| Syracuse Orange | |
|---|---|
| Position | Fullback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | May 1, 1921 Rocky River, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died: | September 25, 2011 (aged 90) Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 192 lb (87 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College | Syracuse University |
| High school | Lakewood (Lakewood, Ohio) |
Norman Gladding Michael (May 1, 1921[1] – September 25, 2011) was an American college football player who was a fullback for the Syracuse Orange. Following his college career, Michael was selected in the 20th round of the 1944 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles could not locate him, as he was serving in World War II, and he did not learn of his selection until 55 years later.[2][3][4]
Early life and education
Born in Providence, RI in 1921,[5] Michael attended high school at Lakewood. He played college football at Syracuse University, playing fullback. One of his best plays came as a sophomore, where he made a 58-yard run against rival Colgate, scoring a touchdown a few plays later.[6] But on the next possession he broke his leg and was out for the year. He was frequently injured during his time at Syracuse,[7] "keeping the doctors busy", according to the Democrat and Chronicle.[8] In addition, Michael suffered a torn arm muscle as a freshman, and fracturing or breaking his wrist, arm,[9] nose, and ankle in his final two seasons.[8] While healthy, he was rated a top-class fullback, being dubbed by a scouting report as, "a first-class fullback so long as his bones maintain the particular spirit of unity."[6] Another newspaper described him as "a Rocky River, Ohio boy who is touted as one of the fastest backs ever to play for Syracuse."[7] Though he was mainly used as a blocker, he made the most of his rushes, averaging 10.5 yards per-carry in one season.[7]
NFL Draft
Following his college career Michael was selected in the 20th round of the 1944 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the Eagles were not able to locate him, as he was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, serving in World War II.
Later life
Afterwards he worked at multiple sales jobs near Syracuse and was a business owner in Rochester, retiring in 1978.[7]
He did not learn of his selection in the NFL Draft until 55 years later, in 1999, while reading a local newspaper listing Syracuse draftees. "That was the first I heard of it," Michael said. "I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me."[7] "I guess I may have missed my window of opportunity," he said, laughing.[7] "My son sent them a letter after we found out, I think he wanted to see if the Eagles owed me a signing bonus. Think of the interest I could have had. Fifty-seven years’ worth," he also said.[6]
He died on September 25, 2011, at the age of 90.[10]
References
- ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]
- ↑ "Draft can take some wacky turns". ESPN.com. April 18, 2007.
- ↑ Sheehan, Stephen (April 16, 2020). "The NFL Draft Pick Who Read He'd Been Drafted by the Eagles 55 Years Later".
- ↑ "The strangest NFL draft moments". ESPN.com.
- ↑ "Norm Michael Stats". Pro Football Archives.
- 1 2 3 "This day in sports history: The player who didn't know he'd been drafted for 50 years". sports.yahoo.com. April 19, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pitoniak, Scott (September 10, 1999). "SU star learns Eagles drafted him—55 years later". Democrat and Chronicle – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Orange Gridder All "Broken-up"". Democrat and Chronicle. November 25, 1941 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Jinxed!". El Paso Times. October 26, 1941 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Norman G. Michael Obituary (2011) Rochester Democrat And Chronicle". Legacy.com.