Benny Friedman Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
2/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
CANTON, Ohio -- The National Football League announced yesterday (Saturday, Feb. 5) that former University of Michigan standout Benny Friedman was elected posthumously to the NFL Hall of Fame. Friedman was a three-year letterman at quarterback for the Wolverines (1924-26) and played eight seasons for four NFL organizations.
Friedman was one of four individuals elected to the Hall of Fame, joining quarterbacks Dan Marino and Steve Young as well as Fritz Pollard, the first African-American head coach in the NFL. Enshrinement ceremonies take place Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio.
Friedman played for the Cleveland Bulldogs (1927), Detroit Wolverines (1928-29), New York Giants (1929-31) and Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-34) in the professional ranks. He threw a league-record 11 touchdown passes as a rookie in 1927 and led the NFL in passing touchdowns the following three seasons. Friedman earned first-team all-NFL honors each of his first four seasons. He set passing records for passing touchdowns in a game (four), season (20 in 1929) and career (66), marks that stood as league record for many years. Friedman also became the first player in NFL history to lead the league in passing touchdowns and rushing scores in the same season, accomplishing the same feat in 1928.
Friedman starred on the gridiron in Ann Arbor, earning All-America honors during his final two years (1925-26). The Wolverines won two Big Ten championships and compiled a 20-4 record during his three years as a starter. Friedman received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 1926.
He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the state of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Friedman grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.
Friedman is the seventh individual with University of Michigan ties elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He joins Elroy Hirsch (1968 inductee), Bill Hewitt (1971), Len Ford (1976), Dan Dierdorf (1996), Tom Mack (1999) and George Allen (2002).
Hall of Fame Release
Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
