Grenny Lansdell
Encyclopedia
Grenville Archer Lansdell Jr. (July 16, 1918 – May 14, 1984) was an American football halfback
who played for the National Football League
's (NFL) New York Giants
during the 1940 season
.
Prior to his NFL career, Lansdell played college football at the University of Southern California (USC), filling multiple roles. His official position in college was quarterback
, but he served as a running back, while also throwing passes and punting. The Daily Pilot
described Lansdell as "one of the last of the truly great all-around triple-threat stars in college football history". In addition, Lansdell was a punt returner and played safety on defense. Offensively, he led USC in passing yards from 1937 to 1939, and in rushing yards in 1938 and 1939; USC reached the Rose Bowl
in both seasons.
In the 1940 NFL Draft
, the Giants chose Lansdell with the 10th overall pick. He played one season for the team, appearing in two games and rushing for nine yards in seven attempts; he also completed two passes in three attempts. Lansdell's football career was interrupted in 1941, when he joined the U.S. Army. During World War II, Lansdell was a pilot with the Army Air Corps
. Lansdell did not return to football following the war; instead, he piloted flights for Trans World Airlines
for more than 30 years.
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
who played for the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's (NFL) New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
during the 1940 season
1940 NFL season
The 1940 NFL season was the 21st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended when the Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins in the NFL Championship Game, 73–0. This game still stands as the most one-sided victory in NFL history...
.
Prior to his NFL career, Lansdell played college football at the University of Southern California (USC), filling multiple roles. His official position in college was quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, but he served as a running back, while also throwing passes and punting. The Daily Pilot
Daily Pilot
The Daily Pilot is a daily newspaper published by the Los Angeles Times to serve the communities of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa in Orange County, California....
described Lansdell as "one of the last of the truly great all-around triple-threat stars in college football history". In addition, Lansdell was a punt returner and played safety on defense. Offensively, he led USC in passing yards from 1937 to 1939, and in rushing yards in 1938 and 1939; USC reached the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
in both seasons.
In the 1940 NFL Draft
1940 NFL Draft
The 1940 National Football League Draft was held on December 9, 1939.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
, the Giants chose Lansdell with the 10th overall pick. He played one season for the team, appearing in two games and rushing for nine yards in seven attempts; he also completed two passes in three attempts. Lansdell's football career was interrupted in 1941, when he joined the U.S. Army. During World War II, Lansdell was a pilot with the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
. Lansdell did not return to football following the war; instead, he piloted flights for Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines was an American airline that existed from 1925 until it was bought out by and merged with American Airlines in 2001. It was a major domestic airline in the United States and the main U.S.-based competitor of Pan American World Airways on intercontinental routes from 1946...
for more than 30 years.