The Greatest Game

The Sports Illustrated cover called the Baltimore-New York Giants game the greatest in Pro Football history. The come-from-behind overtime triumph for Baltimore was indeed a thriller
The Giants, sparked by the veteran Charlie Conerly, the World War II Marine hero from Ole Miss, were leading and the sports writers had been given their MVP ballot. They had voted and Conerly was elected Most Valuable Player.
Then the Colts rallied behind Johnny Unitas' great arm to tie the score and send the game into sudden death overtime. Baltimore won on Alan Ameche's crash into the end zone. The writers voted again and Unitas was chosen MVP.
In the recent SI article Conerly's name was not even mentioned. Unitas is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Conerly is not, the most glaring omission in the Pro Hall at Canton, Ohio. For the rest of his life Conerly could not understand why he had not been elected. He played until he was 40. Brett Favre announced his retirement at 38. He is a sure bet for the Pro Hall when he becomes eligible. Unitas was elected to the Pro Hall years ago.
Unitas is not in the College Football Hall of Fame because he played for the University of Louisville in the 1950's. Then the Mid-America stars and the Southern Independents could only merit Little All-America recognition. Conerly was elected to the College Hall before he passed away and cherished the honor.
I saw Unitas and Louisville play twice in 1951 and 1952. The Cardinals shaded Southern 14-13 in Louisville on a rain-soaked field and Southern whipped Louisville and Johnny U in Jackson behind the slashing dashing running of two of the best running backs to ever play on the same team, Fullback Bucky McElroy and Halfback Hugh Laurin Pepper, who out gained Oklahoma's Heisman Trophy winner Billy Vessells and Buck McPhail in 1952.
Pepper and McElroy both got Little All-American recognition but are not in the College Football Hall of Fame. Neither are Johnny Unitas, Chattanooga's bruising fullback Dick Young or Miami University's Tom Pagna.
When I was working for the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Little All-American were not elected to the college Hall, which I always felt was a mistake. Later standouts from small colleges are now being elected to the Hall, which is a good thing, BUT the Little All-Americans from the 1940's and 1950's should not be forgotten and should be honored while they are still alive or posthumously if they have passed away.
The Mid American and Southern Independents of that time are now major universities. When I was working for the NFFCHF we had several special dinners as not to conflict with the major induction dinner at the Waldorf Astoria to honor groups of Pioneer Players. Certainly these men I have mentioned are in the Pioneer Category now. As a dues-paying Chapter member I make this suggestion and trust the brass will take this into consideration and right this wrong.
Electing Charlie Conerly to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the Ole Timers group and McElroy,Pepper, Unitas, Dick Young and Tom Pagna should be honored in the College Hall.
Little All-Americans of that time could play for anyone. In 1953 Southern Mississippi beat SEC Champion Alabama and the University of Georgia, who were quarterbacked by Bart Starr and Zeke Bratkowski behind the great running of McElroy and Pepper.
Buster Poole of the Ole Miss staff said the two big ones who got away from the Rebels were Pepper and Lance Alworth. McElroy was at one time Southern's all-time rushing star. And while his record has been broken remember he and Pepper were splitting the ball carrying duties.
They also played Offense and Defense, 60 minute men, Pepper a great pass defender and kick returner. McElroy a bruising linebacker who was a key in the whitewashing of Georgia which had been averaging three touchdown passes a game behind Bratkowski's magic. Stonewall Jackson Brumfield, a tower of strength as a defensive end, cat quick J.T. Shepherd and McElroy and company gave Zeke the longest day in his college career.
Coach Wally Butts, also the athletic director at Georgia, said the Athletic Director made a mistake scheduling the Mississippi Black and Gold.
General Robert R. Neyland of Tennessee scouted the Southern-Alabama season opener. Tampa scout Sam Bailey introduced himself to the General at halftime and told him Tampa was going to Hattiesburg to play and asked for advice. The General looked Sam in the eye and said " Don't Go."
====30-------