Philadelphia Eagles AP
Defensive selections
Position Player Team Selector(s)
Defensive end Len Ford Cleveland Browns AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
Defensive end Larry Brink Los Angeles Rams AP
Defensive tackle Arnie Weinmeister New York Giants AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
Defensive tackle Al Derogatis New York Giants AP
Defensive guard Bill Willis Cleveland Browns AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
Defensive guard Les Bingaman Detroit Lions AP
Defensive guard Jon Baker New York Giants UP-1
Defensive guard Stan West Los Angeles Rams UP-2
Linebacker Chuck Bednarik Philadelphia Eagles AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
Linebacker Tony Adamle Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1
Linebacker Paul "Tank" Younger Los Angeles Rams AP
Defensive halfback Otto Schnellbacher New York Giants AP, UP-1, NYDN-1
Defensive halfback Warren Lahr Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1
Defensive halfback Jerry Shipkey Pittsburgh Steelers AP
Safety Emlen Tunnell New York Giants AP, UP-1, NYDN-1

AP Honorable Mentions

[edit]

Offense

Defense

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Earl Wright, "Cleveland Browns Win Nine Berths on All-NFL Team," Wichita Eagle, Dec. 19, 1951, p. 10.
  2. ^ Roger Treat, The Official National Football League Football Encyclopedia. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1952; p. 22.
  3. ^ a b c d Frank Eck, "Four Cleveland Browns on AP All-Pro Football Team," Chillicothe [OH] Gazette, Jan. 8, 1952, p. 10.
  4. ^ For evidence that UP did not name two platoons previously, see, for example: "United Press All-Pro Team," Santa Maria [CA] Times, Dec. 12, 1950, p. 2.
  5. ^ "1951 NFL All-Pros," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com/